Experience the Northern Lights

As the season for aurora watching begins, we pick some of the best options this winter to experience the Northern Lights.

1. At the Swedish Icehotel

Stay overnight at the Icehotel on the four-night Visit Abisko and Icehotel itinerary in the far north of Sweden, offered by Aurora Zone between mid-December and the end of March.

Three nights at the three-star Abisko Mountain Lodge provide a good chance of viewing the Lights, with experts on hand to answer questions. The fourth night is at the Icehotel in Jukkasjarvi, with a tour of the snow and ice architecture. Activities include a photographic workshop, ice-fishing, and a husky safari.

Log on to www.theaurorazone.com.

2. Snowmobiling in Canada

Join a snowmobile expedition into the frozen landscapes of the Northwest Territories on a four-night Aurora at Blachford Lake itinerary, offered by tailor-made specialist Discover the World between December and April.

A two-night stay in the region’s capital city, Yellowknife, includes the late-night snowmobile journey across the frozen Great Slave Lake for a chance to see the Lights from a remote cabin. Take a 30-minute transfer by seaplane to Blachford Lake Lodge, where activities include snowshoeing and ice-fishing.

Bookings: www.discover-the-world.co.uk

3. Astronomy voyage in Norway

Learn about the Northern Lights on a 12-day Astronomy Voyage offered by Scandinavian cruise specialist Hurtigruten, accompanied by expert lecturers Dr John Mason (a physicist) and Ian Ridpath (a writer and broadcaster).

The cruise leaves from Bergen with six departures over the winter months, and ports of call include Trondheim, the Lofoten Islands and Tromso for an excursion to the Northern Lights Planetarium. Hurtigruten promises passengers the chance to book a complimentary week-long Classic Voyage if the Northern Lights fail to appear during this cruise.

Bookings: www.hurtigruten.co.uk

4. On a photography course

Join Swedish nature photographer Fredrik Broman on a four-night Winter Photography Workshop departing in mid-January and mid-March 2017 (exact dates to be confirmed) through Artisan Travel.

The itinerary introduces participants to the skills of capturing the best images in unique light conditions, including the Northern Lights, with instruction on editing.

Bookings: www.artisantravel.co.uk

5. In a glass-roofed igloo

Sleep under the stars and, with luck, the Northern Lights during a three-night stay at Kakslauttanen in Finnish Lapland through specialist operator, ScanAdventures. In the far-flung Urho Kekkonen National Park above the Arctic Circle, guest can choose from a choice of igloos built with a clear, thermal glass-domed ceiling and a cosily insulated interior.

Combi-cabin igloos, sleeping up to six, come with open log fires and a private sauna. Departures run from early November to early April.

Bookings: www.scanadventures.co.uk

THE Daily TELEGRAPH