Never driven a snowmobile? Your first ride in Levi
Most people who book a safari in Levi have never sat on a snowmobile before, and the tours are built around that. You get the clothing and a briefing, then a guide to follow. This page walks through a first ride from the changing room to the last bend.
Before the engine starts
Your first ride begins indoors. At the operator's office or meeting point you swap your own jacket for a thermal overall, then pull on the boots and gloves the company lends you. A balaclava and helmet go on last.
Allow some time for this. Getting into a padded suit for the first time is slower than people expect, and the guides usually check that zips are closed and the balaclava sits right under the helmet.
The overall is a shell over your own clothes, not a full outfit, so warm layers underneath still matter. Our guide to what to wear under the thermal suit covers the layers that work and the ones that leave you cold.
The briefing, in plain terms
Next comes a safety briefing with driving instructions, usually standing beside the sleds. Wild Nordic lists both on its 2–3 hour forest safari, and the other operators run a similar routine before anyone sets off.
Expect to hear how to start and stop, where to put your hands, which signals the guide uses and what to do when the line halts. Listen closely even if a friend has ridden before, because every company has its own habits.
Ask questions at this point rather than on the trail. Once the engines run and everyone wears a helmet, talking gets hard. The guide is also busy watching the whole group.
Throttle and brake in the first few metres
On most touring snowmobiles the throttle is a lever you press with your right thumb, and the brake is a lever on the left handlebar, a bit like a bicycle brake. Press gently and the sled moves off; let go and it slows by itself.
The first minutes feel odd. The skis at the front steer, but the sled answers more slowly than a car would, and a soft touch on the throttle keeps everything calm. A relaxed grip also saves your thumb from aching later.
In bends, lean your body toward the inside of the turn and steer smoothly. On a straight stretch sit upright and look ahead at the guide rather than down at the skis.
Riding in a line behind the guide
On every tour on this site the guide drives in front and the group follows in a single line on maintained snowmobile tracks. You never need to find the way or read trail markers, only to stay in the line.
Keep a clear gap of several sled lengths to the snowmobile ahead, so you have room to stop if it brakes. Riding too close is the easiest way to bump the sled in front, and a dent can be costly, as our guide to damage and insurance explains.
The pace follows the group. Safartica says its driving speed depends on the weather and on the drivers' skill, while Arctic Circle Snowmobile Park tailors the speed to the abilities of each group. Nobody expects you to race.
Driver or passenger
Two adults normally share one snowmobile. One drives and the other sits behind. The passenger holds the grab handles at the sides of the seat and leans with the driver in bends, which is easier than it sounds.
On Wild Nordic's safari you choose to drive or ride as a passenger, and two adults sharing a sled can swap at stops. On the one-hour ride from Arctic Circle you go in pairs and swap places for photos.
Drivers must be 18 or older and carry a valid physical driver's license. The details, including what happens if you forget it at the hotel, are in our licence guide.
Photo stops break the ride into short sections. They are the moment to swap seats, shake some warmth back into your hands and take pictures, because filming from a moving sled rarely turns out well.
Two gentle first rides
For a first try, the 1-hour safari from Arctic Circle Snowmobile Park (~$110) is the shortest on this site. It runs through the forest with an instructor, in groups of up to 30, and the listing is aimed at families and beginners.
Its catch is time. Once you have dressed and been briefed, an hour on the snow passes fast, and no warm drink stop appears in the listing. It rates 4.8 from 240+ reviews on GetYourGuide.
One hour in pairs, with an instructor
A forest loop where you swap seats for photos and the speed suits the group. The operator lends the overall and boots along with gloves and a helmet. Listed on GetYourGuide only.
If you would rather have more time once the nerves settle, Wild Nordic's forest safari (~$140) runs 2–3 hours with photo stops and hot berry juice from the guide, for up to 12 people. It rates 4.8 from 200+ reviews on GetYourGuide.
The catch there is the shared sled. An odd-numbered party may end up sharing with a stranger, and a snowmobile of your own costs extra. Our comparison of safari lengths from one hour to five sets the options side by side.
Who should skip the driving seat
Most listings say their safaris are not for pregnant travelers or people with back problems, since a snowmobile bumps over uneven snow for the whole ride. Wild Nordic and Arctic Circle also rule out limited mobility.
Children do not drive. On most tours children sit in a sleigh behind the guide's snowmobile, and the age limits differ per listing, as our page on snowmobiling in Levi with children shows.
Alcohol and drugs are not allowed on any of these tours. Save the glass of wine for the evening, once you have handed back the helmet.
Small things that help on day one
- Eat a proper meal beforehand, because the cold uses up energy
- Keep your phone in an inside pocket, where the battery lasts longer
- Wear your glasses under the helmet if you need them to see the trail
- Tell the guide at the start if you feel unsure, so they can keep an eye on you
- Leave bulky items at the hotel, since pockets in the overall are limited
- Check the extras before you book in what a safari costs
The first bend tends to be the hardest one. By the first photo stop, many beginners are already wondering whether the next tour should be longer.