The northern lights, also called polar lights or aurora borealis, are one of the main reasons for us to come to Lapland in Finland. With help from to Thomas, who read everything there is about this natural phenomenon, I will tell you in this blog about the northern lights, I will give useful tips and I will tell about the aurora chasing by snowshoes that we did with Polar Creek.
Four out of four nights: Aurora in Lapland in Finland!
Yes, we are lucky bastards: all four nights in Finnish Lapland, we have seen the northern lights. Immediately the first evening we were surprised by the dancing green clouds of the aurora borealis. That first time was unforgettable, we were shouting outside in the snow. The lights were also visible on the second and third evening, but less clear than before. On our last evening, it was most spectacular. We had planned an aurora chasing snowshoeing tour with Andrej from Polar Creek. It was amazing and we spend hours photographing the beautiful pool lights! More about that later, first I will answer the question: What are the northern lights?
What are the northern lights?
The northern lights are natural phenomena best visible on the poles. At the north pole these are called the northern lights, also called the aurora borealis, at the south pole these are the southern lights, the aurora australis. Northern lights are created by electrically charged particles (ions) of the sun, being thrown into space (solar wind). The moment these charged particles are collected via the magnetic field lines of the earth, they are directed towards the two poles. The charged particles will then enter the atmosphere, where they collide with oxygen atoms and nitrogen molecules.
This collision causes an electron transfer: from the ions to the oxygen atoms and nitrogen molecules. Because these are now out of balance, they try to neutralize the energy in the form of electrons. They do this by emitting light: the polar lights. This energy is also called geomagnetic activity.
What are the most special & unique hotels to sleep in Finnish Lapland? Read this blog with the best hotels in Lapland!
When do you see the northern lights best in Lapland?
The northern lights are always present, to a greater or lesser extent. However, you cannot always see them. The degree of presence of geomagnetic activity is indicated by the KP index. This is a scale of 0-9 where zero indicates very little geomagnetic activity and nine indicates very much. You can see the lights between two and three. From four onwards, the polar lights really get a lot stronger. Unfortunately, this does not mean that you actually see the northern lights. Since there may be clouds, or you are too far away from the poles.
These conditions increase the chances of seeing the northern lights:
1. A high latitude
In exceptional cases, you can see the northern lights even in the Netherlands, on Texel, but in general, it is visible from latitude 66. This means that you have to sit as northerly as possible. We were in the area of Saariselkä, Ivalo and Inari, in Finland, a very northern part of Lapland. Here the chances to see the northern lights are quite high!
Did you know: that in Finnish Lapland the northern lights can be seen for up to 200 nights a year?
2. No clouds
A second condition to see the northern lights is that it is clear, without clouds. If it snows a lot, you know that chances to see the Aurora Borealis are small.
Tip: we had a car in Lapland. Very handy when there were some local clouds, we got in the car and drove to a place a few kilometres away, where there were no clouds!
Curious about what we packed and wore to stay warm in Lapland? Then read our Lapland packing list tips!
3. No light pollution
If you are close to civilization, a big city or a lit factory, the chances are smaller that you will see the northern lights. The best condition to see the northern lights, is in an environment in which it’s very dark. A full moon also throws a spanner in the works! It even seems that the northern lights can be seen better when no snow has fallen. Light reflects off the white snow, causing more light pollution.
Tip: do you want to see the northern lights? Before booking, take a look at the position of the moon. With a new moon, the chance is bigger than you will see the northern lights.
4. Autumn and winter
Even though the polar lights are present all year round, in the autumn and winter the ions that cause the northern lights are stronger. In addition, the sun hardly sets during summer in Lapland, so it is not dark enough to see the northern lights.
Tip: we used the Aurora app. This indicates for your location when the chance is biggest. In addition, we used the WeatherPro app to accurately monitor the possible cloud cover.
Aurora Chasing on snowshoes in Finnish Lapland with Polar Creek
On our last evening in Lapland, we are invited to join Andrey from Polar Creek for a snowshoeing adventure while chasing the Aurora. Well, the chasing part isn’t that hard with a KP index higher than four, the northern lights are dancing very clearly in the sky. Andrey takes us and two other people to a hill just outside Saariselkä, from where you have a good view of the northern horizon. He says that the latter is very important, especially when the KP is under four. On photos, the polar light always seems to be above the photographer, in reality, it often starts at the northern horizon.
After we have put on our snowshoes, we walk a bit into the snow. There are a few other tourists, but we keep our distance. Their lights can cause light pollution on our view or photos. Andrey knows exactly where a quiet place is and there we turn off our lights and start looking at the northern horizon.
Bright green lights in Lapland, Finland
And indeed, we first see a faint grey-green stripe, which soon becomes a lot brighter. In no time the sky seems to be on fire by green-purple flames. It is really spectacular: we don’t know where to look because the path of green light now runs completely from one horizon to the other. If I look to the right, I see the light dancing there, but at the same time, I want to look to the left because I also hear Christine shouting that purple lights can also be seen there. And so it keeps on changing. Sometimes it’s very fierce for a few seconds or even a few minutes, then a bit quieter again.
