Do you love speed and want to discover Abisko‘s landscapes in an original way? A snowmobile tour in Abisko is for you.
Whatever your level, your guide will make sure you have the most enjoyable and memorable time possible. The beautiful snow-covered panoramas of the national park, and the course itself, are ideal for this purpose!
In this article, you’ll find all you need to know about snowmobiling in Abisko, one of the region’s must-do activities.
Practical information about snowmobiling in Abisko
In this section, you’ll find everything you need to know about snowmobiling in Abisko.
What’s the right season for snowmobiling in Abisko?
As you’ll be going through the forest and over frozen lakes, it’s essential to book this activity between November at the earliest andApril at the latest.
Snowmobiling, as the name suggests, is only done on snow. What’s more, you’ll be crossing Lake Abiskojaure, which is completely frozen at this time of year. Snowmobiling is therefore impossible outside the winter period, from November at the earliest to April at the latest.
In any case, the activity is closed when conditions are not suitable for snowmobiling in Abisko. In the event of unforeseen circumstances, you will be informed by the snowmobile activity managers.
Alternatives and prices
There are several alternatives to this snowmobile ride. The one illustrated in this article and described below is the first. It’s the most standard.
Travel by snowmobile through Abisko National Park for 4 hours and discover breathtaking snow-covered landscapes. Between forest and mountain, lake and ancient Sami village, you'll appreciate the variety of panoramas. You'll also enjoy a well-deserved fika break at the halfway point, where you'll savor local snacks.
Embark on a unique excursion under the stars! For 2 hours, our guides will take you through the wilderness in search of the northern lights. You can also take a moment to observe the night sky, devoid of any artificial light, by the fire.
How do I get there?
The activity takes place atAbisko Mountain Lodge, more precisely at 30 Lapportsvägen. If you’re staying in a hotel, pick-up from your accommodation is included in the price of the activity.
In this case, make sure you’re ready 30 minutes before the activity starts. Alternatively, you can get there on foot, as the snowmobile activity starts directly from the village.
If you’re coming by car, several free parking spaces are available right in front of the snowmobile activity. Finally, if you’re coming to Abisko by train for the day, the activity is just a 5-minute walk from the station. You can also easily reach the town’s main points of interest on foot.
How long does the activity last?
There are two formulas for this activity.
Or you can choose to hike the entire route. In this case, you’ll follow the Kungsleden (a well-known hiking trail in the Abisko area), then cross Lake Abiskojaure, following the Gámaeatnu River.
The tour lasts a total of 4 hours and covers between 25 and 45 kilometers.
Alternatively, you can simply follow the Kungsleden. In this case, the tour lasts 2 hours, over a distance of around 20 kilometers.
How is snowmobiling in Abisko?
We’d now like to introduce you to snowmobiling at Abisko.
Video of snowmobiling in Abisko
To get you straight into the mood, here’s a video of the activity:
The meeting point
To go snowmobiling in Abisko, you’ll meet at theAbisko Mountain Lodge. Once the whole group is assembled, the instructor will suggest that you go into a cabin to gear up for the cold.
Wear it over your clothes, over gloves and fur-lined boots, and enjoy the comfort of your own home. of the activity! You’ll then be fitted with a helmet, which is compulsory, and protective goggles (very useful with speed when it’s snowing).
After you’ve signed a waiver (we’ll tell you all about it just below), you’ll be taken outside, around a snowmobile, for the guide to explain how to drive it.
Driver’s license
First of all, only people with a valid driver’s license in their home country can drive a snowmobile! Otherwise, you’ll have to sit in the back as a passenger. A waiver is signed at the outset if you wish to drive and commits you to this.
It also holds you responsible in the event of an accident, particularly if the equipment is damaged. But don’t worry, these accidents are very rare and always not serious.
In general, accidents happen when people want to go too fast and don’t respect safety distances (one snowmobile between you and the person in front, or two if you’re going too fast, to give you time to react).
Safety rules
First of all, you’ll need to keep your feet on the right places, and not leave them lying around to avoid injury.
Secondly, overtaking is strictly forbidden. You must respect the speed limits (40km/h in the forest and 70km/h on frozen lakes).
Finally, it’s important to remember that you should ride as one with your partner on the snowmobile. But don’t let the person behind hold on to the person in front.
There are two handles on either side of the rear seat, and that’s where he’ll have to put his hands so as not to interfere with his partner’s driving.
You’ll also have a safety bracelet linked to the vehicle key, which you’ll need to clip to your wrist. In the event of a fall, this will enable your snowmobile to stop immediately, so that no one gets hurt.
Crossing obstacles
When you’re driving, you’ll have to negotiate steep passages. The driver will need to be agile to get through the obstacle.
The snowmobile will sometimes lean heavily, and the rider will have to counterbalance it to keep it from flipping over.
If the snowmobile leans to the left, for example, the driver will have to shift his torso and even his entire body to the right. The passenger will then have to imitate the driver’s movements, or risk the machine flipping over. You’ll need to coordinate your movements.
Don’t panic, if you do it gently and the driver warns the passenger which side to lean to, you should be able to do it without any worries.
