Northern Lights Ylläs: Your 2026-2027 Viewing Guide

Here in Ylläs, we're spoiled. Cradled by the magnificent Pallas-Yllästunturi National Park, our home is one of the best places in Finland to witness the magic of the aurora borealis. The vast, dark wilderness is right on our doorstep, far from the light pollution of any major city. It means on a clear, active night, the sky can explode with colour right above your head.

But we have another trick up our sleeve, something that makes Ylläs truly special for aurora hunters. When the forecast looks promising, we turn the village streetlights off. It’s a community effort to give you the darkest skies and the most brilliant show possible. So, if you're dreaming of seeing the Northern Lights, let us show you how we do it here in Ylläs, from the best viewing spots around our two villages to the right gear to wear when the temperature plummets.

When is the Best Time to See the Northern Lights in Ylläs?

The Northern Lights are technically active year-round, but you need darkness to see them. Here, that gives us a long aurora season, stretching from the last weeks of August until early April. However, not all months are created equal. Your experience will change quite a bit depending on when you visit. For a broader overview of the best time to see the Northern Lights in Lapland, check out our dedicated guide.

• Autumn (September – November): This is a spectacular and underrated time. The nights are properly dark, but the landscape isn't yet locked in deep snow and ice. The biggest advantage? The lakes, like Lake Äkäslompolo and Lake Ylläsjärvi, are often still open water, meaning you can witness the holy grail of aurora photography: a perfect reflection of the dancing lights on the water's surface. It's also less crowded than the peak winter season.

• Mid-Winter (December – February): This is the postcard image of Lapland. The snow is at its deepest, the trees are heavy with it, and the polar night (Kaamos) brings a soft, blue twilight that lasts for just a few hours a day. The long, dark nights provide ample opportunity for aurora viewing. The trade-off is the cold; temperatures can easily drop below -25°C. This is also the busiest and most expensive time to visit, so book well in advance. Consider staying in one of the many comfortable hotels in Lapland during your trip.

• Spring (March – Early April): Many locals, myself included, consider March the single best month. The snow is still fantastic for skiing and other activities, the days are getting longer and sunnier, but the nights remain very dark. Statistically, the weeks around the spring equinox often see a high level of solar activity. The weather tends to be more stable than in mid-winter, meaning more clear skies!

Ylläs's Secret Weapon: The 'Aurora Lights Off' System

This is our proudest feature and a game-changer for seeing the Northern Lights. Ylläs is one of the few places in the world that does this. The system covers both villages, Äkäslompolo on the north side of the fell and Ylläsjärvi on the south.

Here’s how it works: When local aurora hunters and tour guides spot activity building up on their monitors, a message is sent out. Between 10:00 PM and 2:00 AM, the streetlights across the entire resort are switched off. This plunges the villages into natural darkness, dramatically reducing light pollution and making even faint auroras visible from just outside your cabin door. It means you don't always have to venture deep into the woods to see the show. Just step outside, look up, and be patient.

Top 5 Dark Sky Spots in Ylläs for Aurora Viewing

While the 'lights off' system is great, getting to a dedicated dark spot with an open view to the north is always your best bet. Here are a few of our favourites:

1. The Shore of Lake Äkäslompolo: Easily accessible from the village, the shores of this lake offer a wide-open view north across the water towards the fells. In autumn, the reflections are magical. In winter, you can walk out onto the frozen surface (stick to marked trails!) for an even more immersive 360-degree experience.

2. Ylläsjärvi Public Beach: On the other side of the fell, the public beach at Ylläsjärvi is an excellent spot. It's a large, open area facing north over the lake, with the silhouette of Yllästunturi fell to your left. There's usually a parking area nearby, making it very convenient.

3. The Top of Yllästunturi Fell: For the ultimate vantage point, nothing beats the summit. You are literally above everything, with an unobstructed view in every direction. The trade-off? It can be extremely windy and cold. The gondola usually stops running in the early evening (around 7 PM), so getting up here for a late-night show often requires a serious hike, snowshoe, or ski-touring effort. But if the aurora appears early, a ride up is unforgettable.

4. Varkaankuru Nature Trail: Located near the Kellokas Visitor Centre, this gorge is a beautiful, sheltered spot. While it doesn't offer a vast open sky, watching the aurora peek through the snow-laden pine and spruce trees is a different kind of magic. It’s a good option if it's windy, as the trees provide some protection.

