Björkliden/Abisko: Night Sky Snowmobile Tour

The best part of this Abisko evening tour is the ride itself: you steer a snowmobile through the cold, dark mountains toward a spot chosen for its good polar-night conditions. Then you park, warm up by a fire, and wait for the sky to perform. The aurora is never on a timetable, but this puts you in a quiet viewing area far from the ordinary evening routine.

I like the shared snowmobile setup, which lets you split the driving with a friend, and I like the practical gear package. Warm boots, gloves, a balaclava, helmet, and clothing are supplied. The stop for lingonberry juice and cookies is a small but memorable touch, especially with hand warmers built into the machines.

The main drawback is that you need a valid driving license, and the Northern Lights themselves cannot be promised. The tour also costs $198 per person, so it makes most sense if you want both a snowmobile outing and an organized aurora search, not just a quick look at the sky.

Key points to know before booking

• You drive into the mountains: The central activity is a guided snowmobile ride, not a vehicle transfer to a viewing point.
• Two people share each machine: You can take turns driving, or usually pay extra on-site to upgrade to a private snowmobile.
• The tour lasts 2.5 hours: About two hours are spent on the guided snowmobile portion, with roughly 15 minutes of van travel each way.
• Warm equipment is supplied: Clothing, boots, gloves, a balaclava, and helmet are included, though you should still bring warm personal layers.
• The fire break is part of the appeal: You get a hot drink and sweet snack while your guide explains the Aurora and you watch the sky.
• It is a small winter tour: Groups are limited to eight people, with pickup and return in Abisko or Björkliden.

Why this is more than a quick aurora stop

Many Northern Lights outings involve riding in a van, standing outside, and hoping the sky clears. This one gives you a proper winter activity before the waiting begins. You learn to handle a snowmobile, follow a mountain route, and reach a darker spot where the guide considers the conditions suitable for watching the polar night.

That matters in Abisko and Björkliden, where the experience is as much about being outside in winter as it is about seeing green light overhead. The snowmobile ride adds motion and a sense of place. You are not simply being delivered to a lookout and sent home if the sky stays quiet.

I also like the way the tour builds in time to pause. After the ride, the machines are parked in a place that offers protection from wind and weather. A crackling fire, hot drink, and sweet bread give you a reason to slow down. One especially useful detail is the lingonberry juice and cookies served during the break. In a cold, dark setting, that simple snack can feel like the evening’s best luxury.

Still, keep your expectations sensible. This is a search for the Northern Lights, not a guaranteed show. The guide can take you to a suitable viewing area and explain where to look, but no tour operator controls cloud, snow, or aurora activity.

From pickup to the Björkliden trail

Pickup is available from six locations in the Abisko area: Abisko Fjällturer AB, Hotell Fjället, Abisko Mountain Lodge, Gammelgården Ski Lodge, STF Abisko Turiststation, and Abisko Guesthouse. The return transfer serves the same general set of locations, which is useful if you are staying in one of the main lodges or hotels.

You should be ready at your pickup point on time. The vehicle may take up to 30 minutes to collect everyone, so do not plan a tight dinner reservation immediately after the tour. The transfer itself is listed at about 15 minutes each way, followed by the main activity around Björkliden.

This short van ride is not a sightseeing segment. It is practical transport between the Abisko pickup points and the snowmobile departure area. I would treat it as part of the winter logistics rather than expect a guided tour during the drive.

At the snowmobile base, the guide gives you safety and driving instructions before anyone heads into the dark. That briefing is important even if you have driven a snowmobile before. You need to understand how the shared machines work, how the group will travel, and what the guide expects from each driver.

Sharing a snowmobile with a friend

Each machine is shared by two people. That arrangement keeps the price below a private snowmobile rate and gives you the chance to alternate between driving and riding behind. If you are traveling with a partner or friend, it is a natural setup.

The driving is a major part of the experience. You feel the cold air, move through the snow, and take an active role in reaching the viewing area. If you are hoping to drive the entire time, remember that the standard arrangement is two people per machine. A private-machine upgrade is usually available on-site for an extra fee, but the supplied details do not state the amount.

A driving license is required. This is not an optional extra or a formality to ignore at the last minute. Bring the physical license with you, along with warm clothing and water.

The tour can accommodate a maximum of one child aged 5 to 15 per adult, and children under five cannot join. Pregnant women and people with heart problems are also advised not to take part. These limits make sense for a cold, active motorized outing, but they can affect family plans, so check your group before booking.

What the supplied winter gear means

You receive warm clothes, boots, gloves, a balaclava, and a helmet. That is a strong part of the package because winter nights in northern Sweden can be punishing when you stop moving. Good boots and gloves matter just as much as the snowmobile itself.

One person who took the tour found the provided boots better than the pair they brought from home. The same experience included hand warmers built into the snowmobiles, a welcome detail when your fingers are working the controls in the cold.

Even with supplied gear, bring warm personal clothing. The instructions specifically recommend warm clothing and water. I would wear layers that you can adjust, since driving creates more movement than standing beside the fire, while the aurora wait can leave you still for a while.

You also need to bring your driving license. Alcohol and drugs are not allowed, which is especially important on a motorized winter excursion.

