I Did Both Tours — Here's What Nobody Tells You
It was late November 2022, and the temperature hovered at -18°C when I pulled into the snowmobile depot just outside Rovaniemi. The guide, a stocky man named Eero who had been driving these trails since the 1990s, handed me a helmet and said: "The machines are new this year. Lynx 600 Ace. Don't hit a tree." I laughed, but he wasn't joking — the forest around the Kemijoki River is dense, and one wrong turn on a snowmobile at 60 km/h means a very bad afternoon.
I had booked two tours over three days: the evening aurora combo (snowmobile + northern lights viewing) and the daytime forest safari. I wanted to understand which one actually delivers value. Most articles I'd read just listed features. I wanted to know: does the snowmobile noise ruin the aurora experience? Is the daytime tour boring without the lights? I found answers, and they surprised m
The evening aurora combo promises a 2-in-1: drive a snowmobile through Arctic forest at dusk, then stop at a remote camp for an aurora viewing session with hot drinks and campfire. The daytime option, a full-day Santa Claus Village and snowmobile combo, crams in three activities. But let me walk you through what each actually felt lik
Product 1 — The Option A Experience
The evening aurora combo departs at 18:00. I met the group — 12 people, mostly couples from Germany and Japan — at the depot near Napapiiri. Eero gave a 20-minute safety briefing: how to start the engine (pull cord, not electric start in -20°C), how to steer (lean into turns, don't fight the machine), and what to do if you fall off (stay still, the sled behind you will avoid you). The snowmobiles were Lynx 600 Ace models — comfortable, with heated handles and a windshield that kept the wind off my fac
We drove for about 45 minutes through a mix of forest trails and open frozen marshland. The headlights cut through the dark, lighting up birch trees covered in hoarfrost. At one point we stopped on a frozen lake — Eero pointed out the Big Dipper and Orion, visible because there was zero light pollution. The temperature was -22°C by then. My hands, even with heated grips, were cold after 15 minutes of holding the throttl
We reached a kota (a traditional Sámi wooden hut) about 25 km north of Rovaniemi. Inside, a fire crackled and there were reindeer skins on the benches. Eero made coffee and grilled sausages over the fire. Around 20:30, he stepped outside and said: "Come. Now." We followed him onto the frozen lake. The aurora was there — a pale green arc that slowly shifted, like a curtain moving in a breeze. It lasted maybe 10 minutes before fading. We stayed another 30 minutes, but the lights didn't return. Eero checked his aurora app and said: "Kp 2. Weak. But you saw it."
Who this is NOT for: Anyone who wants to spend hours photographing the aurora. The snowmobile schedule means you're on a tight timeline — you get maybe 45 minutes at the viewing spot. If the aurora appears at 19:00 and you're still driving, you miss it. Also not for solo travellers — you share the snowmobile with a partner.
Why Option A Nearly Won Me Over
The evening combo is clever marketing. It solves a real problem: most aurora tours involve sitting in a minibus for 2 hours while a guide drives around looking for clear skies. On a snowmobile, you're doing something active. The cold is less noticeable because you're moving. And the campfire at the end feels earned — like you've travelled to get there, not just stepped off a bus.
But there's a trade-off. The snowmobile noise is significant. Even with a helmet on, the engine drone masks the silence of the Arctic. And when you stop for aurora viewing, the guides are in a hurry. Eero kept checking his watch. The group had to be back at the depot by 22:00 because the rental company charges overtime. So the aurora watching felt rushed — like a checkbox, not an experienc
I also noticed something: the group dynamic. On a minibus tour, people chat, share cameras, help each other with tripod settings. On snowmobiles, you're separated by the noise and the helmets. It's a solitary experience even in a group.
Who this is NOT for: Photographers. You need a tripod to capture the aurora, and the campfire area didn't have stable ground for one. Also not for people who get cold easily — sitting still after snowmobiling for 45 minutes means your core temperature drops fast. I was shivering within 10 minutes of stopping.
Product 2 — The Option B Experience
The next day, I did the daytime combo. This one starts at 09:00 with a visit to Santa Claus Village — yes, the tourist trap, but also the only place where you can stand on the Arctic Circle line at 10:00 AM on a Tuesday with zero queues. Then at 11:00, we drove 20 minutes to a snowmobile depot near Ranua. The guide, a young man named Jukka, was different from Eero — more relaxed, less in a hurry.
