-
Duration
4 hours -
Season
November to April -
Difficulty
Medium -
Participants
2 to 30
Minimum age: 8 years (to ride as a passenger; see Driving Requirements below) -
What's Included
Professional guide, local history, warm beverages and snacks, thermal suit, gloves, winter boots, helmet, liability insurance. Private departures available on request. -
Location
Alta, Gargia Valley and Finnmarksvidda
A Snowmobile Tour First, an Aurora Tour Second
This isn't a dedicated aurora chase. It's a guided snowmobile route through real Finnmarksvidda wilderness, and the dark winter evening happens to give you a shot at the northern lights along the way. That ordering matters: you're not spending four hours hunting a gap in the cloud, you're spending four hours snowmobiling through forest and open plateau, and whatever the sky does on top of that is a bonus, not the point of the ticket.
- Easy to medium activities
- Certified Expert Guides
- Teamwork, laughs and thrills
- All Gear Included
Tour Highlights
What the Ride Is Actually Like
The route runs from Gargia Lodge through snow-covered pine forest, climbing towards the Beskades range. As the trees thin out, the terrain opens into Finnmarksvidda, snow and sky in every direction with nothing else in view. If conditions cooperate, this open stretch is also where the aurora is most likely to show. What Mother Nature does with the sky that night isn't something the guide controls, but the ride through the forest and onto the plateau happens regardless.
Driving Requirements
Guests ride in pairs, one driver and one passenger, and can swap seats during the trip. To drive, you need a valid car licence (class B) - Norway's minimum age for that licence is 18, so anyone younger rides as a passenger. The tour's stated minimum age of 8 applies to passengers. A single-driver option is available for NOK 990 per person if you'd rather not share, and private departures can be arranged on request for groups who'd prefer their own excursion.
Your Northern Lights Snowmobile Tour, Start to Finish
Starting at Gargia
Meet at Canyon Hotel in Alta, or go straight to Gargia Lodge. Your guide runs through the briefing and safety points, and checks licences for anyone planning to drive.
Into the forest
The route climbs through snow-covered pine forest towards Beskades. This is roughly the first half of the two hours of driving.
Onto the plateau
The forest opens into Finnmarksvidda. This is the second half of the ride, and where you'll have the best view of the sky if the aurora appears.
Look up and enjoy the sky
If conditions align, you may see the northern lights over the open plateau. If they don't show, you've still spent the evening snowmobiling through one of the more remote landscapes in northern Norway, gear included, guide included, whether the sky performs or not.
Good to Know Before You Book
When and Where
Runs November through April. Meet at Canyon Hotel, Markedsgata 6, 9510 Alta, 15 minutes before departure, or at Gargia Lodge, 30 minutes before departure. Other pickup points can be arranged on request. Groups run 2 to 30 participants, riding in pairs by default, with a single-driver upgrade available. Contact us before hand to get the upgrade.
What's Included
Professional guide, local history, warm beverages and snacks, and the full gear list: thermal suit, gloves, winter boots, helmet, and liability insurance. Transfer from Alta is not included in this tour. Guests should arrange their own transportation to the designated starting point before departure.
Rated Medium. No prior snowmobile experience is needed, but you'll actively operate the machine for roughly two hours in Arctic conditions. The minimum age is 8 for passengers; driving requires a valid class B licence and a minimum age of 18. A child rate applies up to age 12.
The guide adjusts the route as conditions require through the season.
Payment is by card at booking, or by invoice, due within 10 days, for groups of 10 or more. Cancellations for bookings of up to 9 guests get a full refund 10 or more days before departure, 50% back 4 to 9 days before, and no refund inside 4 days; groups of 10 or more follow a separate schedule in the Terms and Conditions. Travel insurance isn't included, and travel insurance covering trip cancellation is recommended for every booking.
When and Where
Runs November through April. Meet at Canyon Hotel, Markedsgata 6, 9510 Alta, 15 minutes before departure, or at Gargia Lodge, 30 minutes before departure. Other pickup points can be arranged on request. Groups run 2 to 30 participants, riding in pairs by default, with a single-driver upgrade available. Contact us before hand to get the upgrade.
What's Included
Professional guide, local history, warm beverages and snacks, and the full gear list: thermal suit, gloves, winter boots, helmet, and liability insurance. Transfer from Alta is not included in this tour. Guests should arrange their own transportation to the designated starting point before departure.
Rated Medium. No prior snowmobile experience is needed, but you'll actively operate the machine for roughly two hours in Arctic conditions. The minimum age is 8 for passengers; driving requires a valid class B licence and a minimum age of 18. A child rate applies up to age 12.
The guide adjusts the route as conditions require through the season.
Payment is by card at booking, or by invoice, due within 10 days, for groups of 10 or more. Cancellations for bookings of up to 9 guests get a full refund 10 or more days before departure, 50% back 4 to 9 days before, and no refund inside 4 days; groups of 10 or more follow a separate schedule in the Terms and Conditions. Travel insurance isn't included, and travel insurance covering trip cancellation is recommended for every booking.
