Sweden
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.
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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