The Northern Lights or Aurora Borealis can be observed in Lapland from September to early April. Aurora Retreat is located in a small village with very little light pollution. We very often have cold nights with clear skies in the winter. Moderate to strong Aurora displays can be seen clearly from the guesthouse. Within a ten minute walk you can get away from the street lights and houses of the village to very dark areas, perfect for viewing even weak activity.

Experts say the Northern Lights occur on average every other night in Lapland. Sometimes they last only a few minutes, other times they may continue for an hour or more. The sky must be dark and clear in order to see them. If you would like to see the Northern Lights, it is advisable to stay at least several nights and avoid the days closest to the full moon, which brightens the sky considerably.

Our ancestors in Lapland have had their own legends to explain and honour the dance of the Aurora Borealis. For the Sámi people it was very important to be quiet and careful under the Northern Lights, mocking them or singing about them could cause them to descend down vengefully and kill the mocker. In Finnish legends the Northern Lights were called foxfires, and were believed to be the sparks whisked up by the tails of foxes made of fire.

According to modern science, the Aurora is caused by solar particles colliding with the earth's atmosphere. When the particles meet the earth's magnetic field they are guided to the earth's magnetic poles.

Full Moon Winter 2011-2012
Sep 12, Oct 12, Nov 10, Dec 10, Jan 9, Feb 7, Mar 8, Apr 6