Frequently asked questions
Everything you wanted to ask
Short answers to the questions we hear most. Where there is more to say, the answer links to a longer guide. If you can’t find what you’re looking for, send us a message.
Booking & prices
How do I book a tour?
Add a tour to the cart and check out. You can add several tours to the same booking.
How booking works:
– You book people, not snowmobiles
– One snowmobile seats 2 people
– A Shared snowmobile needs 2 adults booked together
– Driving alone or solo traveler? Book a Single snowmobile
– Odd number in your group? One person books a Single
We accept all major credit cards (Visa, MasterCard, Amex) online and on-site, plus cash if you book at our office.
How booking works:
– You book people, not snowmobiles
– One snowmobile seats 2 people
– A Shared snowmobile needs 2 adults booked together
– Driving alone or solo traveler? Book a Single snowmobile
– Odd number in your group? One person books a Single
We accept all major credit cards (Visa, MasterCard, Amex) online and on-site, plus cash if you book at our office.
Can I book a private tour?
Yes. Private tours are one of the things we do best — small group, your pace, your route. We tailor them to what you actually want: technical terrain, long days, photography stops, mixed skill levels in the group. Just send us a message and tell us what you’re after.
How far in advance should I book?
For our peak weeks (late December through February), book as early as you can — 2-4 months ahead is normal, and high-demand dates (Christmas, New Year, school holidays) often fill earlier. For other dates, a few weeks ahead is usually enough.
Last-minute bookings are sometimes possible. Drop us a message — if we have space, we’ll fit you in.
Last-minute bookings are sometimes possible. Drop us a message — if we have space, we’ll fit you in.
What is your cancellation policy?
Cancellations made at least 24 hours before the tour get a full refund. Cancellations within 24 hours or no-shows are non-refundable.
If your plans change, message us as soon as you can. We’ll always try to reschedule or find a way to make it work.
If your plans change, message us as soon as you can. We’ll always try to reschedule or find a way to make it work.
What are your terms and conditions?
When you book — online or at our office — you agree to our full terms: polarmax.fi/terms-and-conditions
What’s included in the price?
Use of the snowmobile, fuel, guide services in English, all safety gear (thermal overall, helmet, gloves, boots, balaclava, goggles), VAT, and insurance.
Longer tours also include snacks, hot drinks, or a meal. Check each tour’s “What’s included” section for the specifics.
Longer tours also include snacks, hot drinks, or a meal. Check each tour’s “What’s included” section for the specifics.
Getting here
Where are you located?
We’re in Sinettä, about 20 km north of Rovaniemi. This isn’t an accident — we’re outside the city on purpose, closer to the kind of terrain that makes a tour worth taking. You won’t be sharing the trails with every other operator in town.
Address: Rinteenlenkki 14, Sinettä
Address: Rinteenlenkki 14, Sinettä
How do I get to you? Do you offer pickup?
You have three options:
Drive directly to us. Free parking at our office in Sinettä: Rinteenlenkki 14.
Need a ride? No problem. We’ll happily pick you up for free from central Rovaniemi, 30 minutes before your tour starts. Pickup point: Korkalonkatu 23, Rovaniemi. Just select the pickup at checkout.
Take a taxi. Trusted taxi companies in Rovaniemi:
– Menevä: +358 800 02120
– Taksi Rovaniemi: +358 600 14000
– Lähitaksi: +358 100 7300
– Santa Line: +358 600 30030
Drive directly to us. Free parking at our office in Sinettä: Rinteenlenkki 14.
Need a ride? No problem. We’ll happily pick you up for free from central Rovaniemi, 30 minutes before your tour starts. Pickup point: Korkalonkatu 23, Rovaniemi. Just select the pickup at checkout.
Take a taxi. Trusted taxi companies in Rovaniemi:
– Menevä: +358 800 02120
– Taksi Rovaniemi: +358 600 14000
– Lähitaksi: +358 100 7300
– Santa Line: +358 600 30030
Can I park my car at your place?
Yes, free parking right at our office. Plenty of space.
How do I get to Rovaniemi?
Rovaniemi has its own airport (RVN) with direct flights from Helsinki and seasonal direct flights from several European cities (London, Frankfurt, Paris, and others — check current routes for your travel dates).
Overnight train from Helsinki is also a great option — you sleep on the train and arrive in Rovaniemi the next morning.
Driving from Helsinki takes about 10 hours.
Overnight train from Helsinki is also a great option — you sleep on the train and arrive in Rovaniemi the next morning.
