Help me plan a Northern Lights & dog sledding trip

[gorcorps]

I'm getting married! I mean, I guess it can all fall apart in the next 10 months or so, but until then I'm going to assume it's still on. Along with that, I want to plan a honeymoon/vacation that fits our style... and our style is NOT tropical or anywhere near a beach.

She's always wanted to dog sled, and I've always wanted to see the northern lights. Looking around it seems like there's some good options out there with cabin stays, snowmobiling, etc, but shopping for such trips online make me nervous. I was wondering if anybody had any experience with such things, possibly in Canada?

I've looked at trips in Alaska, and the downside there (from what I've been told) is that it's so miserable up there during the time the lights are most visible (Nov - March or so). So other than watching for the lights there's not much else to do as whole towns are often shut down, plus it's pricey. I looked up Iceland for similar things and it has potential, but also pricey. I think a similar trip to the great white north may be more doable, but I'd like to see if anybody has experience with such a thing to recommend a location.

Right now I'm looking at Whitehorse, but am open to any suggestions.

 

[lxskllr]

Dunno about dogsledding, but BurnitDown turned me on to this place, and I intend on spending jul here one year. Maybe you could reindeer sled. They're quieter than dogs anyway.

http://www.kakslauttanen.fi/en/accommodation/

 

[Exterous]

Can't help with Canada but am interested in the replies. But in regards to Iceland did you look at WOW or Iceland airlines? They often have pretty cheap flights to Iceland and you can even tie in a trip to Europe. It certainly varies by date but WOW has had $250 RT tickets from the east coast. We did an Iceland+Paris (and then threw some of our own cities in) trip on Iceland air for $650PP for the flights. I do know that the best times of the year to see the lights are when its cold, although a lot of other factors matter too

 

[JoeBleed]

Similar to something i'd like to do. i never finished the research but i was leaning towards going to Greenland or northern Canada. Both are going to be pricey. Not much help, but just wanted to throw out Greenland. I need to start looking into this again.

 

[Denly]

I looked at this last year but didn't get to go, for you American Canada might be a cheaper option because of the exchange rate.

http://auroravillage.com/tours-pricing/hotel-aurora-viewing-packages

this might also help

http://maps.canadiangeographic.ca/northern-lights-across-canada/

Iceland also a safe bet.

 

[cbrunny]

There are a bunch of places that do dog sledding around Algonquin Park in Ontario. It isn't quite north enough to see the northern lights reliably though, but you can still see them there.

Might need to go to Emonton or Winnipeg. Shit if you want the real deal go to Yellowknife or Iqaluit.

 

[gorcorps]

Can't help with Canada but am interested in the replies. But in regards to Iceland did you look at WOW or Iceland airlines? They often have pretty cheap flights to Iceland and you can even tie in a trip to Europe. It certainly varies by date but WOW has had $250 RT tickets from the east coast. We did an Iceland+Paris (and then threw some of our own cities in) trip on Iceland air for $650PP for the flights. I do know that the best times of the year to see the lights are when its cold, although a lot of other factors matter too

I haven't even begun to look at flights yet, just focused on different areas that have what I'm looking for right now. But I'll keep this in mind when we start looking at travel expenses.

 

[Uppsala9496]

Icehotel in Sweden. It's way up north.

 

[KMFJD]

It's really expensive to fly to the real northern places in Canada, and it's gonna be uncomfortably cold cause you need the snow for dog sledding. Best bet would be to fly to Edmonton, rent a vehicle and drive up to Dawson Creek then head over to Jasper National Park and you can go dog sledding along the way and it's far enough north for the lights, plus then you can drive the Icefields Parkway down to Banff which is one of the most amazing drives you'll ever take. Then fly back to the states from Calgary.

http://www.icefieldsparkway.ca/
http://www.dogsleddinginjasper.com/dog-sledding-jasper-national-park-jasper-alberta-canada
http://www.aurora-service.org/aurora-forecast/

 

[MrSquished]

Everyone that I know who has gone to Iceland has raved about it. It's definitely on my list.

Been to Alaska twice, also nice, but I bet with the funky foreign population of Iceland getting such rave reviews, it would be a little more exotic.

 

[Iron Woode]

for Northern Lights and Dog Sledding in Canada:

http://maps.canadiangeographic.ca/northern-lights-across-canada/

Denly beat me to it.

 

[Red Squirrel]

Seems Iceland always gets really good coverage of northern lights when I look at any maps. They can be seen even less north too, like I'm at latitude 48 and get them now and then, but it's really hit and miss. Got some decent ones late summer here:



Problem here is clouds though. Only really get them in summer here since winter is always cloudy.

