Snowmobile Riding & Husky Guiding: A Finnmark Winter Adventure

There’s no better way to speed across Finnmark’s ice-encrusted landscapes than aboard a snowmobile, so we’ve secured you a thrilling day of precisely that. As either driver or passenger, this tour will take you through the ever-changing Arctic conditions, from snowy forests to open plateaus and frozen lakes. Head back to your hotel with bright pink cheeks and ruffled hair, ready to indulge in dinner made from locally sourced ingredients: seafood from the Alta River, moose from the tundra and vegetables from the wilderness.

Consider yourself a dog whisperer? Today’s your chance to prove your skills as you lead a team of huskies over a long, snowy trail, weaving through forests along the way. Perched atop a sled, you’ll glide past the river with only the water rushing and the dog’s barking to break the silence. Refuel with a light snack before returning to your hotel, where a sauna and outdoor hot tub are waiting to melt your icy muscles. After dinner, head outside to try your luck at spotting the Northern Lights – with little to no light pollution, they’ll be impressively vivid (if they decide to make an appearance).

Bid farewell to your igloo hotel, because this morning, you’ll be privately transferred to the airport in time for your one-hour flight to Kirkenes. After landing, another quick transfer will drop you off at your next seriously cool snow hotel. To give you an idea of how remote you’ll be, the only thing between Kirkenes and the North Pole is the isolated archipelago of Svalbard. But this hotel does comfort by the gallon, ensuring you’ll feel right at home within its cosy restaurants and outbuildings (which you’ll soon discover during your first night here).

If you think you know crabs, think again. On today’s king crab winter safari, you’ll face the largest crustacean in the world – the mighty king crab, whose leg span can reach a mind-boggling five feet wide. Despite their alien appearance, these creatures are found in the fjords around Kirkenes, where fishermen cast traps through holes in the ice. You’ll be taken out on a snowmobile to help pull these beasts from the waters, before heading to a rustic farmhouse restaurant to enjoy a juicy king crab meal.

Feast on a hearty Norwegian breakfast (think scrambled eggs, smoked salmon and freshly baked bread) ready for today’s exciting activities. The first is a visit to Andersgrotta, Kirkenes’ largest bomb shelter. Built in 1941, the shelter could provide refuge for up to 2,500 people at once during the 300 air attacks of World War II. Learn about the life of civilians during wartime and why Kirkenes was Norway’s most bombed city.

The day’s second activity is an invitation into the home of a local Northern Norwegian. As hugely hospitable people, they’ll be eager to serve you steaming coffee and cake over a chat about their culture and traditions, while sharing stories of everyday life in the extreme north. Afterwards, head back to your hotel for one final night of hunting down the dancing Northern Lights in the inky night sky.