RecommendedGuides
Language
EnglishCurrency
US dollar · $GetYourGuide shows its prices in the currency you pick.
Guide · Snowmobile and Sled
Aurora Borealis with a Snowmobile in Rovaniemi
Searching for the Northern Lights with a snowmobile in Rovaniemi combines ride and sky: you drive through the snowy forest and keep looking up. Here you will find the snowmobile, sled, and husky tours, their prices, and the rules for the license.
Check availabilityfrom $228 · free cancellation
Editorial rovaniemipolarlichter.deUpdated on October 3, 20266 min read5 sources
In short
- 01Recommended
- The Northern Lights snowmobile safari with campfire lasts 4 hours and starts from $160.
- 02Driver's License
- On official snowmobile routes and when crossing roads, you need a Class T driver's license in Finland.1
- 03With huskies
- The husky sled tours under the Northern Lights start from $264, for 3.5 hours.
- 04More Affordable Sled Tour
- The sled tour under the Northern Lights starts from $89, for 3 hours.
- 05No Guarantee
- Whether the Northern Lights appear is decided by the sky; these tours do not offer a refund for cloudy conditions.
Northern Lights and Snowmobile: How They Fit Together
A Northern Lights tour in a jeep is mostly about waiting in dark spots. With a snowmobile, the night itself becomes the experience: you ride over frozen paths through the forest, stop at a clearing, and look up. Even if the sky stays quiet that evening, you will have experienced something you cannot get at home. That is exactly why many people consider these tours the highlight of their trip.
The Season Fits: In Rovaniemi, the Northern Lights season begins in late August and runs through early April.2 Snow for the snowmobiles is only available in winter, so the rides under the Northern Lights are a program of the dark, cold months. The best chances on a given night are usually between 9 p.m. and 2 a.m.3
An honest expectation is important. On the snowmobile, you focus on the trail, not the sky. You will see the Northern Lights mainly during the breaks, when the engines are off and it gets quiet. If you want to dedicate every moment of the night to the sky, a pure Northern Lights tour is a better choice; if you want to combine adventure and sky-watching, you are in the right place.
How it works
A night on a snowmobile
-
Before the trip
Sort out the license
On official routes in Finland, Class T is required.1
-
In the evening
Pickup
With the campfire safari, pickup is included.
-
Before the start
Briefing
The guide explains the throttle, brake, and the rules of the convoy.
-
On the Way
Driving and breaks
Northern lights are most likely to be seen between 9 p.m. and 2 a.m.3
-
By the fire
Warm up
The safari lasts 4 hrs
The Snowmobile Safari with Campfire
The tour we recommend for this combination is the Aurora Borealis Snowmobile Safari with Campfire. It lasts 4 hours, pickup is included, and the live guide speaks English. With a rating of 4.33 out of 1,135 reviews, it has the most votes among the snowmobile tours in the comparison.
The guide receives ratings of 4.4 for the tour, 4.6 for the transport, and 4.1 for value for money. The tour starts from $160. You can cancel free of charge up to 24 hours in advance, and you can reserve now with payment later.
The campfire in the name is more than decoration. After a ride in the cold, a pause by the fire feels good, your hands warm up, and the group starts talking. At the same time, the area around the fire is often dark enough to observe the sky. Keep a few steps away from the light when you look for the Northern Lights, because bright flames make your eyes less sensitive.
Duration
How long are the northern lights tours
Hours
Compare
Snowmobile and sleigh under the northern lights
| Tour | Duration | Duration | Rating | From price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Safari with campfire | Snowmobile | 4 hrs | 4,33 | from $160 |
| Hunt with a grill evening | Snowmobile | 3.5 hrs | 4,27 | from $183 |
| Dog sled | Huskies | 3.5 hrs | 3,71 | from $264 |
| Reindeer and huskies | Animals and grill | 7 hrs. | 4,45 | from $253 |
| Sleigh ride | Sleigh | 3 hrs | 4,09 | from $89 |
| Snow train to the camp | Train | 4.5 hrs | 4,02 | from $129 |
Source: the offers on GetYourGuide. Each amount is the per-person from-price.
Decision helper
Which tour suits you?
What should your night under the northern lights offer?
Safari with campfire
4 hrs by snowmobile, rated 4.33.
Dog sled
3.5 hrs, from $264.
Reindeer and huskies
7 hrs, max 8 participants.
Sleigh ride
3 hrs, from $89.
Tour on this page
8 hrs, money back if conditions make it impossible.
Which Driver's License You Need
There are clear rules for snowmobiles in Finland. Anyone who drives on official snowmobile routes or crosses roads needs a Class T driver's license.1 The tours do not provide details about who is allowed to drive with them. So ask the provider before booking whether you drive yourself, ride as a passenger, or sit in the sled.
Definitely bring the driver's license if you want to drive yourself. A digital ID on your phone does not always replace it, and a check at the starting point is common on such tours. If you do not have the right license, that is no reason to do without: on many programs you can also participate as a passenger, which gives you even more time to watch the sky.
Driving a snowmobile feels unfamiliar at first. The vehicle is heavy but responds directly to the throttle and handlebars. A guide explains the most important basic moves before the start, and the first few meters are slow. If you feel unsure, say so openly; riding in a column is more relaxed when no one is going too fast.
