Northern lights in Saariselkä: when and where to see them

The northern lights are visible in Saariselkä from late August to early April, when the nights are dark enough and the sky is clear. Saariselkä lies within the auroral zone in the municipality of Inari, so auroras occur in the area even during ordinary space weather conditions. The most typical viewing time is a couple of hours either side of midnight. The best viewing spots are outside the village or at altitude, such as the summit of Kaunispää, where the view towards the northern horizon is unobstructed.

When are the northern lights visible in Saariselkä

Auroras occur all year round, but they are only visible against a sufficiently dark sky. Summer nights in Saariselkä are too bright, and the viewing season begins in practice during the final weeks of August, when the nights start to darken. The season continues until early April, after which daylight increases rapidly towards the midnight sun.

According to the Finnish Meteorological Institute, auroras occur most frequently in early autumn and late winter, because the position of the Earth in the solar wind is most favourable at those times. March is often the most recommended month, as the sky in late winter is on average less cloudy than in early winter. In terms of time of day, the most typical period for auroras is a couple of hours either side of midnight, although during a strong geomagnetic storm they can appear throughout the night.

Period	Conditions in Saariselkä
Late August and September	The nights darken quickly, temperatures are mild and ruska, the autumn colours, brightens the landscape. Unfrozen ponds and rivers reflect the auroras.
October and November	There are plenty of dark hours and the first snow has usually fallen. Cloud cover varies considerably.
December and January	Kaamos, the polar night, lasts from roughly early December to early January, when the sun does not rise above the horizon. Observations are possible even in the afternoon.
February and March	Cold and often clear. Statistically the most favourable period, and the same months offer the best skiing conditions.
Early April	The season ends as the nights grow lighter. Observations are only possible around midnight.

The best places to see the northern lights in Saariselkä

Seeing the auroras does not require a long journey, but the choice of viewing spot makes a significant difference to the experience. The most important thing is to get away from the street lights and to have an unobstructed view towards the northern horizon.

The summit of Kaunispää

Kaunispää is a 438-metre fell right next to the Saariselkä resort. A 1.6-kilometre road leads to the summit from Highway 4, and the road is kept open all year round. From the centre of Saariselkä, the distance to the summit is about two kilometres. The treeless summit area offers views in every direction, which makes it the most easily accessible aurora spot in the area. There is also parking at the top, so you can drive close to the viewing point.

The edges of Urho Kekkonen National Park

The park’s trails begin close to Saariselkä village, and even a short walk takes you beyond the reach of the lights. When moving around in the dark, it is worth staying on marked trails and bringing a head torch. Access to nature is governed by everyman’s rights, which allow you to move around and stay temporarily in the area, including at night. Read more about the routes in the area in our guide to hiking in Urho Kekkonen National Park.

The grounds of your accommodation

At properties located on the edge of the village or beyond it, you can watch the auroras straight from your own terrace. This is the most practical option when you are waiting for the northern lights on several evenings in a row, or when travelling with children. If the accommodation is far enough from the street lights, there is no need to get in the car at all.

Lake and pond shores

Open water offers a wide view of the horizon, and in autumn the surface of unfrozen water reflects the auroras back. On a frozen pond, the landscape stays open throughout the winter. Near shorelines, be prepared for damp air and wind to feel colder than in the shelter of the forest.

How to anticipate an aurora night

Two independent factors determine whether the northern lights are visible: space weather and cloud cover. Auroras form at an altitude of around one hundred kilometres, above all cloud, so a thick layer of cloud blocks observations completely even when auroral activity is strong.

• Follow the space weather. The Finnish Meteorological Institute publishes an aurora probability estimate and a real-time indicator of geomagnetic disturbance. In Lapland, auroras are common even when space weather is calm.
• Check the cloud forecast separately. Clear skies are the decisive factor. Cloud cover in Saariselkä can change within hours, so one cloudy evening is not a forecast for the whole night.
• Take the moon phase into account. A full moon brightens the sky and dims faint auroras. Bright displays are still clearly visible, and moonlight makes it easier to photograph the landscape.
• Allow several nights. A single night in Saariselkä is not enough to guarantee a sighting. A stay of three or four nights improves your chances considerably.
• Let your eyes adjust to the dark. Night vision develops in about 15 minutes. A phone screen resets that adjustment, so turn the brightness down to the minimum.

