Ylläs: Northern Lights Dinner with Snowcat Ride

The night you want in Lapland, minus the guesswork. A snowcat dinner trip ties together a scenic ride, a warm restaurant stop, and sky watching for the northern lights.

I especially like the way you’re fed first, not last, with a proper Lappish buffet at the top of Ylläs fell. And I like that the timing is tight enough to feel like an event, not a whole day.

One thing to consider: this is a group ride, and if your snowcat windows get frosty or the group feels packed, the ride can be less fun than the views you hoped for.

Key things to know before you go

• 2.5 hours total means you can fit this into an already full winter schedule.
• 15 minutes one way up the fell keeps the snowcat ride from feeling endless.
• Dinner happens at the top of Ylläs fell at Ylläskammi 718, with a fireplace vibe.
• Northern lights watching is built in, so you’re not just sitting and hoping.
• Food is a buffet with multiple courses, plus a welcome drink.

Northern Lights Dinner With a Snowcat Ride at Ylläskammi 718

This experience is built around one simple idea: make the northern lights easier to chase by adding a cozy anchor in the middle. You start at Ylläs Ski Resort, ride a snowcat up Ylläs fell, then enjoy dinner at Ylläskammi 718, where you can look for the aurora while you eat.

What I like is that the evening has multiple “wins.” Even if the sky is stubborn, you still get a warm meal and a real Lapland setting. And if you do catch the lights, they’re not just a quick photo stop. You’re higher up, outside at night, and able to settle into the moment with dinner and the fireplace atmosphere.

The price, $149 per person, buys more than dinner. You’re paying for two-way snowcat transport plus the buffet plus a welcome drink. That’s a meaningful bundle when you’re in a remote place where getting around in winter takes actual effort.

Meeting Point at Ylläs Ski Resort, Ylläsjärvi (Near the Chairlift)

You’ll begin at the parking lot next to the Children Area of Ylläs Ski Resort in Ylläsjärvi. It’s also next to the chairlift base station, so it’s usually straightforward to spot once you’re in the resort area.

The whole experience runs about 2.5 hours, with the one-way snowcat ride taking about 15 minutes. Plan to arrive a few minutes early, especially if you need a last-minute check of your warm layers and gloves. In winter, comfort starts before you move.

Your driver speaks Finnish and English, which helps if you have questions about the evening plan or where to look during the lights hunt. The group moves together, so if you’re the type who likes to linger at every viewpoint, you might feel a little time pressure. On the other hand, that time pressure is what keeps the experience efficient.

The Snowcat Ride Up Ylläs Fell: Short, Scenic, and Sometimes Crowded

The main “active” part of the night is the snowcat journey to the top of Ylläs fell. One way takes roughly 15 minutes, so you get that wow factor without spending half your evening in the vehicle.

Here’s the reality check from real-world conditions: this is a group ride. One comment describes about 25 people packed into the snowcat, and that can change the feel fast. If you’re hoping for lots of space and a relaxed ride, you may find it more like transport than a private tour.

The other variable is window visibility. In at least one evening, the snowcat heater didn’t work properly, and the windows turned frosty. When that happens, you can’t see the outside well. Another point is that some people found the ride less pleasant than a gondola would be, mainly due to the cramped seating and frozen windows.

What you can do: dress for being outside later, but also be ready that the vehicle might not provide great views. Treat the snowcat as part of the adventure, not a guaranteed front-row seat to a panorama.

Dinner at the Top: Ylläskammi 718, Fireplace Warmth, and Aurora Watching

Once you arrive, dinner is at the top of Ylläs fell at Ylläskammi 718. You get a warm welcome drink right after arrival, and the restaurant setting is cozy, with a fireplace that helps the whole place feel like a winter hideout.

This is where the experience becomes more than just transportation. You’re sitting at elevation, in the dark, with a chance to watch for the northern lights while you eat. The tour doesn’t promise the aurora, but it gives you the best thing you can ask for on a short trip: time outside during dinner, not just a quick stop and sprint back in.

One thing to keep in mind is attention span. If you’re busy eating, you might miss the best moment when the sky lights up. The buffet is substantial, so pace yourself. Step outside when you get a clear window of time, then come back for another round.

The Lappish Buffet Menu: What You Can Expect to Taste

The buffet is the heart of the meal. You’re not given just one plate and sent on your way. It’s a proper spread, and the courses tend to follow a pattern that works well in cold weather: warm foods first, then heartier mains, then something sweet.

