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Snowmobile safari in Ivalo: which one to book

A black snowmobile seen from behind on a packed snow track beside a small wooden hut, with a frozen shore and trees beyond

Illustration photo: a snowmobile by a hut, not from one of the outings compared here.

Lapland Handbook Staff How we research this

The short answer

If you want to drive, book Ivalo Safaris' safari to Lake Inari: 25 to 30 kilometres, reindeer and lunch, thermal clothing lent, and a licensed driver needed. If nobody in your party drives, or you would rather watch the sky, the two sleigh rides take you into the wilderness in the evening, one to the edge of the Hammastunturi area with a campfire, the other through the forest at night. The night ride is from age ten; ask Ivalo Experiences about young children.

How the operators compare

Prices are the operators' own published starting prices as of the date this guide was updated, and they change through the season.

Ivalo Safaris: drive to Lake InariIvalo Experiences: sleigh to HammastunturiPrimitif Aventure: night sleigh
Price €179 – the lowest price per person €199 €186
Who drives You, two to a machine The guide; you ride in the sleigh The guide; you ride in the sleigh
Duration 3 h 15 min About 3 h 3 h
Where Ivalo River and Lake Inari, 25–30 km Edge of the Hammastunturi wilderness Forest near Ivalo, at night
Winter clothing Included, with helmet Not stated Suit and helmet included
Youngest 12 Not stated 10

Highlighted figures are the best in that row: the lowest price per person. All three price per person and can be cancelled free up to 24 hours before. The Ivalo Safaris price is the GetYourGuide listing; the same tour showed €175 on Viator. Only the price is marked.

Where these figures come from
  • Ivalo Safaris: drive to Lake Inari: The one you drive: 25 to 30 km along the Ivalo River and Lake Inari, reindeer and lunch on the owners' island, thermal clothing and hotel pickup included.
  • Ivalo Experiences: sleigh to Hammastunturi: A guide pulls you in a sleigh to the edge of the Hammastunturi wilderness, with a campfire and sausages, in a group of at most eight. No licence needed.
  • Primitif Aventure: night sleigh: Three hours seated in a passenger sled through the forest at night, suit and helmet lent, with a snack and a hot drink. From age ten.

Snowmobiles around Ivalo are sold two ways: one safari where you drive, and two evening outings where a guide’s machine pulls you in a sleigh.

If you want to drive

Ivalo Safaris collects you from your hotel, lends thermal clothing, shoes and a helmet, and leads a first-timers’ safari of 25 to 30 kilometres along the frozen Ivalo River onto Lake Inari. The route stops on the owners’ island to feed reindeer and for lunch in a teepee. Two guests share a machine and swap halfway.

If you would rather ride

Ivalo Experiences takes a group of at most eight by sleigh to the edge of the Hammastunturi wilderness area, lights a fire, grills sausages and watches the sky. Primitif Aventure’s night ride is similar in length, seated in a passenger sled through the forest after dark, with a suit and helmet lent. Nobody in either needs a licence.

Who can go

The driving safari takes nobody under twelve, and its drivers must be 18 and licensed. The night sleigh ride is from ten. Ivalo Experiences does not print an age, so ask if you are bringing young children.

What happens on a snowmobile safari, from the briefing to the driving, is in the Rovaniemi snowmobile safari guide. The rest of the village is on the Ivalo destination page.

What an hour and a kilometre cost on each trip, and what a machine to yourself adds, is worked out in snowmobile safari prices in Ivalo.

Tours you can book

Questions people ask

Can I drive alone on the Lake Inari safari?

Yes, for a single snowmobile supplement of 65 euros per person. The listing adds that a solo booking must include the supplement. Otherwise two guests share a machine and swap halfway, and the driver must be at least 18 with a licence valid in Finland, carried on the safari.

Why is the same safari cheaper on Viator?

Ivalo Safaris lists its Lake Inari safari on GetYourGuide from 179 euros and on Viator from 175 euros when checked, with the same route, lunch and inclusions. Prices can change by date, so compare both on your date; both allowed free cancellation until a day before.

Is clothing included on the sleigh rides?

On Primitif Aventure's night ride a suit and helmet are included. Ivalo Experiences' listing mentions snacks, sausages and hot drinks but not clothing, so ask. In a sleigh you sit still for hours, so wear wool layers under whatever you are lent.

Written by

Lapland Handbook Staff

Lapland Handbook is written by its editorial staff in Rovaniemi. Every price, age limit and group size in a comparison is read from the operator's own page and marked "Not stated" when the operator does not publish it. Each guide names who should not book, and names the operator that suits each kind of group, whichever it is.

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