Updated May 2026

Tärnaby & Hemavan — Tour Base in Tärnaby, Sweden

Southern Swedish Lapland ski village pair — Kungsleden's southern trailhead, far fewer crowds.

★★★★★3.8· Editor's pick

Tour BaseBudgetDark sky 4/5

Tärnaby and Hemavan sit far enough south and west of the Kiruna-Abisko aurora cluster that most tourists skip them entirely, which is the appeal if crowds elsewhere in Swedish Lapland feel heavy. Tärnaby's ski heritage runs deep — the parish produced two of Sweden's most decorated Alpine skiers — and in summer the pair bookends the Kungsleden trail. In winter, mountain terrain and minimal settlement light make for an easy drive-out aurora view.

Aurora season

Sep → Mar

Peak months

Oct, Nov, Dec, Jan, Feb, Mar

Latitude

65.72° N (65-70)

Dark-sky rating

4 / 5

Glass roof

Aurora alarm

Not provided

What to expect

Hemavan Airport gives direct seasonal access; otherwise it's a long drive from Umeå or the Norwegian coast. Lodging is ski-resort style: hotels and self-catering cabins clustered around the lift bases.

Dark-sky notes

Bortle 3 in the villages, Bortle 1-2 on the surrounding fells once clear of the ski-lift lighting.

Amenities & features

ski resortairportkungsleden trailheadself catering cabins

Frequently asked questions

When is the best time to see the northern lights at Tärnaby & Hemavan?

Tärnaby & Hemavan has a viewing season of Sep → Mar, with peak months in Oct, Nov, Dec, Jan, Feb, Mar. Dark sky is reliable here, so any moonless clear night during these months is a viable viewing window.

Where is the best aurora viewpoint here?

Bortle 3 in the villages, Bortle 1-2 on the surrounding fells once clear of the ski-lift lighting.

How do I get to Tärnaby & Hemavan?

Tärnaby, Sweden. Tärnaby, Storuman kommun, Sweden. As a tour base, plan ahead — winter dates fill 6+ months in advance.