In March when I stepped out of the plane and onto the snowy tarmac of Kiruna airport, I felt a rush of excitement and anticipation for the adventure that awaited me. My sister Helena, her two kids Layla and Karim, and I had decided to travel to Kiruna in November 2022 to experience the Nordic life and witness the Northern Lights in all their glory.

 

 

Kiruna is a small city located 145 km beyond the Arctic Circle and is known for being one of the coldest cities in Sweden, and indeed in all of Europe. But that didn't deter us from embarking on this thrilling journey.

 

Next, we rented a car and drove to Abisko, which is known for having one of the best sky view points for observing the Northern Lights. We rode a lift to the top of a mountain and were greeted with stunning panoramic views of the snow-covered landscape below. We also took a day trip to Norway, which was just a short drive away.

One of the highlights of our trip was spending a day at the famous Icehotel. We even had fun sliding down an ice slide there! We didn’t stay over night but maybe next time… :)

 

 

Another unforgettable experience was our 20 km long dogsled trip, where we were pulled through the snow-covered wilderness by a team of 12 friendly and energetic dogs. We also spent some time at a traditional Swedish sauna, where we warmed up after a long day in the cold and even took a dip in an ice-cold lake!

 

Throughout our trip, the cold temperatures were a challenge, but we made sure to bundle up in warm clothing and take breaks when needed. And even with temperatures dropping to as low as minus 25 in the morning and minus 15 during the day, we didn't let the cold dampen our spirits or stop us from enjoying every moment of our Lapland adventure.

I highly recommend anyone who has the opportunity to visit Kiruna and the surrounding areas to take the leap and experience this winter wonderland come to life!