If the snowmobile does turn over, don’t worry: the guide will help you get back on your feet, so you can continue your expedition with complete peace of mind. Likewise, if you get stuck on the trail, the instructor can come and help you handle your machine so you can retrace your steps.
Riding a snowmobile
Driving a snowmobile in Abisko, as elsewhere, is very intuitive. The big red button to the right of the handlebars is for starting. Once you’ve pressed it, you’ll need to press the orange button to the left of the handlebars for a few seconds, and you’ll hear the engine start.
No need to shift gears here, everything is automatic! All you have to do is touch the two grips on either side of the handlebars. The one on the left is for braking, the one on the right for moving forward. Nothing could be simpler.
It doesn’t take long to get the hang of the snowmobile’s power, and you’ll soon be enjoying the ride.
If you need to reverse during your journey, simply press the orange button once (the same as for starting). You’ll hear a buzzer sound, and you’ll be able to reverse out of the way.
Snowmobile departure and fika break
Once the explanations have been completed, you’ll be invited to choose your snowmobile and begin the activity. Single file, you’ll make your way through the Abisko landscape.
Starting out in the forest, you then arrive at an ancient Sami village. Along the Kungsleden, you’ll come across many people. Sled dogs, cross-country skiers and hikers… There’s something for everyone! You’ll then cross Lake Abiskojaure to reach a refuge.
Along the way, the guide will offer you the chance to stop for information and photo opportunities.
You’ll then arrive at a refuge on the shores of Lake Abiskojaure, where you can enjoy a fika break. With cranberry juice, coffee and Swedish snacks, you can regain your strength with a breathtaking view of the surrounding landscape.
You’ll enjoy a pleasant moment with the guide and your group, during which you can ask questions, get to know each other, etc.
What is the fika break?
It’s a typically Swedish tradition, and very dear to the hearts of its inhabitants. Derived from the word kaffe (“coffee”), the fika break brings together friends, colleagues and family members over a hot drink…
For bonding. It’s a real moment of sharing, taking place at different times of the day. You’ll have plenty of opportunities to try it out during your outings at Abisko.
Back to the starting point in Abisko
Once the break is over, you’ll head back to the starting point. You’ll then take the opposite route. At the last stop, you can sign a guest book hanging from a tree.
Once you’ve arrived atAbisko Mountain Lodge, you’ll be invited to stop your snowmobiles and check out your equipment. You can then return, either on your own or with the guide, to your hotel or a pre-arranged meeting point.
Frequently asked questions
Here is a non-exhaustive list of the most frequently asked questions about snowmobiling in Abisko.
Equipment and clothing for snowmobiling in Abisko
If you want to snowmobile in Abisko, you’ll need very warm clothing. Even if the temperature seems mild, you may be in for a surprise.
Indeed, with the speed and the wind, which can be particularly strong, you could quickly catch a chill. We therefore advise you to cover up well, especially your extremities. Otherwise, the biting cold could really spoil your Abisko experience.
Spending several hours outside in the cold can be a real ordeal. So pack several pairs of gloves, socks and even a balaclava to slip on under your helmet.
If ever the temperatures get really low, don’t worry. Your instructor will provide you with all the necessary equipment at the start of the excursion. With a warm wetsuit, gloves and fur-lined boots, you shouldn’t be cold.
No need to bring snacks for your break either. The guide will provide you with plenty of food to replenish your strength.
Can we take photos during the excursion?
The start of snowmobiling in Abisko is very quiet. By the time the driver and the rest of the group get to grips with the machine, passengers can easily take photos.
Even once you’ve got the hang of it, except on the steeper sections of trail or on the lake where you can clearly accelerate, you can easily get your gear out. Indeed, the guide won’t let you exceed 40 km/h in the forest (that’s the law).
There are also plenty of opportunities for the guide to explain and take photos of the Abisko landscape. You can then safely take out your equipment.
We do, however, advise you not to carry your camera with you on the trip. With the speed (mentioned above) and even the slight but present bumps along the way, you run the risk of make it fall.
On the snowmobile, we recommend using a go pro if you have one to film your adventures. At the very least, you can take out your phone and take a few photos.
Be careful, however, not to lose it during a sharp turn or unanticipated acceleration, for example, as your equipment is your responsibility.
On the other hand, you’ll be able to enjoy the scenery unhindered during the fika break, when you can get out your equipment and take photos.
Can you do this course if you’re a beginner?
This course is suitable for beginners. The basics are reviewed at the very beginning, and the slow pace through the forest means that you’ll quickly get the hang of the snowmobile.
The guide keeps the group on track and will come to you if you need her.
Even if you’ve never done one before, you’ll have no trouble getting into this activity!
Can we book this snowmobile activity in Abisko if we have children?
Children are welcome for this snowmobile activity! They’ll be invited to ride in a large sled pulled by the guide. They can then enjoy the activity in complete safety and warmth.
This article on snowmobiling in Abisko is coming to an end. You should now have all the information you need to book this activity and enjoy this unique and thrilling experience!
