Things You Can Do While Waiting For The Aurora Borealis In Norway
It is important to know before you set out on your journey to see the aurora borealis
that this phenomenon does not appear as frequent as you see the stars in the evening skies and that there's no assurance you would see it on a specific time and date as its appearance is dependent on the storm activity on the surface of the sun. There are other conditions that need to be met namely: the sky should be clear enough with the least cloud formation and you should wait for winter to come to get the clearest view possible from six in the evening until midnight. It's quite ironic that most smokers between these hours in Tromso have higher chances to see the northern lights compared to non-smokers because of their need to go outside to light their cigarettes. They should thank the local government for implementing smoking ban in bars. It is highly-suggested that you sleep all day and gather your energy so that you can stay up all night to anticipate the northern lights. Tromso is in the auroral zone so you should be able to see the aurora borealis. Just be patient.
Most of the travelers who patiently waited for the northern lights to appear have had success in witnessing the magical spectacle. There are some activities that you can do to improve your chances of seeing the northern lights. Here are some of them:
Dog-sledding has been one of the major tourist attractions in Tromso and several others such as sleigh-riding, reindeer-sledding, snowshoeing, and cross-country skiing. You may choose from any of these options to get yourself busy while waiting for the aurora borealis.
You may also opt to enjoy the panoramic views of the mountains by renting a car and taking a short day trip to Lyngen and south-east of the Lyngen Alps to wrap your day up before evening comes. The climate in the south-east area of the Lyngen Alps is significantly dry in the evening and the weather is more favorable than on the coast. Car rental is much cheaper during winter so no need to worry.
You may also consider visiting the Tromso museum by bus and enjoy a relaxing walk together with your family or friends along the dark western side of Tromso Island. Two hours of strolling will eventually get you to Giverbukta bus terminal where regular departures to the city are available until 11:30 in the evening.