Waiting beside the fire for the Aurora

The snowmobiles take you up toward a mountain location where conditions for viewing the polar night are considered favorable. The guide selects a suitable place to stop and keeps the machines in an area protected from wind and weather.

This pause is where the tour becomes more than a snowmobile lesson. You get time to focus on the sky, listen to stories about the Aurora, and ask for practical advice. The guide also gives tips on finding aurora viewing spots on foot after the tour, so you can continue looking from near your accommodation.

That follow-up advice has real value. The tour ends while the night is still young, and the Northern Lights may appear later or in another part of the sky. You are not left with only the memory of the ride. You also get suggestions for continuing your own search around Abisko or Björkliden.

The fire break includes a hot drink and snacks, with sweet bread and lingonberry juice noted as part of the experience. Do not expect a full meal. Think of it as a warm, simple winter pause that keeps the wait pleasant.

One tour taker described this snack stop as a favorite part of the evening, which is easy to understand. The combination of fire, darkness, snow, warm juice, and cookies gives the outing a local winter feel that a standard road transfer cannot provide.

How much value do you get for $198?

At $198 per person, this is not a budget way to see the Northern Lights. The price covers a certified guide, pickup and return, shared snowmobile use, winter clothing and equipment, snacks, and a 2.5-hour evening activity.

I think the price is easier to justify if you specifically want to drive a snowmobile. You are paying for two linked experiences: a guided motorized outing through snowy mountain country and an organized aurora search. If your only goal is to stand outside and look up, a less expensive self-guided option may suit you better, assuming you already have suitable clothing and know where to go.

The small group limit of eight helps. You are not joining a large coach party, and the guide can keep the driving instructions and aurora discussion focused. The exact value still depends on what matters to you. For a first visit to the area, the bundled equipment and transport can save you from arranging several separate details.

The shared machine keeps the standard price from rising further. If two people want to drive separately for the whole evening, ask about the private-machine upgrade before you count on the basic rate.

Timing, season, and practical planning

Departures run from December through March, with exact dates and starting times depending on availability. Since the aurora is the focus, the darkness of winter works in your favor, but you should not assume every evening has the same departure time.

The stated duration is 2.5 hours. The detailed route includes about 15 minutes in the van on the way out, roughly two hours around Björkliden, and about 15 minutes back. Pickup can take up to 30 minutes, so allow extra time around the official duration.

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund, and you can reserve now while paying later. That flexibility is useful for a winter trip, especially when flights and connections can be disrupted. It is less helpful after the 24-hour cutoff, so do not assume a missed departure will automatically produce a refund or replacement.

One booking problem is worth taking seriously: a delayed flight or missed connection may still mean you miss the activity. Build a buffer into your arrival in Abisko or Björkliden rather than scheduling this on the same day as a complicated flight connection.

Who will enjoy this tour most

I would choose this for a couple or pair of friends who want an active Northern Lights evening and are happy to share a machine. It also suits first-time visitors who do not have winter equipment and want transport, clothing, a guide, and a viewing plan handled together.

It is less suitable if you dislike driving, cannot show a driving license, or want a guaranteed aurora display. It is also not the right choice for children under five, pregnant women, or people with heart problems.

Families with older children should check the one-child-per-adult rule carefully. A child aged 5 to 15 may join with an adult, but the group cannot simply bring several children and assume all can ride.

The tour is conducted in English. If you are comfortable receiving instructions and explanations in English, that keeps the experience straightforward.

My call: book it for the ride, not only the lights

I would book this tour if the snowmobile ride sounds nearly as appealing as the Northern Lights. The warm gear, small group, fire stop, lingonberry juice, cookies, and advice for continuing your aurora search give the evening a useful shape. The supplied equipment is a real help, and the built-in hand warmers are exactly the kind of detail you appreciate once you are outside.

I would hesitate if $198 feels high for an activity whose main natural feature may not appear. The Northern Lights are the uncontrollable part of the deal. You should book with the expectation of a good winter outing and a serious chance to search for the Aurora, not a guaranteed green sky.

For the right visitor, this is a memorable way to experience Abisko after dark. Bring your license, dress warmly, allow time for pickup, and arrange it early in your stay if you want the guide’s advice to help with later aurora watching.

FAQ

Where does the snowmobile tour start?

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

How long does the activity last?

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

How many people share one snowmobile?

The standard arrangement is two people per snowmobile. You can usually upgrade to a private machine on-site for an additional fee.

Do I need a driving license?

Yes. A driving license is required for this tour.

Is pickup included?

Yes. Pickup and drop-off are included from the listed Abisko and Björkliden locations. Pickup can take up to 30 minutes, so be ready at your selected location on time.

What clothing and equipment are provided?

Warm clothes, boots, gloves, a balaclava, and a helmet are included. You should still bring warm clothing, water, and your driving license.

Can children join the tour?

Children under five cannot join. A maximum of one child aged 5 to 15 is allowed per adult.

What happens during the Northern Lights wait?

The snowmobiles stop in a place protected from wind and weather. You can warm up by a fire, have a hot drink and snacks, listen to the guide explain the Aurora, and receive tips for finding viewing spots on foot after the tour.