How to Stay Cozy While Watching The Northern Lights This Winter

Haven’t we all been mesmerized by photos and videos of the northern lights dancing across a winter sky?  Viewing the northern lights in person is at the top of most avid travelers’ bucket lists and the coming winter of 2025-2026 promises some of the best viewing in decades!  With the growing popularity of northern lights tourism, new warm and cozy ways to watch the northern lights are now available.  From winter cruise ship itineraries to snug glass igloos and lodges, there has never been a better time to plan an adventure to witness the magic of a northern lights display. Whether you’re sipping champagne in a heated glass dome or embarking on a bespoke expedition, Northern Lights viewing has more options than ever before.

Why This Winter Will Be The Best Northern Light Viewing in Decades

We’re currently in Solar Cycle 25, which astronomers predict will reach its peak between late 2024 and mid-2026, leading to heightened solar activity that produces more frequent and vivid auroral displays. In fact, 2025 is expected to feature brighter colors, longer shows, and even visibility at lower latitudes than usual, thanks to the solar maximum—a period of intense sunspot activity that hasn’t been this strong in over 500 years. If you’ve been dreaming of aurora chasing, now is the moment to book, as activity is foretasted to wane after 2026.

How to Maximize Your Chance of Seeing the Northern Lights

To maximize your chances of seeing a dazzling northern lights display, head to locations within or near the auroral oval—the ring around the Arctic Circle where displays are most reliable from September to March, with peak viewing in December through February under clear, dark skies. Your viewing locations should be away from city lights and under a dark, cloudless sky.  Below, we highlight top spots in Europe, North America, and Canada, tailored for adventure seekers and luxury travelers who crave comfort alongside adventure.

Top Places to See the Northern Lights in Comfort and Luxury

Europe: Scandinavian Splendor and Icelandic Magic

Europe’s northern realms boast some of the world’s most accessible and luxurious aurora hotspots, with minimal light pollution and world-class amenities.

Norway – Tromsø and Lofoten Islands

Tromsø, the “Gateway to the Arctic,” offers urban convenience with frequent aurora sightings (up to 200 nights a year).
– Stay at the upscale Clarion Hotel The Edge for fjord views and aurora alerts.
– Venture to the remote Lofoten Islands for dramatic peaks and midnight sunsets in summer transitioning to winter lights.
– Luxury travelers love private fjord cruises from here, blending whale watching with aurora hunting.
– Explore More – Tromsø aurora tours

Sweden

– Abisko National Park, known for its “blue hole”—a microclimate of clear skies—Abisko provides near-guaranteed views. The STF Abisko Turiststation offers cozy, upscale lodges with saunas and guided snowshoe hikes, perfect for a relaxed yet immersive stay.

Pair it with a dogsled expedition for that extra touch of Nordic luxury. [Learn more about Abisko.

Finland

Lapland and Rovaniemi
Rovaniemi, Santa’s official hometown, combines festive charm with aurora magic during the 2025/2026 solar maximum—a once-in-a-decade event here.

Luxury experiences include reindeer safaris followed by fine dining at Arctic TreeHouse Hotel. – Turn to Visit Finland‘s aurora guide for more information.

Iceland

– Reykjavik serves as a base for super-jeep tours into the wilderness, where geothermal hot springs add a cozy soak under the lights.
– Stay at the ION Adventure Hotel for modernist luxury and aurora wake-up calls.
– Plan your Iceland trip with Iceland Air.

United State: Alaskan Frontiers

For American travelers, Alaska stands out as the premier U.S. destination, with its vast wilderness ensuring dark skies and reliable sightings.

Alaska (Fairbanks and Chena Hot Springs) Fairbanks lies directly under the auroral oval, boasting over 200 clear nights annually.

Alaska Aurora Winter Train is a terrific way to view the northern lights as you travel between Anchorage and Fairbanks.  The most popular journeys travel northbound on a 12-hour journey on Saturdays with the return trip on Sunday.

The luxury Pike’s Waterfront Lodge offers aurora viewing decks and spa treatments, while Chena Hot Springs Resort features natural hot pools for a steamy, cozy vantage point—world-renowned for its aurora experiences.

Iniakuk Lake Wilderness Lodge for an exclusive fly-in retreat inside Gates of the Arctic National Park. [Alaska Northern Lights info](https://www.alaska.org/things-to-do/northern-lights-viewing).

