Norway
Aurora Lodge, Norway
Your front-row seat for the Northern Lights, this luxurious private lodge is in the heart of the Norwegian wilderness.
EXCLUSIVE TO BLACK TOMATO, we’ll take you where no-one else can.
Seemingly at the end of the earth, Aurora Lodge offers a luxurious window onto one of the world’s most spellbinding phenomena. The brainchild of award-winning Scandinavian architect, Snorre Stinessen, the lodge is a contemporary marvel in the heart of pristine wilderness. It is so remote and so private that it takes a helicopter to get here and is only ever bookable by a single group. Exclusive to Black Tomato clients, your stay here will be complemented by a programme of unique experiences which range from kayaking with orcas beneath the Northern Lights to a tantalising new take on off-piste skiing.
A quick note on price
Aurora Lodge is a fully-staffed, exclusive-use property sleeping up to 12 guests. Rates vary depending upon the size of your party and requirements, but typically start from $20-27,000 per night inclusive of all meals and activities.
The Stay
Clad in traditional patinated green copper, tradition falls away the moment you step inside Aurora Lodge. Beyond the threshold, you’ll discover six luxurious suites characterised by wraparound floor to (double-height) ceiling glass and bespoke furnishings that include Hästens beds and Antonio Lupi bathrooms. A fire permanently smoulders in the open plan living and dining room and offers the perfect spot for a quiet afternoon mastering the art of hygge. Alternatively, head outside where a traditional sauna awaits by the side of a small creek that runs through the property as well as a jacuzzi from which you can sometimes be lucky enough to catch the blaze of the Aurora. The lodge itself sits just 100 meters from the sea and whilst it may be too cold for a swim, the icy water creates an unbeatable stage for the Aurora to light up the landscapes.
You may be out in the wilderness here, but you won’t be left to fend for yourself with a knowledgeable host and private chef on hand throughout your stay. Every moment and meal is crafted to your preferences here, allowing you to set the pace and the tone of your trip.
The Experience
The unique location of Aurora Lodge in Norway’s Lyngen Alps, up north of the Arctic Circle, leaves it in one of the best locations for seeing the Northern Lights. Making the most of it, you will have your own Northern Lights specialist on hand to teach you everything worth knowing about with regards the Aurora Borealis, they’ll even perform wake-up calls should the lights appear after you’ve gone to bed, if you wish.
During the day, we’ll arrange a host of unique experiences. For nature-enthusiasts, we’ll arrange a private whale watching expedition unlike any you’ll have encountered before. Combining Aurora Lodge’s remote locale and naturalist expertise, you’ll be able to access a migrating orca pods’ favorite feeding grounds around Skjærvøy Island hours before anyone else. To elevate the experience, we’re also able to bring award-winning nature photographer and marine biologist Audun Rikardsen onboard to document the day and shed some light on marine conservation. Feeling inspired? Pending availability, we can even go one better and organize for you to join Audun on a field project and contribute to his research through satellite tagging programmes which will allow you to receive whale updates long after you’ve returned home.
If adrenaline-fuelled pursuits are more your thing, we have something unique to offer you there too. The Lyngen Alps are renowned for their off-piste skiing and with a ban on heli-skiing in the area, things are done a little differently here. Fixing heavy-duty skins to the underside of powder skis, you’ll be able to trek up any one of these mountains that takes your fancy without sinking into the deep virgin powder. Pick a line, then simply slip the skins off before skiing fresh powder right down to the sea’s edge. Nowhere else in the world are you able to ski, quite literally, from summit to sea.
For a little bit of both? There’s also the opportunity to kayak and swim alongside the orcas beneath the Northern Lights. Recognising the fragility of their environment and out of respect for these creatures, you’ll do so in the company of an expert naturalist who will guide you on how not to disturb the natural order. As the water is lit up by the dance of the Aurora, you’ll be able to float serenely in your kayak with the water broken only by the breaching of the whales.
Other experiences could include:
- Cross country skiing through the backcountry
- Snowshoeing through the forest
- Husky sledding into the wilderness
- Snowmobiling across arctic terrain
The Essentials
Aurora Lodge is available to be booked exclusively through Black Tomato. Due to the highly bespoke nature of this experience, prices are only available on request but will typically start from £75,000 for a five-night stay. Prices include accommodation for up to twelve people, private helicopter transfers from Tromso, all staffing and meals and a bespoke programme of guided experiences.
Aurora Lodge is open year-round and experiences will vary with the seasons. The best time to go to see the Northern Lights is November-April whilst the orcas can usually be found in the area between January-February. Of course, both are natural occurrences and so can never be guaranteed. We therefore recommend staying at least five-nights to maximize your chances.
Make this itinerary yours
Each and every Black Tomato trip is tailored exactly to who you are and what you want to do So tell us about yourself and we’ll create something that’s entirely you.
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