Björkliden/Abisko: Night Sky Snowmobile Tour

The best aurora rides include a little waiting. This evening tour combines snowmobile driving with a quiet search for the Northern Lights above Abisko, plus hot drinks, sweet bread, and a fire while the sky does its work. I like the ride through the snowy Swedish night, and I like that the guide gives you practical advice for continuing your aurora hunt after the tour.

The main catch is simple: the Northern Lights are never guaranteed. You also need a driving license if you want to operate a machine, and the standard arrangement places two people on each shared snowmobile. At $198 per person, this is a serious splurge, though the transport, cold-weather gear, guide, snacks, and small group make the price easier to justify.

Key points before you book

• Two people share each snowmobile, with a private machine usually available for an extra fee.
• The tour runs for about 2.5 hours, including roughly 15 minutes of van travel each way and around two hours on the snowmobiles.
• A certified English-speaking guide handles safety instruction, aurora information, and advice for finding viewing spots on foot later.
• Warm gear is supplied, including clothing, boots, gloves, a balaclava, and helmet.
• The fire stop is part of the charm, with hot drinks, snacks, sweet bread, and lingonberry juice.
• The group is limited to eight people, a useful size for a guided night activity in cold conditions.

Why a snowmobile is a good way to hunt the aurora

Abisko is famous for its winter skies, but standing outside in the cold and simply waiting can test anyone’s patience. A snowmobile adds movement and purpose to the evening. You are not only staring upward from the same spot. You are riding through the dark toward a mountain location selected for better conditions for viewing the polar night.

The ride itself is a major part of the appeal. You get the feel of the machine under you, the cold air around your helmet, and the strange quiet that comes with traveling through snow after dark. It is more active than a standard aurora lookout and more memorable than being driven straight to a viewpoint.

The activity is designed around shared machines, with two people per snowmobile. This works well for friends or couples who want to alternate driving and riding. If you would rather have full control of your own machine, ask about upgrading on site. The extra fee is not included in the $198 price.

You do need a valid driving license to drive. If you do not want to operate a snowmobile, contact Outback Abisko AB before the tour to discuss the arrangement. Do not assume every passenger can simply take a seat without driving arrangements being confirmed.

Pickup across Abisko and Björkliden

The tour offers pickup and drop-off at six locations:

• Abisko Fjällturer AB
• Hotell Fjället
• Abisko Mountain Lodge
• Gammelgården Ski Lodge
• STF Abisko Turiststation
• Abisko Guesthouse

This is useful if you are staying in one of the main lodging spots around Abisko or Björkliden. You do not need to arrange a separate taxi to the meeting point, but you do need to be ready on time. Pickup can take as long as 30 minutes, so keep your phone available and avoid planning a tight dinner reservation immediately afterward.

The first transfer is by van and takes about 15 minutes. The route details identify Björkliden as the snowmobile portion of the trip, so the van transfer matters: you may not begin riding directly outside your accommodation. This short drive is not a burden, but it is worth knowing when planning your evening.

The return van also takes about 15 minutes. Drop-off is available at the same six locations, though the order can depend on the group and route.

Safety instructions before the dark-night ride

Before you head out, the guide gives safety and driving instructions. Pay close attention here. Snowmobiling at night is not the time to learn by trial and error, especially when you are wearing thick gloves and a helmet and following a group through snowy terrain.

The included helmet, balaclava, gloves, boots, and warm clothing are practical advantages. One especially useful detail is that the snowmobiles have built-in hand warmers, according to the experience information. That small feature can make a big difference when your hands are holding the controls in freezing air.

You should still bring warm clothing and water. The supplied equipment does not mean you can arrive in ordinary city clothes and expect to be comfortable. Wear sensible base layers and keep exposed skin to a minimum. You will be outside in winter darkness, and comfort affects how much attention you can give to the sky.

A driving license is required for anyone operating a snowmobile. The tour is not suitable for children under five, pregnant women, or people with heart problems. Only one child between five and 15 years old is allowed per adult.

Riding from Björkliden into the polar night

The snowmobile portion lasts about two hours. The exact route and stopping points depend on the conditions, but the aim is to reach a mountain area where the setting is better suited to seeing the aurora.

This is not a fast thrill ride. The point is to travel through the snowy surroundings, reach a darker and more protected spot, and give the guide time to explain what you are seeing. The ride should appeal most to you if you want an active winter outing rather than a bus tour with a quick photo stop.

Night changes the feel of the area. Familiar ski-country scenery becomes a world of snow, darkness, and distant mountain shapes. The thrill comes from the combination of control and uncertainty: you know where the group is headed, but the sky may remain quiet or suddenly begin to glow.

Aurora conditions can change quickly. Clouds, wind, and solar activity are outside anyone’s control. The guide can take you to a sensible viewing area and explain how to read the sky, but no honest tour can promise a display. I would book this for the ride and the night setting first, with the Northern Lights as the hoped-for reward.

The fire stop, lingonberry juice, and sweet bread

At a suitable place, the snowmobiles are parked in an area protected from weather and wind. You then settle beside a crackling fire with a hot drink and a snack while the guide talks about the Aurora.

This pause is more important than it may sound. After riding in the cold, you need time to warm your hands, adjust your clothing, and look upward without also managing the snowmobile. A fire gives the evening a social center, while the dark sky keeps the focus on the natural spectacle.

