The Arctic Blue Shades of the Polar Nights

Contrary to what one might think, the Polar Night – the opposite of the Midnight Sun – is not completely dark. Even when the sun remains below the horizon, sunlight reaches the upper layers of the atmosphere, creating exquisite hues reminiscent of those seen at sunset. During the Polar Night season, the middle of the day is often filled with a magical blue glow, creating truly incredible and photogenic winter landscapes.

While the sun remains below the horizon, the Arctic Circle is wrapped in a delicate, hazy blue. For a few precious hours around midday, the landscape takes on a dreamlike quality, as the snow reflects the subtle colours of the Polar Night and the familiar winter scenery seems almost otherworldly.

In the north, this fleeting period of twilight is especially short in the heart of midwinter. The familiar photographic term “blue hour” hardly seems to capture how brief this moment can be – which is why locals often call it the blue moment. There is something wonderfully Finnish about having a special name for such a fleeting shade of winter blue. Perhaps it is no coincidence that one of Finland’s most beloved chocolates, Fazer Blue, comes wrapped in its unmistakable blue packaging. This Finnish classic even has its own song called Sininen hetki – “Blue Moment” – a fitting reminder of how deeply this colour and feeling are woven into Finnish life. Could the song have been inspired by those fleeting blue moments of the Finnish winter? We’ll leave that for you to decide.

For visitors, the blue moment is an invitation to pause and experience the Arctic winter at its most enchanting – when the day seems suspended between night and day, and the snow-covered landscape takes on an almost magical glow.

Then there is the snow. During the darkest months of the year, a thick white blanket covers the Arctic landscape, transforming familiar forests, fells and frozen waterways into something almost dreamlike. Under the faint colours of the Polar Night, the snow takes on subtle shades of blue, creating a landscape that feels quiet, soft and otherworldly.

Step outside during the blue moment and you may find yourself surrounded by a world of white and blue, where snow-covered trees stand against the twilight sky and every surface seems to hold a hint of colour. Perhaps it is fitting that these are also the colours of the Finnish flag. Blue and white have long been part of the Finnish landscape and identity – the blue reflecting the country’s lakes and skies, and the white representing its winter snow.

For many people in Lapland, this is the most beautiful time of the year. And standing in the middle of this quiet winter landscape, surrounded by the very colours of the Finnish flag, it is easy to understand why.

There is no better way to experience the Polar Night than to step outside and immerse yourself in the quiet beauty of the Arctic winter. Whether you prefer slow and peaceful adventures or something a little faster and more exhilarating, there are countless ways to explore the landscape beneath the blue winter sky.

Follow snowy trails on foot or on snowshoes, glide through the winter landscape on skis, or settle into a reindeer sleigh and let the quiet of the forest surround you. For those looking for more speed, a snowmobile safari offers a thrilling way to venture deeper into the Arctic wilderness. And if you want to experience the winter from a completely different perspective, why not try winter floating and drift peacefully beneath the colours of the Polar Night?

These fleeting shades of blue and pink are also a photographer’s dream. The changing colours, snow-covered landscapes and soft twilight create a magical backdrop for winter photography. Join a local photography guide and learn how to capture the Polar Night at its most beautiful – and take home memories that last long after the winter ends.