Snowmobile Safari in Rovaniemi with kids

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If you’re visiting Lapland in winter, a snowmobile safari is one of those bucket-list experiences that really makes your Rovaniemi trip feel like a proper Arctic adventure – here’s a review of our experience. During our stay we booked a 1 hour snowmobile safari with NordicUnique Travels, via Get Your Guide, and it ended up being one of the highlights of the trip. If you’re visiting Finland with teens it’ll definitely be a hit, as they can hop on the back, while younger children can ride in a sled pulled by the guide. So, if you’re thinking of booking a Lapland snowmobile safari across the wintery forests in Rovaniemi, here’s my honest review and everything you need to know before you book.

Visit: March 2026

Booking and price

We booked our Rovaniemi snowmobile safari tour through Get Your Guide at £99 per person – paying the adult rate for the kids to ensure they could ride as passengers on the snowmobiles. (Prices for younger children were cheaper). Annoyingly, the week before, I noticed that the excursion was reduced to £69 per adult – I think this was likely due to us visiting towards the end of the season. So, it might be worth checking for a last-minute deal – prices can be higher during peak Christmas weeks but it’s worth keeping an eye out for deals if you’re travelling in late winter or early spring.

Check-in and transport

The meeting point was NordicUnique Travels’ office in central Rovaniemi which is located opposite the Rosso restaurant. Conveniently, this was literally a two minute walk from where we stayed at Piriko Apartments. You can borrow snow suits, boots and gloves from the main office – the clothing is included in the cost of the excursion. We brought our own gear for the trip, so we didn’t need to use the overalls provided, but it’s an option if you’re not bringing a full suit and want to ensure you’re warm enough. After checking in, we were taken by bus to the snowmobile base which is located opposite Santa Claus Village – the bus ride took around 20 minutes. (You could easily combine the snowmobiling with a visit to Santa Claus Village and then take a different bus back later if you wanted to explore the area afterwards.)

From start to finish, you should allow around three hours for the whole experience. That includes checking in at the office, the transfer to the snowmobile base, the actual safari and waiting for the return bus. Our start time was 10.30am but tour times may vary due to popularity and the date booked. The actual snowmobile safari was 1 hour which I think was plenty of time to enjoy the experience without it being too short or long. There were about 40-50 people on the excursion with us, split into 3 groups each with their own guide, and (unless you pay for a singular snowmobile) you’ll ride in pairs.

Getting ready

At the snowmobile base we were given helmets and balaclavas, there’s also a small office where you can leave things like hats and gloves if needed – though keep your valuables in zipped pockets or within a backpack. The guides gathered everyone together for a quick briefing before we started – the talks were given in groups based language spoken in English, Spanish and French. The instructions were very straightforward and easy to follow, even if you’ve never driven a snowmobile before. To drive a snowmobile you must have a driving licence, and everyone driving has to sign a waiver before setting off.

Driving the snowmobile

I was surprised at how easy the snowmobiles were to use. To start them you simply lift the red safety button and press the orange start button. From there it’s very simple, you just squeeze the lever to accelerate and release it to slow down or stop. There’s also a bicycle-style break on the handle bars if you need to slow down a bit quicker. Steering is done with the handlebars, which are heated, something you really appreciate in the Lapland cold!

During the safari we travelled in a single line with around a 10 metre gap between each snowmobile. The guide rides at the front and uses hand signals for stop, slow down and go, which are passed along the line so everyone stays together. Most of the journey was at around 30-40km per hour, which felt fast enough to be exciting but still very safe. (Though we did see people out riding their own snowmobiles at a much faster pace which I have to admit did look really fun!)

The route

The snowmobile safari took us through snowy forest trails in the outskirts of Rovaniemi – it’s fun way to experience the beauty of Lapland. Tall pine trees covered in snow lined the route and it really felt like we were deep in the Arctic wilderness. We stopped a couple of times along the way for short breaks and photos, which was nice as it gave everyone a chance to take in the scenery. The breaks also give adults an opportunity to swap over to make sure everyone gets a chance to drive. One thing to be aware of is that other snowmobile safaris use the same trails, and there are also a few tunnels and corners where you need to slow down, but everything is clearly signposted and the guide uses hand signals so nothing comes as a surprise.

Travelling with kids

As I mentioned above, children over 150cm can ride on the back of a snowmobile with an adult driver but they do have to pay the adult price. This was one of the reasons that we booked this particular tour through NordicUnique Travels – some of the other safaris also had age restrictions which would have left my 13 year old daughter in the sled (despite her being tall enough). Younger children ride in a sled pulled by the guide’s snowmobile, which is a common setup for Lapland excursions to ensure families can take part. There are multiple different types of snowmobile tours on offer – from aurora hunts, to mini snowmobiles and BBQ excursions too so make sure you check out this article to find the best fit for you: The 5 best Rovaniemi snowmobile tours for families.

One small thing to note is that there aren’t toilets at the NordicUnique office, so it’s best to go before you arrive. However, there is a petrol station near the snowmobile base where you can use the facilities after the snowmobiling experience.

What else is there to do in Rovaniemi with kids?

Rovaniemi is an excellent base for your Lapland adventure as there’s loads to do and it’s all within easy reach on foot or via public transport. You could take the kids to Santa Claus Village to see Santa, play in the snow, toast marshmallows and for other experiences like reindeer rides and husky rides. It’s also home to Snowman World with snow slides, ice-skating, a snow maze and snow art – great fun for a visit with younger kids. Alternatively, you could visit SantaPark – an indoor attraction inside a cavern where you can cross the Arctic Circle, take part in festive activities, watch shows and enjoy a magical train ride. And, your visit won’t be complete without a day spent at Lapland Winter Park – we had such an amazing time there and it offers a really authentic experience. For the ultimate thrill-seekers, ice-karting looks like brilliant fun for adults and teens! For lots of ideas, make sure you check out my article: The 15 best things to do in Rovaniemi with kids.

Our overall experience – is a Rovaniemi snowmobile safari worth it?

I hope that my review has been helpful – we had a fantastic time on our Lapland snowmobile safari and I would really recommend booking your experience with NordicUnique Travels if you’re staying in Rovaniemi. The staff were really friendly and helpful, the instructions were clear and the whole experience felt very well organised. I was nervous about driving the snowmobile but it was actually really simple and the staff were very relaxed which definitely put me at ease. If you’ve got older kids in particular, then a snowmobile safari is bound to impress them – there are plenty of different options in Rovaniemi and it was Lola’s favourite part of our Lapland trip. Most of the excursions in Lapland are pricey but for a once in a lifetime experience it’s well worth adding on a few magical activities to make fabulous memories with the kids in the snow.

Have a magical time! I’ve got lots of guides for things to do in Rovaniemi, where to stay, general tips for a budget-friendly experience and what to wear etc so make sure you check out my other articles to make your getaway run smoothly: