Björkliden/Abisko: Night Sky Snowmobile Tour

The best part of this 2.5-hour outing is the ride itself: you leave the lights of Abisko or Björkliden and head into the cold Arctic night by snowmobile, looking for a clear view of the Northern Lights. At the mountain stop, a fire, hot drink, and lingonberry juice make the wait feel like part of the adventure rather than dead time.

I like the small group of up to eight and the fact that warm clothes, boots, gloves, a balaclava, and helmet are included. I also like the shared snowmobiles, which let you split the driving with a friend and keep the $198 price from climbing even higher.

The main catch is simple: you need a driving license, and the aurora is never guaranteed. Pickup can take up to 30 minutes, and a private snowmobile costs extra. If your flight plans are fragile, be careful with timing, since a missed departure may not bring a refund or replacement voucher.

Key points to know before booking

• Shared snowmobiles keep the price manageable: You ride two people per machine, with the option to upgrade to a private snowmobile on site for an added fee.
• The mountain stop is built for waiting: You park in a spot protected from wind and weather, then watch the sky beside a crackling fire.
• Warm equipment is included: Boots, gloves, balaclava, helmet, and other warm clothing are provided, though you should still bring suitable base layers.
• Pickup covers Abisko and Björkliden: Transport takes about 15 minutes each way, but the pickup itself can take up to 30 minutes.
• Aurora conditions matter more than the clock: Your guide chooses a mountain location where the chances of seeing the polar night display are best.
• You must be old enough and licensed to drive: Children under five cannot join, children aged five to fifteen are limited to one per adult, and a driving license is required.

Riding into the Arctic night from Abisko

This tour begins at one of six pickup points in the Abisko area: Abisko Fjällturer AB, Hotell Fjället, Abisko Mountain Lodge, Gammelgården Ski Lodge, STF Abisko Turiststation, or Abisko Guesthouse.

You should be ready at your chosen stop on time. Pickup may take up to 30 minutes, so this is not the moment to wander off for a late coffee. The van transfer is listed at about 15 minutes each way, with the snowmobile portion taking place around Björkliden.

Once you arrive, your guide gives safety and driving instructions before anyone heads into the dark. That briefing matters. A snowmobile is exciting, but it is also a real motor vehicle on snow and ice. Listen carefully to the instructions, especially if this is your first time driving one.

The tour uses shared machines, with two people per snowmobile. You can take turns driving with your companion, which makes the ride social and gives both of you a chance to handle the machine. If you prefer not to share, a private snowmobile can usually be arranged for an extra fee on site. I would confirm the upgrade details before setting out, especially if you have your heart set on driving alone.

The mountain ride is part of the attraction

The route carries you through snowy scenery toward a mountain location selected for better Northern Lights conditions. The point is not simply to drive from one place to another. The snowmobile gives you access to a darker, more open setting than you may find near your accommodation.

The ride lasts about two hours, including the guided snowmobile outing and the stop. You should expect darkness, cold, and a strong sense of space. The appeal is physical as much as visual: the hum of the machine, the cold air, and the changing snow beneath you make this different from standing outside a hotel with your camera pointed upward.

Your guide also explains the Northern Lights and offers practical viewing advice. That is useful because seeing the aurora takes patience. Even in a place famous for clear Arctic skies, clouds, wind, and solar conditions can change the evening. The guide can help you understand what to watch for and where you might continue looking after the tour.

The experience is conducted in English. The group is limited to eight participants, which should make the safety briefing and guide commentary easier to follow than on a large coach excursion.

A fire, hot drink, and lingonberry pause

At the mountain stop, the snowmobiles are parked in a place chosen for protection from wind and weather. You then settle beside a crackling fire with a hot drink and a snack while the group watches the sky.

The food is modest but well chosen for the setting. Sweet bread, cookies, and lingonberry juice are the sort of simple treats that taste especially good after a cold ride. The lingonberry drink is a particularly nice northern touch, and the pause gives you time to warm your hands, talk with your companion, and listen to the guide’s stories about the aurora.

This stop is more than a refreshment break. Northern Lights outings often involve waiting, and waiting in the cold can become uncomfortable quickly. A sheltered fire gives the evening a comfortable rhythm: ride, stop, warm up, look up, and listen.

Built-in hand warmers on the snowmobiles have also been a welcome detail for some participants. Still, do not treat the supplied equipment as a reason to arrive in thin clothing. Bring warm layers, and use the provided outer gear as added protection rather than your only defense against the cold.

The Northern Lights are possible, not promised

The tour is designed around aurora viewing, but no guide can guarantee a display. That is the honest reality of booking any Northern Lights activity. Clear skies help, but the lights also depend on conditions beyond anyone’s control.

The tour’s advantage is that you are taken toward a mountain spot chosen for the best available viewing conditions. You also receive advice about places you can reach on foot from your accommodation after returning. That can be valuable if the sky clears later in the night.

The timing works well for this reason. After the 2.5-hour outing, your night is still open. You can return to Abisko or Björkliden, warm up, and continue checking the sky independently. Your guide can suggest useful nearby viewing areas, though the supplied information does not name particular spots.