What to wear on an aurora night

Waiting for the northern lights means standing still, often for an hour or two. When you are moving, muscle activity keeps you warm, but standing still the same clothing soon feels cold, so dress more warmly than you would for a day trip. These items will keep you warm for the whole wait:

• Several layers, with a windproof outer layer
• Warm winter footwear and wool socks, as feet get cold first
• Thick mittens rather than gloves, plus thinner liner gloves for handling a camera
• A head torch, preferably one with a red light setting
• A thermos flask and a sit pad or a camping chair
• A power bank, as cold drains a phone battery quickly

Winter clothing and outdoor equipment are available in the centre of Saariselkä at the Kesport sports shop, and outdoor gear can be hired from Kuukkeli’s equipment rental. That way you do not need to bring everything from home.

Photographing the northern lights in Saariselkä

Photographing auroras requires long exposures, so the camera has to be completely still. A handheld shot will almost always come out blurred.

• Use a tripod and either a remote release or the self-timer
• Choose a wide-angle lens, as auroras cover a large part of the sky
• Set the focus to manual and adjust it to infinity
• Open the aperture as wide as it goes, to the smallest f-number, and raise the ISO
• Try an exposure of roughly four to twenty seconds and adjust it according to the result
• Set the white balance to daylight so that the colours stay natural

The night mode on newer phones is often enough for a keepsake photo, provided the phone is supported on a tripod or a solid surface. It is worth including a landscape element in the frame, such as the silhouette of a fell or a row of trees, which makes the result more interesting than the sky alone.

Accommodation for watching the northern lights in Saariselkä

The location of your accommodation determines whether you need to go looking for the auroras at all. Kuukkeli has more than 60 properties in Saariselkä, some of them right next to the services in the centre and others in quieter surroundings beyond the lights.

• Aurora Resort is located four kilometres from the centre, so the northern lights can be admired without light pollution. The property consists of four kelo log buildings and accommodates up to 53 guests. The spa area has a heated indoor pool, two electric saunas and a fireplace room, and there is a hot tub on the rear terrace.
• Villa Aurora Pupula is a two-bedroom kelo log cabin in the forest by a small natural pond. The cabin has a fireplace, a sauna and an outdoor terrace, and the open shore of the pond gives an unobstructed view of the sky.
• Hirvas Suite is a two-bedroom kelo log suite with a private hot tub. It is located 600 metres from the Kuukkeli Shopping Centre, and breakfast is included in the price.
• Teerenpesä offers kelo log hotel rooms and suites right in the heart of Saariselkä. This option suits travellers who want the services within walking distance and plan to watch the auroras from Kaunispää.

A hot tub is a popular way to wait for the northern lights in the warmth. Kuukkeli also rents out hot tubs to go with your accommodation. All the options and their facilities can be found on the Saariselkä accommodation page, and our guide to finding the right cabin helps you compare the different types.

What to do while you wait for the auroras

Aurora watching takes place in the evening and at night, which leaves plenty of room for a daytime programme. In winter, the ski trails and downhill slopes of Saariselkä are open, and the area offers snowmobile safaris, husky rides and reindeer rides. In autumn, the same terrain serves hikers and berry pickers. The services in the area are listed on our activities page.

Meals are served at Bistro & Café Kuukkeli. For getting around the area you can use a rental car or Taxi Kuukkeli, which is practical when heading up to Kaunispää late in the evening to look for the northern lights.

Frequently asked questions about the northern lights in Saariselkä

When are the northern lights at their best in Saariselkä?

The viewing season runs from late August to early April. Statistically the most favourable periods are early autumn and late winter, and in March the sky is on average the least cloudy. In terms of time of day, the most typical viewing time is a couple of hours either side of midnight.

Are the northern lights visible in the centre of Saariselkä?

Bright auroras are visible in the centre as well, but street lights dim the fainter forms. Observations work considerably better once you move away from the lights, for example to Kaunispää or to accommodation located outside the centre.

How many nights should I spend in Saariselkä?

At least three or four nights. Auroral activity cannot be predicted reliably far in advance, and cloud cover can prevent observations on individual nights. Several nights improve your chances significantly.

Do I need a guided tour to see the northern lights?

No. In Saariselkä the viewing spots are easy to reach independently, and the summit of Kaunispää is accessible by car all year round. A guided tour can still add value if you want photography guidance or transport further away from the lights.

Are the northern lights visible during the polar night?

Yes. In Saariselkä, kaamos, the polar night, lasts from roughly early December to early January, when the sun does not rise above the horizon. There are more dark hours than at any other time, so observations are possible even in the afternoon. Early winter is, however, on average cloudier than late winter.

Plan your northern lights trip to Saariselkä

Saariselkä is reached by air via Ivalo Airport, about 30 kilometres away. By road from Rovaniemi, the distance is around 255 kilometres north. Accommodation, restaurant services, equipment rental and transport are all available from the same place, so the arrangements can be made with a single enquiry. For more general advice on timing and budgeting your trip, see our northern lights trip guide.