Best Chance in a Decade to See Northern Lights from Ski Slopes
Holidays aimed at witnessing the Aurora Borealis, or northern lights, have become increasingly popular in recent years—and so have the chances of actually seeing them. This phenomenon is caused by solar activity, which follows an 11-year cycle and is set to peak from now until 2026. Therefore, your best chances to see the northern lights will likely be this winter or next, before activity diminishes again until the 2030s.
“The activity of the sun controls the activity of the northern lights. The sun constantly emits charged particles. Sometimes there are solar storms that emit even more of these particles. Right now, the sun is approaching a new solar maximum—when there is much more activity than usual. There are 11 years between such peaks, and we expect to reach a new peak in 2025,” explains Pål Brekke, Head of Space Research at the Norwegian Space Agency.
© Tobias Bjorkli
Known as the greatest light show on Earth, the coming solar maximum has become increasingly apparent over the past year. The aurora, usually visible only in very northern latitudes, has been seen more frequently—even as far south as southern England and from ski slopes in the Alps and Rockies. The aurora is most often predominantly green, but on rare occasions, pinks and reds are also visible.
The light show occurs when charged particles from the sun are drawn into the atmosphere by the Earth’s magnetic field and collide with nitrogen and oxygen atoms. These collisions release flashes of coloured light, which we see as the northern lights. The colour of the light depends on the type of atoms involved in the collision.
To maximise your chances of seeing the northern lights, you need to head north (as the name suggests). The aurora can typically be seen in northern countries between September and April, when the sky is both clear and dark. Statistically, the highest activity levels tend to occur at the start and end of this period, in the spring (March/April) and autumn (September/October).
Top Tips for Aurora Spotting
- Download one of the free apps that will alert you when the spectacular northern lights are likely to be visible.
- Head to a spot with little or no light pollution to greatly enhance your chances. Find a dark place, ideally at least 150 metres away from buildings, and look north.
- Even though some northern ski areas experience 24-hour Arctic nights in December, your highest chances of seeing the aurora during the ski season are actually at the start of spring.
- Remember, photos taken on your phone are often much more vibrant than what you’ll see with the naked eye.
Top Ski Destinations for Aurora Spotting
There’s something truly magical about experiencing the northern lights from ski slopes. Some destinations offer better opportunities than others:
- Canada: Already far north, the country’s northerly resorts, such as Jasper in Alberta, are excellent for aurora spotting.
- Finland: It’s not just Santa to look out for in Lapland but the northern lights too. Many businesses here offer northern lights tours after skiing, and you can even stay in glass-roofed accommodation to watch the display from the comfort of your bed.
- Japan: The northern island of Hokkaido, home to ski areas like Niseko, is renowned not only for its powder but also for clear aurora displays.
- Norway: Famous for its stunning northern lights shows, northern centres like coastal Narvik offer skiing into May with incredible displays over the sea.
- Scotland: The Scottish Highlands have already experienced some spectacular northern lights displays this winter.
- Sweden: Northern spots like Björkliden and Riksgränsen are so dark in winter that their ski seasons don’t start until February, and they stay open into May.
- USA: Alaska, which has recorded the most snowfall in North America this winter, offers the best chance of catching the aurora in the United States.
Enjoy the skies—and the slopes!
If you are looking for the perfect destination for your next trip, our Resort Guide has everything you need to know. You can check out our regular podcast here Apple | Spotify | Podcasts or search The Whiteout on your chosen podcast directory.
