Month-by-month viewing quality
| Month | Viewing | Why |
|---|---|---|
| January | Peak | Long dark nights + peak activity |
| February | Peak | Long dark nights + peak activity |
| March | Peak | Long dark nights + peak activity |
| April | Marginal | Short nights at the season edge |
| May | No — midnight sun | Midnight sun — no real darkness |
| June | No — midnight sun | Midnight sun — no real darkness |
| July | No — midnight sun | Midnight sun — no real darkness |
| August | Marginal | Short nights at the season edge |
| September | Peak | Long dark nights + peak activity |
| October | Peak | Long dark nights + peak activity |
| November | Peak | Long dark nights + peak activity |
| December | Peak | Long dark nights + peak activity |
Why these months?
Two things decide your odds in Saariselkä: darkness and activity. You need real darkness — so the bright midnight-sun months are out no matter how strong the aurora is. On top of that, geomagnetic storms run statistically stronger around the spring and autumn equinoxes (the Russell–McPherron effect), which is why September and October and February and March tend to edge out the dead of winter. Saariselkä's season runs late august to early april.
Saariselkä is a fell resort village famous for its glass igloos and aurora cabins, surrounded by the wilderness of Urho Kekkonen National Park.
Where to stand in Saariselkä
The Kaunispää fell summit just north of the village is an easy elevated dark-sky viewpoint; the igloo resorts let you watch from a heated bed.
Tours & stays to book
Northern lights tours from Saariselkä
Viator · guided tours · from $89
Aurora chases & photo tours in Saariselkä
GetYourGuide · guided tours · from $89
Cabins, lodges & glass igloos near Saariselkä
Booking.com · lodging