Björkliden/Abisko: Night Sky Snowmobile Tour

The best part of this Northern Lights snowmobile tour is the setting: you leave the lights of Abisko behind and ride into the dark mountain night, where the sky has a better chance to show off. I like the small group of no more than eight people, and I like that the tour includes the bulky winter kit you may not want to pack.

I also like the simple break by a fire, with hot lingonberry juice and cookies or sweet bread. The main drawback is that you share the snowmobile with another person unless you pay extra for a private machine, and the Aurora itself can never be promised.

Key points at a glance

• Ride into the mountain darkness: A snowmobile takes you from Abisko or Björkliden toward a spot chosen for better Northern Lights conditions.
• Share the driving: Two people normally use each machine, and a driving license is required for anyone who wants to drive.
• Warm up beside a fire: The pause includes a hot drink and sweet snacks, with shelter from wind and weather.
• Small group, English guide: The outing is limited to eight people and includes a certified guide who explains the Aurora and viewing conditions.
• Winter gear is supplied: You receive warm clothes, boots, gloves, balaclava, and helmet, though you should still bring water and warm clothing.
• Plan your second viewing session: Your guide gives tips for finding good walking spots near your accommodation after the tour ends.

Riding from Abisko into the polar night

This is not a bus tour with a quick photo stop. You learn the basics of snowmobile handling, put on your helmet and winter gear, then set off through the snowy terrain in the cold and darkness.

That change of pace matters. From a village street, the Northern Lights can seem like something you simply wait for. On a snowmobile, the search becomes part of the evening. You travel up toward a mountain area where the conditions for viewing the polar night are considered better, then stop in a place that offers some protection from wind and weather.

The tour runs for about two and a half hours, with roughly two hours devoted to the guided snowmobile ride in the Björkliden area. That is enough time to make the outing feel like a real Arctic activity, without turning it into an all-night endurance test.

You should keep your expectations sensible. A clear sky and strong Aurora activity are needed, and the tour cannot control either one. You may see a striking display, a faint glow, or no Northern Lights at all. The snowmobile ride, mountain darkness, fire, and guide’s explanations still give the evening value when the sky stays quiet.

Pickup from six Abisko-area locations

Pickup is available from six listed locations:

• Abisko Fjällturer AB
• Hotell Fjället
• Abisko Mountain Lodge
• Gammelgården Ski Lodge
• STF Abisko Turiststation
• Abisko Guesthouse

The vehicle transfer is listed as about 15 minutes each way, but pickup can take up to 30 minutes. I would be ready early at your chosen meeting point. In a small mountain community, a short delay while the vehicle collects people from several lodgings is normal, but you do not want to begin the night by making the guide search for you.

The return route serves the same general group of Abisko drop-off points. This is useful in winter, when walking between accommodations after dark can be unpleasant, particularly in heavy clothing and boots.

The tour information refers to departures from Abisko and Björkliden, while the driving section is described around Björkliden. The exact pickup time changes by date and season, so check the available starting time when booking rather than assuming the outing begins at a fixed hour.

Safety instructions before the throttle

Before you ride, the guide gives safety and driving instructions. This is important even if you have used a snowmobile before. The machines travel through cold, dark conditions, and you need to understand how the controls work before heading uphill.

A driving license is required. Normally, two people share one snowmobile. One person drives while the other rides behind, and you can generally share the driving during the trip if the guide permits it and both people are qualified.

You can usually upgrade to a private machine on site for an additional fee. That option makes sense if you strongly want to drive for the whole ride, or if you are traveling with someone who prefers not to share. The standard arrangement is better value for many couples and friends, but you should know what you are buying before arrival.

If you do not want to drive your own machine, contact the activity provider before the outing. Do not assume you can simply turn up without a license and take the handlebars.

The two-hour ride through snowy Björkliden

The ride is the heart of the experience. You drive through the snowy surroundings of Abisko and Björkliden, heading toward a mountain spot selected for nighttime conditions.

I like this part because the snowmobile gives you access to a wider area than a short walk from your hotel. You are not only standing beside a road waiting for a patch of green light. You are moving into a darker setting, with the engine, snow, and open sky creating a stronger sense of place.

At the same time, this is an active outing. You need to be comfortable sitting on a snowmobile in winter conditions and following instructions in the dark. The tour is not suitable for pregnant women, people with heart problems, or children under five.

One child between five and fifteen may join per adult. Since the normal machine arrangement is two people per snowmobile, families should pay close attention to the child rule and contact the provider if their group setup is unusual. A driving license still applies to anyone who intends to drive.

The guide chooses a suitable place to stop, with the aim of protecting the group from wind and weather. That practical choice is worth noting. The most exposed viewpoint is not always the best place to wait for the Aurora if you are cold within minutes.

Warm gear and useful winter comfort

The tour includes warm clothes, boots, gloves, a balaclava, and a helmet. This is a major part of the price because specialist Arctic clothing takes space in your luggage and can be expensive to rent separately.

One useful detail is that the snowmobiles may have built-in hand warmers. I would still bring proper warm clothing of your own. Wear layers, bring water, and do not treat the supplied gear as permission to arrive in thin city clothes.

The equipment also makes the tour easier for people who have not planned a full winter wardrobe. You may already own boots or gloves, but the supplied items can be better suited to a long, cold ride. The final fit matters, so allow time to put everything on properly before departure.

Alcohol and drugs are not allowed. That is a basic safety rule, but it matters more on a motorized winter activity than it does on a normal evening walk.

Fire, lingonberry juice, and a better wait for the Aurora

At the stopping point, the snowmobiles are parked in a suitable place. You wait by a crackling fire, with a hot drink and a snack such as cookies or sweet bread.

