This guide explains why it has such an outstanding record in auroral activity and gives a travellers introduction to the area.

Northern Lights by Jens Ottoson / Fotolia.com

Location

Abisko, a village with an official population of 81, lies in the northwest part of Swedish Lapland. Located  90 Kilometres from Kiruna, which serves as the arrival airport to the region and 40 kilometres from the Norwegian border, it is located 250 kilometres above the Arctic Circle and is reached by train ( 1.5 hours) or by road  (1 hour) from Kiruna. The train ride runs on the same tracks used to carry the precious iron ore mined beneath Kiruna to the port of Narvik in Norway.

Why is it so good for Northern Lights hunting?

There are three main reasons why Abisko ranks as one of the best places in the word for seeing consistent sightings of the aurora.

1. Being situated well north of the Arctic Circle, the northern auroral oval, where the solar winds are drawn towards the magnetic poles, is directly overhead. This in itself is not unique but is significant.
2. The second reason is due to the Gulf Stream which draws warm water up the Norwegian coast and leads to a more moderate climate. Coastal regions can be foggy which affect sightings.
3. The third and unique factor is to do with Abisko falling within what is known as a precipitation shadow. This is the result of the location and shape of the high mountains that separates the coast of Norway from Abisko.  Precipitation rising off the North Sea releases its snowfall west of Abisko which means that Abisko has much less snow than the region as a whole. Locals refer to the ‘hole in the sky’ but there is no denying the fact that Abisko has the most cloud free nights in Sweden.  So marked is this that Björkliden, only a few kilometers away, has much fewer clear nights per season.

In terms of hard facts for the latest season, these are the latest statistics for nightly sightings as recorded by professional Northern Lights photographer Chad Blakley on his night tours:

• Looking at the whole season, 74% of nights between 01 December and the 31 March had the most Aurora activity.
• The lowest month was January at 65% and highest March at 91%.

Northern Lights by ronnihauks / Fotolia.com

Where to see them from

Literally if the skies are clear then you have exceptional chances on any given night to the see the aurora from anywhere in Abisko. For sheer drama you might like to venture by chairlift to the Aurora Sky Station, situated about 300 metres up Mount Nuolja (cost 750 SEK), or consider having the excellent dinner up there (1995 SEK). But this is by no means a necessary expense for seeing the Aurorae.

Where to Stay

Abisko has two main accommodations. The STF Turiststation in Abisko has its roots as one of the stops on the famous 450 km Kungsleden hiking trail which tracks through the mountains of North West Swedish Lapland. The hotel/ lodge has 104 rooms which have seen some modernisation over the last few years. There is a restaurant and lounging area too.

Alternatively there is Abisko Mountain Lodge which has 16 rooms and is run by the welcoming Mina and Dick Johansson. En suite rooms are simple but the communal area and restaurant are packed with atmosphere. The restaurant serves excellent cuisine based on the best local ingredients and is a definite reason for staying.

What to Do

Nights take care of themselves during the aurora season although there are a few enhancements to any itinerary. Besides a night up at the aurora sky station two of the top aurora photographers in the world run courses during the winter months. Chad Blakley and Peter Rosen are both based in Abisko and are worth spending time with, irrespective of whether you are a professional or amateur photographer!

During the day there are numerous things to do. Bookable in advance by your tour operator are husky and snowmobile day tours, both of which have great appeal to most visitors to the region.

For hardier visitors, how about trying your hand at ice climbing up a frozen waterfall in a canyon in Abisko or alternatively spending some time ice fishing on the majestic Torneträsk Lake? This is home to the ice fishing championships and little fishing huts can be seen along the vast length of this lake.

Daytrips from Abisko can either take you towards Kiruna and its neighbour Jukkasjärvi, home to the original and best IceHotel.  Alternatively you can cross the border and descend through the Norwegian Fjords into Narvik, the small interesting port which saw much naval warfare in World War 2. The fjord is still home to a number of sunken German battleships.

Alternatively, for those wishing to learn about Sami life and indeed the mythology of the Northern Lights, then there are a number of settlements within 30 minutes of Abisko that welcome people on Northern Lights tours or day trips where reindeer safaris can be undertaken.

Finally for late season arrivals, the Abisko region is regarded as the best ski destination in Sweden. The main resorts are at Riksgränsen and Björkliden which offer downhill skiing and snowboarding, cross country and snowshoe trails while Abisko itself is regarded as an excellent base for heli-skiing. Dick Johansson at Abisko Mountain Lodge is the pre-eminent guide in the region for this extreme form of skiing.

