Winter activities 2023/2024
Aurora Sky Station in Abisko including dinner
At 68.2°N and at the centre of the Aurora belt, the Abisko National Park is blessed with some of the best conditions in the world for watching the Aurora Borealis. Its microclimate, or blue hole weather pattern, results in more clear nights than any other destination under the Aurora oval – a prerequisite for a Northern Light sighting. There is also limited light and air pollution. High on the mountainside on Mount Nuolja (900m) you will find the Aurora Sky Station, a café during the day and an incredible observation platform during the winter evenings. Access is by a 2km chair lift, or you can hike to the station with a guide.
A 3-course evening meal (set menu) and hot drinks will be served; wine packages, beer and non-alcoholic soft drinks are available for purchase. Afterwards there is free time to visit the small exhibition or to just sit on the snow-covered mountain enjoying the tranquillity of the scene.
You are free to return to your hotel at your leisure. The last chair lift departs at 01:00 am.
- Duration: 7 hours (maximum)
- Departs: Daily at 17:30 (18Nov-17Mar). The guided hike to the Aurora Sky Station departs at 17:30
- Price (STF Abisko Turiststation): £249.00 per adult (16yrs upwards)
- Price (STF Abisko Mountain Lodge): £275.00 per adult (16yrs upwards)
Notes:
- Guests staying at the STF Abisko Turiststation will be required to walk in a group to the base of the chair lift (c.10 minutes).
- Transfers included for guests staying at the Abisko Mountain Lodge.
- The rental of overalls, boots and gloves are included.
- The Aurora Sky Station is accessed by a chair lift. A balaclava is recommended for the 20-minute ride as you are unprotected from the elements.
- The Aurora Sky Station has a small exhibition about the Northern Lights. Short presentations take place during the evening and guests are free to attend at their leisure.
- Minimum age: 16 years old.
- The chair lift to the Aurora Sky Station will not operate in poor weather conditions. If the chair lift is closed the activity will be replaced with a four-course evening meal in the Aurora Lounge at the STF Turiststation followed by a presentation about the Aurora Borealis and a guided hike in the Abisko National Park. Close to the Aurora Lounge is a lavvu with a warming fire where hot drinks are offered.
- The last chairlift ride down departs at 01:00 am.
Aurora Chase
Take your seat and depart on a hunt for the Aurora Borealis with your expert guide – depending on the size of the group, your vehicle may be a 4x4 or a bus. Your destination will be chosen based on local weather conditions, the aurora forecast and the years of experience that your destination specialists hold. You could remain close to the Abisko National Park or travel up to 90 km – whatever route will provide the highest chance of a sighting. During your tour you will learn more about the wondrous natural phenomenon of the Aurora Borealis as well as about the history of the Abisko National Park. Whilst a sighting cannot be guaranteed, the drive and the thrill of the chase will provide many happy memories.
- Duration: 3 - 3.5 hours
- Departs: Daily 20:00 (Oct-Nov) and 20:15 (Dec-Mar)
- Price: £92.00 per person
Notes:
- Pick-up from all Abisko hotels included - meet at reception 15 minutes prior to departure.
- Winter clothing is not provided. It is important that you bring warm clothes to wear and warm insulated winter boots. Warm overalls and heavy duty arctic boots are available to rent for an extra charge.
- The minimum age is 5 years. Please note that child seats are not provided within the vehicle.
- Maximum group size is 30 people
Explore the ICEHOTEL
In mid December, the world-famous ICEHOTEL will open on the shores of the Torne River in Jukkasjarvi. It is a remarkable property which must be seen to be believed. Everything inside is made of ice and snow; from the chandelier in the entrance hall, to the bed frames and the glasses from which you drink. This excursion will take you to the ICEHOTEL and provides entrance to the original, temporary hotel as well as to the ICEHOTEL 365 (a hotel which will provide sub-zero guest accommodation year-round). There is free time to explore the property independently and the opportunity to join a guided tour and to have a drink at the ICEBAR. Do not forget your camera, you will not want to miss the intricately designed Art Suites.
- Duration: 7 hours
- Departs: Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday at 09:00 (22Dec-30Mar)
- Price: £128.00 per person
Notes:
- Pick-up from all Abisko hotels included - please be at reception 15 minutes earlier.
- Lunch is not included. It is possible to take lunch at the ICEHOTEL restaurant (payable locally)
- Entrance to the ICEHOTEL is included
- Winter clothing is not provided. It is important that you wear warm clothes, hats and gloves as well as warm insulated winter boots for your feet. The temperature inside the Icehotel is always -5 C.
- Minimum age is 5 years.
The Ultimate Aurora Photo Adventure
Highly recommended by the Sunvil team. EARLY BOOKING RECOMMENDED. Due to its high percentage of clear night skies and virtually no light pollution Abisko is one of the greatest places in the world to see the Northern Lights. Tonight, under the supervision of a professional photographer you will learn how to capture the colourful waves of the Lady Aurora on camera. No previous photographic experience is necessary to enjoy this tour, with even the most novice of participants having a high chance of going home with beautiful Aurora photographs and memories that will last a lifetime. Whilst, of course, the focus of the tour is on capturing the Aurora Borealis in a photo, you will also gain a local’s insight into this region of Lapland and learn how the aurora fits into the local culture and the science behind the phenomenon.
