Snowmobiling
Salla has spectacular terrain and plenty of routes for snowmobiling!
Snowmobile routes maintenance map
(Note! Select “Moottorikelkkareitit ja -urat” from left others are ski tracks.)
Sallan Yhteismetsä offers a tickects to a freeride areas where you can try off-track snowmobiling. Read more below.
Please find below activity services related to snowmobiling in Salla.
Rules for snowmobiling
- To drive a snowmobile, a person must be at least 15 years of age. When driving on a snowmobile route or crossing roads the driver must have at least a T-class driver’s licence.
- Driving a snowmobile in the terrain (off-road) requires always a separate permission from the landowner. Permit is not needed when driving on official snowmobile routes or on ice-covered water areas. Permits for state-owned lands are issued by Metsähallitus.
- Unauthorized off-road traffic on private land and in nature reserves (National Park) are a punishable offence. In addition, you may become liable to pay compensation for damages if, for example, a tree nursery
is damaged. - Drunk-driving regulations also apply to snowmobile drivers.
- A snowmobile cannot be driven on roads except for the purpose of crossing a road or a bridge.
- Always drive with your headlights on. The use of headlights is mandatory on snowmobile routes.
- The maximum speed of the snowmobile on terrain and en route is 60 km/h. In ice-covered water areas, the speed limit is 80 km/h, except for routes on ice on which the limit is 60 km/h. The corresponding maximum speed, 60 km/h, is also recommended for use on ice-covered tracks, as snowmobile traffic on them is the same as on ice-covered routes. If a sledge intended for carrying persons is attached to a snowmobile, the snowmobile’s maximum allowed speed is 40km/h.
- Crash helmet protects against noise and injuries. Both the driver and the passanger must wear a helmet. It is mandatory to wear a helmet also when traveling in a sled.
- The traffic on snowmobile routes is subject to the stipulations of the Road Traffic Act. The traffic on the routes is right-sided.
- Snowmobile drivers respect nature. Do not be wasteful, leave rubbish behind or make unnecessary noise, and always be mindful of others moving in the nature around you.
FREERIDE – snowmobiling in Salla
Sallan Yhteismetsä offers a freeride sledding area, where you can test the so-called free sledding or deep snow sledding. The area is called Portin palsta. The freeride snowmobiling areas of the Portti land area is easily accessible in the vicinity of the Salla-Suomu snowmobile track. More info and licence from Sallan Yhteismetsä.
Please note!
- Snowmobiling outside the marked snowmobiling tracks and trails or freeride areas is generally prohibited. Sledding outside the tracks is monitored e.g. by the police, border guards and Metsähallitus batch control.
- Please always take special care of trees and animals, even in freeride sledding areas. Snowmobiling is prohibited in areas where the seedlings (young trees) are under 7 m.
- Remember that you are sledding in Salla in a reindeer herding area where reindeer must not be disturbed in any way. Female reindeer are pregnant during the winter and even the slightest disturbance can lead to the loss of a calf.
- Snowmobiling in the permit area takes place at your own risk. If the snowmobiler causes damage to the landowner or a third party by his/her actions, he/she is liable for damages.
More information about snowmobiling on snowmobile routes and trails eraluvat.fi