Nunavut is quite up there so probably get half decent chance there too. Moose factory is not quite as far north and more accessible and would probably have some good views too. It really depends on the solar storm forecast and all that though, so it's really hit and miss. I'm not sure if they still have the Polar Bear Express train going these days but that might be something interesting to look at too for part of the trip there. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polar_Bear_Express.

 

[Rubycon]

Kemi, Finland should be on your list.

http://www.visitkemi.fi/en/packages

 

[KMFJD]

pretty sure Finland/Sweden and Greenland are no goes because of the price....Iceland is doable because of the cheap airfare but once there it's expensive as well, best bet is Alaska or Canada.

 

[magomago]

go iceland; flight prices are cheap, and weather be comparatively better because of the ocean currents or whatever they say/claim. I was going to go this year, and I looked at airbnb and car rental prices, and its honestly fine as long as you stay sensible.
Any activity/tour group/guide will be expensive, but i heard they are great. Honestly you'll pay the same through the nose prices if you book it in alaska, so its really a wash on cost. i'm sure they have dog sledding too in addition to many other offerings: ice caves, glacier hiking, bla bla bla.

I would go Nov - March, when the moon is waning...that will maximize the awesomeness of northern lights. Try to go more than 1 week, because its possible to get a shitty 6-7 days of overcast; if you go more than 10 days you maximize the probability that any overcast will pass away by the time you have a shot.

 

[magomago]

pretty sure Finland/Sweden and Greenland are no goes because of the price....Iceland is doable because of the cheap airfare but once there it's expensive as well, best bet is Alaska or Canada.

Nah dude, I see things like 350-400 dollar flights to norway all the time during the winter. In summer yes prices are insane, but winter Norway is atleast cheap. And if norway is cheap, Sweden and Finland can't be much more (and if they are, flight to norway and then puddle hop on a trashy euro carrier)

 

[sportage]

Aw, the northern lights....
Remembering my first time.
Some things in life everyone should experience, at least once.
It should be mandatory, and tax deductible.
The dog sledding? That depends.
Depends on the dog(s), weather, and thickness of the ice.

 

[KMFJD]

Nah dude, I see things like 350-400 dollar flights to norway all the time during the winter. In summer yes prices are insane, but winter Norway is atleast cheap. And if norway is cheap, Sweden and Finland can't be much more (and if they are, flight to norway and then puddle hop on a trashy euro carrier)

Even if you get a cheap flight like what you are quoting (and i believe you as i've seen very cheap flights to Norway), it's still gonna be hella expensive in Scandinavia over North America and OP was looking for cheap options, not ATOT Baller options...plus that's gonna be a lot of time spent in plane/terminals.

 

[Red Squirrel]

Aw, the northern lights....
Remembering my first time.
Some things in life everyone should experience, at least once.
It should be mandatory, and tax deductible.
The dog sledding? That depends.
Depends on the dog(s), weather, and thickness of the ice.

Yeah it's really surreal to see them when they happen. There's been some times where I'm just sitting at the camp fire in my parents' yard and we're just having a good time and then they start happening, always cool to be sitting out and watching them. Though if you can get out of the light pollution and find a nice spot it's even better. The one I posted was a night where I did that, just drove down the highway and found a spot to pull over and must have taken easily 200 pics that night.

 

[magomago]

Even if you get a cheap flight like what you are quoting (and i believe you as i've seen very cheap flights to Norway), it's still gonna be hella expensive in Scandinavia over North America and OP was looking for cheap options, not ATOT Baller options...plus that's gonna be a lot of time spent in plane/terminals.

I spent a couple days in norway in October, and it wasn't much more expensive (we are talking maybe 15% more expensive than Southern California...which might be why i thought prices were comparable). Even an AIRBNB in the heart of Oslo was 200 night for 4 beds. I can't imagine not finding simple 100-125/night airbnbs for a couple.

2 years back I was looking to do something similar in Alaska (northern lights + stuff) and it was also incredibly expensive. The cost of tour guides/groups were also astronomical because...you know...we are the first world too lol. Those tour groups are going to create the bulk of the cost.

He can try to do some things alone (probably northern lights should be fine alone), but some things would be flat out dangerous without a guide like ice caves, glacier hiking, etc. etc. The tour group makes it all the more merry.


Honestly - a winter trip to any northern country like that is a major fail on cost simply because activity costs are insane regardless of the time of year. Maybe summer would be okay because you can avoid the tour groups and do things on your own knowing its much safer to give it a shot on your own.