Driving from Helsinki takes about 10 hours.
Who can ride
Do I need a driver’s license to drive a snowmobile?
Yes. All drivers must be at least 20 years old and hold a full driver’s license. National and international licenses are accepted — bring it with you, as Finnish police occasionally do checks on the trails.
If you’re traveling with someone younger than 20 or without a license, they can ride along as a passenger.
If you’re traveling with someone younger than 20 or without a license, they can ride along as a passenger.
Do I need experience to join a tour?
No previous experience needed for most of our tours. Before you ride, your guide gives a proper instruction — how the snowmobile works, how to corner, how to handle different snow conditions. We don’t just point you down a trail and hope for the best. We actually teach you to ride.
If it’s your first time, our shorter tours are a good way to get comfortable before going for something longer.
If it’s your first time, our shorter tours are a good way to get comfortable before going for something longer.
Can I drive a snowmobile alone?
Yes. Snowmobiles are either Shared between two adults or Single for one person driving solo.
If you’re traveling alone, book a Single. If your group has an odd number, one person books a Single. Same machine either way — you just have the seat to yourself.
If you’re traveling alone, book a Single. If your group has an odd number, one person books a Single. Same machine either way — you just have the seat to yourself.
Can children come along?
Children are welcome on First Tracks — Morning Tour, Northern Lights — Safari & Campfire and the Private 3-Hour Adventure. The Twilight Backcountry Ride, Full Day Backcountry Adventure and Private Full Day Adventure are for adults only.
How it works:
– Children from age 4 and under 140 cm ride in a covered, suspended sledge pulled by the guide’s snowmobile, with thermal clothing in their size and blankets
– Children at least 140 cm tall can ride as a passenger on a snowmobile, at adult prices
– We recommend a parent rides with younger children for comfort.
How we keep children warm →
How it works:
– Children from age 4 and under 140 cm ride in a covered, suspended sledge pulled by the guide’s snowmobile, with thermal clothing in their size and blankets
– Children at least 140 cm tall can ride as a passenger on a snowmobile, at adult prices
– We recommend a parent rides with younger children for comfort.
How we keep children warm →
On the tour
How big are your groups?
Small. Usually 4–6 snowmobiles on a guided tour, never more than six. We deliberately keep groups small — it’s the only way to ride at a real pace, stop where the views are worth stopping, and actually get to know the people you’re riding with.
If you see twenty snowmobiles in a line, that’s not us.
If you see twenty snowmobiles in a line, that’s not us.
How fast will we drive?
Average speed is usually 20-50 km/h. The trails wind through forests and over varied terrain — they’re not designed for going flat-out, and going fast on a bumpy trail isn’t actually fun. With a passenger, speed is naturally lower.
Your guide adjusts the pace to the group’s comfort, trail conditions, and weather. The goal is a good ride, not a record.
Your guide adjusts the pace to the group’s comfort, trail conditions, and weather. The goal is a good ride, not a record.
What snowmobiles do you use?
BRP Lynx Ranger 59, built right here in Rovaniemi. 600cc fuel-injected 4-stroke, long track, stable, modern. Heated grips for both driver and passenger, heated passenger seat, and enough space for a backpack.
Good machines matter — they’re what lets us run longer routes through more demanding terrain without anyone getting cold or tired.
Good machines matter — they’re what lets us run longer routes through more demanding terrain without anyone getting cold or tired.
Where do we ride?
Mostly through forests, across frozen lakes and rivers, and up onto the open fells — terrain that’s hard to reach unless you know where you’re going. We use a mix of established trails and our own private routes through areas that don’t see much traffic.
Which is why our tours rarely feel like “a tour.” You’ll see snow, trees, sky, and very few other people.
Which is why our tours rarely feel like “a tour.” You’ll see snow, trees, sky, and very few other people.
Are restrooms available on longer tours?
On longer tours we stop at warm cabins where there are proper facilities. On shorter rides you can ask the guide to stop — the forest is always nearby.
Do you provide photos and videos from the tour?
Yes. We document every tour with photos and short videos, and you get them after the ride. You’ll be too busy riding to take good pictures of yourself anyway — that’s our job.
Can I bring an action camera or take photos during the ride?
Of course. Helmet-mounted GoPros are no problem — bring your own mount. Phones and small cameras fit in jacket pockets for stops.
A tip: cold drains batteries fast. Keep spares in an inner pocket close to your body, and put your phone there too between shots.