Cookies and warm blueberry juice in Finnish Lapland
Meanwhile, Andrey brings cookies and warm blueberry juice to stay warm, it is 26 degrees below zero outside. Ries and Thomas, completely in their own world, are taking hundreds of pictures of this natural phenomenon. Andrey also has a camera and takes some pictures of the other two tourists. He has a very handy trick, which we don’t know yet: by putting on your flashlight very briefly (less than 1 second) while taking a photo (shutter speed between 8-16 sec), you illuminate the person in the photo while also capturing the northern lights. A very cool effect!
Polar Creek: the tour operator to see the Northern Lights in Saariselka!
After a while, we walk on, towards a forest. Here the snow is already a lot deeper, you can easily sink half a meter away, the snowshoes come in handy! While walking, Andrey tells how he ended up in Saariselka. He is Russian, just like Maria, his wife with whom he runs Polar Creek. A few years ago they were here on vacation. They loved it so much that they simply decided to stay. And so Polar Creek was born: a small company with personal contact where the experience of visitors is central. Andrey indicates that he prefers to work with small groups, so he has the attention for everyone and he can help people with photographing the northern lights.
The northern lights keep on glowing!
Two and a half hours later, the northern lights still dance in the sky just as brightly. We could keep looking for hours, but unfortunately, our hands and feet contradict that. When we walk back to the parking lot on the hill, we are surprised by hundreds of tourists standing on top of it. They are all trying to see and capture the northern lights. Everywhere we see bright flashlights, cell phones and lights from the buses that drive on and of. Such a contrast with the peace and quietness that Andrey has just taken us to. Tired but satisfied, we drive back to Giellajohka, the cabin where we are staying. What a great experience this was!
Practical information about this aurora chasing in Saariselka!
We did this northern lights snowshoeing trip with Polar Creek, an organization in Saariselkä that I can highly recommend to you! Andrey takes you in a small group (max. 8 people) for a snowshoeing walk of 2-kilometres long. This is an easy activity for which you do not need to be trained. You spend around 2.5 hours (a part of which you will stand still and part of which you will walk). Andrey can pick you up at your hotel.
What to wear for snowshoeing and aurora chasing in Finnish Lapland?
We wore our own normal outerwear consisting of thermo layers, ski jackets and pants, scarves, socks, hats and gloves. We also put on headlamps. If you don’t have this stuff, you can borrow it all at Polar Creek. We did borrow special socks and shoes from Polar Creek. You will get snowshoes and walking sticks at the location. We also had our own camera equipment and tripods with us.
Finally, an indispensable tip: heat packs! We bought these heat packs from Decathlon and put them in our gloves. This way our hands stayed warm for hours.
What does this northern light snowshoeing trip cost in Lapland in Finland?
The snowshoeing trip that we did, cost € 65 per person. This includes all gear, transport and drinks. There are also other snowshoeing trips or activities to book at Polar Creek. For more information, visit Polarcreek.fi or sent an e-mail to Andrey and Maria via info@polarcreek.fi.
Polar Creek, Andrey en Maria
Kelotie 1 (Siula building), Saariselkä
+358 40 683 98 04
For more tips and travel information about Lapland, read our blog about a winter trip to Lapland tips!
The best (budget) accommodations in Saariselka
Saariselka is a small village in the North of Finland (Lapland). The village is surrounded by mountains and is a good base for activities like skiing, cross-country skiing and hiking. If you want to sleep in one of the hotels below, book on time, as these rooms are quickly sold out!
Lapin Kutsu Appartments €
These apartments are very comfortable and cosy. You can make use of the private sauna and prepare your own mails since you have your own kitchen. The location is also very convenient. You sleep here from 50 euros per night (2 people).
Book now!Fell Centre Kiilopaa €€
This grand hotel has nice rooms with views of the mountain. The lobby is also cosy with a fireplace. It is surrounded by nature, but you can easily reach the city centre with the shuttle bus. You stay here from € 92 per night (2 people).
Book now!Top Star Saariselka €€€
Need a little more luxury? Then book a room at the Top Star Saariselka four-star hotel. This hotel is located directly on the ski slope. The rooms have a glass ceiling and the decor is beautiful! You sleep here from 208 euros per night (2 people).
Looking for a Lapland itinerary? Read our blog for the ultimate trip to Finnish Lapland!
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* We were invited by Polar Creek, however, everything above is true to me, as always I reflect my own opinion and experience.
**Credits of photography: both Thomas Kroon and Ries made the pictures for this blog. For contact details from Thomas, sent me a message.
Gorgeous pics. Thank You sharing this post with us.
Happy and safe travels!
We're primarily boudoir photographers but absolutely loved capturing night-sky shots at The Northern Lights House on our last trip to Finland! We were fortunate enough to experience a solid eight hours of dancing lights after an entirely socked-in week.
The Northern Lights are indeed amazing! How did you experience the photography? Did you found it hard or easy? I am considering to write an article on northern light photography and I am very curious to your experience!
what month or time is best to travel to saariselka, finland for northern lights and in general to enjoy the beauty of the town.
Hi there,
In this article you will find the answers to your questions: https://www.charlotteplansatrip.com/en/finland-and-lapland/tips-winter/
Kind regards,
Charlotte