Northern Lights Snowmobile Tours in Svalbard: What to Expect

The special part: seeing the Northern Lights during the day

This is where Svalbard differs from most aurora destinations. Around the deepest part of the Polar Night, the sun does not rise, so the sky can stay dark enough for aurora viewing during normal daytime hours.

Some current snowmobile safaris leave Longyearbyen at 09:00 specifically to search for what operators call the daytime aurora. Imagine leaving your hotel after breakfast, driving a snowmobile beneath stars and potentially watching green aurora overhead before lunch. That is an experience you cannot reproduce in most Northern Lights destinations.

What happens on a Northern Lights snowmobile tour?

1. Pickup or meeting

Many tours begin with pickup from accommodation in Longyearbyen or at the operator’s base.

2. Arctic clothing

Operators generally provide specialist snowmobile equipment such as:

• thermal snowmobile suit
• helmet
• gloves
• winter boots

Check the individual inclusion list.

3. Safety briefing

Before departure, the guide explains:

• snowmobile controls
• braking
• steering
• convoy formation
• safe distances
• signals
• procedures if something goes wrong

Many current Northern Lights snowmobile tours state that no previous snowmobile experience is required.

4. Leave Longyearbyen

Once the group is ready, you drive away from town and its artificial lighting. Adventdalen is a common destination because the broad valley provides access to dark Arctic landscapes without requiring an extremely long expedition.

5. Search for suitable conditions

The guide may choose the route according to:

• cloud
• weather
• snow
• visibility
• aurora forecasts
• trail conditions

6. Stop and watch the sky

If conditions look promising, the group stops the snowmobiles and waits. This is when the Arctic silence can become as memorable as the aurora itself.

7. Warm drinks, food or camp

Depending on the tour, you may stop for:

• hot drinks
• snacks
• a campfire
• a wilderness meal
• dinner
• time inside a heated cabin

Where do the tours go?

Many Northern Lights snowmobile trips head east from Longyearbyen into Adventdalen and its surrounding valleys. The advantage is simple: you quickly leave most of Longyearbyen’s artificial lighting behind.

Other tours keep the destination flexible and select routes according to weather conditions. For an aurora trip, a clear sky matters more than reaching a famous landmark.

How long do Northern Lights snowmobile tours last?

There is considerable variation. Common options range from approximately:

• 3–3.5 hours for shorter introductory aurora safaris
• 4 hours for evening snowmobile adventures
• 5–5.5 hours for longer aurora hunts
• 7 hours for wilderness-camp experiences

A longer tour is not automatically better. Choose according to:

• how much snowmobiling you want
• your tolerance for cold
• whether food is included
• your fitness
• whether you want a full Arctic expedition or an introduction

Morning vs evening snowmobile aurora tours

Morning and daytime tours

These work best during the deepest Polar Night. Advantages:

• an extremely unusual daytime aurora experience
• easier to combine with an evening activity
• stars and darkness can still be present
• leaves your evening free

Evening tours

These feel more like a conventional Northern Lights chase. Advantages include:

• classic nighttime atmosphere
• darker conditions later in the season
• a natural fit after a day of sightseeing
• dramatic stars and moonlight when skies are clear

Which is better?

During December and January, choose according to the tour itself instead of assuming nighttime is automatically superior. By February and March, as daylight returns, evening departures become more important for aurora viewing.

Northern Lights snowmobile tour vs regular snowmobile tour

If you mainly want to drive far into Svalbard’s wilderness, a full-day spring snowmobile expedition may be more rewarding. If your priority is combining snowmobiling with the aurora and Polar Night, choose a dedicated Northern Lights trip.

One aurora snowmobile trip is bookable through the platform this site compares: the private Northern Lights snowmobile tour, a three-hour trip into Adventdalen in which the guide drives and you ride as a passenger, with hot drinks and snacks included. It is a new listing with only two reviews so far. The other snowmobile trip we list is the ice cave adventure by snowmobile, a 3.5-hour ride in groups of no more than four per guide, which is not an aurora tour. Our snowmobile tours guide compares every type of ride, and the land-based Northern Lights options are covered below.

Can beginners drive a snowmobile?

