Experience Overview
Experience Kiruna's Arctic wilderness after dark on a guided snowshoe adventure through snow-covered forest, peaceful winter landscapes and the silence of the northern night.
Walk by headlamp, warm up beside a wilderness campfire with hot cocoa and marshmallows, and look up at the stars while keeping an eye out for possible Northern Lights. No previous snowshoeing experience is required, and professional winter clothing and equipment are included.
Local Insight: The Arctic Night Is More Than the Northern Lights
Many visitors arrive in Kiruna focused entirely on seeing the Northern Lights, but some of the most memorable winter moments happen even when the aurora does not appear. Snow-covered forest, darkness, stars, firelight and the remarkable silence of the Arctic landscape create an experience of their own.
Snow and weather conditions can change throughout the winter, so our guides adapt the route to the conditions of the evening. The goal is not to cover the greatest possible distance, but to give guests a comfortable and authentic experience of moving through the Arctic winter landscape after dark.
If the Northern Lights appear during the tour, you are already away from much of Kiruna's artificial light and can stop to enjoy them. If they do not appear, the snowshoe hike, campfire and Arctic night remain the focus of the experience.
Experience Itinerary
Pickup in Kiruna
Pickup from selected locations in Kiruna before travelling away from the town lights and into the Arctic winter landscape.
Winter Gear & Snowshoe Introduction
Get equipped with thermal winter clothing, boots, warm hat, snowshoes, trekking poles and headlamp. Your guide explains how to use the snowshoes before the adventure begins.
Arctic Night Snowshoe Adventure
Follow your guide through snow-covered forest and quiet winter surroundings as your headlamp illuminates the trail.
Wilderness Campfire
Take a break beside a campfire, warm up with hot cocoa and roast marshmallows while enjoying the silence of the Arctic night.
Snowshoe Beneath the Northern Sky
Continue through the winter landscape with opportunities for stargazing and, when conditions are favorable, possible Northern Lights sightings.
Return Transfer
Leave the wilderness behind and travel back toward Kiruna after the evening snowshoe adventure.
Return to Kiruna
Drop-off at selected locations in Kiruna.
🎒 What's included
- Pickup and drop-off from selected locations in Kiruna
- Professional local guide
- Thermal winter overall
- Winter boots
- Warm hat
- Snowshoes
- Trekking poles
- Headlamp
- Wilderness campfire
- Hot cocoa
- Marshmallows to roast over the fire
📌 Good to know
- No previous snowshoeing experience is required.
- Minimum age is 6 years.
- Please bring warm gloves and wear warm base layers underneath the provided thermal overall.
- The tour takes place outdoors in Arctic winter conditions and includes walking over snowy and sometimes uneven terrain.
- The exact route may be adjusted depending on weather and snow conditions.
- Northern Lights may be visible during the tour, but sightings cannot be guaranteed.
- Please be ready at your selected pickup location 10 minutes before departure.
- No previous snowshoeing experience is required.
- Minimum age is 6 years.
- Please bring warm gloves and wear warm base layers underneath the provided thermal overall.
- The tour takes place outdoors in Arctic winter conditions and includes walking over snowy and sometimes uneven terrain.
- The exact route may be adjusted depending on weather and snow conditions.
- Northern Lights may be visible during the tour, but sightings cannot be guaranteed.
- Please be ready at your selected pickup location 10 minutes before departure.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need previous snowshoeing experience?
No. The tour is suitable for beginners and your guide will show you how to use the snowshoes before the hike begins.
Can we see the Northern Lights during the tour?
Yes, the Northern Lights may appear when weather and aurora conditions are favorable. However, the aurora is a natural phenomenon and sightings cannot be guaranteed.
Is this a Northern Lights chase?
No. This is primarily a guided Arctic night snowshoe adventure. Northern Lights are a possible bonus, but the tour does not drive between locations to chase clear skies.
What winter clothing is included?
Thermal winter overalls, winter boots and warm hats are provided, together with snowshoes, trekking poles and headlamps.
What should I bring?
Bring warm gloves and wear warm base layers underneath the provided thermal winter overall.
How difficult is the snowshoe hike?
The tour is designed for travelers with a normal level of fitness. The pace is comfortable and adapted to the group, although you will walk over snow and sometimes uneven winter terrain.
What is the minimum age?
The minimum age is 6 years. Children must be accompanied by an adult.
What happens if the weather is bad?
The tour operates in normal Arctic winter conditions. The guide may adjust the route, walking distance or itinerary according to snow and weather conditions. The activity may be changed or cancelled if conditions are considered unsafe.
How large are the groups?
The tour is limited to a maximum of 8 guests to create a more personal small-group experience.
Is pickup included?