A hot cup of lingonberry juice is one of the small details that gives this outing character. It is not a grand meal, so eat beforehand if you need a full dinner. The snack is there to warm and recharge you while you watch the sky.

I especially like this pause because it solves a common Northern Lights problem. Standing still in Arctic night can become miserable quickly. A fire, hot drink, and sheltered position give you a better chance of staying outside long enough to notice a faint display.

During the break, the guide explains the Northern Lights and tells stories about the Aurora. You can also ask about what you are seeing and how to judge conditions. The value is not only scientific. A good explanation helps you understand why the sky may change slowly, why a faint band can be worth watching, and why patience matters.

There is no promise that the lights will appear during the two-hour stop. The guide can take you to a darker, more favorable area, but clouds and Aurora activity remain outside anyone’s control.

What the small group changes

The group is limited to eight people. That is small enough for the safety briefing to feel personal and for you to ask questions without fighting a crowd.

A smaller group also makes the snowmobile convoy easier to manage. The guide can keep track of the machines, explain the route, and make sure people understand the cold-weather instructions. If you prefer large social outings, this may feel quiet. If you want a calmer evening with less waiting, the group size is a real advantage.

The shared snowmobile setup can be social too. You ride with a friend or partner and can normally take turns driving. On the other hand, it gives you less independence than a private machine. If the person sharing with you has a different comfort level or wants most of the driving time, discuss that before setting off.

Is $198 a fair price?

At $198 per person, this is not a cheap way to search for the Northern Lights. The price makes more sense when you count what is included: pickup and drop-off, a certified guide, a shared snowmobile, warm clothes, boots, gloves, balaclava, helmet, snacks, and a two-and-a-half-hour evening activity.

A simple Aurora walk costs less, especially if you already have winter clothing and can reach a dark area on foot. The snowmobile adds transport into the mountains and gives you a structured plan for the evening. You are paying for the machine, gear, guide, and access to a remote viewing area, not just for a guarantee of green lights.

I consider the price strongest for a first Arctic visit, for people without suitable winter gear, and for anyone who wants an organized activity rather than a self-guided wait. It is less compelling if you already have warm clothing, a rental vehicle, and several nights available to search independently.

The private snowmobile upgrade costs extra, so include that in your budget if sharing is not appealing. The standard shared ride is the sensible value choice for most pairs.

What to do after you return

The tour ends while the night is still young. That is useful because one short outing should not be your only Aurora attempt.

Your guide can suggest good viewing spots that you can reach on foot from your accommodation in Abisko or Björkliden. Ask for specific advice before you leave. The guide may also help you think about shelter, darkness, and how far you should walk in the cold.

This follow-up advice adds value even if the snowmobile trip produces no display. You leave with a better plan for the rest of the night and for later evenings during your stay.

I would not book this as a single all-or-nothing Northern Lights bet. If seeing the Aurora is your main goal, give yourself more than one night and treat this tour as one well-organized search.

Who should book this snowmobile outing?

I would choose this activity if you want three things in one evening: a snowmobile ride, a guided attempt to see the Northern Lights, and a taste of winter camp life beside a fire.

It suits couples and friends who are happy to share a machine, families with children old enough for the stated rules, and first-time visitors who do not own Arctic clothing. The small group is helpful if you want to ask questions and avoid a large coach outing.

I would think twice if you dislike cold, cannot drive or do not want to ride as a passenger, need a guaranteed Aurora sighting, or have a medical condition listed among the restrictions. A private machine may help with comfort, but it cannot change the weather or the strength of the Northern Lights.

The activity has a strong practical balance. You get an exciting ride, proper winter equipment, a warm pause, and guidance for continuing the search afterward. The result depends on nature, but the evening itself is more than a gamble on the sky.

Booking details worth checking first

Departures operate from December through March, with dates depending on the booking calendar. The tour is conducted in English and includes pickup from the listed Abisko and Björkliden locations.

You can cancel up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund, and a reserve-now, pay-later option is available. Check the date, starting time, pickup location, child arrangement, and shared-machine setup before paying.

My call: book it if the ride matters as much as the lights

I recommend this tour if you want the Northern Lights search to feel like a real winter adventure rather than a roadside wait. The fire, hot lingonberry juice, supplied gear, and small group make the experience worthwhile even when the sky does not cooperate.

Book it with realistic expectations, bring a driving license and water, dress warmly, and keep the rest of the evening free for another Aurora walk. If you need a guaranteed display, no Northern Lights tour can honestly give you that.

FAQ

Where does the snowmobile tour depart from?

Pickup is available from Abisko Fjällturer AB, Hotell Fjället, Abisko Mountain Lodge, Gammelgården Ski Lodge, STF Abisko Turiststation, and Abisko Guesthouse.

How long does the activity last?

The full experience lasts about 2.5 hours. The listed route includes about 15 minutes of van travel each way and roughly two hours for the guided snowmobile ride.

Do I need a driving license?

Yes. A driving license is required if you want to drive a snowmobile. If you do not want to drive, contact the activity provider before the tour.

Is the snowmobile private?

No. The standard arrangement is one shared snowmobile for two people. You can usually upgrade to a private machine on site for an additional fee.

What clothing and equipment are included?

Warm clothes, boots, gloves, a balaclava, and a helmet are included. You should still bring warm clothing and water.

Can children join the tour?

Children under five cannot join. A maximum of one child aged five to fifteen is allowed per adult.

What happens if I do not see the Northern Lights?

The guide takes you to an area chosen for better viewing conditions, explains the Aurora, and offers tips for finding nearby viewing spots on foot after the tour. The Northern Lights are a natural event, so a sighting is not guaranteed.