We went to Kiruna in northern Sweden in late January. Kiruna is an interesting little mining town and was under about 10 foot of snow which made for a wonderful wintry experience. Actually seeing the Northern Lights is somewhat of hit and miss process. Don't believe the places that 'guarantee' you will see them - as they are as dependent on the rest of the weather and there actually being sufficient solar activity that night to see the Lights. You have to get a little out of Kiruna (just get a taxi to the other side of the ski slope hill at night) to see the Lights, as Kiruna has a surprising amount of light pollution.

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Kiruna has many interesting types of accommodation available. As well as a good choice of comfortable hotels and guest houses, Kiruna also offers a choice of original and exclusive ideas such as the Ice Hotel, wilderness cabins, lodges, igloos and traditional wig wams.

The unique Ice Hotel gets rebuilt year after year from the ice of the local Torne river. With its ice sculptures and fine works of art, the Ice Hotel is truly an experience that should not be missed.

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Just an hour and a half's drive from Kiruna is the Abisko Mountain Station considered as the best place on earth to view the Northern Lights.

With its fresh clean air and its practically cloud-free skies the conditions for seeing the lights are optimal. Aurora occurs, more or less, every night but to detect it the skies have to be dark. The period from September to March is best time of year.

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Forget the one-day trip to Finnish Lapland, with the promise of a sight of Santa and his elves. Instead take the option of a short break adventure holiday to the winter wonderland of Lapland.

A 2 1/2 hour flight to Stockholm from London and then 1 1/2 hours internal flight to Kiruna. Where daylight is at a minimum and snow at a premium.

At Christmas this was a perfect way to dream the dream - white snow, huskies, reindeer, snow mobiling and the chance to stay in the Hotel at the Edge of the world - the world famous Ice Hotel.

From harnessing the huskys and travelling through beautiful countryside, to snow mobiling across a frozen lake there is so much more to do given the time - ice sculpting, fishing (drilling through the ice to find some tasty morsel), snow shoeing, cross country skiing, fine dining or literally just chilling out.

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A 5000m2 hotel made from a mixture of snow and ice - commonly known as SNICE. A word particular to the area. Simply one of the coolest places I know, literally.

www.icehotel.com
200 kilometres from the artic circle.
Flights into Kiruna - Husky sled transfer to the hotel if requested.

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At Riksgransen, in the northernmost part of Sweden, the season runs from February until Midsummer, when you get the chance to experience the midsummer sun and the lifts don't close until after midnight. In May they host the Nordic Championships in extreme skiing and snowboarding. The apres-ski is excellent.

Fly to Kiruna via Stockholm and transfer by bus for the 135km journey to the resort. Car hire or rail travel are also possible.
www.riksgransen.nu

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The world-famous Icehotel in Jukkasjärvi is just outside Kiruna, Sweden’s northernmost town, which itself is worth a visit. The world’s largest underground iron ore mine, a magnificent view of the mountains, plenty of fresh air – it’s nearly always windy – and a population who are completely obsessed with being outdoors. The further north you go, the more chance you have to see the midnight sun in summer and northern lights in winter.

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