Five spellbinding Aurora holidays for 2022 with The Aurora Zone travel

The Aurora Zone launches two brand-new Downhill Skiing and Northern Lights Travel Adventures in Finland

The original Northern Lights Company, The Aurora Zone, has launched two brand-new Downhill Skiing and Northern Lights travel adventures in Finland, ready for the winter.

Choose between the ski resorts of Saariselkä and Iso Syöte, both renowned for quiet, award-winning ski slopes, with phenomenal snow conditions, welcoming restaurants, and most importantly, with a very high chance of seeing the spectacular Aurora Borealis, with little or no light pollution.

The Aurora Zone is the UK’s only holiday brand dedicated solely to sharing the incredible Northern Lights (and was the first company to do so). It sets itself apart by working with local representatives, guaranteeing guests can fully immerse themselves in their holiday destination. With everything included in the package, guests just have to turn up as the activities and meals have been organised. Most recently, The Aurora Zone has been nominated for “Best Travel Company to Nordic Destinations in 2022” in the prestigious British Travel Awards.

The Aurora Zone now offers more Northern Lights holidays to Finland compared to anywhere else in the world – and with the possibility of witnessing Aurora displays up to 200 nights each year, it’s easy to see why.

Finnish Lapland is an active, outdoor destination home to 200,000 reindeer, 183,000 people, and six national parks. Snow flurries start in October, and come December, a white blanket will cover the landscape. Although the days are short in winter, guests can experience ‘blue time’ around midday, when a dusky bluish light illuminates the landscape; couple this with the reflection of light off the snow and it rarely feels particularly dark.

When not skiing, or being awed by the Northern Lights hunting trips, guests can go dog sledding with huskies, snowmobiling through the wintery forests, ice fishing for giant spider crabs on frozen lakes, snowshoeing across the landscape, or join in with a reindeer safari at a slower pace.

Downhill Skiing and Aurora Après Ski to Saariselkä

Less than 30 km from Ivalo Airport, Saariselkä Ski & Sport Resort is the northernmost ski centre in Europe. Since opening in 1970, it now offers 15 runs (10 of which are floodlit) including a beginner’s area, freestyle park, and six intermediate / advanced pistes. Six ski lifts, most of which are draglifts (with hardly any queuing), link the resort, and there’s also the chance to try the longest toboggan run in Finland.

Explore Saariselkä on skis or snowboards, their knowledgeable guide will organise several Northern Lights hunts. Travel by minibus to the Aurora Camp by the vast frozen Lake Inari and wait for the Northern Lights to emerge. Either stay by the crackling campfire, or borrow a reindeer hide and lie on the frozen lake and marvel at one of the Seven Wonders of the Natural World. The following night, jump on a snowmobile and head into the forest, leaving all artificial light behind. Join your guide around the campfire and learn about the science, myths, and legends surrounding this incredible phenomenon – before, hopefully, enjoying the Northern Lights once more.

During the holiday, stay in an Aurora Cabin. These innovative accommodation options are based on a ‘Kota’, a traditional tent of the Sámi – Finland’s indigenous people – who have herded reindeer through the lands for hundreds of years. The roof shape of the Aurora Cabin pays tribute to this heritage, while the main structure is modern. The ‘wow factor’ of this accommodation is a section of heated glass that extends over the sleeping area, allowing guests to watch the Aurora Borealis from the comfort of their own bed.

Downhill Skiing and Aurora Adventure Iso Syöte

Although Iso Syöte won ‘Best Ski Resort in Finland’ at the World Ski Awards three years running (2017, 2018, & 2019), and was nominated again this year, plus is the home of ‘Finland’s best Ski Hotel in 2021’, it has managed to stay under the radar. Sitting adjacent to the Syöte National Park, approximately 150 km from the Arctic Circle, it’s renowned for being in the Finnish region that gets the most snow. Iso Syöte has 17 pistes – linked by nine lifts – catering for all abilities, three snow parks for freestyle skiers and snowboarders, a parents-and-children section, plus a mogul field.

Explore the pristine runs during the day while hunting for the Northern Lights in the evening with your expert guide. As darkness descends, head into Syöte National Park with snowshoes, and keep an eye out for the Northern Lights. Even if they don’t appear, the sense of tranquillity gained from this activity is indescribable. Your second Aurora quest takes place on a snowmobile; follow the guide along designated tracks through frosted forests and across frozen lakes in search of this bucket list spectacle.

Stay at KIDE Hotel, which since opening in 2020 has won ‘Finland’s best Ski Hotel’ at the World Snow Awards. Based two hours from Rovaniemi Airport, it’s next to the ski slopes and features a gym, sauna, and free Wi-Fi throughout. Inside, find stylish Scandinavian design combined with modern hotel facilities and a vibrant restaurant serving delicious, local cuisine. Each double / twin room comes with a small kitchenette, flat-screen television, and balcony.

Guests after something more special can upgrade to a Kuuru Glass Roofed Suite. Built using local timber, the suites have underfloor heating, huge windows framing the spectacular snowy landscape, plus a heated glass roof meaning a night lying under the stars, and the Northern Lights, is possible.

For more information on The Aurora Zone, please call 01670 785 012 or visit www.theaurorazone.com