Chasing the Light

Named for the Roman goddess of dawn, the aurora borealis—or northern lights—is a celestial display seen only in areas near the North Pole. (The southern hemisphere’s counterpart is called aurora australis.) Witnessed in person, this phenomenon is a stunning sight to behold. Colorful lights in hues of green, blue, pink, purple, and sometimes red appear to dance in undulating waves across the night sky. 

It’s no wonder that many adventurers cross the northern reaches of the globe in search of the aurora borealis. There are numerous treks available for intrepid travelers seeking this once-in-a-lifetime experience. For those looking for luxurious destinations, many fine hotels and lodges from Alaska to Finland offer sublime amenities and specialized activities dedicated to observing the lights.

Sorrisniva
Alta, Norway

On the banks of the Alta River is the world’s northernmost Igloo Hotel, constructed annually by a team of 30 local builders using 250 tons of ice. The hotel, which is designed with a new theme each year, comprises rooms made entirely of ice, complete with insulated mattresses and reindeer hides (inside, it stays roughly 19 to 23 degrees Fahrenheit). Less adventurous guests will feel warm and cozy at the resort’s Arctic Wilderness Lodge, a year-round accommodation where panoramic views abound.

Whichever you choose, you’ll have access to numerous activities for viewing the lights: guided tours, snowmobile trips, and even a reindeer and Sámi experience where you can interact with the Sámi Indigenous people, learn cultural traditions, and participate in reindeer sledding. Sorrisniva’s Sales and Marketing Manager, Bram Bril, says, “The experience of being up close with reindeer, and the opportunity to witness and be a part of a way of life that is deeply connected to nature and the changing seasons is something that many appreciate.”

Sheldon Chalet
Denali National Park, Alaska

Adventure seekers will feel at home at the Sheldon Chalet, where the remote wilderness of Denali National Park offers a private escape for world-class hiking, backcountry skiing, and crystal-clear views of the northern lights. At an elevation of 5,800 feet, with zero light pollution, owner Marne Sheldon says, “You feel as if you are on stage with them and can reach out and touch them as they surround you in the Don Sheldon Amphitheater.” 

The name is no coincidence: Don Sheldon, a pilot who invented airplane modifications and tactics for glacial landings, was in the process of mapping the Alaska Range (along with cartographer Brad Washburn) when he discovered what would be the location of the chalet in the 1960s. Once a rustic mountain house, the now luxurious accommodations were built by his children years later according to his vision. They include saunas and gourmet dining, plus access to helicopter sightseeing tours, adventure gear, and glacier guides. The only thing missing is a roadway—fittingly, the chalet is accessible only by plane.

Kakslauttanen Arctic Resort
Saariselkä, Finland

In Finnish Lapland, 250 kilometers north of the Arctic Circle, you’ll find a wintry oasis with log chalets and glass igloos tucked into a snow-covered landscape. The resort has a story that began in the 1970s, when Jussi Eiramo ran out of fuel while returning home from a fishing trip. After setting up camp in an area known as Kakslauttanen, he fell in love with the wilderness that surrounded him and decided to stay, ultimately starting a business so that others could enjoy it as he did. In addition to glass igloos and chalets made of kelo pines (large trees that dried upright and shed their bark), the arctic resort also offers a combination of the two. Kelo-Glass Igloos offer both the warmth of a chalet and the incredible views of a glass igloo, enabling guests to see the aurora right from their windows. Seeking a closer look? Join a guided tour on a quad bike, on horseback, or in a horse-drawn carriage.

Arctic Bath Hotel
Harads, Sweden

The circular main building of Arctic Bath Hotel is a mastery of architecture. Representing the importance of the Lule River (on which the building floats) to the transportation of timber, its construction mimics log jams in rapids. The design, along with those of the resort’s suites and cabins—including floating cabins on the river with wood decks, accessed via footpath—integrates seamlessly with nature, creating the sense that one is connected to the surrounding landscape. The resort does not promote a specific northern lights experience, since the phenomena perform on nature’s own terms. “It’s a bonus,” says Sales Manager Elin Westman, but rest assured that when they do appear, the lights are visible anywhere on the property. “You may see the northern lights from all of Arctic Bath’s rooms,” notes Westman, “The water cabins have a tilted wall with a window facing north, so you can see the lights from the comfort of your bed, if you’re lucky!”

Northern Lights & Arctic Exploration Tour and Fogo Island Inn
Manitoba & Newfoundland, Canada

Known for its resident polar bears and often dubbed the “accessible Arctic,” Churchill, Manitoba, is an ideal destination for experiencing the aurora borealis. One unforgettable adventure is a curated Northern Lights & Arctic Exploration Tour from Natural Habitat Adventures and the World Wildlife Fund.

Their private excursions come complete with your own naturalist guide and exclusive use of four private aurora viewing settings, a personal snowcoach expedition over a frozen river, snowshoeing, a dog sled ride, and northern lights viewing from custom-designed Aurora Pods and circular Aurora Domes with plexiglass roofs.

On the other end of the country, on the largest of the offshore islands of Newfoundland and Labrador, is the serene and minimalist Fogo Island Inn. Designed by Newfoundland native Todd Saunders, the inn’s interiors feature locally designed and crafted furnishings and floor-to-ceiling windows that, if timing and weather are right, offer outstanding views of the aurora borealis.

Wellness is central to the Arctic Bath experience: The spa offers multiple saunas, Jacuzzis, and an open-air cold pool, as well as a variety of treatments from facials to deep-tissue massages.