Why 2026 is the year to see the northern lights — and where to stay in style
, The Times
In the astronomical calendar 2026 is a big year because of the strange phenomenon known as the solar maximum. This peak in the sun’s 11-year solar cycle is a period characterised by an increase in sunspots, intense solar flares and coronal mass ejections caused by the sun’s magnetic field becoming more active.
While solar storms have the power to totally knock out power grids, satellites and GPS systems, this increase in our star’s activity does have one perk: spectacular auroras. This winter should be a perfect time to see them, according to Nasa and the European Space Agency — although, as with wildlife, viewing them is all about timing, location and luck. Now until the end of March is an ideal time to head for the ice (ideally not during a full moon) in latitudes from 65 to 72 degrees north, and in rural areas far from light pollution. Within northern spots of Iceland, Finland, Sweden, Norway, Canada, Greenland and Alaska, chances of spotting auroras are highest along the ring known as the Aurora Oval.
Miss this season and you will have to wait until 2037 for the sun’s activity to start peaking again. Here we suggest where to see them in style.
Deplar Farm, Iceland
Deplar Farm has an outdoor swimming pool, giving uninterrupted views of the aurora borealis
ELEVEN EXPERIENCE
Isolated and hidden amid the towering ice valleys of the Troll peninsula in northern Iceland, remote Deplar Farm has uninterrupted views of the elusive aurora borealis. The 13-room lodge, created by Chad Pike, the founder of Eleven Experience, works best as a buyout for friends and families who have a soft spot for the wilderness. It also offers adrenaline sports such as winter heli-skiing, sea kayaking, mountain biking and horse riding in the snow. Thickly textured Nordic-style suites look out over a lake and mountain from which to hike and view the green skies — although there are equally good views from the outdoor swimming pool, and a steam room and sauna in which to warm up afterwards. Deplar’s experience managers keep tabs on when might be the best time to see the northern lights, and if necessary will wake up guests so they don’t miss a thing.
Doubles from £2,960, elevenexperience.com
Sheldon Chalet, Alaska, USA
Sheldon Chalet is 6,000ft above the Alaska Range
The only things around this Alaskan hideaway in the icy wastelands of Denali National Park are razor-sharp mountainous peaks, hanging glaciers and ice falls. Because it’s 6,000ft above the Alaska Range, with no roads, there is no easy way to get there other than by private helicopter — they fly across the scenic Cook Inlet and Susitna Valley from Talkeetna or Anchorage. The journey is worth it. With only five Nordic-style rooms the retreat is cosy and intimate, with an open-plan living area and observation deck from which to see the aurora with experts. During the day there’s 3,000ft of ancient ice under your feet for glacier skiing and snow-trekking expeditions.
All-inclusive for ten from £24,200 a night, sheldonchalet.com
Blachford Lake Lodge, Canada
The rooms at Blachford Lake Lodge are rustic with expansive windows for aurora-viewing
Blachford Lake Lodge can be reached only by its own float plane, which leaves Yellowknife, the capital of the Northwest Territories of Canada, three times a week. The former trapping cabin’s remoteness is what draws most visitors — as well as its lack of light pollution, meaning the most vivid aurora displays can be seen. Researchers, world leaders and members of the Royal Family — most recently the Prince and Princess of Wales — have come to explore Blachford Lake’s vast boreal landscape, and disconnect and unwind. The interiors are rustic and wooden, with expansive windows for prime aurora viewing. During the day guests can head out on cross-country hikes, go snowshoeing and ice fishing or settle down around a bonfire.
Doubles from £1,056, full-board with some activities, based on a minimum three-night stay, arctickingdom.com
Manshausen, Norway
The minimalist sea cabins have beds with views of the bay at Manshausen
On a private island in the Arctic Circle near the Lofotens, Manshausen encourages guests to disconnect in the wilderness. The lodge’s remoteness allows for some adventures, from ice diving and sea eagle-spotting to challenging hikes along the craggy Nordskot traverse. In between time spent exploring, guests are encouraged to be creative in spaces designed for hunkering down. Offering no wi-fi connection was a decision of the hotel’s Norwegian polar-explorer owner so guests could concentrate on the landscape. All the minimalist and compact sea cabins and two-storey tower cabins have beds with views of the bay — as does the hot tub.
Doubles from £400, minimum two night-stay on weekends, manshausen.no
Aurora Safari Camp, Sweden
One of the tepee cabins in the Aurora Safari Camp, a prime site for viewing
This is unusual — an African-style tented camp experience in Swedish Lapland. Immersion in the wild was the intention of the camp’s Swedish owner, the photographer Fredrik Broman. The journey there is equally unique: guests arrive at the camp on a reindeer-hide clad sleigh bench towed behind a snowmobile across a frozen lake. Far from light pollution, the camp’s north-facing tepee cabins are prime, warm sites for views during the frigid winter months, when temperatures can drop to minus 30C. The astrological phenomenon can also be witnessed from glass pods, two with beds from which to see the glow of the northern lights without leaving the duvet. Guests can go on a three-hour aurora snow show walk or jump on a snowmobile or sleigh to see the lights dancing over the night sky.
Doubles from £1,440 full-board, aurorasafaris.com
62 Nord Union Oye, Norway
62 Nord Union Oye is in a secluded location in Sunnmore
2023 MAR¯Y & KLOUDA
The Relais & Chateaux property, in a secluded location in Sunnmore, is a popular choice for aurora-lit evening escapades on the fjords. Peak viewing takes place from September to April between the hours of 10pm and 2am, when the night sky is at its darkest. If guests are lucky the universe will put on a display of shooting stars and the Milky Way will make an appearance alongside the northern lights — all of which can be seen from the bedroom windows. The lodge’s 38 rooms and communal spaces are like museums, with elaborate decorative wallpapers, heavy brocades and damasks, and antiques. Cruises on the fjords, picnics, drives in the estate Morgan, hikes and helicopter safaris are on offer during the day.
Doubles from £402, unionoye.no