If cost is that much of a factor, he needs to go Thailand (half day ATV and half day white water for 25$, renting vespas for 3-5 dollars a day) or Colombia or Peru (5 day machu pichu backpacking with porters/donkeys for 280$) where the prices are ridiculous cheap regardless of what you do. Even a private guide for 2 full days in Angor Wat cost 200 bucks (we are talking like 16 hours a day with private minivan and even cycling).


edit:::
to emphasize how much of a difference the weather is during winter
Reykjavik - January: Avg Low/High 27/37 degF
Fairbanks - January: Avg Low/High -17/1 deg F
Anchorage - January: Avg Low/High 11/23 degF

http://www.holiday-weather.com/reykjavik/averages/january/
http://www.usclimatedata.com/climate/fairbanks/alaska/united-states/usak0083
http://www.usclimatedata.com/climate/anchorage/alaska/united-states/usak0012

 

[Anubis]

pretty sure Finland/Sweden and Greenland are no goes because of the price....Iceland is doable because of the cheap airfare but once there it's expensive as well, best bet is Alaska or Canada.

as someone who was in iceland like 3 months ago is not any more expensive vs the US, mostly cheaper

 

[KMFJD]

That's contradictory to everything I've ever read about traveling to those countries, however I've never been to these places so i guess I'll take both your words...tmil. Im still standing by my opinion that Canada would be way cheaper, especially with how low the cdn $ is and the fact it's closer.

 

[cbrunny]

That's contradictory to everything I've ever read about traveling to those countries, however I've never been to these places so i guess I'll take both your words...tmil. Im still standing by my opinion that Canada would be way cheaper, especially with how low the cdn $ is and the fact it's closer.

yeah a bonus 30 cents on the dollar doesn't hurt at all. I can't imagine anything would be cheaper than Canada right now.

 

[Exterous]

Everyone that I know who has gone to Iceland has raved about it. It's definitely on my list.

Been to Alaska twice, also nice, but I bet with the funky foreign population of Iceland getting such rave reviews, it would be a little more exotic.

Iceland is indeed amazing but its getting more and more popular. I'd recommend going sooner rather than later to beat the influx of tourists

as someone who was in iceland like 3 months ago is not any more expensive vs the US, mostly cheaper

I think thats going to vary by US location. Iceland certainly wasn't cheaper than the US for food and drink for us.

That's contradictory to everything I've ever read about traveling to those countries, however I've never been to these places so i guess I'll take both your words...tmil. Im still standing by my opinion that Canada would be way cheaper, especially with how low the cdn $ is and the fact it's closer.

Depends a bit on when you go. There seems to be more of a range between winter and peak summer time than a lot of places. Shoulder season was still quite affordable in terms of flight, hotel and car rental but summer gets expensive quick. Based on a quick search of some of the locations in this thread from where I am some of northern lights locations in Canada would actually be more expensive in terms of travel than going to iceland and the infrequent connection times make the travel time almost as long. That won't be the case for everyone and certainly depends on selected Canadian destination but if the OP is from Chicago eastward Iceland might not be a longer trip.

Food and booze were more expensive but we were able to find reasonably priced locations and kept our food expenditures in line with our normal trip expenses. It did require more attention and effort to do that than other places but its possible. I'm not disagreeing that Canadian food and drink would be cheaper just that Iceland isn't necessarily as expensive as people like to claim

 

[KMFJD]

Iceland is indeed amazing but its getting more and more popular. I'd recommend going sooner rather than later to beat the influx of tourists



I think thats going to vary by US location. Iceland certainly wasn't cheaper than the US for food and drink for us.



Depends a bit on when you go. There seems to be more of a range between winter and peak summer time than a lot of places. Shoulder season was still quite affordable in terms of flight, hotel and car rental but summer gets expensive quick. Based on a quick search of some of the locations in this thread from where I am some of northern lights locations in Canada would actually be more expensive in terms of travel than going to iceland and the infrequent connection times make the travel time almost as long. That won't be the case for everyone and certainly depends on selected Canadian destination but if the OP is from Chicago eastward Iceland might not be a longer trip.

Food and booze were more expensive but we were able to find reasonably priced locations and kept our food expenditures in line with our normal trip expenses. It did require more attention and effort to do that than other places but its possible. I'm not disagreeing that Canadian food and drink would be cheaper just that Iceland isn't necessarily as expensive as people like to claim

Good to know, ive seen flights from Toronto to Iceland for under 165-185 CDN with tax , only thing stopping me is my current severe dislike for cold climates. Northern Alberta should be far enough up north for the lights, saw tickets to Edmonton for about 360 usd from Chicago, most hotels are under a hundred $ , dog sledding was i think around 130 cdn for an hour, car rental isn't that bad and tbe scenery around Jasper and Banff is amazing, lotsa skying opertunities along the way as well.