New hotel on SKIS gives guests ‘best chance’ of seeing the Northern Lights

MAGICAL: New hotel on skis offers guests the chance to view the Northern Lights from their bed

Seeing the Northern Lights topped Brits’ Bucket Lists in a recent survey, with 45% of people saying it was their number one travel goal.

If you are desperate to see the natural phenomenon, but don’t fancy waiting out in the freezing cold, a new hotel in northern Finland could be for you.

The fleet of glamping cabins are built on skis so they can be pulled to remote wilderness locations, where you are more likely to spot the Northern lights.

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The cosy wooden cabins, which are located six kilometers east of Kilpisjärvi, Finland, include clear roofs so guests can experience the natural show from the comfort of their beds.

The cabins measures 2.5m wide, 4.5m long and 2m tall, and include a double bed, a table, dry toilet and a gas heater with thermostat to ensure a warm and cosy stay.

Adventurers will also have exclusive use of the cabin’s snowshoes and kicksleds.

“The wilderness surrounding Kilpisjärvi is known for its remote and uninterrupted Arctic tundra,” added Jonny Cooper, founder of Off the Map Travel and Arctic travel expert.

“Away from any manmade light pollution, it is here that that the wilderness camp is placed for the winter, giving guests the best possible opportunity to experience the Northern Lights and simply enjoy the silence of the Arctic plains.”

COSY: Guests have a 70% chance of seeing the natural phenomenon on a clear night in Finland

There are three mobile rooms available, all of which comfortably sleep two people. The cabins will be set up together to create a Aurora wilderness camp, in the best location for Northern Lights hunting.

Once the winter ice has thawed the rooms will then be relocated to a new home for the following season.

The trip starts at 6pm, with an experienced guide transporting guests by snowmobile to their room for the night, before teaching them how to make a campfire to grill some local sausages.

After the wild BBQ, guests will have the camp to themselves to hunt for the Northern Lights and enjoy the peace of the Arctic wilderness

Local snacks and hot drinks are provided, as well as a warming breakfast the following morning.

BUCKET LIST: A whopping 45% of Brits say seeing the Aurora Borealis is their top travel goal

The Northern Lights can most commonly be seen in countries like Norway, Finland and Sweden.

And statistically, the Kilpisjärvi area has more clear night skies and records more Northern Lights activity than any other place in Finland.

Experts have estimated that if the sky is clear visitors have more than a 70% chance of seeing the Northern Lights.

November to March is the best time to visit and you have more of a chance of seeing them if you go at a time of the month when the moon is small.

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The stunning Aurora Borealis, aka Northern Lights, as seen from the UK, Alaska and various other places. Caters News Agency
The Northern Lights above the Steese Highway, Fairbanks in Alaska

The hotels on skis are available to book through Off the Map Travel until mid-April. After this they will close until the season starts again in January 2019.

As with any itinerary from Off the Map Travel, the trip can be tailor-made to fit any wishes and requirements.

As an example, a 3-night, 4-day itinerary costs from £1599 per person based on two adults sharing on a full board basis.

This includes private transfers to and from the Airport in Tromso, accommodation for two nights in a cosy log chalet and one in the new Aurora Wilderness Camp, with all meals included.

Recent solar activity actually resulted in the Aurora Borealis being visable from parts of the UK last week.

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