Based on the menu descriptions provided, here’s what you should expect to find at least on many evenings:

• A soup course
• A starter buffet
• A main choice of sautéed reindeer or salmon, served with mashed potatoes and root vegetables
• A cheese selection
• A small mousse-like dessert

This kind of buffet is practical in Lapland. You can sample without committing to one specialty, and that matters because local food often has flavors and textures you don’t get at home. If you’re a picky eater, you still have options because there are multiple categories, not a single take-it-or-leave-it dish.

One more comfort point: the food is described as plentiful. In winter, that matters. Even if you’re not starving, cold weather tends to increase appetite, and a buffet helps you warm up from the inside.

Price and Value: Is $149 Worth a Snowcat Dinner?

At $149 per person for about 2.5 hours, you’re paying for a bundle: two-way snowcat transport, a welcome drink, and a buffet meal at elevation. In a winter region like Lapland, that combined cost can make sense, because getting to remote spots usually costs time and logistics.

Here’s the balanced take. If your main goal is the northern lights, you’ll want to understand what the price covers: you’re buying access to a good setting and time to watch. You are not buying a guaranteed aurora show. Still, the value is strong if you want an organized evening where the meal is part of the plan, not an afterthought.

Also, the evening is fairly short. That’s valuable if you’re juggling other Ylläs activities, like daytime skiing or a separate night-time excursion. You’re not signing up for a long, exhausting trek. You’re getting a compact experience that feels like a story, not a checklist.

Where the value can drop is the ride quality. If you end up with frosty windows or a very packed vehicle, the snowcat portion may feel like “getting there” more than “enjoying the scenery.” But the dinner setting and the aurora chance can still make the night feel worthwhile.

Comfort Tips That Decide Whether You Love It

This trip lives or dies on comfort. Dress for winter outdoors, even if the dinner is warm. The snowcat portion is short, but you’ll likely spend time outside during the lights hunt, and Lapland cold waits for nobody.

What to bring:

• Warm clothing (this is the official advice, and it’s the big one)
• Gloves and a hat are smart, even if you think you’ll be indoors most of the time
• Layers you can adjust, because restaurant warmth plus movement can make you sweat if you over-layer

For the snowcat specifically, remember that visibility can be affected by weather and equipment. If your windows freeze, you won’t see as much outside. That means you should go with the mindset of “aurora and atmosphere,” not “movie-style views from the window.”

Finally, if you’re picky about ride comfort, compare the idea of snowcat versus another lift option. One comment called the gondola ride up nicer than the snowcat, mainly due to comfort and views. If you already know you strongly prefer smooth, airy transport, this might still be worth it for the dinner, but don’t expect the ride to feel like a scenic gondola.

Should You Book the Ylläs Northern Lights Dinner With Snowcat Ride?

I’d book it if you want a single, organized evening that combines transport, a full Lappish buffet, and time outside for northern lights. It’s a good fit for couples and solo travelers who like simple plans with a clear payoff, and for families who are comfortable with a short, group vehicle ride.

I’d think twice if your priority is maximum comfort and guaranteed views from the vehicle. The snowcat can be crowded, and frosty windows can happen. If you’d be disappointed by limited sightseeing during the ride itself, you might prefer a different northern lights setup, then add dinner separately.

If you’re on the fence, here’s the decision shortcut: do you want dinner included in the northern lights hunt? If yes, this is a solid way to do it in about 2.5 hours.

FAQ

Where is the meeting point for the snowcat?

The snowcat meets at the parking lot next to the Children Area of Ylläs Ski Resort in Ylläsjärvi, next to the chairlift base station.

How long does the whole experience take?

The total journey and dinner time is approximately 2.5 hours.

How long is the snowcat ride one way?

The one-way snowcat ride takes approximately 15 minutes.

What is included in the price?

Included are the two-way snowcat ride from Ylläs Ski Resort, Ylläsjärvi to the top of Ylläs fell, a welcome drink, and a buffet table full of Lapland delicacies.

What is not included?

Personal expenses and other drinks are not included. Only the welcome drink is included.

What food do you get at dinner?

Dinner is a buffet with Lapland delicacies. Based on the described buffet, it can include soup, a starter buffet, a main such as sautéed reindeer or salmon with mashed potatoes and root vegetables, cheese, and a mousse-like dessert.

What should I wear for this tour?

Bring warm clothing. You’ll be outdoors at night and the restaurant is warm, but winter cold is part of the experience.