Yes. Pickup and drop-off are included from selected locations in Kiruna.
Read full experience details
Explore the Arctic Night on Snowshoes
Step into the Arctic wilderness after dark on a guided snowshoe adventure near Kiruna. Follow snowy forest trails by headlamp, experience the remarkable stillness of the northern night and discover the winter landscape in one of its most atmospheric settings.
As the lights of Kiruna disappear behind you, the surroundings become quieter and the snow-covered forest takes on a completely different character. Your headlamp illuminates the trail ahead while darkness, snow and silence create the feeling of being far away from everyday life.
The experience combines gentle outdoor activity with time to slow down, enjoy the landscape and experience what an Arctic winter evening really feels like.
Why Arctic Night Snowshoeing Feels So Special
Winter nights in Swedish Lapland have an atmosphere that is difficult to experience anywhere else. Fresh snow absorbs sound, the forest becomes remarkably quiet and even small details — footsteps in the snow, frozen trees moving in the wind or the glow of a headlamp across the landscape — become part of the experience.
Snowshoes allow you to move naturally through the winter terrain and explore places that would be difficult to reach on foot when the snow is deep.
There is no need to rush. The pace is relaxed, giving you time to take photographs, look at the sky and simply enjoy being surrounded by Arctic wilderness.
🚐 Your Arctic Evening Begins
Your evening starts with pickup from selected locations in Kiruna before travelling away from the town and into the snowy landscape surrounding Aurora River Camp.
After getting prepared for the adventure, your guide introduces you to snowshoeing and the surrounding Arctic environment before leading the group into the winter forest.
No previous snowshoeing experience is necessary. Your guide will show you the basic technique and adapt the pace to the group throughout the evening.
🥾 Snowshoe Through the Arctic Wilderness
Follow your guide through snow-covered forest as your headlamp lights the trail ahead. Snowshoes make it possible to move across deeper snow while experiencing the landscape at a quiet and natural pace.
The route takes you through peaceful Arctic surroundings away from traffic and city noise. Along the way, your guide shares stories and local knowledge about winter life, Arctic nature and the environment around Kiruna.
There are opportunities to stop, take photographs and experience moments of complete stillness where the only sounds may be the snow beneath your feet and the surrounding forest.
🔥 Campfire, Hot Cocoa & Marshmallows
During the adventure, stop beside a wilderness campfire surrounded by snow and forest.
Warm up beside the flames with a cup of hot cocoa and roast marshmallows over the fire while enjoying the contrast between the cold Arctic air and the warmth of the campfire.
This is a relaxed part of the evening where there is time to talk with your guide, enjoy the surroundings and simply experience the atmosphere of an Arctic winter night.
✨ Stars & Northern Lights Opportunities
Away from much of Kiruna's artificial light, the surrounding wilderness offers excellent opportunities to experience the northern night sky.
On clear evenings, stars can fill the sky above the forest. When weather and aurora conditions are favorable, the Northern Lights may also appear during the adventure.
The Northern Lights are a natural phenomenon and can never be guaranteed. This experience is therefore not a Northern Lights chase — the snowshoe adventure, Arctic landscape and campfire are the experience, while an appearance of the aurora is an unforgettable bonus.
Who Is This Arctic Night Adventure For?
| Traveler Type | Good Fit? | Why |
|---|---|---|
| First-time snowshoers | Excellent | An introduction is provided and no previous snowshoeing experience is required |
| Couples | Excellent | Atmospheric Arctic scenery, firelight and peaceful surroundings |
| Families | Excellent | A memorable winter activity that combines adventure with a relaxed pace |
| Nature lovers | Excellent | Experience snow-covered forest and Arctic wilderness away from the town |
| Active travelers | Excellent | Combines outdoor activity with an authentic Arctic nature experience |
| Photographers | Good | Snow, forest, headlamps, firelight and the northern sky create unique photo opportunities |
| Aurora-focused travelers | Good | The Northern Lights may appear, but the experience does not chase the aurora |
🌲 A Small-Group Arctic Wilderness Experience
The experience is designed around a small group rather than large-scale sightseeing. This gives your guide time to adapt the pace, answer questions and allow the group to experience the surroundings without feeling rushed.
Instead of moving quickly between attractions, the evening combines snowshoeing, Arctic wilderness, darkness, firelight and time outdoors beneath the northern sky.
Whether the night brings a sky full of stars, falling snow or an unexpected display of Northern Lights, every evening in the Arctic creates its own atmosphere.
✨ Your Arctic Night Adventure Awaits
Step into the snow, switch on your headlamp and follow the trail into the Arctic night.
Join us for an evening of snowshoeing, wilderness, firelight, hot cocoa and memorable moments beneath the northern sky near Kiruna.