Packing list for your Northern Lights trip

One of the questions my customers ask me most often is: What should I pack for my trip to see the Northern Lights?

When traveling beyond the Arctic Circle for the first time, people usually pack too much. After a very short time, you realize that you don't need that much here.

Simply putting on layers of thick clothing is not enough. It depends on what you plan to do, where you are going, how much you will be moving around, and how much body heat you naturally generate.

At temperatures between -10° and -30°C, physical well-being depends mainly on maintaining a balanced heat balance. The biggest challenge here is switching between different scenarios, for which you should be well dressed:

• You step outside from the pleasant geothermal or fireplace heat of approx. 20°C in your chalet to an average of approx. -10° to -20°C, which is a temperature difference of up to 40°.
• The next stage consists of fast-paced husky tours and snowmobile rides through the Arctic forests and over the fells, with the icy wind blowing in your face.
• But when snowshoeing or cross-country skiing, the physical exercise will quickly warm you up from the inside.
• In the evening/at night, you stand in the bitter cold again and wait for the northern lights.
• And then you sit in the hot Finnish sauna, followed by a dip in an ice hole and a hot bath in the Jacuzzi.

A particularly German characteristic is the desire for the perfect equipment. And it should look good too.

You may already have some good polar clothing, especially if you are an outdoor enthusiast or enjoy skiing or snowboarding. Today's lightweight high-tech fibers even ensure that layers are less bulky.

When you book our action packages, a set of proper thermal clothing is often included. Your hosts will provide you with a perfect set on site, which you can use without restriction for the duration of your stay.

Your trip to see the Northern Lights usually takes place during winter in the northern hemisphere. Between December and April, you have the best chance of experiencing the aurora borealis in the snow.

Insider tips

• “Function over Fashion”! Gutes Material kommt vor hippen Marken und Farben. Unter dem Polarlicht sind wir alle gleich <3.
• Several layers of moderately warm clothing insulate better than a single heavy garment. This is because the warm air is trapped between the layers and acts as additional insulation.
  • Layers give you the flexibility to regulate your temperature.
• Keep your extremities warm in particular: head, hands, and feet.
• Look for clothing made of wool, silk, and new synthetic fibers.
  • Fleece is a good material for sweaters and jackets.
  • Avoid cotton and jeans—they retain moisture and make you feel colder.
• Waterproof is better than water-resistant.
• The most important layer is the outer waterproof and windproof shell.
  • Lower layers should be more breathable.