Yes, many aurora tours are designed for beginners. That does not mean driving is completely effortless. You still need to:

• control a motorised vehicle
• respond to uneven snow
• follow the guide
• stay warm
• concentrate in darkness

If you are uncomfortable driving, ask whether you can travel as a passenger.

Do you need a driving licence?

If you want to drive a snowmobile, operators generally require a valid driving licence recognised for the tour. Requirements can vary, so check the specific booking conditions before paying. Passengers normally do not need a driving licence.

Can two people share one snowmobile?

Often, yes. Many snowmobile tours allow one person to drive and one passenger to sit behind. There may be separate prices for drivers and passengers. Some couples switch drivers during the tour when permitted, provided both meet the licence requirements.

Is it difficult to drive a snowmobile in darkness?

It can feel intimidating for the first few minutes, but you are not released into the wilderness alone. Tours travel in a guided convoy. The guide normally controls:

• pace
• route
• stopping points
• spacing
• response to conditions

Snowmobiles also have powerful headlights.

Electric vs petrol snowmobile aurora tours

Svalbard also has electric snowmobile Northern Lights tours. The biggest difference is noise: traditional snowmobiles have combustion engines, while electric machines move through the landscape much more quietly.

Electric snowmobile advantages

• quieter
• less engine noise when stopping
• an unusual experience
• a more immersive Arctic atmosphere

Conventional snowmobile advantages

• more tour choices
• more routes
• often longer-range options
• widely used throughout Svalbard

If your main goal is a peaceful Northern Lights experience and not covering large distances, an electric snowmobile can be particularly appealing.

Are the Northern Lights guaranteed?

No. Aurora visibility depends on:

• solar activity
• darkness
• clear sky
• local cloud
• weather

Cloud is often the biggest problem. Snowmobiles give guides some ability to move toward more promising locations, but they cannot outrun a weather system covering the entire area. Book the activity because you want both snowmobiling and Northern Lights potential, not because you expect a guaranteed aurora performance.

What if the Northern Lights don’t appear?

You still get a Polar Night snowmobile adventure. That may include:

• driving through Adventdalen
• stars
• moonlit mountains
• frozen valleys
• Arctic darkness
• stops away from artificial light
• warm drinks or food
• time in a wilderness cabin

For many travellers, this is what makes a snowmobile tour an emotionally safer choice than spending several hours doing nothing except waiting for aurora.

Northern Lights snowmobile vs minibus aurora chase

Choose the snowmobile if the journey itself excites you. Choose a road-based chase if you mainly care about aurora photography and staying comfortable. The Northern Lights photography tour with a local expert is the road-based option we compare: four hours, hotel pickup included, photographer guides who set up your camera, and daytime aurora possible in the Polar Night. See the tour page for the full breakdown.

Northern Lights snowmobile vs dog sledding

Snowmobile

• faster
• covers more ground
• easier to move between viewing areas
• motorised
• a greater sense of expedition

Dog sledding

• slower
• quieter
• more traditional
• stronger interaction with animals
• very atmospheric in darkness

There is no obvious winner, and many visitors do both on different days. Dog sledding is largely booked directly with the kennels, not through the platform this site compares, so plan it separately.

Are there snowmobile tours with a wilderness camp?

Yes. Some longer tours combine aurora hunting with a wilderness camp where guests can warm up around a fire and eat before continuing the experience. These tours are particularly appealing if you want more than a quick ride.

What about Northern Lights tours with dinner?

These exist too. Some experiences combine an open-destination snowmobile aurora hunt with dinner at a wilderness stop. This type of trip works well if you want the evening to feel like a complete Arctic experience and not just transport into the dark.

Can children join?

Some tours accept children as passengers, but minimum ages vary considerably. Snowmobile-driving age and passenger age are not the same. Always check:

• minimum passenger age
• minimum driver age
• licence requirements
• whether a sled is available
• tour duration
• temperature suitability

For younger children, a heated vehicle or snowmobile-towed sleigh may be more practical than several hours exposed on the back of a snowmobile.

What should you wear?

Operators usually provide heavy outer equipment, but what you wear underneath still matters. A sensible system includes:

Base layer

Thermal wool or synthetic clothing.