If the aurora appears, the moment should feel especially memorable from a snowmobile stop beside a fire. If it does not, you still have a guided winter ride, mountain scenery, warm drinks, and a practical introduction to local viewing conditions. That distinction is important when deciding how much of the $198 price you are assigning to the lights themselves.

What the $198 price includes

At $198 per person, this is not a cheap evening activity. The cost makes more sense when you add up what is included: a certified guide, transport from and back to your Abisko or Björkliden accommodation, a shared snowmobile, warm clothing, boots, gloves, a balaclava, helmet, and snacks.

The shared machine is central to the value. You are not paying for a private snowmobile by default, but you still get time behind the controls. If you are traveling with a friend or partner and are happy to take turns, the arrangement keeps the experience more reasonable.

The package is also useful for visitors who do not arrive with a full Arctic wardrobe. Renting or buying winter boots, a helmet, gloves, and protective clothing separately can add cost and luggage trouble. The provided equipment is one of the strongest practical reasons to consider this tour.

The private-machine upgrade changes the calculation. If solo driving is important to you, ask about the extra charge on arrival and decide if that freedom is worth it. If you mainly want the ride and the aurora setting, sharing should be perfectly workable.

Transport, pickup, and the return to town

The van ride is listed at about 15 minutes each way. Pickup is available from six Abisko-area locations, and the return service goes to Abisko Mountain Lodge, STF Abisko Turiststation, Abisko Guesthouse, Hotell Fjället, Gammelgården Ski Lodge, and Abisko Fjällturer AB.

Because pickup can take up to 30 minutes, allow a generous buffer before the stated departure. Do not schedule a tight dinner reservation or another activity immediately afterward. The snowmobile tour itself lasts 2.5 hours, but the evening can feel longer once pickup variation and changing into gear are included.

The final drop-off leaves you near your accommodation, which is helpful after time in the cold. You can continue looking for the aurora on foot if the sky remains promising, using advice from the guide.

Flight delays deserve special attention. One booking was missed after a Ryanair delay and a missed connection to Kiruna, with no partial refund or replacement excursion offered. That does not make the tour poor, but it does mean you should not assume that an airline delay will be covered. If your arrival is on the same day, leave as much breathing room as possible.

Who will enjoy this most

I would choose this for an active couple, friends, or a small family group that wants more than a seated aurora outing. Driving a snowmobile adds movement and excitement, while the fire stop gives the evening a slower, quieter side.

It suits you especially well if you:

• Have a valid driving license and want to take turns driving
• Like cold-weather activities and snowy mountain scenery
• Prefer a small group to a large organized departure
• Want warm gear provided instead of packing everything yourself
• Are happy to treat the Northern Lights as a possibility, not a guarantee
• Plan to keep the rest of the evening free for more sky watching

It is less suitable if you do not want to drive, dislike cold outdoor activities, or need a private snowmobile without paying extra. The experience is also not suitable for children under five, pregnant women, or people with heart problems. Only one child aged five to fifteen is allowed per adult.

What to bring and how to prepare

Bring your driving license. You will need it to operate the snowmobile, and the tour provider should be contacted if you do not want to drive your own machine.

Bring warm clothing even though outerwear is supplied. I would wear several layers, warm socks, and clothing that allows you to move comfortably under the provided gear. Bring water as well. Alcohol and drugs are not allowed.

A phone or camera is useful, but cold conditions can affect batteries. The supplied information does not promise photography instruction or special camera equipment, so treat photos as your own responsibility. At the fire stop, keep your device protected and focus on enjoying the sky as well as recording it.

Cancellations are free up to 24 hours before departure, with a full refund. The tour operates from December through March, and departure times vary by date, so check the booking calendar before committing to other plans.

Should you book the Björkliden snowmobile tour?

I would book it if you want an active Northern Lights outing with transport, warm clothing, a small group, and a proper pause beside a fire. The strongest parts are the snowmobile ride, the sheltered mountain stop, the lingonberry drink and sweet snack, and the guide’s practical advice for continuing your search afterward.

I would skip it if your only goal is a guaranteed aurora sighting. No Northern Lights tour can promise that, and $198 is a lot to spend if you see only clouds. I would also think twice if your flight connection is tight or if you do not have a driving license.

For most visitors who accept the weather risk, this is a well-rounded Arctic evening. You get a real winter activity even if the sky stays dark, and the small group keeps the experience personal. Check the date, confirm pickup, bring your license, and leave the rest of the night open for one more look upward.

FAQ

How long does the snowmobile tour last?

The full activity lasts 2.5 hours. The listed van transfers take about 15 minutes each way, though pickup can take up to 30 minutes.

How much does the tour cost?

The price is $198 per person.

Where can I be picked up?

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

Where will I be dropped off?

Return drop-off is available at Abisko Mountain Lodge, STF Abisko Turiststation, Abisko Guesthouse, Hotell Fjället, Gammelgården Ski Lodge, and Abisko Fjällturer AB.

Is transport included?

Yes. Pickup and drop-off from the listed Abisko and Björkliden area locations are included.

Do I need a driving license?

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

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.

Is warm clothing provided?

Yes. 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 tour is designed to take you to a mountain location with favorable viewing conditions, but an aurora display is not guaranteed. After returning, your guide can give you tips for continuing to search on foot near your accommodation.