Winter Activities Under the Northern Lights: the 6 Best Nights Out

1.Tromso Aurora Hunt with Bonfire, Soup, Winter Gear & Transfers

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 2,290 reviews · 5 to 8 hours (approx.) · from $226Our pick

Meet near Scandic Ishavhotel in central Tromsø for a 5 to 8 hour Aurora chase. Guides such as Anna, Magda, Bart, Jordan, and Isaac use weather reports to choose viewing spots, sometimes driving toward Finland. Thermal suits, boots, soup, bonfire, hot drinks, photography tips, souvenir photos, and selected hotel drop-offs are included.

“Even though we didn’t see the Northern Lights, the crew was amazing and really tried to find a opening in the clouds. Made sure we were warm and well fed in the cold weather. Sometimes the weather doesn’t cooperate by bringing clouds and snow, but It’s all part of the “chase”. Regardless, we had a blast. Highly recommend. Love the mini-bus. Comfortable and more importantly, easy to enter and exit quickly.”

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2.Alaska Railroad Aurora Winter Anchorage to Fairbanks One Way

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 57 reviews · 12 hours (approx.) · from $259

Travel from Anchorage to Fairbanks aboard Alaska Railroad, leaving at 8:30 am and arriving around 8:00 pm. Expect snowy backcountry views, possible moose sightings, Denali and Alaska Range scenery, onboard commentary, reserved seating, and optional dining. Andy and Laura have provided especially warm, informative commentary on some departures.

“What a wonderful experience. Nice staff that narrated the entire trip (knowledgeable local info, plus wildlife spotting and alerting passengers where to look). Great food and service in the dining car; snacks available the entire trip. No worry travel with the granddaughter who loved the train.”

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3.Snowshoe Trek with Aurora Hunt and Warm Beverage

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 20 reviews · 3 hours · from $143

Meet Kiruna Guidetur near Scandic Hotel and set out with an English-speaking guide such as Jonna, Ronja, Kevin, or Carsten. You’ll receive insulated overalls, boots, snowshoes, and poles before walking through the snowy forest to view the stars and hunt for the Aurora. A warm drink and sandwich break are included.

“Carsten é una guida eccezionale. Ci ha aiutato con le ciaspole e a scegliere le scarpe piú calde. Dopo poco che ciaspolavamo abbiamo visto le prime luci, ci siamo fermati ad accendere un fuoco per scaldarci e ammirare le luci mentre lui ci prepararava le bevande calde e dei panini al formaggio. Abbiamo chiacchierato tanto e ammirato una notte nella foresta bellissima.”

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4.Aurora Snowshoe Hike

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 14 reviews · 4 hours · from $183

Meet your guide at Clarion Hotel The Edge and ride 30 minutes to Ersfjordbotn for a three-hour evening snowshoe hike. You’ll use supplied snowshoes and poles, pause for a snack and hot drink, and look for the aurora with an English or Norwegian-speaking guide. Guides including Truls, Eirik, and Fabian have helped make this a personal, photo-friendly outing.

“This snowshoe hike for the Northern Lights was truly one of the most special experiences of my trip. The group was small and intimate, which made the evening feel peaceful, personal, and immersive rather than rushed or touristy. Although dark outside, the hike itself was beautiful and serene, moving through quiet landscapes that felt untouched and magical under the night sky. Our guide was knowledgeable and shared fascinating bits of local history and insight about the area along the way, which added so much depth to the experience and made it even more meaningful. Seeing the Northern Lights in such a calm, natural setting was unforgettable. Everything felt thoughtfully paced,…”

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5.Lake Mývatn & Northern Lights – Winter Special

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 3 reviews · 2 days · from $350

Spend two days exploring North Iceland with a small group of up to 18 people. Guide Sigi, also called Ziggie, leads you to Goðafoss, Lake Mývatn, Grjótagjá, Hverarönd, Dimmuborgir, and Skútustaðagígar, then takes you outside Akureyri to search for the Northern Lights. An EasyJet airport shuttle is included.

“This included transfer to and from the airport, northern lights and lake Myvatn. Ziggie was our guide/driver for all and he was fantastic. We had a great time on both trips and would definitely recommend”

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6.Northern Lights Snowshoe Hike in Levi with Latvian Guide

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 3 reviews · 3 hours · from $116Best value

Leave Levi’s lights behind for a relaxed three-hour snowshoe walk with an English or Latvian-speaking guide. Mikus has provided hot tea, brownies, homemade honey, and Northern Lights photos on past outings. Snowshoes, headlamps, snacks, and Lapland nature stories are included.

“We had a great time in the woods at a freezing night out to search for the northern lights (which luckily appeared on a starry night sky with an almost full moon) with Mikus who is a fantastic guide and brought hot tea and brownies with selfmade honey! He also did great photographs of us once the lights where out.”

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