Mid-layer

Fleece or wool insulation.

Outer layer

Usually provided as a snowmobile suit.

Feet

Warm socks plus insulated boots.

Hands

Warm inner gloves beneath heavier mittens if appropriate.

Head

A thin balaclava or suitable layer that fits under a helmet.

Avoid cotton as your main insulating layer. Our packing guide has the full list for each season.

How cold does it feel?

Potentially much colder than the thermometer suggests. Snowmobiles create airflow, so wind chill matters, and you may also spend long periods sitting relatively still while watching the sky. If you tend to feel cold easily, choose a tour that includes:

• a heated cabin
• warm drinks
• a campfire
• regular indoor stops

Is it safe?

Guided snowmobile tours operate with trained local guides and safety procedures designed for Arctic conditions. Listen carefully to instructions about:

• convoy spacing
• braking
• speed
• trail conditions
• stopping
• wildlife
• emergency procedures

Outside Longyearbyen, polar-bear safety is also part of travelling in Svalbard’s wilderness.

Can you photograph the aurora during the tour?

Yes. Snowmobile tours can provide excellent photography opportunities because you travel away from Longyearbyen’s brighter artificial lights. Useful camera equipment can include:

• wide-angle lens
• spare batteries
• tripod if practical
• lens cloth
• warm battery storage

Batteries drain more quickly in extreme cold.

When is the best time to book?

For the deepest Polar Night experience, December and January are particularly distinctive because aurora can potentially appear during daytime hours. If you prefer an evening tour but also want increasing daylight for daytime sightseeing, February can offer a useful balance.

Some Northern Lights snowmobile tours continue into March, but departures move later as daylight returns. Book popular dates early; our guide to booking Svalbard tours explains what to reserve first.

Should you book more than one Northern Lights tour?

If seeing the aurora is a major reason for visiting Svalbard, it can make sense to give yourself more than one opportunity. Instead of booking two identical tours, consider combining:

• a snowmobile aurora safari
• a road-based aurora chase
• a dog-sledding night tour
• a snowcat or wilderness-camp experience

Different transport types give you different experiences. If you are staying in town, our where-to-stay guide covers which bases offer tour pickup, and for an autumn alternative see our guide to Northern Lights by boat.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you see the Northern Lights while snowmobiling in Svalbard?

Yes. Several operators run dedicated Northern Lights snowmobile tours from Longyearbyen during the winter season.

Can you see the Northern Lights during the day in Svalbard?

During the deepest Polar Night, yes, if weather and auroral activity permit.

Do I need previous snowmobile experience?

Not for many beginner-friendly tours.

How long is a Northern Lights snowmobile tour?

Common options range from roughly three hours to seven hours depending on whether the excursion includes a camp, meal or longer journey.

Are the Northern Lights guaranteed?

No. Cloud, weather and solar activity all play a part, and no operator can promise a sighting.

Where do the tours go?

Many travel from Longyearbyen into Adventdalen and nearby valleys where artificial light is much lower.

Are there electric snowmobile Northern Lights tours?

Yes.

Are snowmobile suits provided?

Specialist outer clothing is commonly included, but exact inclusions vary by operator.

Can I ride as a passenger?

Many tours offer passenger places behind a driver.

What happens if there is no aurora?

The snowmobile wilderness experience still operates according to conditions unless the operator cancels for safety or weather reasons.

The bottom line

A Northern Lights snowmobile tour is one of the best ways to combine aurora hunting with an actual Arctic adventure in Svalbard. Instead of travelling to a viewing point and waiting, you leave Longyearbyen behind, drive through dark valleys, stop beneath the stars and experience a landscape that feels completely different once the sun disappears.

During December and January, Svalbard adds another twist: the Polar Night can make the sky dark enough for the Northern Lights to appear even during the day.

Choose a short safari if you mainly want an introduction to snowmobiling and aurora hunting. Choose a longer wilderness or camp tour if you want the journey itself to be one of the highlights of your Svalbard trip. And book a tour you would enjoy even without the aurora.

The lights are unpredictable. Driving a snowmobile through the silent darkness of the High Arctic is memorable either way. For everything else you can book in each season, see our guide to the best Svalbard day tours.