Other U.S. spots like Michigan’s Upper Peninsula and Washington’s Olympic National Park offer occasional displays, and may enjoy more displays this winter, but Alaska is unmatched for consistency.  Northern ski resorts are another great place to occasionally see the Aurora Borealis.  Take advantage of one or more of the terrific Aurora Apps for mobile phones that will alert you to northern lights display in your area in the coming days and weeks.  When percentages of high for northern light viewing, head north to the mountains and dark sky areas to see them!

Canada: Vast Wilderness Wonders

Canada’s northern territories provide epic, uncrowded views, with Yellowknife topping global lists for aurora reliability.

Northwest Territories (Yellowknife Aurora Tours):  Dubbed the world’s top aurora spot, Yellowknife sees lights up to 240 nights a year. Luxury options include the Aurora Village for heated cabins and guided chases, or the Blachford Lake Lodge for remote, all-inclusive fly-in stays with gourmet meals and wood-fired saunas. Explore the Ingraham Trail for scenic viewing spots.

Yukon (Whitehorse): This territory’s clear skies and hot springs make it ideal. Stay at the Aurora Glass Chalets for panoramic views from bed, or join luxury dogsled tours. Yukon Northern Lights

Other Canadian Gems: Churchill, Manitoba, combines aurora with polar bear viewing, while Jasper National Park offers Dark Sky Preserve status for stargazing luxury. Canada’s aurora guide

Unique Luxurious Experiences: Igloos, Glass Lodges, Expeditions, and Northern Cruises

For leisure travelers, the key to aurora viewing is comfort—think plush bedding, heated interiors, and seamless service. Here are tailored ways to indulge.

Luxury Igloo Lodging: Cozy Arctic Dens

Embrace the ice age in style with luxury igloos that blend tradition and opulence. In Finland’s Kakslauttanen Arctic Resort, glass-walled igloos let you watch the lights from your private sauna-equipped suite, complete with fine linens and aurora alarms. Norway’s Lyngen North Arctic Glass Igloo Hotel offers fjord-side igloos with hot tubs, while Levin Iglut in Lapland features jacuzzi terraces and illuminated ceilings mimicking the aurora. In Canada, Yukon’s Aurora Glass Chalets provide east-facing panoramic windows for uninterrupted shows. These stays often include all-inclusive meals and transfers, ensuring a hassle-free, magical night.

Glass Lodges: Panoramic Sky Views

Similar to igloos but with a modern twist, glass lodges offer 360-degree vistas. Finland leads with spots like the Aurora Queen Resort, where luxury glass igloos come with private terraces and champagne toasts under the lights. Sweden’s Skog Luxury Aurora Igloos include Nordic spas for post-viewing relaxation. Finland glass igloos

Expedition Tours: Bespoke Adventures

For guided luxury, opt for private expeditions. Scott Dunn’s tailor-made tours in Norway or Iceland include superjeep chases and Michelin-starred dinners.

Jacada Travel offers bespoke Northern Lights trips with helicopter transfers and expert aurora forecasters. Or elevate with TCS World Travel’s private jet expedition across Scandinavia, hitting Iceland, Norway, and Finland in ultimate style.

Cruise Ships and Riverboat Itineraries: Scenic Voyages

Sail into the aurora with luxury cruises, enjoy a champagne toast under the stars, and share the joy of seeing the aurora borealis with your fellow shipmates.

Hurtigruten’s Norwegian Coastal Voyage follows the fjords to Tromsø, with observation decks and Northern Lights guarantees on select 2025 sailings—save up to 30% now.  Hurtingruten was the first cruise line to offer Northern Lights cruises so they’ve perfected their ability to provide a comfortable and interesting northern light experience.

Scenic Eclipse offers ultra-luxury Arctic expeditions with helicopters for remote viewing.

Viking’s “In Search of the Northern Lights” from London to Bergen includes snow-covered fjords and onboard experts.

For northern lights riverboat cruises, Ponant’s itineraries through Scandinavia blend luxury with aurora pursuits.
Cunard’s 12-night Norway and Northern Lights voyage departs September 2025.

Whether you’re bundling up in a glass igloo or toasting under the stars on a cruise deck, these comfy, cozy options ensure the Northern Lights become an unforgettable highlight of your winter adventure. Book early—solar maximum demand is high!