People Why Norwegians Don't Get Seasonal Depression Dark, cold winters don't seem to affect the moods of Norwegians much. As you can see from the table above the length of the Polar Night greatly depends on how far north you are. Little wonder, then, that the only permanently populated island in Svalbard – a far-flung archipelago that sits between Norway and the North Pole – should produce its own beer. Norway is... Norway’s fjords are picture perfect nuggets of nature at its unadulterated best. As you might understand, Northern Lights are the main theme of the Polar Night and these cruises are a unique way to chase them. While they do have the Polar Day, the sun just rises above the horizon during the darkest period of winter. Every summer, well over 200,000 visitors make the climb up the imposing ledge and marvel at the view over Lysefjord. Due to the temperate waters of the Gulf Stream, Norway has a much milder climate than other parts of the world at the same latitude, such as Alaska, Greenland, and Siberia.The coldest areas in the winter are often inland or far to the north. In the south, you can see a colorful sky while in the north the sky is in a deep blue. If you want to add even more to the experience of chasing the Northern Lights, book a reindeer sledding tour to make a proper Arctic experience. Steal their secrets for a happier winter. How long it lasts depends on how close to the North Pole you are. Winter. It can be very tempting to just stay inside and just hunker down and wait for it to pass, but I think it’s really important to get that fresh air and just move around a little. To Know The Dark by Wendell Berry. How dark it gets during this period will also depend on how close you are to the Poles. Your financial contribution will not constitute a donation, but it will enable our staff to continue to offer free articles, videos, and podcasts to all who need them. The Polar Night, opposite of the Polar Day, occurs when the sun doesn't rise above the horizon for more than 24 hours. That might be the hardest part. And that means the higher chance of spotting the Aurora. Is there anything clothing-wise that you would recommend to Americans who want to make their winter less miserable or cozier? Especially now during the winter months, we don’t really go that much outside anyways, so I think it’s easier for us to socially distance than other people. Some of us try — especially the younger generation. While you might not go for a swim, the deep blue sky creates a beautiful glow in the surrounding landscape. Especially socks and hats. We kind of just stay with the people we know and the people we love, and we don’t socialize that much with people we don’t know. Be a bit more aware of self-care. How the US’s Covid-19 death toll compares to that of other wealthy countries. I think that the most important thing you can do is keep your sleeping rhythm the same. I like the darkness and it doesn't bother me because I have grown up with it." Norway, the northernmost Scandinavian country, experiences an average of four hours of light per day during the winter. Areas in Norway located north of the Arctic Circle have extreme darkness in winter, which increases with latitude. How it got that way, I’m not sure, but it’s just become this thing that most of us do, just a way of surviving those long months. With deep night skies illuminated by the magical Northern Lights, Scandinavia is a magical place during the cooler months. In Norway, we are very much professionals when it comes to making things cozy. This is a phenomenon you find within the Polar Circle during the winter months. Just embrace what you’re going through, because it is hard when it’s so dark all the time, and maybe your sleeping rhythm is a bit off and your eating rhythm is a bit off. I don’t know how they do it, but they look flawless. The darkest time of year at the North Pole is the Winter Solstice, approximately December 21. The locals continue their days as normal and they still attend any activity they normally do throughout the rest of the year (well, except sunbathing that is!). We gathered some of Vox’s coziest minds to help you make it suck less. I think it’s cozier to get up in the morning when it’s dark outside. The online far right is angry, exultant, and ready for more. Seasonal depression affects around 10 million Americans, and winter may be even more difficult to manage for many as the pandemic continues on, and forces us to spend more time at home. To go in the dark with a light is to know the light. But I’m a full winter girl, so I kind of appreciate the dark. Winters in the north along the midland can be very dark and snowy. And a lot of us have grown up staying in family cabins — that’s a thing, where we would go to a cabin up in the mountains or by the sea or somewhere else. When it’s at its darkest, I think most people will struggle a little, maybe feel a little more tired. The leaves on the trees turn a beautiful golden colour, fall and disappear, … Just embrace the time that you’re in. I’m terrible at skincare in general, but moisturizing is number one. However, due to the mountains in the south, the sun isn't visible during a period but since it does rise above the horizon it doesn't technically qualify as a Polar Night. Using the amazing Norwegian public transportation system is another popular way to travel Norway in winter. Follow Alice as she takes you to explore Oslo, Alta and the Arctic Circle during the winter months. Moisturize. The impeachment process to prevent Trump from running in 2024, explained. What’s winter like in Norway? Especially if you work in an office and you don’t have the chance to step outside and get some sunlight on your face. Book your complete trip with the best companies only. Chad Wolf just resigned as acting homeland security secretary, About half of Republicans don’t think Joe Biden should be sworn in as president, Why corporate America’s ban on political donations isn’t all that it seems, It’s essential to understand why some health care workers are putting off vaccination, An expert on asylum seekers and refugees is joining Biden’s National Security Council, How the Capitol riot revived calls to reform Section 230. Hit... A profound Norwegian proverb says that “a hero is one who knows how to hang on one minute longer”… and it is with that heroic spirit that we bring your attention to this fascinating piece. Either it's during summer or during winter, there's always something that attracts large amounts of visitors. Remember, a Polar Night is only when the sun doesn't rise for more than 24 hours. You kind of don’t have a choice. L’Occitane has this really awesome face cream that I would recommend to anyone who has to live through the cold months because it really helps keep your face