Abisko: The Destination for All Northern Lights Trips

Abisko is undoubtedly one of the top destinations for all northern lights trips. The village native to the Saami people in north Sweden offers breathtaking views of the Aurora Borealis on almost any given night, especially as of late because of the solar maximum. This article explains why Abisko is the premier location for all northern lights trips.

Why is Abisko so good for seeing the Aurora Borealis?

There are three primary reasons that combine to give this northern village in Sweden unparalleled regular views of Earth’s most amazing natural phenomenon. The first is its geographic location. Abisko lies 250 kilometres inside the Arctic Circle, a spot on the globe well within the oval zone of the Aurora Borealis. Being so close to the magnetic poles of the Earth generates more solar winds that create the incredible lightshow worthy of all northern lights trips.

A happy combination of geography with meteorology is an additional boost for aurora spotting in Abisko. The gulf-stream that attracts tepid water up from the Norwegian Coast creates a more moderate climate and less fog than many coastal regions south of Abisko. A moderate climate and lack of fog are beneficial to clear visibility conditions. The third reason Abisko is the destination for all northern lights trips is its lack of precipitation. The village is situated next to high mountains that block it from the weather coming in off the Norwegian Coast. Precipitation coming in from the North Sea ends up releasing its snowfall west of Abisko, leaving the remote locale with significantly less snowfall than other places in the region. Thanks to these snowless days and cloud free nights, the locals often refer to Abisko as the ‘hole in the sky’.

Many things to Do

There are numerous things to stay busy with during any northern lights trips to Abisko. Beyond staring at the enthralling sky, visitors often enjoy dog sledding tours and snowmobile tours, although these should be booked in advance because they can sell out quickly. The more adventurous type can ice climb up frozen waterfalls in an arctic canyon, or go ice fishing on the wondrous Torneträsk Lake. Just an hour’s train ride away is Norway too, where visitors can go see the country’s marvellous fjords. Overall, Abisko is the premier destination in the world to witness the beauty of the Aurora Borealis, as well as enjoy the local hospitality and activities of northern Scandinavia.

Kevin Collins is the director of Aurora Nights, a company offering a select range of once in a lifetime northern lights trips in Swedish Lapland and Iceland, with accommodation including the fabulous Ice Hotel. Aurora Nights is part of Weekend a la Carte, a passionate, family-run company with vast in-depth knowledge based on their extensive travels to the region of the Aurora Borealis.