Arctic Winter Skills in Swedish Lapland

Itinerary

Day 1: Welcome to Swedish Lapland

Located on an Island on the coast of Swedish Lapland is Brandon Lodge. The camp overlooks the frozen sea and islands of the Luleå archipelago. Our main building is a log cabin that includes restaurant and meetings rooms and a lounge and relax area. Surrounding the log cabin are 15 cabins facing towards the sea. Each cabin has been recently renovated during 2013 and includes 1 one bathroom, two bedrooms with 2 single beds in each room, a lounge room and a front facing covered porch. Winter clothing is provided to all guests and Brändön Lodge is also the departure point for a range of fantastic activities.

Upon arrival in Luleaa Airport, you will be transferred to Brandon Lodge, a small lodge located on a small island, in the archipelago of Swedish Lapland. The archipelago is made up of more than 1,300 islands and only has 100 inhabitants - making it a true wilderness expreince for visitors of all ages. Check-in at Brandon Lodge in your own cabin and enjoy the rest of your day getting acquainted with the local area. You will also enjoy half-board (breakfast and dinner)  throughout your stay.

Day 2: Nordic Winter Skills

The life in Swedish Lapland is made comfortable by learning how to dress and behave in the cold Sub-arctic climate. After this introduction we change into your warm outdoor clothing that we provide and go outside to strap on your snowshoes. Our guides will take you on a 3-hour journey into the forests near to Brändön Lodge and lead you through an adventurous and educational excursion. You will learn how use the snowshoes, make a fire in the snow, how to make tea and coffee over your open fire and also learn about the forest and wildlife of Sweden’s northernmost region. At lunchtime you will take a break in a traditional Sami hut, where together you will make a typical outdoor wilderness lunch. Here, on the reindeer pelts you will enjoy your meal around the fire and then relax. In Swedish Lapland it is important to relax, discuss, enjoy and appreciate our special environment. This is a perfect introduction to your Swedish Lapland adventure. No equipment of your own or previous experience is needed. Overnight in a standard cabin at Brandon Lodge incl. breakfast and dinner.

Day 3: Day at Leisure & Optional Excursions

Breakfast at the lodge restaurant and enjoy the day at your own leisure or let us help you in prebooking some of the many wonderful winter excursions such as snow mobiling, dog sledding, ice fishing, Northern Lights tour, snowshoeing or even a hovercraft tour of the archipelago. Overnight in a standard cabin at Brandon Lodge incl. breakfast and dinner.

Day 4: Farewell Swedish Lapland

After breakfast you can enjoy your last day in Swedish Lapland before check-out and your return transfer back to Luleaa Airport for your return flights back to the UK. If you are on the evening flight back, you will still have time to enjoy one last excursion or simply just enjoy an afternoon in the wilderness or snuggle up in front of the open fireplace with your favourite book.

This map uses Google Maps, so you can zoom and interact with it as we hope it is familiar to you.

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The lines shown give you an indication of our destinations and are not the exact route used.

You'll see...

• History of Sweden »
• Lapland, Finland, activities & information »
• Northern Lights »
• Facts on the Sami people: Culture, history & locality »
• Snow Shoeing »
• Sweden History »
• Swedish Lapland »
• Typical Lapland weather, seasonal climate info »

Will I see the Northern Lights?

Please scroll down to see the specifics for the country you wish to visit:

Iceland:
The Northern Lights are in the Northern sky from September through April but are only visible when the sky is clear and free of clouds. Like many of natures wonders, it’s ephemeral – they may be visible, they may appear for a bit and then be gone. But it’s worth it to be patient. Because they’re a winter event, you need to be prepared to wait outside, while looking for them. It’s best to dress very warmly, in layers, with good footwear, gloves, hats and whatever else will make you comfortable while you await this truly amazing event. The Northern Lights can be pretty spectacular, and for the best photos we recommend using a tripod. Much of Iceland offers a very a good chance to see the Northern Lights when conditions are right. Remember – the Northern Lights are natural phenomena, not guaranteed, but appreciated all the more for their elusive qualities.

Norway:
Northern Norway is one of the world's best places to experience the Northern Lights (Aurora Borealis). In Northern Norway, Northern Lights occur in up to 90% of every clear night in the period from late September to late March. Most Northern Lights occur in the time span from 6pm to slightly after midnight, with an absolute peak at around 10-11pm. 

In Norway, the area north of the Arctic Circle is prime aurora territory. The various destinations in the High North have a distinct personality, and are well worth exploring. Major places in Northern Norway are Tromsø, Kirkenes, Alta, Bodø, Lofoten and Vesterålen Islands and Svalbard.

Finland:
The best place to see the Northern Lights in Finland is in the Northern Lapland region, which is almost entirely located within the realm of the Arctic Circle. During the dark winter months here, when the sun rarely peaks its head over the horizon, you can expect to see the Finland Northern Lights with regularity, and other peak seasons include February through March and September through October. The most common colours of the Northern Lights are greenish-yellow and red.

The Finnish term for the Northern Lights, Revontulet, meaning fox fire, comes from an old tale where the fox was believed to swish its bushy tail on the snowy fell landscapes, throwing sparks into the air.

As mentioned, Lapland is the best place to see the Finland Aurora Borealis, with the Kilpisjarvi area offering the most abundant opportunities. The best time of the day to see the Finland Northern Lights is between 9 pm and 11:30 pm, though they are certainly not restricted to this time frame.

Sweden:
In Northern Sweden, the Northern Lights usually occur during the winter months through late March or early April, but they can be spotted as early as September in the Northernmost parts. Your best chance of catching a glimpse of the Northern Lights is on cold winter nights when the sky is clear and cloudless. You need to be away from city lights, which dilute the effects of these natural phenomena, so head out into the countryside. On clear nights, the Northern Lights can be visible from most locations in Swedish Lapland, occurring between 6 pm to and 2 am, with the strongest shows happening between 10 pm and 11 pm. For those willing to brave the cold on winter nights, here are some of the best locations in Swedish Lapland for viewing these phenomena:

Abisko National Park
Abisko National Park, a couple of kilometers north of Kiruna, is a prime location for viewing the Northen Lights. The scientifically proven “blue hole” — a patch of sky over the Torneträsk lake that usually remains clear despite overcast weather in surrounding areas — gives Abisko its own micro-climate, which is suitable for catching the lights.

Jukkasjärvi and the Torne Valley
Not only does the village of Jukkasjärvi (population roughly 541) boast the world’s first ice hotel (rebuilt ever year from Torne River ice), it’s also one of the best regions to view the Northern Lights. ICEHOTEL organizes guided tours for guests which takes the to the Esrange Space Center located 30 minutes from Kiruna. You can dine at a wilderness camp and get the chance to scan the Arctic winter sky for aurora borealis.

Other regions in Swedish Lapland
As mentioned earlier, if weather conditions are just right (clear, dark, cold, and cloudless), you might catch a glimpse of the Northern Lights from any location within subarctic and arctic Sweden — even close to larger towns such as Luleå, Jokkmokk, Arvidsjaur, and Gällivare.

Greenland:
The northern lights - or Aurora Borealis as it is officially known - actually occur all year round, but cannot be seen during the summer months in Greenland due to the midnight sun. The phenomenon is often seen around midnight and is best experienced on a dark, clear night in the period from September to the beginning of April. If you are travelling during this period, you can see the Northern Lights from anywhere in the country, whilst in South Greenland the northern lights can be seen from as early as the end of August.