Still have a question?
CONTACT US TODAY!
Still have a question?
CONTACT US TODAY!
Questions Before You Book
No. The Northern Lights are a natural phenomenon, so sightings depend on solar activity, cloud cover and other conditions on the night of your tour.
This is primarily a snowmobile adventure through the Arctic wilderness rather than a dedicated Aurora chase. If the Northern Lights appear while you're out on the route, they're an incredible addition to the experience, but sightings can't be guaranteed.
No. Unlike a dedicated Northern Lights chase that changes its route specifically to search for clear skies, this experience is built around the snowmobile journey itself.
You'll ride through the winter landscape towards Finnmarksvidda after dark, giving you the opportunity to see the Aurora if conditions align along the way.
You'll ride from Gargia through snow-covered forest towards the Beskades range and the edge of Finnmarksvidda after dark. As the forest opens onto the plateau, you'll experience a much wider view of the night sky.
If conditions cooperate, this open terrain also gives you the chance to see the Northern Lights during your snowmobile adventure.
No. Previous snowmobile experience isn't required. Your guide will explain the controls, cover the important safety points and make sure you're comfortable before setting out.
Yes. Anyone driving must hold a valid Class B car driving licence, which will be checked before departure.
Because the minimum age for this licence in Norway is 18, guests under 18 can join the tour as passengers but cannot drive the snowmobile themselves.
Yes. Guests without a valid driving licence can join as passengers.
Snowmobiles are normally shared between two guests, with one person driving and the other riding as a passenger.
Yes. Guests normally ride in pairs, with one driver and one passenger sharing a snowmobile. Eligible drivers can swap positions during the trip so both get time behind the controls.
A single-driver option is available for an additional NOK 990 per person if you'd prefer your own machine.
The complete experience lasts approximately four hours, with around two hours spent driving.
The remaining time covers preparation, getting into the provided winter equipment and the safety briefing before the ride.
The route runs from Gargia through snow-covered pine forest towards the Beskades range and the edge of Finnmarksvidda.
The landscape becomes increasingly open as you climb, eventually giving way to the treeless terrain of the plateau and wide views of the Arctic night sky.
Finnmarksvidda is Norway's largest plateau, an enormous area of mostly open, treeless high ground in Northern Norway.
This tour takes you towards its edge, where the forests surrounding Gargia give way to expansive Arctic winter landscapes.
Gargia Lodge is the starting point associated with the snowmobile experience and where the briefing takes place before you head into the wilderness.
The minimum age to join as a passenger is 8 years old.
Guests who want to drive must be at least 18 years old and hold a valid Class B car driving licence.
The experience is rated Medium. You don't need previous snowmobile experience, but driving requires you to actively steer and control the machine for around two hours in Arctic winter conditions.
Guests normally ride in pairs, allowing eligible drivers to switch positions during the journey.
A thermal suit, gloves, winter boots and helmet are included, along with the necessary safety equipment.
You should still wear warm insulating layers underneath the provided outerwear, as you'll be spending an extended period outside after dark in Arctic winter conditions.
The tour accommodates between 2 and 30 participants, with guests riding in pairs by default.
Private departures can also be arranged on request.
No. Transfer from Alta is not included with this product.
I'd stop here until you confirm the Canyon Hotel/Gargia logistics mentioned above. Once that's confirmed, we can tell guests exactly where they need to get themselves.
Yes. Warm beverages and snacks are included as part of the experience.
Weather and snow conditions in Northern Norway can change quickly. Your guide may adjust the route when necessary based on conditions on the night, with safety taking priority.
Changes in weather can also affect your chances of seeing the Northern Lights.
For bookings of up to 9 guests, cancellations made 10 or more days before departure receive a full refund. Cancellations made 4β9 days before departure receive a 50% refund, while cancellations within 4 days of departure are non-refundable.
Groups of 10 or more follow a separate cancellation schedule outlined in the Terms and Conditions.
Tipping isn't customary or expected in Norway. If you've particularly enjoyed your experience and would like to tip your guide, you're welcome to do so, but it's entirely optional.
Payment is made by card at the time of booking. Groups of 10 or more can arrange payment by invoice, due within 10 days of booking.
Why Outdoor Norway?
Outdoor Norway is built by passionate outdoor professionals who believe adventure should do more than just entertain; it should inspire, empower, and create a deeper connection with nature. Based in Voss, our team combines local knowledge, professional guiding, and years of experience across kayaking, rafting, hiking, biking, and multi-day adventures to create unforgettable experiences in Fjord Norway.
Safety, sustainability, and meaningful experiences are at the core of everything we do. As a certified Eco Lighthouse (MiljΓΈfyrtΓ₯rn) company, weβre committed to low-impact tourism, responsible travel practices, and protecting the landscapes we explore for future generations. Small-group adventures to expert-led experiences, our goal is simple: to help you experience the best of Norway in a way that feels authentic, active, and unforgettable.
Why Outdoor Norway?
