“If it had just been an okay snowmobile, we wouldn’t be running it”

Bringing winter to Rampen

Rampen brought snowmobiling back to Sulitjelma in Norway, and chose to do it on electric. After one full season with eSled, Vegard Skar, Rampen CEO, says the machines have delivered exactly what the company needed: an easy, quiet and premium experience for guests.

Rampen already offered Via Ferrata, RIB tours, hiking and other outdoor experiences around Bodø. What was missing was winter. Snowmobiling was a natural idea for Vegard Skar, who grew up riding snowmobiles in northern Norway and later spent time on Svalbard. The search for a suitable location led to Sulitjelma, and the search for the right machine led to eSled.

“It looked like something out of a sci-fi movie. I was expecting the traditional snowmobiles I’d always driven, and then this came along. I thought that’s something else. I want that.” – Vegard Skar, CEO

Rampen spoke with existing operators before making the decision. The feedback was convincing, and Aurora Powertrains was also able to deliver the sleds in Rampen’s signature black, complete with the company logo.

Easy from the first ride

For Vegard, who has spent much of his career in software, good technology should explain itself.

“You shouldn’t need an extra course or extra training. You just sit on it and go. And what I experienced went way beyond that.”

During the first season, guests from around the world have driven the eSleds successfully including many with no previous snowmobile experience.

The quiet electric drivetrain makes a big difference

“People expect a snowmobile to be loud, heavy and a bit scary. When they’re as silent as these, it becomes: oh, this I can do”, says Vegard and continues: ”Silence also improves Rampen’s guided tours. When the group stops to look at wildlife or hear about the history of Sulitjelma, there is no engine noise or exhaust smell competing with the experience.”

Easier to accept for guests and locals

Traditional snowmobiling can divide opinion in Norway, particularly in areas with cabins and sensitive natural environments. For Rampen, electric eSled snowmobiles have made those conversations easier.
The eSleds stay on established tracks, are always operated as part of a guided tour and can have their maximum speed limited for guest riders.

“They don’t make noise and they don’t pollute. It just hits the bullseye when it comes to getting approval.”

Vegard has even seen strongly sceptical locals become curious about electric snowmobiles.

Built for everyday operation

Rampen has operated the eSleds in temperatures down to around –20°C without noticing any significant change in behaviour.

Range has also been more than sufficient for their operation. Rampen’s current route is around 14 kilometres each way, and even a four-hour mountain tour left plenty of battery capacity.

But for Vegard, one of the biggest benefits appears after the tour.

“I drive back, park them, plug them into the charging rig and go take care of the guests. No refuelling, no checking the oil, none of the maintenance there is with ordinary snowmobiles. It’s just really easy operation.”

A premium experience needs premium equipment

Rampen deliberately aims for five-star guest reviews. That applies to the location, the guides, the boats and the snowmobiles.

The electric drivetrain also attracts customers who might otherwise skip snowmobiling completely.

“The international guests, the high-end guests, they want the sustainable alternative.”

After the first season, Vegard’s conclusion is simple. “We wouldn’t have used them if we didn’t like them. If we’d felt this was just an okay snowmobile, we’d have said no. But we never felt that. It’s been a great journey with eSled and I’m really looking forward to winter.”

11.8.2026, Topi Tiilikainen, Aurora Powertrains / eSled, Photos: Rampen

About Rampen

Website: https://www.rampen.com/

Discover spectacular Norwegian nature experiences in Bodø and Salten. The top-rated ^*) Rampen offers RIB tours, Via Ferrata, guided tours and unique activities close to the sea, mountains and Arctic nature  for small and large adventures all year round.

Join a guided, electric snowmobile tour in the Sulis Mountains, one of Northern Norway’s most spectacular areas for snowmobiling experiences. Sulitjelma offers high mountains, glaciers and wild Arctic nature shaped by centuries of mining, but also warm, experienced local guides who will welcome you.

^*) Rampen holds 5.0-star operator rating based on TripAdvisor’s customer reviews for its guided coastal climbing activities