Checklist
For the polar night drive
01
Before booking
- Class T license if you want to drive yourself
- Questions about whether you drive or ride along
- Check pickup
- Free cancellation up to 24 hours in advance
02
For the cold
- Wool or base layers under the overall
- Balaclava for your face
- Thick gloves and wool socks
- Thin gloves for the camera
Cost calculator
How much does the tour cost for you?
How much does the northern lights tour cost for your group?
people
Total from$320
from per person $160
Check availabilityfree cancellationDeparture prices according to GetYourGuide, converted at the ECB reference rate. The exact price is shown when you book.
Video
Snowmobile driving in snowy Lapland
The video only loads when you tap Play.
Husky and Reindeer Sled Tours Under the Northern Lights
If you would rather hear animals than engines, there are also sled tours. The tour with Northern Lights and husky sled lasts 3.5 hours and starts from $264. It is rated 3.71 out of 284 reviews, and the value for money comes in at 3.2. This offer does not mention pickup, so clarify the journey beforehand.
Many people dream of riding in a reindeer sleigh under the northern lights, and in Rovaniemi there is a safari that combines reindeer rides, huskies, and a northern lights barbecue evening. It lasts 7 hours, is limited to 8 participants, and starts from $253. Whether a reindeer sleigh ride is included is not indicated by the name; check the description when booking.
There are also sleigh rides where the name does not say who is pulling. The northern lights sleigh ride lasts 3 hours and starts from $89. The sleigh ride with a barbecue evening lasts 2.5 hours and starts from $115. Both are cheaper than the animal programs and are a good fit if you want to enjoy a quiet night in the sleigh.
More ways through the polar night
Besides the campfire safari, there is a second snowmobile tour, the northern lights snowmobile hunt with a barbecue evening. It lasts 3.5 hours and starts from $183. With 4.27 out of 229 reviews, it has fewer votes than the campfire safari, but is close in rating.
An unusual variation is the snow train to the northern lights camp. It lasts 4.5 hours and starts from $129. According to the offer, the trip is operated by Apukka Resort Adventures. Here you sit comfortably and do not have to drive yourself, which can be an advantage for families or guests without a driver's license.
All these tours have a live guide speaking English. None of these offers has a German-speaking guide. The safety briefing before the start is worth listening to carefully, and it is better to ask once more if something is unclear. Most guides are happy to speak slowly if they notice that someone is not perfectly fluent in the language.
What to keep in mind regarding the cold
On a snowmobile, the cold feels stronger than when standing still, because the wind from riding adds to it. In December, the average low temperature in Rovaniemi is -13.2 °C.4 In January, the average nighttime low is -17 °C.4 Visit Rovaniemi recommends keeping warm with several layers of winter clothing.5
Almost all operators provide warm overalls, boots, and helmets for snowmobile tours. Whether this is included in your tour is stated in the offer description; ask if in doubt. Under the overalls, it is best to wear wool or thermal underwear, plus thick socks. Cotton is unsuitable because it holds moisture and then becomes cold.
Protect your face and hands especially. A balaclava under the helmet prevents the wind from freezing your cheeks and chin. Thick mittens are warmer than fingered gloves, even if you feel less with them. For photos during the break, a thin glove underneath is useful so you can operate the camera without exposing your fingers to the cold.
Snowmobile or northern lights only tour
The tour on this page is a northern lights only tour in a jeep. It lasts 8 hours, is limited to 8 guests, and refunds the price if the conditions make a sighting impossible. It starts from $228. Here the focus is solely on the sky, and the guide drives as far as necessary.
The snowmobile tours are shorter and stay closer to the city. They offer an experience that counts even without the northern lights. They do not offer a refund for cloudy skies. If you are in Rovaniemi for several nights, you can combine both: one evening on a snowmobile and one evening with a guide searching for a clear sky.
In the end, the choice depends on what you expect from the night. If you absolutely want to see the northern lights, go for a long tour with a guarantee. If you are looking for adventure and see the northern lights as a beautiful bonus, choose the snowmobile or the sleigh ride. Both can be canceled free of charge up to 24 hours in advance if your plans change.
Book the tour
Tonight the sky could turn green over the forests.
Reserve now, pay later, and cancel free of charge up to 24 hours before the start.
You ask,we answer.
Do I need a driver's license for the snowmobile?
Yes, Class T, on official routes. In Finland you need a Class T driver's license to drive on official snowmobile routes and cross roads.1
How much does a northern lights tour with a snowmobile cost?
From $160. That is the starting price for the campfire safari. The hunt with a barbecue evening starts from $183.
How long does the snowmobile safari last?
4 hrs The snowmobile safari with campfire is scheduled for 4 hours.
Is there a tour with huskies and northern lights?
Yes, from $264. The northern lights and husky sleigh ride lasts 3.5 hours.
Is there a tour with reindeer?
Yes, combined with huskies. The safari with reindeer, huskies, and a northern lights barbecue evening takes a maximum of 8 participants and lasts 7 hours.
Is a pickup included?
Yes, with the campfire safari. According to the offer, pickup is included.
What if no northern lights appear?
The trip takes place regardless. These tours do not offer a refund for clouds. The tour on this page refunds if the conditions make a sighting impossible.
Sources
What this guide is based on
- 1Traficom (Finnish Transport and Communications Agency)Snowmobiler - do you know the rules?↩
- 2Visit RovaniemiDiscover Northern Lights Season - Visit Rovaniemi↩
- 3Visit FinlandHow to see Northern Lights in Finland↩
- 4↩
- 5Visit Rovaniemi8 Safety Instructions For Winter Travellers↩
Read more
