Kiruna: Snowshoe Trek with Aurora Hunt and Warm Beverage

The best part of this Kiruna evening is the simple combination of snowshoes, dark forest, and open sky. You walk through the snow at an easy pace, stop in likely viewing areas, and let the stars and Northern Lights provide the show. If the aurora appears, you are already out in a quiet setting rather than standing beside a hotel.

I like the supplied cold-weather gear, which makes a real difference in Kiruna’s winter air, and I like the mid-walk break with a hot drink and sandwich. Guides including Jonna, Ronja, Kevin, and Carsten have also brought in useful details about animal tracks, nature, local culture, and wilderness survival. The main catch is that three hours includes transfers, and the route can include a steep climb. You may spend less time actually walking than expected, or finish later than planned.

Key points

• Aurora hunting on snowshoes: Move through the forest instead of waiting beside a road or hotel.
• Warm clothing supplied: Overalls and boots are provided, along with snowshoes and poles.
• A real forest pause: Some outings include a fire, hot drinks, and cheese sandwiches in the middle of the walk.
• Guide-led local detail: Guides may point out animal tracks and discuss nature, culture, and wilderness survival.
• Flexible walking pace: The pace is set for the group, making the route suitable for many fitness levels.
• A possible uphill section: One route climbs a hill, so this is not always a flat, gentle stroll.

Starting near Kiruna’s new city centre

You meet Kiruna Guidetur at its office in the new city centre, close to Scandic Hotel. Meeting times are 20 to 30 minutes before the stated start, so allow time to find the office, check in, and get fitted out.

This central meeting point is useful if you are staying nearby. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included, so you need to make your own way to the office. That is a small but important detail when you are planning an evening around dinner, a train, or another Northern Lights outing.

The preparation is part of the experience. You receive warm overalls, insulated boots, snowshoes, and poles. You should still arrive in warm clothing and comfortable shoes, since the supplied kit works over what you wear rather than replacing every layer.

Getting used to snowshoes in the dark

Snowshoes are not hard to use, but they do change your stride. You lift your feet a little more than usual and keep your steps steady. The poles help with balance, especially on uneven snow or a slope.

The guide sets the pace, which is good news if your group has mixed fitness levels. The walk is described as suitable for all levels of fitness, but that does not mean it is effortless. One route included a climb up a hill, with the group walking as far upward as people wished before returning.

I would treat this as a light outdoor hike, not a flat stroll around town. If you are comfortable walking in winter clothing and snow for a few hours, you should be fine. If you have mobility limits, this activity is not suitable, and children under 10 cannot join.

The first part of the outing lets you settle into the equipment and the quiet. Kiruna’s winter days are short, yet the snow reflects light from the stars and aurora, so the forest is not completely black. That pale, snowy setting gives the walk a special Arctic feel even before any lights appear.

Following forest routes and looking for animal tracks

The guide takes you to several areas where the Northern Lights may be visible. The route can include forest paths, open viewpoints, and some off-trail walking if the group wants it. One guide added explanations about animal tracks and the surrounding nature, which gives you something to watch for when the sky is quiet.

That is a useful feature of this outing. An aurora hunt can otherwise become a long wait for weather and solar activity to cooperate. Here, you are moving through the woods, learning about the setting, and getting exercise while you search.

The exact route is not fixed in the information provided, and that is probably practical. Guides need to respond to snow conditions, visibility, and where the sky looks most promising. Still, you should ask at the start if there will be an uphill section. The climb surprised some people, particularly those expecting a very easy walk.

If you want the option of a more active route, tell the guide. One outing included a little off-piste walking for those who wanted it. If you prefer to conserve energy for aurora watching, the pace and route can be discussed with the guide.

A fire, hot drink, and cheese sandwich

At some point in the walk, you stop for a warm drink and a sandwich. The food is simple, but it is exactly the sort of simple food that works outdoors. A cheese sandwich and a hot drink can feel like a proper meal after walking in snow.

Some guides have also lit a fire during the break. Sitting near a fire in the forest while looking up at the sky gives the pause more character than a quick stop beside a vehicle. Carsten, for example, helped with the warmest footwear, prepared hot drinks and cheese sandwiches, and used the fire as a place to warm up and watch the sky.

The supplied information does not promise a fire every time, so you should regard it as a possible part of the experience rather than a guaranteed feature. The warm beverage and sandwich are included.

Bring water and snacks anyway. The provided food is a light refreshment, not a large dinner, and an evening in winter air can make you hungry. You also need to bring warm clothing, even though overalls and boots are supplied.

Searching for the Northern Lights

The aurora is the reason most people book this tour, but it is the one part no guide can control. Clear skies and strong solar activity are needed, and the lights may not appear during your outing. One walk had no Northern Lights despite a beautiful forest route and good views along the way.

That possibility should shape your expectations. You are paying for a guided snowshoe outing with an aurora search, not a guaranteed display. I would book this if you want the walk itself to have value. If the lights appear, the evening can become extraordinary. If they do not, you still have the forest, stars, snowshoeing, guide stories, hot drink, and sandwich.