Northern Lights by Stefan Senft / Fotolia.com

Best time to Go

February and March when the days are getting longer, the climate is at its best and the aurora are consistently good!

About the Author: Kevin Collins is a seasoned Northern Lights expert, having built up a wealth of knowledge over the years about the natural phenomena through his business Weekend a la Carte – a leading specialist in Abisko Northern Lights trips and other top Aurora-spotting travel destinations.

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The European Economic Area (EEA) is made up of the 27 European Union (EU) countries, with the addition of Norway, Iceland and Lichtenstein – who are also participants in the EU’s single market.

The EEA is actually pretty vast not just in terms of its size but also its population, which numbers over half a billion people in total. It’s also one of the most culturally and climatically diverse regions of the globe, from sparsely populated Scandinavian areas north of the Arctic Circle right down to the sun baked southern European edges that almost touch Africa.

Photo by Alex E. Proimos / Creative Commons License

Travelling within the EEA

If you’re a national of one of the EEA states, it means that when you travel to another state within the area, you have the right to receive the same public medical attention as a national of that state would receive. In order to be able to ensure this, though, you must first obtain a European health Card (EHIC). The EHIC is free of charge, and you can apply for the card easily online.

When you go travelling within the EEA, it doesn’t always necessarily mean you’ll even be going that far from home. If you’re form the UK, for instance, you’re still pretty much within fewer than 5 hours flight time to most of the area. This means that there’s lots of choice in terms of where to go and what to do when you get there.

Getting medical treatment in the EEA

The UK government’s Foreign & Commonwealth Office points out that despite its name, the EHIC isn’t a substitute for medical insurance. This is because in many EEA countries, nationals are charged towards the cost of treatment, and so EHIC holding visitors will be subject to the same charges. Additionally, the EHIC isn’t equivalent to travel health cover because it doesn’t include medical evacuation or repatriation, both of which – for the uninsured – can be horrendously expensive.

Also, in the case of people who are moving abroad longer term to live as expatriates within another EAA country, the EHIC isn’t designed for expat requirements. So if you’re looking to stay abroad longer term it’s advisable to find out how to register with your destination country’s public healthcare system and also to purchase an international private medical insurance policy.

Jen Jones is a wellbeing blogger writing on subjects including international private medical insurance and workplace health.

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Photo by kakslauttanen.fi

In a glass igloo village Kakslauttanen you have a unique opportunity to stay in one of 20 glass igloos, or in a snow igloo. You can enjoy a cocktail in a bar “kota” designed in the shape of a traditional Lapp teepee and snow restaurant for 50 to 150 people. Those interested can also accommodate in one of 40 wooden cottages, most luxurious of them are equipped with bath, fireplace and a Finnish sauna.

Northern Lights above the bed

Glass igloos are built from a special insulating glass, which prevents the icy windows, even if outside temperatures drop below -30 °C. While inside maintains a pleasant temperature between 20 and 22 °C. Guests can observe the aurora (northern lights) directly from their warm beds. Each igloo has its own bathroom.

Snow Igloo is suitable for the rugged natures, in which the temperature ranges from -3 to -6°C. Guests, however, get sleeping bags designed for temperatures up to -32 °C, woolen socks and thermal covers.

Photo by kakslauttanen.fi

Village Kakslauttanen is well equipped and prepared for visitors and offers two saunas for about 100 people. Each sauna is equipped with rest rooms, fireplace, showers and toilets. Hardy can go straight from the sauna to the icy cool pond.

If you visit Kakslauttanen in December, you can participate on ice sculpture contest, which is held annually here. The statues then remain in the ice gallery throughout the year.

Glass Igloo Village is usually open from December or January and remains in operation, depending on the weather, until the end of April, but this area is interesting during the whole year, so you can stay in some of nearby hotels.

For further information about this village visit the site kakslauttanen.fi

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Oulanka National Park lies near the Russian border and the Arctic Circle, in the regions of Kuusamo and Salla on the boundary of North Karelia and southern Lapland. In Russian Karelia it continues as the Paanajärvi National Park. The name Oulanka comes from old Laponian language and it is also a name of a river that flows through the area. So the National Park is formed by the Oulanka River, which flows into Lake Paanajärvi and then continues into the White Sea. Its tributaries are the rivers of Kitka, Savina, Aventa and Maaninka that are cutting into the rocks, and creating a canyon valley. At some places you can see massive rapids and waterfalls, such as Kiutaköngas, Taivalköngas or Jyrävä.

