When the chase crosses into Finland
When the clouds sit over the coast, the best chases do not give up. They head inland, up the long valleys and over the border into Finland or Sweden, where the air is often dry and clear. It can be the night of your life. It is also a long night, and it helps to know what you are signing up for.
Why they drive inland
Weather reaches Tromsø straight off the Norwegian Sea, so the town gets more than its share of cloud and showers. Behind the mountains to the east and south, the climate changes: drier, colder and more often clear. On a cloudy night in town, the inland valleys and the plateau around the Finnish border can be under a starry sky. That is where the guides go when the satellite maps show the gap.
Which tours cross the border
Several chases state outright that they will go into Finland or Sweden if needed:
- Snow Travels at ~$168, our pick, sets no limit on time or distance on the six-to-eight-hour option and goes "even into Finland if needed".
- The family-run Arctic Glow tour at ~$146 follows the clear sky along the coast, inland, or into Finland or Sweden.
- The adults-only Northern Horizon chase at ~$135 drives to Finland and Sweden if necessary, with boots and a thermal suit included.
- Spirit in the sky's campfire tour at ~$133 sometimes drives along the border or into Finland, and lasts eight to ten hours.
- The hunt from The Green Adventure at ~$138 drives up to about 250 km one way if necessary, Finland included, with hot soup by the fire.
The Arctic Breeze chase and the big bus also follow the weather, but their listings do not promise a border crossing.
How far, and how long
The Finnish border is roughly two and a half to three hours by road from Tromsø, depending on the crossing and the conditions. A chase that ends there has five to six hours of driving in it, plus the time you spend outside. That is why these tours run six to ten hours, and why you can be back in town at 2 or 3 am, sometimes later. Not every night goes that far, since the guides only drive as far as they need to.
The chase with no fixed limit
Our pick from Snow Travels, from ~$168, up to 15 guests, unlimited chase into Finland when needed, thermal suits and foot warmers included.
Bring your passport
Norway, Sweden and Finland are all in the Schengen area, so there are normally no checks at the border. But the operators ask you to carry a passport or ID card, and Spirit in the sky mentions it explicitly in case of a check. Cruise guests should take their passport off the ship, along with the ship card.
Colder, darker, farther from help
Inland Finland in midwinter is often far colder than Tromsø. Minus 20 to minus 30 °C, around minus 4 to minus 22 °F, is not unusual there. Wear every layer you have under the thermal suit, and good boots. There are few buildings out there, so dress properly and go to the restroom before you leave town.
A long drive in the dark is also tiring. If you get motion sick, sit near the front. Spirit in the sky goes further and says its tour is not suitable for people with motion sickness.
Is a border chase right for you?
Yes, if you have one or two nights, the coast is cloudy and you do not mind a very late return. No, if your ship sails before 3 am, you have small children, or you would rather spend the night warm. In those cases, see the reindeer camp or the boat. Timing a tour around your ship and the four tour types are in our guides.