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## An experience almost no one has had

A hovercraft is one of the most unusual vehicles in existence – and riding in one is an experience almost nobody gets to have. Unlike a boat or a snowmobile, a hovercraft never actually touches the ice or the water. It rides on a cushion of pressurized air and glides over almost any surface: ice, open water, snow, or land. That makes it one of the very few vehicles in the world that can move just as easily over freshly frozen, unreliable ice as over open water – something neither a boat nor a car can do.

That single quality is the whole reason we have a hovercraft in the first place.

## The history behind the hovercraft

The idea of a vehicle gliding on a cushion of air isn't new. British engineer Christopher Cockerell developed the underlying principle in the 1950s, and in June 1959 the world's first full-sized hovercraft made its very first public flight – an invention that would go on to be used for everything from military transport to regular passenger service across the English Channel.

But it's in cold, icy waters that the hovercraft truly proves its worth. Along Sweden's northern coast, in exactly the kind of archipelago we operate in, hovercraft have long been a proven solution for getting around in the most demanding conditions – when the ice is too weak to drive on, but too thick to get through by boat. That's precisely the gap our hovercraft fills.

## Why we have a hovercraft

Our hovercraft has actually been with us before – and after high demand, it's now back. The reason is as practical as it is fascinating: out here in the Bothnian Bay archipelago, around 100 people live year-round on islands that would otherwise risk being cut off once the ice starts forming but isn't yet solid enough to bear weight. For them, the hovercraft is a lifeline to the mainland for much of the winter.

Being able to now invite you along on that very journey is something we're genuinely proud of. It's not often you get to step aboard a vehicle that serves such a concrete purpose for the people who live here – while also giving you one of the most memorable experiences you can have in a winter landscape.

## How the tour works

From Brändön Lodge, we take you out into the archipelago, onto the ice, and on between the islands – a tour of about an hour, including a short fika break along the way. The hovercraft carries five passengers per trip, making it a personal, up-close experience, whether you're a small group of friends, a family, or a couple looking for something out of the ordinary.

Tours can be booked from December onward, and as with any activity on ice and water, every departure depends on weather and wind conditions – safety always comes first, and we only run tours when conditions are right.

**Price:** approx. SEK 2,400 per person
**Duration:** approx. 1 hour, including a fika break
**Location:** Brändön Lodge, Bothnian Bay archipelago
**Season:** Bookable from December (weather permitting)

## Book your spot on the ice

A hovercraft tour isn't just an activity – it's a chance to experience winter in the Bothnian Bay the way almost no one else gets to. Get in touch to book your tour, or to hear more about how we can tailor the experience for you.