Let Your Northern Lights Shine - in Finland

Oct. 14, 2012 - PRLog -- The solar cycle that affects the magnitude of the Aurora Borealis is at its peak this coming winter. In other words, it’s a great time for spotting the phenomenon in Finnish Lapland!
- Solar activity varies periodically on an average of 11 years. The next solar activity maximum is predicted for 2013, explains Geophysicist Jyrki Manninen of the Sodankylä Geophysical Observatory in Lapland.

It is estimated that the Northern Lights are visible up to 200 nights a year in Finnish Lapland, from September to April. The Aurora maximum goes on for approximately two years after the solar activity maximum.
-  The next couple of winters in Finland will be ideal for travellers who want to spot the Aurorae, says Manninen.

Where to Catch the Northern Lights in Finnish Lapland

Saariselkä,  Europe’s northernmost holiday resort and a beautiful fell village in the northeastern Lapland

-   Let Top Safaris take you out to see the Northern Lights either on snowshoes or a snowmobile http://sivut.saariselka.fi/topsafaris/index.php/en/northe...

-   Stay at cosy farmhouse style hotel Kieppi (http://www.hotellikieppi.fi/index.php?option=com_content&...)
-   More on Saariselkä http://www.saariselka.fi/content?set_language=en

Kilpisjärvi , a picturesque village on top of the world by the great fells area in a close vicinity of the Arctic Ocean. The village is an optimal place right in the Aurora zone.
Kilpissafarit (http://www.kilpissafarit.fi/index_eng.html) takes you out to the fells to see the Northern Lights.
-   Stay in Tundrea http://www.tundrea.com/en/tundrea-2/northern-lights/

Ruka,  close to the Arctic Circle and the Russian border
-   Ruka Safaris (http://rukasafaris.fi/en/northern-lights-trips) will sit you in a sled and drive you out to let you concentrate on the marvel up above. Alternatively, grab the handlebar yourself.
-   Stay in ski in, ski out log cabin Kelokoto http://www.kelokoto.fi/
-   More on Ruka http://www.ruka.fi/winter_eng/

Accommodation with Aurora alerts:
Hotel Aurora Chalet, Luosto http://goo.gl/maps/IQYJx
-   The holiday and ski resorts of Pyhä-Luosto (http://www.laplandluosto.fi/) offer a score of winter activities under the Northern Lights
http://www.aurorachalet.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=3&Itemid=26&lang=en

Hotel & Igloo Village Kakslauttanen near Saariselkä
Sleep in a glass igloo and marvel at the Aurorae or hop on the Kakslauttanen Panorama bus (http://www.kakslauttanen.fi/en/services/panorama-bus) and go on a hunt!  http://www.kakslauttanen.fi/en/

Bring the Aurorae to your iPhone instantly
Laplication is a free augmented reality app that brings the Northern Lights to the palm of your hand!
Download Laplication: http://itunes.apple.com/fi/app/laplication/id553424031?mt=8#
Laplication video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9N54n8nYA4E



Auroras Now! (http://aurora.fmi.fi/public_service/) is a service that helps Aurora watching in Finland.

Visit Finland Aurora video: http://www.visitfinland.com/article/the-northern-lights-sparked-by-the-fox/

Finland travel and tourism online:
www.visitfinland.com; www.facebook.com/visitfinland; www.twitter.com/ourfinland
Contact in USA:
Helena Niskanen
Visit Finland USA
Tel. +1-212-885-9747
helena.niskanen@visitfinland.com