Where and when to snowmobile in Tromso, the complete guide!

In the nordic countries, snowmobiling is a mode of locomotion like any other. In Lapland, there are lanes for cars, for pedestrians, and also for snowmobiles. But for us tourists, it’s above all a means of indulging ourselves, of getting our thrills, of going to places that are normally inaccessible. And frankly, it’s great!

Contrary to what you might think, it’s not at all dangerous. It’s stable, and knowing how to drive a 2-wheeler isn’t at all compulsory. On the other hand, I took very few photos of my rare snowmobile adventures, sorry!

Which agencies to choose for snowmobiling in Tromso

Once again, snowmobiling agencies in Tromso require a driver’s license, you won’t find many agencies offering snowmobiling in Tromso. For one simple reason: you need big, flat spaces. And there really aren’t many of those! There are several, often in the Lyngen Alps or towards Tamokdalen, which are roughly equivalent:

• Camp Troll, in the Lyngen Alps, a magnificent setting, for around €210 per person.
  • Information and booking
• Camp Troll with electric snowmobiles in the Lyngen Alps
  • Information and booking
• XLyngen, Lyngen Alps, 275€ per person
  • Information and booking
• Aurora Wonderland, Lyngen Alps, 240€ per person
  • Information and booking
• Lyngen Experience for a VIP experience in the Lyngen Alps, 330€
  • Information and booking
• Camp Tamok, Tamokdalen, a classic in magnificent surroundings, with a visit to the ice domes. 230€ per person
  • Info and booking
• Camp Tamok, night snowmobiling, 220€ per person
  • Info and booking
• Chasing Lights, all-day tour of Kilpisjarvi from Tromso, €330
  • Info and booking

I wouldn’t know where to start. Well, if you simply want to snowmobile, Camp Troll is the place to go, because it’s reputable and less expensive than the others. But Camp Troll is also the most popular!

MAJOR UPDATE: in the last few days, I’ve had some fantastic feedback from XLyngen! small structure and very good team.

Be careful, ALL of them have excellent reputations, so look at the reviews and customer feedback. The agencies will provide you with the same thing:

• transportation
• meals
• coffee
• wetsuits to keep out the cold

Book now your snowmobile safari in Tromso!

Some practical information about snowmobiling in Tromso

• The snowmobiling season is limited… by the snow, of course. And you need a lot of it! Because it has to cover the lakes (which of course have to be frozen), the stones, the grass, and it has to be well packed. So, around Tromso, we can say that it’ll be between mid-December and mid-April, before it melts completely and gets too hot.
• What’s more, in Norway, it’s forbidden to go snowmobiling alone, without an agency.
• You need a driver’s license to snowmobile here (which is not the case in Finland, for example).

What is a snowmobile session like?

• First of all, the agency takes you to the activity site by bus. You usually meet at the center, in front of the Radisson. From there, it takes between 1 and 2 hours, depending on where you’re going.
• Then the agency will give you warm clothes if you don’t have any. Because it’s cold, and with the speed, it feels even colder! So you’ll have a suit, gloves (ultra important), a helmet of course, and eye protection.
• The session begins with the all-important safety precautions, as well as the basic rules for driving a snowmobile. More on that later, but it’s really quite simple
• To drive, you need your driver’s license
• In general, we drive for the first hour, then change drivers (because there are two of us on the snowmobile), and set off again for another hour.
• At the break, we have a hot drink and sometimes a bite to eat.
• On the way back, there’s a meal
• Finally, we take you back to the center of Tromso.

How to drive a snowmobile

Well, for one thing, it’s simple. A snowmobile is super-stable, and even if it’s heavy, it’s a very manoeuvrable machine.

There will be two of you on the snowmobile, so it won’t be as fast, maybe a little less manoeuvrable, but still less risky! If you’ve ever driven a scooter or a motorcycle, you shouldn’t feel out of place, it’s exactly the same. Acceleration on one side, braking on the other. And if you take your foot off the gas pedal, it slows down gently.

And nowadays, some snowmobiles have just two buttons for accelerating and braking, so it’s even simpler! In fact, the most « complicated » thing, if I may say so, will be to follow the instructions, which are generally not to overtake, to stay on the track, not to go too fast, and to brake before a bend.

You’ll need to pay close attention to the guide’s instructions, which you’ll be taught before setting off. Since you can’t hear anything, you’ll have to watch his hands. Hands up, hands crossed… each sign means something (go, stop, don’t move…) Be careful on bends. It’s maneuverable, but not as maneuverable as a bike, so no sharp turns. You’ll have to anticipate and lean a little (but not too much).

All snowmobile agencies in Tromso

Other must-do activities in Tromso

Honestly, there’s just too much to do in and around Tromso. We’re going to find quite a few must-do activities:

• See the Northern Lights with a guide
• Dog sledding
• See whales and orcas
• Go snowshoeing
• Discover the fjords of Tromso by boat

You can follow this one week itinerary around Tromso to enjoy the best of the area!

Conclusion

And there you have it, I think you know just about everything! There aren’t too many options around Tromso, but there are 3/4 very good ones. Each one has its own reputation and qualities, offering something extra (ice domes, snowshoeing, etc.)

So if you’re looking for a thrill without taking any risks, then this is for you, it’s a really great activity that I hope to be able to do again this winter 🙂 And don’t forget that it fits perfectly into this one-week itinerary in Tromso!

Best activities in Tromso

• feed the reindeer in a Sami camp – Historically, reindeer belong to the Sami, the original people of the region. Come and see and feed them (the reindeer) and learn more about them (the Sami).
• drive a snowmobile – discover how to drive a snowmobile in breathtaking landscapes
• be a musher for a day in Tromso – discover dog sledding and meet adorable dogs
• meet whales and orcas from Tromso – enjoy a day cruise to discover these incredible animals!
• where to see the northern lights in Tromso – discover some of the best places far from the light pollution
• enjoy Kvaloya’s landscapes  – discover this incredible island with a day tour if you don’t have a car!
• Tromso’s fjords with a day cruise – board a comfortable boat to discover the Tromso area

In the following blog post I give you much more information about the best activities in Tromso.