Snow business: Five impact startups electrifying winter travel in Europe

Imagine cruising across a frozen lake at 100km per hour. Fresh snow sprays around you, but there’s no roaring engine or trail of fumes disrupting the frosty wilderness.

This is the promise from Europe’s growing electric snowmobile and bike sector. Beyond thrill-seeking, these vehicles offer cleaner, quieter ways to perform rescue operations, transport supplies at ski resorts, and even support research in remote areas.

Unsurprisingly, most of the core contenders competing for capital are based in the Nordics – known for its chilly climate – although Italian, French and Austrian businesses are also testing products designed for use in ski resorts across the Alps.

“Fossil-free ski resorts are essential for a sustainable future in winter sports,” says Fanny Sjödin, head of sustainability for SkiStar, one of Scandinavia's largest ski resort operators. “Transitioning to renewable energy helps reduce the climate impact [of winter tourism].”

SkiStar already uses electric snowmobiles produced by Swedish startup Vidde and Canadian brand Taiga Motors.

Yalda Mirbiz, co-founder and CFO of Vidde says the business is seeing “a lot of interest” in its model. “Various companies are constantly reaching out to us, saying this is the right way forward.”

The startup’s existing partners include Skellefteå Kraft, one of Sweden’s biggest energy companies, which is testing Vidde's snowmobiles during maintenance work.

Icehotel, built from the Torne River’s ice in Swedish Lapland, offers “silent safaris” on Vidde snowmobiles in the surrounding wilderness.

Similar marketing strategies are already in use in Finnish resorts, says Matti Autioniemi, CEO of Aurora Powertrains, which has converted traditional snowmobiles to electric vehicles since 2017 and launched its own eSled model in 2023. “When it’s quiet you can get closer to animals like reindeer,” he explains. “For the client, electric snowmobiles are also easier to use and more comfortable.”

But while this frozen sector is clearly heating up, challenges remain. Autioniemi points to high production costs and sees future profitability tied to being able to increase per-unit margins. He also says growth likely depends on expanding into North America, which he estimates holds 80% of the snowmobile market.

Autioniemi says the eSled’s battery pack’s thermal management system “keeps the battery in optimal condition” to function in harsh conditions. But he says that battery efficiency in cold climates is an ongoing hurdle for the sector, as low temperatures can drain power and limit range. He also believes improved charging infrastructure on trails could support more long-distance snowmobile travel, to help increase the market beyond day-tripping tourists.

For Sjödin, expanding the electric snowmobile market must go hand in hand with electrifying other winter tourism vehicles, from ski grooming machines to tourists’ transport to resorts. “The biggest challenge is the guest's journey to our destinations and encouraging them to feel confident using electric cars to reach us.”

Impact Loop’s electric snow transport startups to watch

Aurora Powertrains: Electric sleds for arctic conditions

Based in Rovaniemi in northern Finland, Aurora Powertrains launched its eSled electric snowmobile engineered for Arctic Conditions in 2023. The snowmobile features a 50 kW electric motor and a 21 kWh lithium-ion battery pack. This is enough to power the eSled for 100km on a single charge. The company promotes its front suspension system as one of its core features, designed for a sturdy but comfortable ride.

The eSled is on track to reach a balanced budget in 2024, according to its CEO Matti Autioniemi, setting the stage for profitability in 2025. The company has raised €3.1 million in capital so far (about $3.4 million (USD) or 36 million SEK).

Vidde: Swedish eco-snowmobiles break new ground

This Swedish startup was founded in 2020 by Yalda Mirbaz, a former financial advisor, and Christian Lystrup, an engineer turned business manager. It claims to have produced the world’s cleanest snowmobile, which uses less than 100g of CO2 per kilometre.

Vidde has secured an investment of €4m and was valued €10m at the end of 2024. The company is currently seeking additional funding to scale the production. In 2024 it began offering a subscription service for clients, designed to promote a circular economy around its products.

Bobsla: Reinventing snow transport

Bobsla’s electric vehicle is something of a hybrid between a snowmobile and a sled on tracks. The Austrian company believes it is the best budget e-snowmobile option on the market, costing less than €12,000 per model. It has so far sought partnerships with hotels and ski resorts offering adventure tourism.

But the startup’s latest model can hold a weight of up to 600 kg, and the company’s founder Sergey Ignatyev hopes it will be used to transport foods and drinks between valley and mountain ski stations. Since launching in 2019, Bobla's vehicles have been sold to clients in Finland and Switzerland as well as Austria, and the company now has its eye on the Nordic and Canadian markets. The startup has raised €250,000 in capital from Swiss and US investors, and has a long-term plan to develop autonomous snow vehicles.

MoonBikes: From bankruptcy to relaunch

Hailing from the French Alps, MoonBikes was founded in 2017 by Nicolas Muron, an ex-aerospace engineer. His goal was to build a lightweight electric bike that could handle rugged terrain. In 2021, it completed a $5M (€4.5m / SEK 55m) fundraising campaign with French and American investors, and opened a regional headquarters in Boulder, but ran into financial difficulties and filed for bankruptcy in June 2024. However US media report that it has since relaunched and is planning to start sales again in 2025. Moonbikes did not respond to Impact Loop’s request for more information.

Arosno: The sled-bike hybrid

Describing its electric product E-trace as a mashup of a sled and an e-mountain bike, Arosno is a startup based in Annecy, France. With a relatively short battery life of up to 45km, it is largely designed for recreational use and sells itself as being suitable even for inexperienced mountain cyclists. According to the company’s website it has been taking pre-orders since 2021. Its founder did not immediately respond to Impact Loop’s request for further information.

Additional research by Christian von Essen