What are the Northern Lights?

The Northern Lights blaze across the Arctic skies in Sweden when charged particles discharged by the sun reach earth’s atmosphere on solar winds and then collide with gaseous particles. The different gases produce different colours, usually pale light greens and pinks. 

Phew.

And because of Swedish Lapland’s proximity to the magnetic north it makes it a hot spot for the phenomenon. OK, enough with the explanation, go here to see some amazing footage of the Northern Lights and other sites and sounds of Swedish Lapland.

When and where

The Northern Lights appear around the beginning of September (Kiruna) to around the end of March all over Swedish Lapland. So if you are here for winter activities such as skiing, dog sledding, snowmobile tours etc there’s a fair chance you will see them. If you are lucky you might even see them in Kiruna and Luleå, the two last outposts of civilization up here.

But for the very best chance of seeing the Northern Lights you should make the trip to the Aurora Sky Station in Abisko National Park. It is not guaranteed that you will see them though, this is nature we are talking about and it is unpredictable.

A chairlift takes you up to the observation tower, as well as the station’s Northern Lights exhibition, café and souvenir shop. Do dress properly for your visit, and we don’t mean a tuxedo or cocktail dress. It is fearsome cold and you should attire accordingly.

Surrounded by mountains, Abisko is known for its clear skies, so there’s a good chance of seeing this fantastic heavenly show.

Happy Northern Lights hunting!

When?

Wintertime

Read more facts about The Northern Lights here