The snowmobile is regarded as a cool and exciting vehicle. This motorized sled is designed for driving on snow and ice. It has made life much easier for the reindeer herders in isolated communities tending their livestock. The snowmobile has also appeared in James Bond movies and countless other action films. However, you don’t need to own reindeer or be a special agent to enjoy a snowmobile adventure. The Scandinavian Travel Group invites you on a snowmobile safari in Lapland so you can experience the thrill first-hand.
Recreational snowmobiling is hugely popular because it is fast and fun. The distinctive part of the snowmobile is the ski-design function. It allows you to skim over the snow without sinking and stalling. It also gives you the feeling of freedom because you are not traveling in an enclosed space. The open design of a snowmobile makes it the perfect vehicle to explore incredible wide, open spaces and get close to nature. Grab your helmet because there is a beautiful snowy wilderness waiting for you.
Snowmobiles are now a major tourist attraction in winter resorts. Snowmobile safaris in Lapland attract visitors of all ages. Two adults can ride on one snowmobile. Or you can ride solo if you feel confident enough to drive on your own. Children under 120cm ride in a sleigh pulled by the guide’s snowmobile. If they want to have a go themselves, there are mini snowmobiles for kids in the Santa Claus Village.
There are loads of different snowmobile safaris in Lapland available. This allows families, beginners and experienced riders to choose a tour that suits them. The Scandinavian Travel Group can arrange the following and more:
The challenge of travelling across the country over deep snow was a major problem hunters and reindeer herders faced in the past. Back then, they relied on dog-pulled sleds and skis to cross the land in winter time. However, it was slow-going and hard work. Reindeer herding was a tough job in extreme Arctic conditions. Deep snow, iced winds and freezing temperatures were the norm for those guarding the reindeer who spent long days and nights looking after their animals. Getting home each night was not always possible. Where there is a problem, however, people strive to find a solution. There was a need for a vehicle that would perform well in snowy conditions throughout the winter months.
The Canadian inventor and entrepreneur Joseph-Armand Bombardier is credited for inventing the snowmobile in 1935 although it didn’t officially come into commercial production until the 50s. The first invention was a vehicle steered by skis and it had a sprocket wheel and a track drive system.
Bombardier called it the Ski-Dog. His inspiration was creating a motorized replacement of the traditional dogsled used by hunters.
The snowmobile is also known by different names, such as a snow scooter or a skimobile. Brand names are also used, for example, the Ski-Doo. The Ski-Doo snowmobile was supposed to be the “Ski-Dog”. However, an accidental misspelling resulted in “Ski-Doo” featuring on the prototype. The name stuck and the name is one of the most recognizable snowmobile brands in the world. A Ski-Doo safari in Lapland is a popular activity for many tourists.
It wasn’t long before people realized that snowmobiles were more than just a practical solution to herding animals. There was fun to be had. Speeding over snow on a light ski-type machine attracted a lot of attention from people who wanted some winter-sport action. The demand for snowmobiles started to rise. More and more were made and sold. Small communities could get out and about more in the winter months. Outdoor activities became more doable thanks to the snowmobile. Snowscooters in Lapland quickly became a familiar sight.
By the early 1960s, snowmobiles became part of life in the North of Finland on the fells. As soon as people realized the usefulness of these vehicles, everyone wanted a snowmobile. Lapland became a hotspot for snowmobiles. This surge in popularity for this mode of transport meant that laws had to be passed relating the where you could drive snowmobiles. For example, you can’t drive one on main roads alongside cars. There are marked snowmobile paths including forest trails and paths alongside lakes and rivers in Lapland.
Thanks to the design, the snowmobile takes you places a car or another road vehicle has trouble accessing. This opens up more opportunities for exploring landscape that would previously have been cut-off from visitors who couldn’t travel over the deep snow. Now, designated snowmobile trails are reserved for snowmobiles so you can journey into the wilds of nature and discover the beautiful landscape of Lapland.
There are now 250 brands of snowmobiles. Smaller companies are coming up with their own version of this vehicle and sell them locally, although often this is for a limited time only. The popularity of these snow vehicles has increased manufacturing demand. The biggest brands are Ski-Doo, Arctic Cat, Yamaha, Polaris, Lynx.
The latest snowmobile designs include e-sleds. The electric sleds are super-quiet. It makes traveling through a snowy forest all the more magical and you won’t scare off the local wildlife. The only noise you hear are the tracks crunching on snow.
It can get very competitive on snowmobiles. Athletes enter into snowmobile racing competitions and compete on purpose-built courses or snow-covered terrain for this extreme sport. The type of race depends on the snowmobile. There are different classifications of snowmobiles based on engine capacity. Some of the races are similar to motocross. Riders compete against each other on a special racing course that has several obstacles for the athletes to navigate at speed.
Snowmobiles are wider and lower to the ground than a motorcycle, which helps to minimize the risk of tipping over. However, you still need to take care when driving them as you would be driving a car. Snowmobiles are motorized vehicles that move fast. This adds to the excitement of a winter safari, however, you need to drive safely at all times and be fully in control of the snowmobile.
Think of it as riding a motorcycle. Protective clothing helps to keep you safe. On a snowmobile safari you need protection from the cold too. The recommended items of clothing are:
This clothing and gear is provided to all our clients during an organized snowmobile safari program and also during the rental of snowmobile.
Don’t jump on your snowmobile without your helmet. Drivers and passengers have to wear them. You are also responsible for under-15s wearing them. This also includes passengers travelling in a sleigh pulled by a snowmobile. Unfortunately, serious accidents can happen on snowmobiles. Driving too fast on icy roads and unfamiliar tracks can result in serious injuries. Make sure you are wearing your helmet correctly to give your head the best possible protection if you are involved in a snowmobile accident.
Snowmobiling is all about having fun on snow but there are rules to keep everyone safe.
Bear in mind, you can easily take a tumble off a snowmobile even when you are not traveling at speed. It often happens because people are inexperienced when it comes to driving snowmobiles and are unfamiliar with the controls. For example, if you accidentally twist the throttle it can take you by surprise. The unexpected acceleration can take you off course causing you to tumble from your ride if you are unprepared.
There is no doubt that speed makes riding smoother and takes the shock out of those unexpected bumps in the trail but make sure you don’t go too fast. If you are careful and observant, you will have a great time on a snowmobile. These are stable vehicles and even the co-driver has handles to hold on to. You never get the feeling that you are about to come flying off. Make sure you have a firm grip on the handlebars and enjoy yourself.
If you want to find out more about snowmobiles and how the designs have evolved, visit the exhibition in Santa Claus Village in Rovaniemi, Finland. At Santa’s House of Snowmobiles you can take a closer look at the snowmobiles over the decades and see the changing shape and style of the designs. You will also see clothing equipment and interesting articles relating to snowmobiles. It is fun for all the family. There are snowmobile racing computer games for those who like the technology side of things.
Simply book your snowmobile safari online or email us: incoming@gostg.fi and our travel agent will be in touch. Or call/WhatsApp/Viber +358 400 514 530.
Scandinavian Travel Group also offers other exciting tour options if you want to make the most of your Arctic adventure.
Look on our website for inspiration and ideas when planning a winter holiday or contact us directly for more details and prices of these other tour options.
