#arctic-travel

#arctic-travel

Packing for a truly freezing destination takes more than tossing a few sweaters into your bag-something I quickly learned in the Arctic Circle during polar night, when "daytime" is pitch-black and the temperatures regularly plunge well below zero. Growing up in New York winters, spending the last few snow seasons in the Rockies, and now logging weeks above the Arctic Circle has taught me one key lesson: staying warm in subzero temps is all about smart layers -not necessarily bulky expedition gear.

The Northern Lights are having a moment. Across Lapland, Troms, Iceland and northern Canada, heightened solar activity is making aurora displays brighter, bolder and more frequent than they've been in years. It's good news for those planning an Arctic trip next year marks the peak in the Aurora Borealis' 11-year activity cycle, promising some of the most vibrant light shows in over a decade.