Narvik Snowshoeing: Arctic Lights Adventure Review

So, you’re thinking of trying out snowshoeing in Narvik as a way to spot those cool Arctic Lights, too it’s almost like a dreamy winter plan, that many people consider. Finding yourself gliding over untouched snow while hopefully the Northern Lights dance above you isn’t just a cool activity, it’s very like something you’d remember forever. I spent some time digging around into what you should consider before going. Hopefully I’ll cover some key things to know so you get the very best from this magical trip.

Why Narvik for Snowshoeing & Northern Lights?

Alright, you might be wondering, out of everywhere that does snowshoeing, is that Narvik is the best spot? Narvik, settled in northern Norway, has an amazing combo going for it when it comes to outdoorsy things to do. Firstly, the area around there is made up of some pretty breathtaking landscapes with some seriously stunning mountains and fjords, for instance, which equals a bunch of amazing spots for taking a hike, and secondly, because Narvik is very far north, it has long stretches of almost total darkness over the winter months which tends to be spot on for witnessing the aurora borealis do its thing.

Narvik has some slightly unique things to offer. The local landscapes that wrap around the town tend to give this dramatic sort of feel, so if you take to the trails with snowshoes, it’s a very unforgettable thing to do. Plus, the lack of light pollution means your chances are higher that you’ll catch the Northern Lights putting on a bit of a show for you. Put it all together, and it easily makes Narvik an attractive choice, and even a destination spot, if you want snowshoeing trips and a chance to see one of the most unreal spectacles out there.

What to Expect on a Narvik Snowshoeing Tour

Typically, on these tours, so your average tour kicks off in the late afternoon, that the aim being for you to be already hiking once the night really starts to drop, is that right? A lot of tours give you a lift to locations that are just outside the town itself. This almost always puts you right into nature, as such, and somewhere away from the lights of civilization. When you’re getting prepped, so remember you’re going to have warm boots and snowshoes all set up ready for use. Next, you’ll probably get given some helpful hints from the guide regarding how to get moving on the snowshoes – but also stuff like safety too. Usually a bit of instruction before is really useful for newbies!

When it comes to doing the snowshoeing, too it’s a slow and steady plod. The point here is very much about enjoying all that winter beauty, with an idea towards hoping that you might spot those lovely lights, instead of completing an endurance activity. A lot of tours will put in some stop breaks. Often with snacks and hot drinks available to keep people going and warm, too. Very often the guides know a bit about the Northern Lights, just a little, or the night sky in total, in some respects, which might well add an extra layer of wonder, too, for that matter. I’m hearing that several tours also cover some background on local Sami culture and history for those who want it.

Choosing the Right Snowshoeing Tour in Narvik

Selecting the ‘right’ trip has so much to do with just working out exactly what makes a great trip in your own head. If you like to know all sorts of things about everything, arguably then you would need a guide who loves talking a lot and that has detailed info about everything from space science to Sami tradition. Otherwise, arguably there are people who would instead like just some tranquil walking in peaceful settings. Trip levels tend to vary – a lot offer easy or slightly tricky grades which tend to be for folk with various levels of abilities.

It’s important, too it’s almost that you think about exactly how long you would prefer being outside in pretty chill conditions. Trips usually last three to four hours, tends to be. Also what it includes is fairly vital. Would that include things to eat, and warm garments perhaps, if the weather gets somewhat trying? Checking some traveler feedback will often shine an almost clear light as to the type and standard levels being offered by differing tour companies. Remember so that the point is that you end up doing the trip that best enhances your individual experiences. I hear booking way ahead is advisable as winter becomes very hectic and lots fill up pretty quickly.

What to Wear and Pack for Your Snowshoe Adventure

Alright, when you’re in really cold locations such as Narvik, arguably staying cozy isn’t a fashion parade issue, that makes sense, in some respects? You might have to cover these points off, if only as a starting point: having several layers is key because it then locks more warmth in. Begin with those lovely thermal underwear as the starting blocks then think about things such as wool sweaters/ fleeces that you can layer up or remove easily.

Always remember that protecting extremities could save some issues; make certain you choose proper gloves – mittens tend to be warmer than others – with that said; plus that warm beanie could become one of your vital items, in that case! Hiking boots are what most folk go for but snow boots arguably add still greater insulation/ waterproofing. Lastly – don’t disregard those essential extras – like perhaps lip balm with a good SPF rating given those really dazzling sun reflections created off the snowy tops, a head torch also might prove necessary after dusk too.

Photographing the Northern Lights While Snowshoeing

Ok, so grabbing images during your trips often takes some preparation, a bit, mainly because we are dealing with those hard winter conditions plus we need those best camera tweaks to pull them off. Arguably an amazing tripod is the primary kit item because Northern lights ask that camera settings are set using longer openings. Cold temperatures also make batteries go flat much quicker. It would probably be really worthwhile forking out a small amount to get some spares along. This will tend to really pay you dividends!

As to getting correct settings, it is very easy once cracked, actually. Widen lens aperture to its lowest amount (perhaps f/2.8 maybe). Your ISO should maybe be between 800 and 3200 perhaps: this really just is dependent on lights’ power during your shots – try using several test exposures to help with this; alter upwards until photos come out with that optimal exposure level (not excessively shaded, just bright enough). Altering shutter openings (anything among say four seconds to approximately 15) helps provide the option for allowing light to drip over any detector throughout lengthy coverage sessions – even so be wary of raising this by greater levels unless tripod is truly really stable and that any weather does prove calm-ish!

Other Winter Activities in Narvik

It turns out that Narvik is more than just snowshoeing underneath lights that dance up above, apparently! For the people who are keen to throw themselves downwards through some powdered stuff, so Narvikfjellet is close and offers a ski area featuring routes with breathtaking vista points. Also there is the Ofoten Museum should anyone love taking in everything about this town’s part to play through wartime occasions as that actually focuses much with relation to key events involving the battles which unfolded throughout 1940 close around there during WW2 – giving very emotive understandings for anybody who cares about history at some point!

I also noticed dogsled trips could represent another unreal mode by experiencing nature while these groups sprint within frosty, white surroundings alongside dedicated sledding animals, instead. Fishing options exist right across parts too providing very tranquil excursions when catching some Arctic species given appropriate clothing for being safe while going outdoor sessions near those waterways. These adventures ensure folk may make very diverse winter celebrations whenever here and that’s good news indeed, is that right?