There is a lot more to winter in Abisko than snow and snowmobiles.
While the frozen lakes, snow-covered forests and spectacular mountains make Abisko an incredible place to explore, winter also reveals another side of the landscape: Arctic wildlife.
Tracks crossing a trail. A movement between the trees. A ptarmigan disappearing into the snow. Moose browsing in the forest. Sometimes the animals themselves remain hidden, but their presence is written everywhere across the winter landscape.
That is the idea behind our Arctic Nature & Wildlife Spotting Tour. The snowmobile is not the main attraction. It is our way of reaching deeper into the winter wilderness, comfortably and without requiring you to drive a snowmobile yourself.
A different kind of snowmobile experience
When people hear “snowmobile tour”, they often imagine speed, engines and adrenaline.
Our Arctic Nature & Wildlife Spotting Tour is something quite different.
You sit comfortably in a passenger sled while one of our experienced guides drives the snowmobile. Instead of concentrating on driving, you can look around, take photographs and simply enjoy the Arctic landscape.
We travel at a relaxed pace through snow-covered forests, across frozen lakes and along quiet trails around Abisko. Along the way, we stop at interesting locations to explore the surroundings and, if we’re lucky, look for signs of the wildlife that calls this landscape home.
It is less about getting somewhere quickly and more about being out there.
The Arctic is full of signs
Wildlife spotting in winter is not always about seeing an animal standing in front of you.
In fact, some of the most interesting discoveries can be much smaller.
A set of tracks crossing the snow can tell us that an animal passed through only recently. Droppings, feeding marks and disturbed snow can reveal what happened even when the animal itself is nowhere to be seen.
Our guides know the landscape around Abisko and can help you understand these signs. Instead of simply travelling through a beautiful winter landscape, you begin to notice what is happening around you.
And suddenly that seemingly empty forest isn’t empty at all.
What wildlife might you see around Abisko?
Abisko National Park and the surrounding area are home to a surprising variety of Arctic wildlife. Depending on the season, weather and a healthy dose of luck, you may encounter or find signs of animals such as:
Moose
The largest animal you might encounter in the Abisko area, moose can sometimes be found in the forests and valleys. Seeing one in the snowy landscape is an unforgettable Arctic experience.
Reindeer
Reindeer are an iconic part of northern Scandinavia and are well adapted to life in the harsh winter environment. Their tracks can sometimes be easier to find than the animals themselves.
Arctic hare
The Arctic hare is beautifully adapted to winter, with its seasonal coat helping it blend into the snowy landscape. Spotting one can be surprisingly difficult, even when it is relatively close.
Ptarmigan
These remarkable Arctic birds are masters of camouflage. In winter their plumage can blend almost perfectly with the snow, making them another rewarding species to look for.
Foxes and smaller mammals
Red foxes and smaller Arctic mammals also inhabit the region. You may not always see them, but their tracks and other traces can provide clues that they have been nearby.
Abisko is also home to less frequently encountered predators, including lynx and wolverine. Wildlife sightings are never guaranteed, however, and that uncertainty is part of what makes wildlife watching exciting.
Find out more about the Arctic Nature & Wildlife Spotting Tour in Abisko →
Exploring Abisko’s winter wilderness
Abisko National Park lies in a spectacular mountain valley surrounded by the Abisko Alps, with Lake Torneträsk stretching out to the north. During winter, much of the landscape is transformed by snow and ice, creating an environment that feels almost otherworldly.
Travelling by sled gives us the opportunity to explore areas that would take considerably more effort to reach on foot.
It also gives us a chance to look closer at the life beneath the snow. Beyond the wildlife, a whole ecosystem is waiting to be discovered. The Arctic is home to a remarkable variety of hardy plants and trees that have adapted to survive, and even thrive, in a constantly changing environment of deep snow, freezing temperatures and short growing seasons.
So, we don’t simply ride through the landscape.
We stop.
We listen.
We talk.
We look for tracks.
We take photographs.
Sometimes we just stand quietly for a moment and enjoy the silence.
That quietness is one of the things that makes the experience special. Away from the lights and noise of the village, the Arctic wilderness can feel remarkably vast.
Warm up around the campfire
Of course, spending time outside in the Arctic winter means eventually appreciating the warmth of a fire.
During the expedition, we stop at a suitable location and gather around a campfire. You can warm up, enjoy a hot drink and a small snack while your guide shares stories about Abisko, the Arctic environment and life in the far north.
It is a simple part of the experience, but often one of the moments guests remember most.
After travelling through the snowy landscape, sitting beside a fire surrounded by forest and mountains gives you a chance to slow down and take it all in.
You don’t need to be an experienced adventurer
One of the great things about the Arctic Nature & Wildlife Spotting Tour is that you don’t need to drive a snowmobile or be an experienced winter traveller.
You simply sit back in the passenger sled while your guide takes care of the driving.
We provide warm clothing and a helmet, and hot drinks and a snack are included. The relaxed pace also makes the experience suitable for people who want to experience the Arctic wilderness without the physical effort of a longer winter hike.
If you enjoy nature, photography, wildlife or simply getting away from the crowds, this could be a perfect way to experience Abisko in winter.
Sometimes the best moments aren’t planned
Wildlife is unpredictable.
You might spend an afternoon looking for tracks and never see the animal that made them. Or you might suddenly spot a moose between the trees when you least expect it.
That is exactly what makes a wildlife expedition different from a traditional sightseeing tour.
There is no guarantee of what you will find.
Instead, there is the excitement of not knowing what might be around the next corner.
And even when the wildlife stays hidden, you have still experienced the forest, the frozen lakes, the mountains, the snow and the silence of the Arctic.
Ready to explore the Arctic?
Our Arctic Nature & Wildlife Spotting Tour is a comfortable and relaxed way to discover the winter wilderness around Abisko while keeping an eye out for Arctic wildlife and its tracks.
Sit back in the sled, leave the driving to our experienced guides and join us for an afternoon of Arctic nature, wildlife spotting, photography and a cozy campfire in the snow.
The snowmobile gets us there. The wilderness is the real destination.
Discover the Arctic Nature & Wildlife Spotting Tour in Abisko →