Hurtigruten Svalbard – Over 30 Years of Snowmobile Safaris in an Amazing Arctic Environment

“We’ve been operating snowmobile safaris for over 30 years, so we really know what this is about. During the peak season, we have 15 guides leading safaris for thousands of guests from around the world,” says Tore Hoem, Adventure Director at Hurtigruten Svalbard.

7th Season with eSleds

“I made my first eSled test rides in Levi in April 2019. I was really convinced about the new electric snowmobile and managed to convince our board about the financing. So we made a leasing agreement for eight first-generation eSleds, which we received in December that same year.”

“We wanted to take significant steps in sustainability and show our clients and partners that we use new technology. We wanted to be pioneers in the snowmobiling world”, mr. Hoem says further, with excitement.

Tore Hoem has decades of experience with snowmobiling and he´s well aware that new technology often requires development processes to make all solutions work perfectly.
“Only a few components have been changed. Most of the adjustments are software-related and can be done OTA, but the fine-tuning has definitely been worth it. We received eight new-model eSleds in December 2024, and they are really good snowmobiles.”

“Honestly, I must say that Aurora Powertrains’ support and backup service is extremely impressive. We get immediate feedback and help whenever needed, at any time of the day.”

Safari operations

“Our Northern Lights Safari takes about three hours and includes a 30 km snowmobile ride. With the eSled, we can easily complete three tours without recharging,” tells Tore Hoem.

“Although our energy is very expensive—about 4 NOK (40 cents) per kWh—our operating costs are extremely low. Service and maintenance are minimal; only occasional replacement of wear parts is needed. We know exactly the operational costs of fossil-fuel snowmobiles, and the difference is huge.”

Calm guests, safer ride

“I remember clearly the feeling of our very first eSled safari. Our guides started the tour, and I noticed that our guests remained calm and relaxed, enjoying the experience with smiling faces. I think it’s the silence that makes the difference—the lack of noise keeps stress away.

“When guests are calm, safaris become much safer as well. Many of our guests see snow for the first time in their lives—not to mention riding a snowmobile. That’s why the first 500 meters of the safari are crucial. The electric sled provides smooth acceleration, and you can drive at very low speeds thanks to the eSled’s tourist mode setting. You simply cannot do that with petrol snowmobiles.”

Sustainability

Sustainability is important to the Hurtigruten Group. -We have an ISO 14001 certificate for our company’s operations, and we publish an ESG report every year. We want the world to know that we care about the environment and sustainability, and we are committed to reducing CO₂ emissions in our operations. eSled fits completely to our strategy.

Riding and technology

“The riding position is different, but most of all, the unique front suspension makes the eSled very pleasant to drive. The shock absorbers are positioned centrally, which makes the sled extremely stable. It moves smoothly wherever you want without shaking your hands. It’s a completely new way of moving on snow—like riding a train!

“The battery preheating system is also widely praised. Our environment can be extremely harsh and pushes technology to its limits. Even when temperatures drop below –35 °C, the eSled operates normally. As long as guests have proper warm clothing, there are no limitations to the ultimate Arctic experience,” Tore concludes with a smile.