Finnish Lapland is one of Europe’s favourite winter escapes, and it’s easy to see why: forests heavy with snow, frozen lakes and, if you’re lucky, the northern lights overhead. Of everything you can do here, a snowmobile safari is still the one most people picture first.
If you want to do it properly, without a convoy of 40 machines and a coach waiting at the end, Ylläs is the place. It’s also where North Wind Lapland was born.
Why Ylläs for a snowmobile safari?
Ylläs is one of the few resorts in Finnish Lapland that mass tourism hasn’t reached. Compared with Rovaniemi or Levi, you get:
- Wild landscapes and quiet snowmobile trails
- Untouched nature right on the edge of Pallas-Yllästunturi National Park
- Local guides who know every trail
- The real thing: you’ll meet free-roaming reindeer, not queues
Our founders were either born and raised in Ylläsjärvi or moved here a long time ago and never left. We don’t show you a postcard version of Lapland. We take you out the way we go out ourselves.
Which snowmobile safaris do we run?
🏔️ Arctic forest snowmobile safari. The classic. You drive your own snowmobile through taiga forest and across frozen lakes. Good for first-timers and experienced riders alike.
🎣 Snowmobile and ice fishing. Ride out to a remote frozen lake, drill through the ice, try your luck with perch and finish with lunch cooked over the fire.
❄️ Snowmobile and SnowVillage visit. Combine the ride with a visit to the famous snow and ice village. A big hit with children and families.
🌅 Full-day safari with lunch in the wild. For people who want the big outdoors. A whole day on the snowmobile, with a traditional lunch in a kota (a Lapland hut) by a lake.
🚀 Adults only, solo drive. For adults who really want to feel what the machine can do. Fewer stops, more kilometres.
Every safari includes full winter gear, a local guide and insurance. All you need to bring is your own thermal base layer.
👉 See all our snowmobile safaris and current prices
When is the best time for snowmobiling in Ylläs?
The season runs from mid-November to mid-April.
- December and January: polar-night magic, long nights and frequent northern lights. The snow is fresh.
- February and March: the light comes back, the days get longer and conditions are at their best.
- April: the last snow of the season, long days and beautiful golden light for photos.
Practical tips before your safari
What should I wear? Layers: thermal underwear, a warm jumper and a windproof jacket. We provide the overall, boots, mittens, balaclava and helmet.
Do I need a driving licence? Yes. A regular car driving licence is enough to drive a snowmobile in Finland.
Can children come? Yes. On our family safaris, children under 13 ride in a sled pulled by the guide’s snowmobile.
How do I book? Directly on our website, or on WhatsApp at +358 50 312 1514. In high season, book at least two weeks ahead.
Why choose North Wind Lapland over a big operator?
Simple: with us, you’re not a number.
Our snowmobile groups never go above 10 adults. Your guides know every lake, every trail and every corner of the forest.
We’re also a social enterprise: more than half of our annual profit goes back into the Ylläsjärvi community, from youth clubs and sport to cultural and environmental projects.
Our guests seem to agree: 5.0 on Google from 107 reviews.
Book your snowmobile safari in Ylläs
👉 See all our snowmobile safaris
📱 WhatsApp: +358 50 312 1514 · 📧 info@northwindlapland.com
