The following terms and conditions become binding for both parties once the customer has placed a booking.

Company: Polarmax Ventures Oy
Reg./VAT: FI34729879
Address: Rinteenlenkki 14, 97220 Sinettä, Finland

Contact for cancellations and changes:

These terms are governed by Finnish law. Any disputes unresolved through negotiation will be settled in the District Court of Lapland, Finland.

1. Service Language

The primary language for guiding and all services is English. For safety reasons, you must be able to communicate in English.

2. Liability, Injuries and Insurance

PolarMax Adventures exercises due diligence, implements contingency plans, and adheres to appropriate health and safety measures in accordance with Finnish laws and program service standards when delivering services under these terms and conditions.

All motorized vehicles used in Finland must have valid Motor Liability Insurance. Compensation for damages or injuries caused by a road accident will be covered by the Motor Liability Insurance of the vehicle involved. Compensation includes:

  • Medical treatment, pain and suffering, and handicap for bodily injuries, as per Finnish laws and insurance terms.
  • Property damage up to €3,300,000.

If an injured party willfully or through gross negligence causes their injury, compensation may be denied.

PolarMax is liable for personal injuries or material damage caused by its negligence, employees, or subcontractors during service delivery. PolarMax is not responsible for losses or costs that are covered by a customer’s own travel insurance.

Personal travel insurance is strongly recommended. It is the customer’s own insurance that covers illness, injury, missed activities, trip interruption and other personal costs. PolarMax cannot provide travel insurance and does not refund costs that fall within its scope.

Activities such as snowmobile safaris can be physically demanding. Customers with illnesses, disabilities, or pregnancy should consult a doctor before participating, acknowledging that participation is at their own risk.

  • All snowmobiles used during safaris are insured for personal injuries. The driver, passengers and third parties are insured for personal injuries and for damage to third parties as required by Finnish law.
  • Liability for damages: Participants are responsible for damage they cause to snowmobiles, with a deductible of up to €980 per driver, per snowmobile, per incident. On guided tours this liability can be reduced to a maximum of €150 by paying an additional fee of €20 per driver at checkout or before the tour.
  • PolarMax also holds public liability insurance covering general company activities (this does not cover damage to snowmobiles).

3. Snowmobile Tours and Snowmobiling Terms

Driver requirements

  • Drivers must be at least 20 years old and hold a valid category B driving licence, which must be carried during the safari.
  • Drivers must understand and speak English. Guidance and safety information is given in English only.
  • Participants must follow the safety instructions provided by PolarMax. Reckless or disobedient behaviour may result in the non-refundable termination of the activity.
  • Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs is strictly prohibited under Finnish law.

Passengers and children

  • Passengers over 140 cm may ride on the snowmobile seat, one passenger per snowmobile.
  • Children and anyone under 140 cm ride in the covered, insulated sled towed by the guide’s snowmobile and cannot be passengers on a snowmobile.
  • Minimum age for participation is 4 years.
  • Snowmobiling and riding in a towed sled are not recommended during pregnancy due to potential risks.

How booking works

  • You book persons, not snowmobiles. One snowmobile has two seats.
  • A shared snowmobile requires a minimum of two persons booked together.
  • To ride alone, or when travelling solo, book the single snowmobile option.

PolarMax reserves the right to modify routes, schedules or the duration of a safari due to weather or safety concerns. A safari may also be discontinued if a participant is deemed a danger to themselves or others.

4. Cancellation Policy

Customer cancellations

  • Cancellations made more than 24 hours before the activity: full refund.
  • Cancellations made less than 24 hours before the activity, and no-shows: no refund.
  • This applies to all cancellations, including those caused by illness. We recommend travel insurance to cover such situations.

Late arrivals

  • If a customer is more than 20 minutes late for the agreed pick-up or meeting time, PolarMax reserves the right to cancel the booking without a refund, or to reschedule it if possible.
  • Customers must notify PolarMax of any delay. Rescheduling is subject to availability and cannot be guaranteed.

Cancellations by PolarMax — safety and Arctic conditions

We operate guided snowmobile safaris in Arctic winter conditions. PolarMax may cancel or reschedule a departure at any time, including on the day of departure, where weather, temperature, snow or ice conditions, trail safety, lake or river ice safety, or equipment or guide availability make safe operation impossible in our professional judgement. The same applies to technical issues, force majeure and other unforeseen circumstances.

Customers will be notified by phone, text, WhatsApp or email. We will offer either rescheduling to another available departure or a full refund of the amount paid.

Limitation of liability

In all cases where PolarMax cancels a departure, our liability is limited to the value of the booking. Other costs incurred by the customer — such as flights, accommodation, transfers, taxis or other bookings — are not refunded. This applies to weather and safety cancellations, technical issues and force majeure alike, and is a further reason to hold travel insurance.

Important: keep your email, phone, text or WhatsApp available for last-minute updates or changes.

5. Animals, Weather and Natural Phenomena

Any animals used in our services are trained for the activity as far as possible. Animal behaviour can nevertheless be unpredictable, and participants must follow all safety instructions to minimise risks.

Weather, nature, ice and snow are unpredictable. We do our best to choose safe routes in safe conditions, but we cannot control natural phenomena. Northern lights may or may not be visible, depending on cloud cover and solar activity, and this cannot be reliably predicted in advance. We do not refund activities that have already started due to such changes. Earlier cancellations follow the cancellation policy above.

6. General Terms for Booked Activities

  • PolarMax reserves the right to change prices due to tax changes or other external factors.
  • Timetables and content may be adjusted, cancelled or rescheduled due to weather or ice conditions.
  • Customers are strongly advised to hold travel insurance covering possible personal costs, cancellations, illness, injury and liability.