A winter ice fishing trip to a wilderness lake often begins early in the morning twilight. The snow crunches under your boots, and your breath steams in the freezing air as your backpack, ice auger, and ice fishing rods swing on your back, step by step, further away from the roads and sounds. The forest falls silent, only the occasional jay’s cry or the rustling of snow on the branches reminds you of other life.

When you arrive at the lake, the ice is covered in pristine snow. The horizon is lit by a pale line of the rising sun, which colors the sky a delicate pink. The auger sinks slowly into the ice, and its rhythmic drilling breaks the otherwise perfect silence. When the water sparkles at the bottom of the hole, it feels as if you have opened a small window into the winter world of the lake.

An hour-long snowmobile safari in the Arctic is a compact but exhilarating trip, combining speed, silence and the natural beauty of the North.

The safari usually begins with a short briefing: you are given warm riding gear, a helmet and gloves, and the guide goes through safety instructions and the basics of sled control. When the engine starts and the sled sets off, the first few minutes are spent standing along marked trails — allowing your body to get used to the movement and the rhythm of the sled.

The route often runs through snowy forests, along the edge of frozen bogs or along the ice of a lake. The winter landscape is quiet and spacious: the branches of the fir trees bend under the weight of the snow, the air is fresh and your breath mists in the visor of your helmet. Sometimes you climb gentle hills, sometimes winding paths lead you deeper into the forest. The speed remains moderate, but the feeling of momentum is still strong.

A one-hour safari is perfect for first-time visitors or those who want to get a taste of the Arctic in a short amount of time: it offers a small dose of adventure without rushing, but often leaves you wanting to go on a longer trip again. If you want, I can also film the safari at different times of the year or day — for example, under the Northern Lights or in the early winter sun.

Safari lasts 1h and ice fishing 1h