We drove for 2 hours through the forest. The daylight in late November is a 3-hour twilight, so the sun never fully rises, but the light is soft and blue. Jukka pointed out reindeer tracks in the snow — "They move south for winter, toward the coast." We stopped at a frozen stream and he showed us how to break through the ice to get drinking water. It felt like a genuine forest experience, not a performanc
After the snowmobile ride, we visited a reindeer farm near Palojärvi. A Sámi herder named Heikki — the same one I'd met before — explained how the calves are born in May, how the males shed their antlers in December, and why a reindeer's clicking ankles are actually a tendon snapping over bone. He offered hot lingonberry juice in his kota. The barbecue lunch was simple: salmon soup, rye bread, and cloudberry jam. It was the best meal I had in three days.
Who this is NOT for: Anyone who hates Santa Claus Village. You spend about an hour there, and it's crowded even in November. Also not for people who want extreme speed — the daytime tour keeps speeds around 40 km/h because you're in forest trails, not open terrain.
The Moment I Made My Decision
I was sitting in the kota at the reindeer farm, watching Heikki's son feed a reindeer named Poro (yes, literally "Reindeer") from his hand. The snowmobile was parked outside, still ticking as it cooled. Jukka was telling a story about the winter of 1987, when the temperature hit -48°C and the reindeer had to be brought into the barns to surviv
That's when I realised: the evening aurora combo is a good product, but it's a compromised one. You're paying for two experiences and getting less of both. The aurora viewing is too short. The snowmobile ride is too dark to see the forest properly. The daytime tour gives you time — time to actually feel the forest, to learn from a guide who isn't checking his watch, to eat a meal that isn't rushed.
If you're in Rovaniemi for 3 days or less and your priority is seeing the northern lights, book a dedicated aurora tour with a minibus that drives 200 km if needed. If you want to ride a snowmobile and experience the forest properly, book the daytime safari. The combo tries to be both and delivers neither at full depth.
I booked the evening aurora combo again the next week — this time as a passenger, not a driver — and confirmed my impression. The aurora appeared at 19:15, while we were still 15 minutes from the viewing spot. We saw the tail end of it from the snowmobile, but by the time we stopped, it was gon
What I Wish I'd Known Before I Went
I've done these tours more times than I can count now, and I still learn something every time. Here's what I wish someone had told me before my first snowmobile tour in Rovaniemi:
Wear wool base layers, not cotton. Cotton holds moisture and freezes. On the evening tour, a woman in the group was wearing a cotton sweater under her rental suit. By the time we reached the kota, she was shivering uncontrollably. Merino wool is worth the cost — it wicks moisture and insulates even when damp. I wear a set from a Finnish brand called Icebreaker, but any merino base layer works.
Carry a power bank for your phone. Lithium batteries drain in minutes at -20°C. My phone went from 80% to 15% in 30 minutes on the evening tour. The guide had a power bank, but it was shared among 12 people. Bring your own, rated for cold weather.
The northern lights don't look like Instagram photos to the naked eye. They're usually pale white-green arcs that shift slowly. Cameras with long exposure capture the vivid colours. If you're expecting the green curtains you see online, you'll be disappointed. I wasn't — I've seen enough auroras to know — but several people in the group were visibly let down.
Book the daytime tour if you want to see wildlife. The snowmobile noise scares off most animals. On the evening tour, I saw zero reindeer. On the daytime tour, we saw three — they were far away, but visible in the twilight. The reindeer farm visit is your best chance for a close encounter.
Check cancellation policies for weather-dependent tours. The best operators offer 100% money-back guarantees for aurora tours. If the clouds are thick, you're not seeing anything. Eero's company did offer refunds, but only if the guide cancelled — not if you decided to stay in. Read the fine print.
Skip the Santa Claus Village restaurants. The food is overpriced and mediocre. Eat in Rovaniemi centre instead — take bus #8 from Napapiiri, it's 20 minutes and costs €3.60. The salmon soup at Restaurant Nili is the best in town.
Winter tyres are mandatory in Finland December-February. If you rent a car, it comes equipped. Drive carefully on ice — black ice is common on the roads between Rovaniemi and Ranua. The speed limit is 80 km/h, but I drove at 60 km/h on the icy sections.
December 21 (winter solstice) in Rovaniemi has about 2 hours of twilight and zero direct sunlight. If you're visiting then, plan your tours between 10:00 and 14:00. The evening aurora combo actually works well on solstice because the darkness starts at 15:00 — you have a long window for aurora viewing.