Also: we photograph and film every tour ourselves, and you’ll get those afterwards. So if you’d rather just ride and let us do the documenting, that’s also covered.
A tip: cold drains batteries fast. Keep spares in an inner pocket close to your body, and put your phone there too between shots.
Also: we photograph and film every tour ourselves, and you’ll get those afterwards. So if you’d rather just ride and let us do the documenting, that’s also covered.
Clothing & cold
What should I wear?
Wear a thermal base layer, ideally merino, with a fleece jacket and fleece pants on top, and one or two pairs of thin socks. No cotton in any layer.
We give you everything else at our base: a padded, windproof snowmobile overall, boots, wool socks, gloves, a balaclava, a full-face helmet and goggles. When it is around −10 to −20 °C we add a padded midlayer from our own stock. You do not need to buy anything.
Read the full guide: What to wear →
We give you everything else at our base: a padded, windproof snowmobile overall, boots, wool socks, gloves, a balaclava, a full-face helmet and goggles. When it is around −10 to −20 °C we add a padded midlayer from our own stock. You do not need to buy anything.
Read the full guide: What to wear →
Can I wear my glasses or contact lenses?
Yes. Contact lenses are the easiest solution, if you have them.
Normal glasses fog up very easily in winter, so with glasses we give you electrically heated goggles that fit over them. We look at each guest with glasses individually and choose the setup that works.
Glasses and goggles, in the full guide →
Normal glasses fog up very easily in winter, so with glasses we give you electrically heated goggles that fit over them. We look at each guest with glasses individually and choose the setup that works.
Glasses and goggles, in the full guide →
What if it’s cold outside?
The gear keeps you warm, and the snowmobiles have heated grips and a heated passenger seat. We plan the route for the weather of the day and stop to warm up indoors when needed. When it is very cold we add a padded midlayer and chemical warmers for the feet.
A few thresholds:
– −20 °C or colder: we avoid taking children out
– Very cold days: we shorten the route and take warm-up breaks indoors
– Around −35 °C: we ride at most about an hour at a time
If conditions are not safe, we reschedule or you get a full refund. If you still get cold on the trail, tell your guide. No guest should have to be cold on our tours.
How we dress you for the cold →
A few thresholds:
– −20 °C or colder: we avoid taking children out
– Very cold days: we shorten the route and take warm-up breaks indoors
– Around −35 °C: we ride at most about an hour at a time
If conditions are not safe, we reschedule or you get a full refund. If you still get cold on the trail, tell your guide. No guest should have to be cold on our tours.
How we dress you for the cold →
Safety
Is it safe? What if something goes wrong on the trail?
Snowmobiling has real risks — you’re outside, on a powered vehicle, in cold weather. We take this seriously without being precious about it.
What that means in practice: proper instruction before every tour, guides who actually know the terrain (not just the route), small groups so we can see what everyone’s doing, and equipment kept in good shape. Our guides carry communication, first aid, and emergency supplies on every ride.
If something does happen, we respond. That’s part of the job.
What that means in practice: proper instruction before every tour, guides who actually know the terrain (not just the route), small groups so we can see what everyone’s doing, and equipment kept in good shape. Our guides carry communication, first aid, and emergency supplies on every ride.
If something does happen, we respond. That’s part of the job.
What’s the self-liability if there’s an accident?
All snowmobiles carry mandatory traffic insurance. This covers all participants’ medical expenses and any third-party damages. The driver is responsible for damage to their own snowmobile.
Driver damage liability:
– Up to €980 per incident by default
– Reduce it to €150 by adding the optional €20 insurance before the tour
We also recommend personal travel insurance for additional coverage.
Full terms: polarmax.fi/terms-and-conditions
Driver damage liability:
– Up to €980 per incident by default
– Reduce it to €150 by adding the optional €20 insurance before the tour
We also recommend personal travel insurance for additional coverage.
Full terms: polarmax.fi/terms-and-conditions
Weather, season & Northern Lights
How long is the winter season?
Our main season is December through March. Bookings are open across these months.
We sometimes start earlier in late November or run later into April when conditions allow — snow shows up on its own schedule, not ours. If you’re interested in a date outside the main season, just ask.
We sometimes start earlier in late November or run later into April when conditions allow — snow shows up on its own schedule, not ours. If you’re interested in a date outside the main season, just ask.
Will it be dark during the tour?
In mid-winter, daylight is short — only about 4-5 hours, and around the darkest weeks the sun never fully rises above the horizon. Many of our tours run in twilight or full darkness.