The food is modest rather than a meal. Expect snacks, sweet bread, and a hot drink. Lingonberry juice and cookies are specifically part of the memorable refreshment stop, and the juice gives the break a distinctly northern Swedish touch. If you need a full dinner, eat before the tour or plan one afterward.

I like this part because it gives the activity a slower rhythm. The ride provides excitement. The fire provides warmth and conversation. The sky gets the final say.

Learning how to keep searching after the tour

The guide does more than lead the machines. You get stories about the Northern Lights and advice on viewing them. That information becomes especially useful after the official tour ends.

When you return, the night is still young. The guide can point out good aurora viewing spots that you can reach on foot from your accommodation. This is one of the strongest practical features of the outing. If the sky stays quiet during the ride, you are not left with only a single chance.

Listen carefully to the walking advice. Note the direction, the name of the area, and how far it is from your lodging. You may want to continue watching later, but you should not wander into snowy darkness without clear instructions.

The guide’s advice also helps set expectations. Aurora watching involves patience. A short tour can show you how to dress, where to look, and how to make the most of later opportunities, even if the main display arrives after you have returned.

Is $198 a fair price?

At $198 per person, this is not a budget activity. The price makes more sense when you count what is included: pickup and drop-off, a certified guide, shared snowmobile use, warm clothing, boots, gloves, balaclava, helmet, and snacks.

You are also paying for a small group of no more than eight participants. That matters during safety instruction and at the fire stop. A compact group should make it easier to hear the guide and avoid the feel of a crowded excursion.

The shared machine keeps the listed price from climbing even higher. For two friends, it can be a good arrangement. You can share the driving, talk during the slower portions, and split the experience without each person paying for a private snowmobile.

Still, the value depends on your priorities. If you mainly want a guaranteed Aurora photograph, this is a gamble. If you want a complete winter evening that includes riding, warm gear, a fire, guide advice, and a chance to see the Northern Lights, the cost is more defensible.

The private snowmobile upgrade is another expense to consider. Ask about the current on-site price before deciding. I would choose the shared machine unless driving alone is central to your plans.

Who will enjoy this most?

This outing suits adults, couples, and friends who want an active way to search for the aurora. It is also a strong choice if you are staying at one of the listed Abisko or Björkliden accommodations and want pickup handled for you.

You should book it if:

• You hold a driving license and want to operate a snowmobile.
• You are comfortable sharing a machine with one other person.
• You want a small group rather than a large coach excursion.
• You like the idea of a fire, hot drink, and snack during the wait.
• You can accept that the Northern Lights may not appear.
• You want advice for continuing the search on foot later.

It may not suit you if you dislike cold-weather activities, need a private snowmobile at the listed price, or want a relaxed indoor evening. Pregnant women, children under five, and people with heart problems should not book this activity.

Families should read the age rule carefully. A maximum of one child aged five to 15 is allowed per adult, and the child must be accompanied by that adult. This is not a broad family outing for several young children.

Timing, cancellations, and winter planning

Departures operate from December through March, with the exact start time shown when you check availability. Winter daylight is limited in this part of Sweden, which suits an aurora outing, but you still need to plan your meal and other evening activities around the departure time.

The activity lasts 2.5 hours in total. That includes the van transfers and the snowmobile section, so do not treat the full duration as two and a half hours of riding. The snowmobile ride itself is listed at about two hours.

You can cancel up to 24 hours ahead for a full refund, and the reserve-now, pay-later option lets you hold a place without paying on the day of booking. These policies are helpful when winter transport plans are uncertain.

Do not count on a refund for a missed departure caused by your own transport trouble. One poor experience involved a delayed Ryanair flight and a missed connection to Kiruna, with no partial refund or replacement voucher. The practical lesson is blunt: build a buffer into your arrival plans, especially if you are flying in on the same day.

FAQ

How long is the Night Sky Snowmobile Tour?

The full activity lasts 2.5 hours. This includes about 15 minutes by van each way and around two hours for the guided snowmobile ride.

Where can I be picked up?

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

Where will I be dropped off?

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

Do I need a driving license?

Yes. A driving license is required if you will drive a snowmobile. If you do not want to drive, contact the activity provider before booking.

Is the snowmobile private?

No. The standard arrangement is one shared snowmobile for two people. You can usually request a private machine on site for an additional fee.

Is warm clothing included?

Yes. The tour includes warm clothes, boots, gloves, a balaclava, and a helmet. You should also bring warm clothing and water.

Are snacks included?

Yes. Snacks and a hot drink are included. The stop may include sweet bread and lingonberry juice.

Can children join the tour?

Children under five cannot join. A maximum of one child aged five to 15 is allowed per adult.

What happens if I do not see the Northern Lights?

The Aurora cannot be guaranteed. The guide explains the Northern Lights and gives you tips on good viewing spots that you can reach on foot after the tour.

Should you book this snowmobile tour?

I would book it if you want the ride to matter as much as the aurora. The small group, supplied winter gear, built-in hand warmers, fire stop, and useful advice for later viewing give the evening real substance.

I would skip it if you need certainty, a low price, or a private machine without paying extra. The Northern Lights may stay hidden, but you still get a guided winter outing through Björkliden and Abisko, a warm drink beside a fire, and a better plan for searching the sky afterward. For many visitors, that makes this a fair, well-rounded splurge.