Please note that transportation will be provided in one of three ways, dependent on the weather and aurora forecast: on foot with shelter provided at a nearby lavvu, in a 4x4 or on a cosy sleigh ride, pulled by a snowmobile.
- Duration: 3.5 hours
- Departures: Daily at 19:45 (22Dec-19Mar)
- Price: £155.00 per person (22Dec-03Jan) and £137.00 per person (04Jan-19Mar)
Notes:
- Pick-up from all Abisko hotels included - please be ready for 19:30 at reception
- The tour includes the support of a professional photographer. Professional equipment is available to use (at no additional charge) or you can use your own camera equipment
- Winter clothing is provided. It is important that you bring warm clothes to wear under the overalls you are provided with and warm insulated winter boots. Heavy duty arctic boots are available to rent during our tours.
- Minimum age: 10 years old (children under 15 years old will need to share a camera with a parent).
- Guests are required to provide their own SD memory cards: minimum of 4GB of storage space. Memory cards are also available for purchase if needed (16 GB: 200 SEK).
- Warm drink and small snack included
- Maximum of 8 participants per guide
- The tours are designed in a way that will accommodate as many different levels of physical fitness as possible. You usually walk less than one kilometre per direction to and from many locations in Abisko National Park. It is common to walk in snow and in cold conditions during the tours. If you have any physical limitations please inform us when you make a booking so we can discuss your needs ahead of time.
Night Sky Snowmobile Tour
Under the dark Arctic skies, you will explore the Abisko National Park on a 2-hour snowmobile tour. The snowmobile’s headlights will illuminate the trail as you traverse the ice-packed ground, climbing upwards through the mountains and away from the light pollution of the village. It is here that you’ll find your eyes drawn upwards where they are greeted by the dazzling stars and, if conditions permit, the waves of the Aurora Borealis. But, be sure to also look down to take-in the deep black of Lake Tornetrask, Sweden’s sixth largest lake with an area of 330 sqm and a mirror for the heavens. Time to rest is provided on the mountain and a snack and hot drink served around a roaring fire.
- Duration: 2 hours
- Departs: Daily at 19:30 (01Dec-19Mar)
- Price: £181.00 per person (shared snowmobile) and £211.00 (single rider)
Notes:
- Pick-up from all Abisko hotels included
- You are seated two persons per snowmobile unless a supplement is paid for a private snowmobile. One person is required to drive the vehicle
- The minimum age to drive a snowmobile is 18 years old. A valid driving licence is required. The suggested minimum age for a snowmobile passenger is 5 years old
- Maximum group size is 8 persons
- A warm drink and snack are offered during the tour
- The rental of overalls, boots, gloves and a balaclava are included
- Helmets are provided to all participants.
- The consumption of alcohol is not permitted if driving.
Morning Hike in the Abisko National Park
Take a short, 2km guided hike in Abisko and discover all the beauty that the National Park has to offer. During this spectacular adventure, your guide will lead you down a beautiful trail which meanders along the scenic Abisko River Canyon. You will wander through an ancient Arctic birch forest, enjoy stunning open views of the Abisko river delta, marvel at soaring mountain peaks, walk along the incredible frozen shoreline of Lake Torneträsk and much more. The guides will share their knowledge about wildlife, plant life, the local indigenous people of the region and what it is like to live in the Arctic.
- Duration: 2 hours
- Departs: Daily at 10:00 (01Dec-19Mar)
- Price: £61.00 per person (01-21Dec), £81.00 per person (22Dec-02Jan) and £61.00 per person (03Jan-19Mar)
Notes:
- Pick-up from all Abisko hotels included
- Winter clothing is not provided
- Walking poles can be provided (on request locally)
Great Outback Snowmobile Tour
This 4-hour snowmobile tour is the perfect choice for those wishing to learn about the natural splendours of the Abisko National Park and its surroundings. You will cross frozen lakes, climb through mountain valleys and follow a section of the renowned Kungsleden (King’s trail) – a hiking path that stretches 440 km from Abisko to Hemavan, passing through four National Parks. There will be plenty of time for photographs and be sure to keep your eyes peeled for wildlife and their tracks. The Abisko National Park is home to moose, reindeer as well as bear, wolverine and lynx (although the latter three are difficult to spot you may see their footprints). Along the route you will take a break and enjoy a traditional Swedish fika - a hot drink and cookies.
- Duration: 4 hours + transfer
- Departs: Daily at 08:30 (01Dec-19Mar)
- Price: £211.00 per person (shared snowmobile) and £292.00 per person (private snowmobile)
Notes:
- Pick-up from all Abisko hotels included
- You are seated 2 persons per snowmobile unless a supplement is paid for a private snowmobile. One person is required to drive the vehicle
- The minimum age to drive a snowmobile is 18 years old. A valid driving licence is required. The suggested minimum age for a snowmobile passenger is 5 years old
- Maximum group size is 8 persons
- A warm drink and snack are offered during the tour
- The rental of overalls, boots, gloves and a balaclava are included
- Helmets are provided to all participants.
- The consumption of alcohol is not permitted if driving