This isn’t a downside. The forests have their own character in the dark, and the snowmobile headlights pick out the trail clearly. Many locals actually prefer riding in the dark — you can read tracks and oncoming lights better than in flat midday light. We also bring extra LED lights for our stops.
This isn’t a downside. The forests have their own character in the dark, and the snowmobile headlights pick out the trail clearly. Many locals actually prefer riding in the dark — you can read tracks and oncoming lights better than in flat midday light. We also bring extra LED lights for our stops.
Will we see the Northern Lights?
We can’t promise. Northern Lights need clear skies and solar activity, and both are out of anyone’s control. Some nights they put on a show, some nights nothing.
What we can say: riding out of the city, away from light pollution, gives you a much better chance than standing in central Rovaniemi. And even on quiet nights, a winter ride through dark forests is worth doing on its own.
No refunds if the aurora doesn’t show — but the tour itself happens regardless.
What we can say: riding out of the city, away from light pollution, gives you a much better chance than standing in central Rovaniemi. And even on quiet nights, a winter ride through dark forests is worth doing on its own.
No refunds if the aurora doesn’t show — but the tour itself happens regardless.
When is the best time to see the Northern Lights?
Statistically, late August to early April is aurora season in Lapland — that’s when nights are dark enough. The peak chances are usually around the equinoxes (late September and late March) when geomagnetic activity tends to be higher.
For our snowmobile season specifically: any clear night from December through March can deliver. There’s no “guaranteed” week.
For our snowmobile season specifically: any clear night from December through March can deliver. There’s no “guaranteed” week.
What if there’s no snow or bad weather?
Genuine no-snow days are rare in our season, but they happen at the edges — very early December or late March in odd years. If conditions stop a tour from running safely, we either modify or cancel and give you a full refund. We don’t try to push through something that isn’t going to work.
Summer
What do you offer in summer?
Summer in Lapland is the season fewer people see — and it’s a different kind of trip entirely. Endless light, quiet forests, clear rivers, roads that curve up through the fells toward Norway and Sweden.
Our summer programs are taking shape: motorcycle tours through Lapland and the Nordkapp region, motorcycle and motorhome rental, and fishing and outdoor activities. Some of this is already running on a small scale, and the rest is being developed for the coming summers.
Want a heads-up when summer bookings open? Get in touch and we’ll let you know.
Our summer programs are taking shape: motorcycle tours through Lapland and the Nordkapp region, motorcycle and motorhome rental, and fishing and outdoor activities. Some of this is already running on a small scale, and the rest is being developed for the coming summers.
Want a heads-up when summer bookings open? Get in touch and we’ll let you know.
When is the summer season in Lapland?
Summer here is short and intense. June to August is the core — long days, no real night, temperatures often 15-25°C. May and September are shoulder seasons with their own character: spring melt, autumn colors (“ruska”) in September.
The “midnight sun” — when the sun doesn’t set at all — runs from roughly early June to early July at our latitude.
The “midnight sun” — when the sun doesn’t set at all — runs from roughly early June to early July at our latitude.
Is Lapland worth visiting in summer?
Honest answer: yes, if you want something different. Most people picture Lapland as a winter destination, which means summer is genuinely quiet — empty trails, no queues, low prices, and a landscape that locals know is at its best in June.
Midnight sun, fishable rivers, ridable roads, and the kind of silence you only get when there’s nobody else around.
If you’re choosing between winter and summer, they’re different trips. Winter for snow, aurora, dark-season atmosphere. Summer for light, space, and being alone with the landscape.
Midnight sun, fishable rivers, ridable roads, and the kind of silence you only get when there’s nobody else around.
If you’re choosing between winter and summer, they’re different trips. Winter for snow, aurora, dark-season atmosphere. Summer for light, space, and being alone with the landscape.
Are there mosquitoes in summer?
Yes. Anyone who tells you otherwise is selling something.
The worst stretch is roughly mid-June to mid-July, especially in still weather near water. By August they ease off. Wind, sun, and movement help.
What to do: bring repellent, wear long sleeves at dusk, and consider a head net for fishing trips near rivers. It’s part of the deal — but it doesn’t ruin a trip if you’re prepared.
The worst stretch is roughly mid-June to mid-July, especially in still weather near water. By August they ease off. Wind, sun, and movement help.
What to do: bring repellent, wear long sleeves at dusk, and consider a head net for fishing trips near rivers. It’s part of the deal — but it doesn’t ruin a trip if you’re prepared.