Nature in Oulanka National Park is absolutely unique, geographically it can be assigned to the southern Lapland. The vegetation is very diverse and varied, includes more than 500 plant species. The northern part of the park is rich of extensive marshes and peat bogs, and is not easily accessible, there are just a few routes. Tourists can get here only if the soil is frozen. However, you have to use snowmobiles or skis.

Oulanka National Park has been left in pristine conditions for more than 100 years. The result is a forest, where you cannot see any human action and nature has to solve all of the problems alone. Many species of plants and animals occur only in certain places, as they would have set their boundaries. Richer soils are covered with spruce or pine forests. High pine and mixed forests are mainly on the rocks. During a walk through the park you can collect strawberries, blackberries, blueberries or cloudberries.

Oulanka National Park is also very rich in animal species. You can find here over 30 species of mammals, such as wolf, lynx, numerous mustelidae as a polecat, weasel and ermine, as well as badgers, foxes and even Wolverine or brown bear. The traces of these large predators can come across quite often, but you have to be lucky to see some of them. Mostly because they are hidden deep in the woods outside of marked trails. There are also deer, elk and Siberian wild reindeer. The park has many rare species of nesting birds such as swallows, cuckoos, larks, kingfishers, Whooper Swan, robin, Siberian skylark, and many others. In the sky you can see large predators such as golden eagle and eagle owl. Rivers are full of salmon which expanded here by migration from the White Sea.

Hiking lovers should try the path Karhunkierros. Karhunkierros or “Bear’s Ring” is one of the oldest and best hiking trails in Finland, measuring an impressive 80 km. The trail leads to a large remote areas, hence you have to be properly prepared for this. The best time to visit Oulanka National Park is autumn when the surrounding countryside is playing with all colors. There is such a beautiful scenery!

Along the way you can see some natural huts that serve as a shelter for single overnight. All of them look almost the same and during the high season can be overcrowded. It is a good idea to bring your own tent with you. All routes are well-marked, therefore it is not necessary to have your map, sufficient is also the simple schedule that you can get at the information center. Much more important part of your outfit is insect repellent.

If walking is your real hobby, you can extend the trip by 22 km long stretch leading from Hautajärvi. From the town of Juuma you have the opportunity to go to “Little Bear’s ring” that is 12km long and leads to cascades Myllykoski and Jyrävänjäri. It is possible to make this circuit within five to six hours.

In the middle of the park it is established the Research base of the University of Oulu and the major information center for visitors.

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Jukkasjarvi Ice Hotel, Sweden by bjaglin

During the winter season from December to April the aurora borealis light up the sky regularly. Ice hotel is located in the zone of most frequent northern lights occurrence.

Sleeping in a fantastic design rooms between artworks and sculptures made of ice is a great experience. Here you really can enjoy ice and snow. Try some of the non-traditional activities that are available here like a transfer from the airport on the dog sled, snowmobile safaris, ride on a sleigh pulled by reindeer, a night trip on horseback in aurora, hunting expeditions, ice sculpture, reception in the typical Lapland tents or a wild party in a unique Absolut Icebar.

If you love cold and winter, then The Biggest Ice hotel in the world is the best choice for you.

You can find more information about this unique Ice hotel on its official site icehotel.com. If you have ever been accommodated here or in any other ice hotel, please share your thoughts in the comments below.

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Santa Claus Village was formed with only few wooden-cottages in 1950. Today it is a complex, which consists of several cafes, shops and refreshment facilities. There is also Santa Claus office, or Santa Claus post office. There is a white line leading throughout the Santa Claus Village that indicates the Arctic Circle. In the local stores you can buy a really interesting souvenirs. They sell the handicrafts Lapps, knitted sweaters, gloves, hats, reindeer meat, a variety of products from Finnish berries and real Finnish knife that will last for a lifetime.

500 000 tourists visit Santa Claus Village each year. You can get there from Rovaniemi by bus #8 known as Santa’s Express. The village is open all the year. Opening hours are often changed, it is appropriate to look at the official village site. There is the popular Santa Park situated just 2 km from Santa Claus Village.

The basic admission is 28Eur in winter and 15Eur in summer.

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