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How and Where to Watch the Northern Lights During Your Holidays in Ylläs

Dreaming of a winter getaway filled with snow, silence, and the magic of the Northern Lights? Ylläs offers one of the most peaceful and authentic settings to admire the Aurora Borealis. In this guide, you will discover the best places to watch the Northern Lights in Ylläs and how to increase your chances of seeing them during your holiday.

🌌 What Are the Northern Lights?

The Northern Lights (Aurora Borealis) occur when charged particles from the sun collide with the Earth’s atmosphere. They create stunning waves of green, purple, pink, and sometimes red light that dance across the night sky. Ylläs,  with clear Arctic air, is an ideal location to witness this natural wonder.

📍 Best Places to Watch the Northern Lights in Ylläs

1. Open Fields and Frozen Lakes

The wide-open landscapes of Ylläs – especially frozen lakes and meadows – offer uninterrupted views of the northern sky. These areas are perfect because:

  • There are no trees or mountains blocking the horizon, only 718 meters fjells making a great foreground for pictures

  • Minimal light pollution

  • Easy to access by snowshoes, skis, snowmobiles or car

2. Hilltops and Viewpoints

Climbing slightly higher grounds gives you a better panoramic view.

  • Local hilltops around Ylläs provide 360° visibility

  • Ideal locations for photography and time-lapse filming

3. Northern Lights Huts or Wilderness Cabins

Some accommodations near Ylläs offer Aurora-view cabins with large glass windows or even glass igloos.

4. Snowmobile or Snowshoe Trails

For adventure lovers, guided snowmobile or snowshoe tours take you deep into the wilderness:

  • Zero light pollution

  • Campfire stops with warm berry juice

  • Perfect for Northern Lights photography

🕒 Best Time to See the Northern Lights in Ylläs

When?Why it’s the best time
September–April    Dark skies and strong solar activity
20.00-02.00    Peak Aurora viewing hours
Cold, Clear Nights    Stars visible = high chance of Aurora

Tip: Download an Aurora Forecast App (like “My Aurora Forecast” or “Aurora Alerts”) and check KP-index, cloud cover, and Bz value.

⭐ How to Maximize Your Chances of Seeing the Aurora

✅ Stay at least 3-4 nights – Auroras don’t appear every night, so give nature time.
✅ Check the sky often – Sometimes it starts faintly and suddenly explodes in color.
✅ Avoid artificial light – Walk 5–10 minutes away from streetlights or houses.
✅ Dress warmly in layers – Temperatures can drop below –20°C. Wear thermal underwear, wool layers, insulated boots, hat, and mittens.
✅ Be patient and enjoy the silence – Sometimes waiting under the stars is part of the magic.

📸 Photography Tips

Want to take unforgettable pictures? Here’s how with a digital camera or read this article for taking pictures with a mobile phone

SettingRecommended Value
Camera Mode                    Manual (M)
ISO                    800–3200
Aperture                    f/2.8 or lower
Shutter Speed                    5–15 seconds
Focus                    Manual, to infinity
Extras                    Use a tripod & optionally a remote shutter

video courtesy of "Incredible Arctic"

🔥 Northern Lights + Local Experience

Watching the Aurora is even more magical with a touch of Lapland tradition:

  • Sit by a campfire in the nature

  • Drink hot berry juice or campfire coffee

  • Listen to local stories and legends about the “Fox Fires” – the old belief that a magical Arctic fox sparks the Northern Lights with its tail

✨ Final Tips for Your Northern Lights Holiday in Ylläs

  • Book accommodation away from city lights

  • Join a guided Aurora tour if you’re not comfortable navigating in the dark

  • Stay flexible – Weather changes quickly

  • Even if the Aurora is weak, keep watching – Within seconds, it can become a full sky explosion

Ready to Chase the Aurora?

Ylläs offers a quiet and authentic Arctic atmosphere with some of the clearest skies in the world. With patience, warm clothes, and a little bit of luck, you’ll experience one of the most breathtaking natural shows on Earth. 


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Location: 95980 Ylläsjärvi, Finland

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