Several outings did catch the aurora, including one where the lights appeared soon after snowshoeing began. Another group watched a moving aurora for much of the evening. These accounts also show why patience helps. The best moment may come early, during the walk, or after you have stopped beside the fire.

You may find that the guide moves the group between several viewing areas rather than waiting in one place. That gives you a better chance to find a clearer patch of sky, though it also means more walking and more time getting used to your gear.

Guides who add more than route-finding

The guide makes a large difference here because the activity is small in scale and depends on the mood of the evening. Jonna has been described as friendly and attentive, with a strong focus on making sure the group was comfortable. Ronja brought in information about local culture, wilderness survival, and nature.

Kevin added nature explanations and animal-track spotting, while Carsten helped people choose warm boots and made the fire stop feel like a shared camp moment. These details matter because the Northern Lights may not show up on schedule. A guide who can talk about the forest and help with equipment keeps the night worthwhile.

The official tour language is English. You should expect a live guide rather than an audio guide or self-guided route. Ask for help with the snowshoes and boots at the start. The fitting process is not just a formality, since cold feet or loose equipment can spoil an otherwise good night.

How the three-hour timing really works

The advertised duration is three hours, but that total includes transfers to and from the starting point of the trek. Meeting earlier also adds time to your evening. You should not assume that all three hours will be spent walking through the forest.

One outing did not take its first snowshoe step until about 8:15 p.m. It also returned later than expected, although extra time was added at the end of the activity. The upfront organization was not perfect on that occasion, so keep your evening flexible.

This matters if you have booked a restaurant, train, or second aurora excursion. I would avoid scheduling anything immediately after the tour. Northern Lights outings are weather-dependent, and getting dressed, moving the group, stopping for food, and waiting for the sky can all affect the end time.

The early meeting time is useful, though. It gives you room to get dressed and handle the equipment before heading out. Arriving 20 to 30 minutes ahead is not wasted time in Kiruna, where winter gear is part of the logistics.

What $143 buys you

At $143 per person, this is not the cheapest way to spend an evening in Kiruna. The price makes more sense if you need warm overalls and boots, want an English-speaking guide, and like the idea of combining snowshoeing with an aurora search.

You are also getting snowshoes, poles, a warm drink, and a sandwich. The gear can be valuable for visitors who have not packed serious Arctic clothing or do not want to rent equipment separately. The guide adds route planning and local context, which is useful when the forest is dark and the snow is deep.

The value is weaker if you already own winter gear, only want to photograph the Northern Lights, or prefer to stay in one place. A dedicated aurora viewing trip may suit you better in that case, though this activity gives you more to do when the sky stays quiet.

There is also a 300 SEK per person holiday addition for tours between December 24 and January 6. Check the total price for those dates before booking. The activity allows free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure, and you can reserve now and pay later, which gives you some flexibility while arranging a Kiruna stay.

Who should book this snowshoe outing?

I would choose this for an active first evening in Kiruna, especially if you want an introduction to snowshoeing and the Arctic setting in one outing. It suits couples, friends, and families with children aged 10 and up who are comfortable walking outdoors in winter.

It is also a good choice if you want a guide to handle the practical details. You do not need to plan a route, find a viewing point, or work out which boots and poles to use. The pace is set by the group, and help is available with the equipment.

I would be more cautious if you have limited mobility, dislike uphill walking, or have a tight evening schedule. The route can involve a climb, and the real start of the walk may come later than expected. Bring snacks, water, and enough clothing to stay comfortable between stops.

Should you book the Kiruna snowshoe aurora hunt?

Book it if you want the activity to remain worthwhile without an aurora. The walk, forest, stars, guide stories, fire possibility, hot drink, and sandwich give the evening a solid base, while the Northern Lights are an exciting bonus.

Skip it if you want guaranteed aurora viewing, a completely flat route, or a tightly timed three-hour program. At $143, the best value comes from using the equipment and enjoying the full outdoor experience, not from treating this as a simple transport ride to a viewing spot.

FAQ

Where does the Kiruna snowshoe tour meet?

You meet at the Kiruna Guidetur office in the new city centre, very close to Scandic Hotel.

How long does the activity last?

The stated duration is three hours. This total includes transfers to and from the starting point of the snowshoe trek.

What time should I arrive?

Meeting times are 20 to 30 minutes before the scheduled starting time.

Is the tour offered in English?

Yes. The tour includes a live English-speaking guide.

What equipment is included?

Warm overalls, boots, snowshoes, and poles are included.

Are food and drinks included?

Yes. A warm beverage and a sandwich are included.

Do I need to bring anything?

Bring comfortable shoes, warm clothing, snacks, and water. Warm overalls and boots are provided, but you should still dress for winter conditions.

Are children allowed to join?

Children under 10 years old are not allowed to take part.

Is the activity suitable for people with mobility impairments?

No. The activity is not suitable for people with mobility impairments.

Can I cancel the booking?

Yes. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. You can also reserve now and pay later.

Is there an extra charge during the Christmas and New Year period?

Yes. Tours between December 24 and January 6 have a 300 SEK per person holiday addition.