A way of life

In the far northern reaches of FinlandSweden and Norway, snowmobiles have become part of the way of life during the long winters. The machines are now a cornerstone of everyday life here, not only as they keep remote communities in contact with one another during winter but, they are also a key element in the local economy.

Their introduction has transformed the lives of many locals and when they are used for recreation or by visitors, the environment is treated with a great deal of respect.

Snowmobiles offer guests an exciting chance to experience the wilderness of these regions and to gain a better understanding of it as a result. It puts you directly in the driver’s seat, allowing you to explore areas of the winter landscape that would otherwise be inaccessible.

As darkness falls, snowmobiles also become a handy mode of transportation to help you outrun any localised cloud cover. Imagine speeding along the Arctic tundra to reach a location with a break in the clouds and as you turn off your engine, the Northern Lights start to appear overhead.

Please note, to drive a snowmobile you must be over 18 and have a full driving licence.

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The benefits

Practically speaking, the introduction of the snowmobile has been huge, having a far-reaching impact on many lives, by helping to improve the communication between isolated and remote Arctic communities.

Faster than huskies or reindeer and more cost effective to maintain, the snowmobile became the transport of choice in regions where road access is non-existent in winter, preventing isolation during long winter months.

The introduction of the snowmobile also greatly benefitted the semi-nomadic reindeer herders in the region. Previously herding migrating reindeer could take months, as the Sámi people followed them on foot, sled or cross-country skis.

Although some may think that they have a negative environmental impact on the region, the trails are very well managed and vast swathes of the countryside remain entirely snowmobile free. They are also far less polluting than the off-road vehicles which would be employed in their absence.

Snowmobiling has also had a long-lasting impact on the economy of the region too – bringing employment and a manufacturing and repair industry. Importantly, as the popularity of snowmobiling grows, so too does the focus on making them more environmentally friendly.

The activity

Of course, alongside their practical purpose, snowmobiles offer a wonderfully fun and exciting way to view and explore the remarkable landscape. Our holidays feature a varied range of snowmobile excursions of multiple durations and distances to choose, so whether you want to spend the day on your snowmobile or just enjoy a brief taster, we are sure to have something you can enjoy.

As well as our daytime experiences we also use snowmobiles in order to aid guests when searching for the Northern Lights. Travelling at night allows you to witness the remarkable shapes and sights of this winter landscape in a whole new light.

The regions in which our trips are situated have an unending array of trails to explore – snow-topped forest trails, peaked fells, mountainous backdrops or vast frozen lakes await you and your snowmobile. The joy of snowmobiling is not only that you get to travel swiftly across a stunning landscape, but also that you really make the most of this winter scenery.

Safety is of course at the heart of all we do. To drive a snowmobile you must be over 18 and have a full driving licence. You will be given a safety briefing and full instructions before you set off and you must respect the rules and the speed at which they can travel. You will be provided with a full safety and snowmobile letter at the time of booking.

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