About this tour
When Tom from our team headed out from Alta to Gargia valley, we found ourselves at a 150-year-old mountain lodge gearing up for a proper Arctic adventure. This 4-hour snowmobile run takes you along an old postal route up into Finnmarksvidda's high plains, where the landscape flattens out into genuine wilderness—snow, sky, and not much else. You'll swap driving duties with a co-rider, learn the basics from a certified guide, and pick up stories about Arctic life and local food culture along the way. It's raw rather than glossy, and the scale of the plateau genuinely hits different once you're up there.
Highlights
- Ride an old postal route up to mountain plains with 360° horizon views
- Share driving time equally with your co-rider; no passenger-only frustration
- Learn Arctic lifestyle and history from your guide in an actual heritage lodge
- Sample locally made snacks and hot drinks mid-ride
- Thermal suit and proper winter kit included; no guessing on gear
What to expect
You'll start at the lodge in Gargia valley where the guide walks you through snowmobile handling—it's straightforward enough if you've got a valid B-class licence. Then you head out, following the old postal road as it climbs through snow-thick forest before opening onto Finnmarksvidda's plateau. The ride itself feels less touristy theme-park and more 'we're actually out here'; the landscape is genuinely spare and the cold is real. You'll swap control with your co-rider at the halfway point, so there's no sitting idle watching someone else have the fun. The guide keeps things moving but breaks rhythm for hot drinks and local bites, which matter more than you'd think when you're in proper Arctic conditions.
The pacing suits the terrain—it's not a blur of adrenaline, it's a proper journey. Weather will shape the day heavily; flat light and wind are part of the deal rather than inconveniences. Tom found the scale of the plateau genuinely striking, especially after hours in dense forest.
Good to know
This works brilliantly if you've got even basic snowmobile confidence and want to see genuine Arctic landscape without the luxury-resort veneer. The 50/50 driving split is fair, and thermal kit included means you're not scrambling for extras. Local food touches and the heritage lodge setting add substance.
You need a valid B-class driving licence to pilot; without one, you're passenger-only and miss half the point. It's physically moderate but not gentle—wind chill and cold exposure demand fitness and tolerance. Pregnant travellers are excluded. Group sizes aren't specified, but expect sharing a snowmobile with one other person. Winter conditions mean visibility and temperatures vary; late autumn and early spring can be iffy. The route is remote but doesn't feel reckless. Bring sunglasses (snow glare), lip balm, and tolerance for cold despite the thermal suit. Public transport to Alta is available; ask about lodge transfers.
Tour sold and operated by Viator via Viator. Descriptions on this page are original Global Hobo summaries written by our team — not copied from the operator. Prices and availability are confirmed at checkout.