By snowmobile through the Arctic wilderness
The roar of the engine dies and suddenly there's only silence, snow and mountains. My hands are still shaking from the handlebars' vibration, but in front of me is one of the most beautiful winter views I know around Tromsø. A snowmobile trip is a way to get deep into the Arctic wilderness in a few hours, somewhere it would take you all day on foot.
Where you can ride near Tromsø
Norway's snowmobile rules are strict. You may not ride freely across the land: only on marked trails (scooterløyper) or with a permit. That's why people ride mainly in organised groups. The most popular areas are:
- The Lyngen Alps: valleys between steep peaks, riding above a fjord. Ideal for photos.
- Kåfjord and Skibotn: inland valleys with firmer snow and often clearer skies.
- The Finnish border: endless plains around Kilpisjärvi and wide views.
- Tromsø – leaving town in the morning 69.649° N, 18.955° E
- Lyngseidet – the ferry and the gateway to Lyngen 69.575° N, 20.218° E
- Lyngen Alps – valleys between the peaks 69.620° N, 20.050° E
- Skibotn – inland valleys 69.391° N, 20.275° E
- Kilpisjärvi – plains by the Finnish border 69.046° N, 20.797° E
What a day looks like
In the morning we leave Tromsø, stopping by a fjord on the way to Lyngen for the first photos. At the base you get a thermal suit, boots, gloves and a helmet. The instructor explains the controls: the throttle under your thumb, the brake, and balancing through bends with your body. Then you ride in a line behind the leader. Two people share a snowmobile: one drives while the other sits behind and takes photos.
Halfway through the day we stop on a plain, light a fire and make coffee. That's when you enjoy the Arctic silence most. If you go between January and March, when the sun climbs only a little above the horizon, you have pink and golden light all day.
What to wear
The suit protects you from the wind, but wear layers under it: thermal underwear, fleece and warm socks. At 40 km/h the wind chill is much lower than the actual temperature. A buff over your face and ski goggles are useful. More about clothing in winter activities in Arctic Norway.
Snowmobiles and the aurora
Some trips also go out in the evening for the aurora. You ride far from the lights into the wilderness and stop under the lights in the middle of a snowy plain. If you want more time for photos, calmer trips by car are probably more your thing: see northern lights hunting in Tromsø.
Faq
Do I need a driving licence for a snowmobile?
To drive a snowmobile in Norway you need a valid category B driving licence. A passenger doesn't.
Is riding a snowmobile hard?
No, you learn the controls in a few minutes. The cold and the hours in the saddle are harder. You ride at a calm pace behind the guide.
When is the snowmobile season?
Usually from December to April, depending on snow. The best light is in February and March.