5. Kesänkijärvi Parking Area: A short drive from Äkäslompolo, this spot is a local favourite. You’re away from the village core, and the parking area gives you a fantastic view over the Kesänki fell. It’s a classic photography location and a reliable place to wait in the warmth of your car.

Northern Lights Tours in Ylläs: Are They Worth It?

This is a question we get all the time. The honest answer: it depends on you.

You can absolutely see the aurora for free. If you have a rental car and a good forecast app, you can easily find your own dark spot. But for many, a tour is an excellent investment, and here's why:

• Expertise: Guides live and breathe the aurora. They know how to read complex weather charts and will take you to the best possible spot, even if it means driving 50km to outrun a patch of clouds.
• Gear & Comfort: Most tours provide thermal overalls and boots that are far warmer than standard winter clothing. They also often include hot drinks and snacks, which make a huge difference when you're standing in the cold for two hours.
• Transportation: If you're not comfortable driving on icy roads in the dark, a tour is the safest way to get out into the wilderness.

Types of Tours & 2026 Prices:

• Aurora Snowshoeing: A peaceful way to experience the forest at night. (~€90–€120 per person)
• Northern Lights by Snowmobile: A thrilling ride to a remote location. Great for covering distance to find clear skies. (~€150–€200 per person)
• Aurora Photography Workshop: Essential if you want to capture great photos. A guide will help with your camera settings. (~€150+ per person)
• Reindeer or Husky Safari: These are typically less focused on the aurora itself (the animals run on a schedule), but a sleigh ride under the Northern Lights is an experience you'll never forget. (~€140–€180 per person) You can find more details on various Lapland activities and tours to enhance your visit.

Chasing the Aurora on Your Own: A DIY Guide

Feeling adventurous? Hunting on your own is incredibly rewarding. Here's your checklist:

1. Check the Forecasts: Don't just look at the Kp-index. The most important factor is the cloud cover forecast. We use apps like 'My Aurora Forecast' and the Finnish Meteorological Institute's space weather site (auroras.fmi.fi). Look for a clear weather window between 9 PM and 2 AM. For reliable aurora and space weather forecasts, refer to the Finnish Meteorological Institute's dedicated page.

2. Dress in Layers: This is not optional. You will get cold standing still. We recommend three layers: a merino wool base layer to wick away sweat, a fleece mid-layer for insulation, and a windproof, insulated outer jacket and trousers. Add wool socks, insulated winter boots, a warm hat, a buff or scarf, and good mittens (warmer than gloves).

3. Use a Headlamp: But please, use one with a red light setting! Bright white light ruins your night vision and that of everyone around you. It takes about 20 minutes for your eyes to fully adjust to the dark, and one flash of white light resets the clock.

How to Photograph the Northern Lights

Capturing the aurora is easier than you think, but you need the right gear and settings. A smartphone can work, but a DSLR or mirrorless camera will give you much better results.

• The Tripod is Non-Negotiable: You'll be using long shutter speeds, so the camera must be perfectly still.
• Camera Settings: Use Manual (M) mode. Start with these and adjust:
  • Lens: As wide as possible (e.g., 14-24mm).
  • Aperture: As wide as your lens allows (e.g., f/1.8 to f/4.0).
  • Shutter Speed: 5 to 15 seconds. Faster for bright, fast-moving auroras; longer for faint, slow ones.
  • ISO: Start at 1600 and adjust up or down. Try not to go above 6400 to avoid too much noise.
  • Focus: Set your lens to manual focus and focus on a distant star or light. This is the trickiest part!
• Phone Settings: Use the dedicated 'Night Mode'. Put your phone on a small tripod and use the self-timer to avoid camera shake.
• Pro Tip: Batteries drain extremely fast in the cold. Keep your spares in a warm pocket close to your body.

Buddy's Take

There’s a reason so many of us have made our lives here in the shadow of Yllästunturi fell. It’s a place of quiet, immense beauty, and the Northern Lights are the crown jewel. What makes Ylläs special is that the entire community comes together to help you see them, switching off the lights so the sky can perform its natural theatre. Remember to be patient, dress warmly, and look up. The hunt itself—the quiet anticipation under a vast, starry sky—is part of the magic. And when those green ribbons finally begin to wave, it’s a moment that will stay with you forever. We hope to see you out there! To help plan your Lapland adventure and discover more things to do in Ylläs, check out Lapland Buddy for personalized AI travel guidance.

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