ARTICLE

ON THE HUNT FOR THE NORTHERN LIGHTS

Watch the video

On the Hunt for the Northern Lights

The thrill of witnessing the Aurora Borealis is a once-in-a-lifetime experience for many. Some, however, get hooked and can never get enough of the blazing colours in the sky.

The Northern Lights dancing up above is such a powerful and unique natural phenomenon it changes lives down on Earth. Being one of the best places to spot the Aurorae, Finland has even received immigration because of them. Below are some tips for becoming a Northern Lights Hunter yourself.

Lapland

In Lapland, swapping the hustle and bustle of ski resorts and cities to the peace and quiet of the wilderness takes mere minutes.

Lapland

The Basics of Northern Lights Chasing

Go north. In northern Lapland the lights shine about every other clear night between September and March. In southern Finland they are visible on about 10-20 nights a year.
Look to the stars. If you notice that the night sky is clear and starry, your chances of seeing the northern lights are good.
Stay outside. The lights might unexpectedly appear and just as suddenly vanish any time from just after sunset to just before dawn. Bright auroral displays can even light up the snowy arctic landscape enough to help skiers find the way home.
Wrap up warm. It tends to be very chilly on the clear winter nights when the lights are most easily seen. A great alternative, of course, is to stay in a purpose-built igloo or cottage and watch the lights from a comfy, warm bed instead.
Darkness is your friend. Get away from bright lights and buildings. Hilltops and lakeshores make good vantage points.
Sign up for aurora alerts. On the Finnish Meteorological Institute’s informative Auroras Now! website, you can sign up for free e-mail alerts sent whenever magnetic conditions in the skies over Finland make auroral displays likely.
Though they might look almost within reach, auroras form at altitudes of over 100 km. Auroras are caused by electronically charged particles originating from the sun. Multi-coloured displays form when different atmospheric gases are agitated by this solar wind.

Aurora Hunting in the Pure Air of Pallas National Park

Autumn

Lapland

The cleanest air in Europe has been found in Pallas-Ylläs National Park, just 40 minutes…

Discover the Northern Lights - Photography Tour

Lapland

Experience the magic of Lapland and photograph the amazing Northern Lights! Going Aurora hunting with…

Aurora Borealis at Rokua Tour

Lakeland

During our Aurora Borealis -tour you will enjoy the beautiful Rokua nature and silence with…

Activities

You might also enjoy these
Lapland

The Legendary Gold Fields of Lapland

Finnish Lapland is the land of myths, legends and dreams. Many are centered on Lapland’s gold fields and the world’s purest gold - the one found in and around the Lemmenjoki and Ivalojoki rivers.

Doze off under the Northern Lights

In Finland, nature’s most spectacular light show, the Aurora Borealis, can be viewed in a range of purpose-built spaces from glass igloos to luxury suites.

A True Northern Christmas

In Finland, that magical Christmas experience is not just something you see on television, it is something you truly experience.

5 Unique restaurants in Lapland – from budget to fine dining

Lapland gives an astonishing backdrop to a delicious restaurant scene. Here are our picks of Lapland favorites from traditional to modern cuisine.

Lapland – Hear the Call of the Wild

Lapland is the land of myths and dreams where the white months of summer meet the dark aurora nights of winter. Listen to the sounds of Lapland and relax.

8 Most Beautiful Northern Lights Shots from Finland

We listed the most beautiful Aurora Shots by Finnish photographers and asked them to tell the stories behind the mesmerising photos.

ARTICLE

ON THE HUNT FOR THE NORTHERN LIGHTS

Watch the video

On the Hunt for the Northern Lights

Lapland

The Basics of Northern Lights Chasing

Aurora Hunting in the Pure Air of Pallas National Park

Discover the Northern Lights - Photography Tour

Aurora Borealis at Rokua Tour

Related Links

You might also enjoy these
Lapland

User Survey

User Survey

ARTICLE

ON THE HUNT FOR THE NORTHERN LIGHTS

Watch the video

On the Hunt for the Northern Lights

Lapland

The Basics of Northern Lights Chasing

Aurora Hunting in the Pure Air of Pallas National Park

Discover the Northern Lights - Photography Tour

Aurora Borealis at Rokua Tour

Related Links

The Northern Lights Club

Aurora hunter’s checklist

All about the Aurora Borealis in Finland

Auroras Now! Service

Northern Lights Forecast

Meet Gareth - a Northern Lights Hunter in Enontekiö

Aurora Holidays in Lapland

1-week tour to hunt Northern lights

Go Finland - Complete Guide to Northern Lights

You might also enjoy these Lapland

User Survey

User Survey

You might also enjoy these
Lapland