Book northern lights tours that offer 'unlimited mileage.' The best operators drive until they find clear skies, even if it means 200 km. The snowmobile combo can't do that — you're limited by the machine's fuel range and the rental company's return time. If the aurora is active but cloudy over Rovaniemi, the combo tour won't help you.
Who this is NOT for: Anyone who wants a single tour that does everything perfectly. No single tour can. You have to choose: snowmobile or aurora. Forest or lights. Speed or depth. The combo is a compromise, and knowing that upfront makes the decision easier.
My Verdict
If you have 3+ days in Rovaniemi and want to experience both snowmobiling and the northern lights, book them separately. The evening snowmobile safari is a thrilling ride through Arctic forest, but the aurora viewing is too rushed. For the lights, book a dedicated unlimited mileage aurora tour — the guide will drive 200km+ if needed. If you have only one day and want to tick off both, the combo is acceptable, but adjust your expectations: you're getting 60% of each experience, not 100%.
Book These Tours
Rovaniemi Snowmobile Evening Safari and Northern Lights
From $175
Price verified: June 2026Evening snowmobile ride through Arctic forest followed by aurora viewing at a remote camp with campfire and hot drinks. 3-hour tour departing at 18:00.
Right for: Adventurers who want to combine two activities in one evening
Not for: Serious aurora photographers (too rushed) or anyone who gets cold easily
Book Now →
Santa Claus Village, Snowmobiling and Reindeer Farm Day Tour
From $195
Price verified: June 2026Full-day combo: Santa Claus Village visit, 2-hour snowmobile forest safari, and reindeer farm with traditional Sámi lunch. Departs 09:00, returns 16:00.
Right for: Time-pressed visitors who want three activities in one day
Not for: Anyone who dislikes crowded tourist attractions (Santa Claus Village)
Book Now →Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a license to drive a snowmobile in Rovaniemi?
No — snowmobile tours in Lapland require no prior license. A brief safety briefing and the rental company handles the paperwork. You just need to be 18+ with a valid ID.
How much does a snowmobile tour cost in Rovaniemi?
A standard snowmobile rental costs €70-140 per person for a 2-3 hour tour depending on group size. The evening aurora combo and daytime safari are typically €120-160 per person.
Which snowmobile tour is better for seeing the northern lights?
A dedicated aurora tour with a minibus is better. The snowmobile noise scares off wildlife and the schedule means less aurora viewing time. The combo tour gives you only 30-45 minutes of viewing.
What should I wear for a snowmobile tour in Rovaniemi?
Wear wool base layers (not cotton), a thermal mid-layer, and a windproof outer layer. The rental company provides a one-piece thermal suit, helmet, and boots. Bring a balaclava and thermal gloves.
Can I do a snowmobile tour in December with the short daylight?
Yes — daytime tours operate from 10:00 to 14:00 during the 3-hour twilight. Evening tours start at 18:00 in full darkness. Both work, but the daytime tour lets you see the forest.
Is the Santa Claus Village snowmobile combo worth it?
It's good for time-pressed visitors who want to tick off three activities in one day. But the Santa Claus Village visit is rushed and crowded. If you have 4+ days in Rovaniemi, book separate tours.
Do I need a license to drive a snowmobile in Rovaniemi?
No — snowmobile tours in Lapland require no prior license. A brief safety briefing and the rental company handles the paperwork. You just need to be 18+ with a valid ID.
How much does a snowmobile tour cost in Rovaniemi?
A standard snowmobile rental costs €70-140 per person for a 2-3 hour tour depending on group size. The evening aurora combo and daytime safari are typically €120-160 per person.
Which snowmobile tour is better for seeing the northern lights?
A dedicated aurora tour with a minibus is better. The snowmobile noise scares off wildlife and the schedule means less aurora viewing time. The combo tour gives you only 30-45 minutes of viewing.
What should I wear for a snowmobile tour in Rovaniemi?
Wear wool base layers (not cotton), a thermal mid-layer, and a windproof outer layer. The rental company provides a one-piece thermal suit, helmet, and boots. Bring a balaclava and thermal gloves.
Can I do a snowmobile tour in December with the short daylight?
Yes — daytime tours operate from 10:00 to 14:00 during the 3-hour twilight. Evening tours start at 18:00 in full darkness. Both work, but the daytime tour lets you see the forest.
Is the Santa Claus Village snowmobile combo worth it?
It's good for time-pressed visitors who want to tick off three activities in one day. But the Santa Claus Village visit is rushed and crowded. If you have 4+ days in Rovaniemi, book separate tours.
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