7 Ways To See The Northern Lights
Felicia Sutandijo/Unsplash
THE SKI TRIP
Narvik, Norway
Norway might not be your first choice for a skiing holiday, but it has world-class slopes and excellent conditions during the colder months. The resorts are smaller than those in the Alps, but they’re typically quieter, so even in peak season you won’t have to worry about overcrowding. Narvik in northern Norway is surrounded by mountains and fjords, with dramatic sea views. The resort is known for its off-piste terrain and more challenging red slopes – it’s home to the largest drop heights in Scandinavia – though it has a ski school that offers private classes for beginners or those looking to sharpen their skills. Narvik is also the gateway to the Northern Lights Train, which travels from the resort to the Swedish border in around three hours. Ski Solutions has numerous chalets and properties in Narvik, with direct ski-in/ski-out access to the slopes. Its team can also sort flights, transfers and all the extras. For the traditional Norwegian experience, stay at Camp 291, a set of cabin-style apartments with far-reaching mountain views through floor-to-ceiling windows.
WHEN: The best chance of seeing the lights here is between late September and early April, when the skies are clearest and the days are long.
Ski Solutions offers seven-night stays from £1,245pp, including flights & transfers.
Visit SkiSolutions.com
THE IGLOO EXPERIENCE
Wilderness Hotel Inari, Finland
Igloos are a great way to see the lights – spending several nights under the stars will undoubtedly increase your chances of a sighting. For an affordable stay, Wilderness Hotel Inari sits on the shores of lake Inari in Finnish Lapland. During the winter months, this wild and rugged land has guaranteed postcard-worthy snow. The resort has four accommodation options: rooms spread across the main building; self-contained chalets; log cabins; and glass-roofed igloo pods for stargazing. There’s a casual restaurant serving breakfast through to dinner, while a Sami village is just five minutes away. Guests can book everything from snowmobile safaris to reindeer sleigh rides, and spend days snowshoeing and cross-country skiing. You can reach the resort by flying to Ivalo airport from Helsinki, followed by a 30-minute drive.
WHEN: The lights are most visible from the end of August to April.
Igloo stays start from €273 a night.
Visit WildernessHotels.fi
PEXELS/Tobias Bjorkli
THE WEEKEND FLY-DRIVE
Aurora Nights Itinerary by Discover the World, Iceland
Discover the World has been creating bespoke itineraries for adventurous travellers for nearly 40 years. If you only have a few days to play with, its three-day fly-drive itinerary to southwest Iceland is a great option. The self-drive journey starts in Reykjavik where you’ll pick up your car rental, before heading on a scenic journey to Hotel Ranga, a riverside lodge surrounded by volcanic landscapes. The four-star hotel has a roll-off roof observatory which houses two telescopes with special cameras to take photographs of the sky. The following days will include excursions to the waterfalls of Seljalandsfoss, the small town of Vik, and black sand beaches – which look particularly striking during the winter months. You’ll also visit the Golden Circle route, home to Iceland’s most famous natural wonders: Gullfoss falls, the geothermal hotspot of Geysir, and Thingvellir national park, which also happens to be one of the best spots to see the lights.
WHEN: Trips can be booked year-round, but go between September and April to see the lights.
From £699pp, including car rental & accommodation, excluding flights.
Visit Discover-the-World.com
THE DESIGN-LED HOTEL
Treehotel, Sweden
There are daily direct flights to Swedish Lapland from Stockholm. A 90-minute flight to Luleå airport followed by an hour’s drive will get you to Treehotel, a design-led property in Harads, a small village in Norrbotten County. Here, guests can trek through snow-capped forests, be whisked across the snow by husky-drawn sleds, camp out under the stars, and try typical Nordic cuisine – think reindeer, smoked fish and pickled veg. The hotel has five striking glasshouses and 32 treehouses dotted around the forest, some with traditional red Nordic brickwork, others with glass-panelled roofs. Inside, rooms are modern and cosy. Some have kitchenettes, while larger options have Swedish saunas in bathrooms. You can get your Wim Hof on in the lake, warm up beside the fire in the shared lounge, and dine at the hotel’s restaurant, which serves modern Nordic cuisine.
WHEN: Go between October and March to spot the lights.
Rooms from £625 a night.
Visit ArcticTreehouseHotel.com
Visit Sweden
THE EXPEDITION
Intrepid Travel’s Northern Lights Escape, Iceland
If this kind of trip has been on your bucket list for a while, but you’re yet to convince your other half or mates to join you, Intrepid Travel offers group trips for 20 and 30-somethings. During its five-day trip across Iceland, you’ll fly into Reykjavik to explore the city’s landmarks, before travelling to the Golden Circle to trek across its natural wonders. Then, there’s an overnighter in Hvolsvollur Valley, where you'll spend the night on an Icelandic farm that has been converted into a guesthouse. The trip continues across the country’s southern municipalities, where you’ll see Europe's biggest ice cap, Vatnajokull, and other awe-inspiring scenery. You can stay with the group as much as you like or take time out for solo exploring.
WHEN: There are multiple trips weekly during the winter months.
From £1,497 a night, including transport, accommodation, activities & some meals, excluding flights.
Visit IntrepidTravel.com
THE ULTRA-LUXE OPTION
Deplar Farm, Iceland
The Fljót Valley on the Troll Peninsula in northern Iceland is a remote paradise known for some of the highest average snowfall in the world. Deplar Farm, a converted sheep farm, blends into the landscape with black timber cladding and a living roof, featuring floor-to-ceiling windows that embrace surrounding peaks. Interiors reflect nature, with cosy bedrooms adorned with local art. Thanks to minimal light pollution, you might see the lights from your room, the light-filled restaurant or the outdoor geothermal pool. And for the ultimate ski trip, the hotel has two helipads and guests have instant access to descents and couloirs leading to the ocean. Book in for a couple of nights or stay on an all-inclusive basis which includes guided heli-skiing, meals and an authentic Viking dinner.
WHEN: For the lights, go between September and April.
Rooms start from £3,000 a night.
Visit ElevenExperience.com
THE DAY TRIP
Best Arctic’s Aurora Safari Camp, Norway
Tromsø is a popular jumping-off point for the northern lights, offering a good chance of seeing the phenomena during the winter months. Best Arctic offers a rustic experience in the region. During a day trip, you’ll be guided by experts who closely monitor conditions before taking you off to a camp to see the lights. There you’ll find small houses, wooden huts and barns – and a mountain station kitted out with tech to help you get the best views. Local hosts serve hot drinks, soup or stew, as well as typical Norwegian snacks to fuel the expedition. Back in Tromsø there are plenty of affordable places to stay, including St Elisabeth Hotel & Spa, a smart option away from the hostels. Modern rooms, hearty breakfasts and its small spa provide the perfect antidote to the cold.
WHEN: Late September to early April is the best time for the lights.
Trips start from £100pp.
Visit Booking.BestArctic.com
READY TO HEAD NORTH? THIS IS THE KIT TO INVEST IN BEFORE YOU SET OFF…
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