Snowmobile safari in Alta: Drive the Finnmarksvidda plateau

You drive your own snowmobile across an Arctic plateau where the light never settles the same way twice.

A snowmobile safari in Alta takes you across the Finnmarksvidda mountain plateau in northern Norway, where you drive your own machine (or ride as a passenger) with a professional guide leading the way. The tour includes instruction on how to handle the snowmobile, warm beverages and snacks, professional gear, and stops for photographs of the Arctic landscape. A minimum of two participants is required, and drivers must hold a valid car or motorcycle license and be at least 18 years old. Passengers can be 16 or older.

The experience

Finnmarksvidda is a high plateau where the landscape shifts constantly: what people call the end of the world. You get instruction on snowmobile handling before the tour starts, then you're on the machine itself, driving across terrain that opens up in every direction. The guide leads the way and stops at points where the views change enough to warrant photographs. If conditions align, you may encounter a reindeer herd moving across the plateau in their seasonal migration, though that is never guaranteed. The whole experience runs about five hours.

You choose at booking whether you drive your own snowmobile or ride as a passenger. Drivers need a regular driving license for a car or motorcycle and must be 18 or older. Passengers can be 16 and up. The operator provides warm suits, boots and a helmet, plus instruction on safety and how to operate the machine. Warm beverages and light snacks come during the tour. If you're arriving by cruise ship, pickup is available at Alta Harbour, where the guide meets you with a minibus.

This is a real activity. You are responsible for operating the snowmobile, and you'll sign a liability agreement before the tour begins. The minimum group size is two people, and the tour can be cancelled if weather makes it unsafe. In that case you get a full refund. Wear your own warm layers underneath the provided suit (wool base layer, fleece or wool second layer, wool socks, hat, mittens and scarf), and know that the activity involves physical exertion and the inherent risks of driving a snowmobile on snow and ice.

What’s included

• Professional guide in English or Norwegian.
• warm snowmobile suit, boots and helmet.
• instruction on snowmobile operation and safety rules.
• warm beverages and light snacks during the tour.
• stops for photographs of the Arctic landscape.
• pickup by minibus if you arrive at Alta Harbour by cruise ship.

Options for this experience

2 options

Shared snowmobile for 2 peopleGuide in English or Norwegian · Available from 11 Jan 2027Shared snowmobile for 2 people: 1 driver plus 1 passenger. Price per person 1,950 NOK x 2 = 3,900 NOK; includes pickup

Single driver snowmobileGuide in English or Norwegian · Available from 11 Jan 2027You operate your own snowmobile; pickup is included

You pick the guide language when booking.

You'll see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates and prices

Before you book

Days and timesNext departure: 11 Jan 2027

Book up to12h before

AgesAdult (18 to 70 years) · Under 18: can't be booked

GroupUp to 7

Live guideEnglish and Norwegian

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup is optional; you can also go straight to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.You can choose from 6 pickup points.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 3 days ago

Good to know

Moderate physical effortNot recommended during pregnancyNot recommended with heart problemsNot recommended with back problems

Operated by Alta Adventure

Is this one for you?Book the Single Driver option if you want to control the machine yourself across open plateau. You'll need a car or motorcycle license and be 18 or older, but the freedom of driving your own snowmobile in this landscape is what makes the experience stick. Choose Shared Snowmobile if you prefer to ride as a passenger and let the guide handle the navigation, which works well if you want the Arctic views without the physical demand of operating the machine.

Traveler reviews

4.96★★★★★★★★★★

70 verified traveler reviews

5 ★68

4 ★1

3 ★1

2 ★0

1 ★0

Read all the reviews ›

Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English and Norwegian.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

Can I ride as a passenger if I don't want to drive the snowmobile myself?

Yes. The Shared Snowmobile option lets you ride as a passenger, though you'll still need to be at least 16 years old and weigh no more than 75 kg (about 165 lbs). The driver of the machine must be 18 or older and hold a valid car or motorcycle license.

What happens if the weather is too bad to go out on the plateau?

The tour can be cancelled due to weather conditions, and you'll receive a full refund if that happens. The operator monitors conditions and makes the call based on safety.

Do I need a special license to drive a snowmobile on this tour?

You need a regular driving license for a car or motorcycle: no separate snowmobile license is required. You'll receive instruction on how to operate the machine before the tour begins, but you are responsible for driving safely once you're on it.

What's included in the tour besides the snowmobile and guide?

The tour includes professional warm suits, boots and helmet; instruction on snowmobile operation and safety; a professional guide who speaks English or Norwegian; warm beverages and light snacks during the ride; and stops for photographs of the landscape. If you're arriving by cruise ship at Alta Harbour, pickup by minibus is also included.

What should I wear under the provided snowmobile suit?

Wear a wool base layer (not cotton), a fleece or wool second layer, wool socks, a hat, mittens rather than gloves, and a scarf. Cotton absorbs moisture and loses insulation when wet, so wool is essential in Arctic conditions.

Is there a chance to see reindeer on the plateau?

Reindeer herds migrate across Finnmarksvidda seasonally, and if conditions align during your tour, you may encounter them. It's not guaranteed, but the guide knows the area and will position the group to watch if a herd is moving through.