Northern Lights - Finland / Norway

ironclaw

Hi Everyone,

Does anyone have a recommendation for Norway / Finland? I'd be looking for a fairly active trip about a week long. I was skiiing in Norway before but would like to get into the wilds a little bit.

Any input appreciated!

fits

ironclaw wrote: »

Hi Everyone,

Does anyone have a recommendation for Norway / Finland? I'd be looking for a fairly active trip about a week long. I was skiiing in Norway before but would like to get into the wilds a little bit.

Any input appreciated!

My recommendation for northern lights is that mid march is the best time to see them as you are more likely to have clear skies. Finland doesnt have very high mountains but there are a few downhill resorts up in lapland. Saariselka is one that comes to mind. There is also a hige network of nordic skiing tracks all over the country if you fancy trying that.

ironclaw

Thanks Fits. So you are saying it's a much better trip on the far side of Christmas?

fits

definitely. That would be my experience anyway in Finland. November is normally a very dull month. I dont know so much about Norway. (Finland is much more affordable than Norway). And you wont have much daylight in the north before mid february.

18MonthsaSlave

went to Tromso in November in '97 to see northern lights but saw none. lovely little town.

fits

Levi might be worth checking out as well.

Finnair would be handiest to fly with, by far.
http://www.levi.fi/en/where-to-start.html

ironclaw

Thanks everyone!

snowgal

hey, Was in Levi twice, lovely lovely place, lots to do around the area, cannot recommend enough, though I am a snowaholic!! we were there Dec both times, lovely christmas atmosphere too. Finland is not cheap but it really is a beautiful place

Narsil

Was in Tromso in March 2012 and got an amazing lights display on our second night out. For a short break Tromso is a lovely place to visit. We went self catering because of Norway prices and spent our money on the excursions instead. The dog sledding is not to be missed! Feel free to pm for any other details

Tabnabs

Also worth remembering that the like of Tromso are further north than Levi (and most of Finland). So if it's the northern lights your after, the further north the better.

peteeeed

i went to Swedish lapland a place called Porjus , very remote , one shop, one diner in a village of about 400 people, went dog sledding while i was there too . the apartments are run by a really nice english lady who moved there


http://www.porjus.eu/

ironclaw

Thank you everyone! Great information here. However I think the general consensus is I'm going at the wrong time and apres Christmas is a much better bet?

fits

Tabnabs wrote: »

Also worth remembering that the like of Tromso are further north than Levi (and most of Finland). So if it's the northern lights your after, the further north the better.

I dunno they appear most nights around Inari, Ivalo. I dont think you have to go to extreme north. Weather is most important thing.

OP i would recommend after christmas, preferably february march but its up to you. You are only going to get faint blue ' daylight' at christmas time. And there is more to see than aurora. Definitely go dog sledding.

fits

We stayed at a place called hotel korpikartano which was very nice. Near Inari. But away from the skiing. The sami museum is well worth going to.

space2ground1

Sorry to hijack the thread! We're at the beginning of the plan to visit Tromso around mid March. Hoping to do one overnight in one of the northern lights 'living out' experience places.. dog sledding etc, and one night chasing them with the little excursion companies.

I'd love any recommendations too on the places where you can stay out and watch them, sleep in a log cabin or tent or something like that, and get a bit of dog sledding in too.