[VIDEO] The Mysteries Land Where the Sun Never Rises!

According to SAEDNEWS, In Svalbard, the dark season spans from late October to mid-February. However, the period from November 14th to January 29th marks the deepest and coziest point known as the Polar Night. As autumn gives way to winter, the days grow shorter and colder, but the return of sunlight brings a renewed brilliance to our archipelago.

While winter doesn't arrive all at once, many changes occur throughout the Polar Night. It’s important to note that the dark season and the Polar Night are not the same! The distinction lies in how far the sun dips below the horizon, affecting the level of darkness. The initial and final phases of the dark season in Svalbard are similar to those in mainland Norway. This phenomenon is experienced at latitudes just north of the Arctic Circle during winter, when the sun completely descends below the horizon. Despite this, visitors can still enjoy twilight moments, stunning blue landscapes, and pastel skies when the sun is at its highest point in its orbit—making this time of year particularly popular with photographers.

The dark season is shortest near the polar circle and lengthens progressively as one approaches the North Pole. Nestled between mainland Norway and the North Pole, Svalbard boasts Norway's longest dark season. In Tromsø, the dark season lasts 49 days, while in Longyearbyen, it stretches for a full 113 days!

Due to its extreme northern latitude, Svalbard experiences the Polar Night, which occurs north of approximately 72°34’. During this period, the sun remains over 6 degrees below the horizon. For Svalbard, the Polar Night lasts from November 14th to January 29th, classified as a “Civil Polar Night.” Despite the long hours of darkness, brief glimpses of twilight can still be seen on the horizon during mid-days. Nevertheless, the towering mountains obscure the horizon, creating an overall impression of continuous darkness. So, what activities keep people engaged during the Polar Night in Svalbard?

The darkness of the Polar Night doesn’t halt activities in Longyearbyen! While it’s a cozy time for socializing indoors, you’ll often spot headlamps illuminating the mountains and natural surroundings. This season invites exploration into nature, embracing the darkness itself.

Although the snowfall can vary year to year, winter's chill typically settles in during the Polar Night, followed soon after by snow. In the early part of the season, from mid-November to late December, snowfall may be sparse despite chilly temperatures. This can still offer great opportunities for hiking, ATV safaris, or even dog sledding using wagons on trails when there isn’t enough snow for traditional sleds.

As December progresses toward the end of January, the chances of significant snowfall increase, signaling the start of guided trips for dog sledding, snowmobile excursions, and snowcat adventures. Ski touring also gains momentum during this time, illuminated by powerful headlamps that light the way through the dark descents.

When significant snow accumulates on the glaciers near Longyearbyen, visitors can experience an even deeper darkness than that of the Polar Night. Guided tours into the ice caves reveal a stunningly surreal world with incredible ice formations, where the moonlight and stars fade as you descend. Upon returning to the surface, the contrast reveals just how much light the starry sky and moon lend to the surrounding darkness.

Regardless of when you visit Svalbard during the Polar Night, there’s a unique experience that sets it apart from the mainland. With uniform darkness all day long, lucky visitors may even witness the northern lights during daylight hours! Although the daytime northern lights can be a bit fainter than their nighttime counterparts, they are still a breathtaking sight. As such, you have the remarkable opportunity to join guided Northern Lights hunts throughout the day!