moisturized throughout the day. Layering and always wool. What about the way that Norwegian people prep for the cold in the way they get dressed? So it’s kind of like this culture of togetherness and warmth; it’s kind of like a purposeful escape from the dreariness of winter. When to expect sunrises, sunsets, northern lights and the midnight sun Norway is in the Central European Time Zone. https://norwaytravelguide.no/norwegian-nature/polar-nights-norway Whether you want to appreciate their remote tranquillity on a cruise or take in an alternative spectacle through a fjor... Norway doesn’t follow the expected European pattern when it comes to wildlife. It’s important for us to stay warm throughout the day, because if you get cold then you’ll be cold for the rest of the day and you’ll be miserable. Autumn. When it gets really cold like December and January, I always have a million layers on. If it’s only for like ten minutes, I think it can make a huge difference. Although winters in the south and along the coastal areas can be very mild and rainy. It can be pretty hard because it’s dark when you leave in the morning and then it’s dark when you get home. That’s a peak level of coziness when you get to the cabin and you light the candles and play games and eat a lot of food. In some ways, [I’ve experienced it.] So what can you do when the days are so short and there's no daylight for weeks? Lighting candles and being under a blanket on a couch and playing games, so that’s in our blood I think. The prospect of winter during a pandemic feels dark, and I guess the idea is: who knows better how to get through a dark winter than Scandinavians? Like most countries in Europe, Daylight Saving Time is observed in Norway. We also have really bad weather, especially in November and December. Of course, some people will travel south, especially the older generation who will leave for Spain or Italy for a month or two when it gets really cold and really dark. And it’s funny, because I’m not even sure people here think of the winter as a period to “get through.” There’s simply so much to look forward to in the winter. While the days are short in all of Norway during the winter months, the sun rises above the horizon (even if only for a few hours) so it doesn't qualify as a Polar Night. I think maybe it’s the way that we’ve kind of learned to survive through hard winters for a long time. Norway winter is a magical time, full of fun things to do, fairytale views and dancing Northern Lights. But for most of us, especially from 30 years and up, we only like being comfortable, and warm is more important than looking good. How Congress can permanently disqualify Trump from office after impeachment. From its picturesque southern fjords to the remote landscapes of the north, there is no s... Norway is home to nine of the 20 highest waterfalls in the world, as well as the ten highest in Europe. While it's true that this part of Norway experiences permanent twilight for part of the winter, this only lasts for a handful of weeks. Norway winter travel is an amazing experience. I’ve read that the Scandinavian culture of coziness is called hygge. The winter in Norway is usually very white for the most part of Norway and occurs during the months of December, January, and February. They’ve mastered and perfected the art of making winter less miserable. After a good night's sleep, you should hopefully be … We like to keep our distance from people. Is anything else, winter tip wise, that you want to add that our readers should know about how you get through the winter, whether it’s physically or emotionally, and how a Scandinavian view informs it? Norway's extraordinary combination of majestic scenery and challenging terrain makes it perfect for hiking. The GOP’s Electoral College advantage grew in 2020, even as Republicans lost the presidency. A Scandinavian local explains how to make it through winter In most locations north of Equator, the shortest day of the year is around this date. That means that you won't necessarily have 24 hours of pitch black (though most of the day might be) but there are several hours with blue hour which can result in a magnificent, arctic light. We use cookies and other tracking technologies to improve your browsing experience on our site, show personalized content and targeted ads, analyze site traffic, and understand where our audiences come from. People will react to dark and colder months in different ways, and I think just embracing whatever you’re feeling [is important.] The Polar Night is one of these phenomena that has fascinated tourists for a long time. Central European Time (CET) is 1 hour ahead of Greenwich Mean Time (GMT+1). The Norwegian winter is the time of the darkness. In Norway, that means that this phenomenon only occurs in the northern regions. The darkness lasts until the beginning of … The first layer is always wool. Locations, Tromso, Hammerfest, Vardo, Vadso, Nordkapp, Honningsvag, Kirkenes. During this period of time, the sun doesn't rise above the horizon, resulting in more than 24 hours of night. I think growing up here you get used to it. Get our newsletter in your inbox twice a week. December Solstice (Winter Solstice) is on Tuesday, December 21, 2021 at 4:59 pm in Oslo. Yes, that’s right: 2534 glaciers. If you're looking for something even more comfortable, how about going on a cruise from Tromsø? What did they do that we didn’t do?” And I think that often they miss the point of us being people that really, generally don’t like being around people that much. Winter will suck. newsletter, The enormous advantage that the Electoral College gives Republicans, in one chart. Every day at Vox, we aim to answer your most important questions and provide you, and our audience around the world, with information that empowers you through understanding. While it might sound slightly depressive at first, you'll soon see that there's so much to be done during this period of time. Norway winter travel made differently. You can choose between sitting inside with panorama windows or standing on the deck. Cold, darkness, and the unknown can be powerful symbols, but these winter poems celebrate the solstice as a time for contemplation and renewal. Many people assume that since Tromso is so high up north, it must be super cold in the winter. Winter nights are long in all of Norway, and from the middle of November until the end of January, the sun doesn’t rise at all in parts of Northern Norway. Oslo. Especially with feeling more tired than in the summer months. Denmark did not embrace Saint Lucia’s Day until 1944 when it was promoted as a way “to bring light in a time of darkness” during the German occupation. I’m sure you’ve heard about people going up north to Tromsø to chase the Northern Lights, go dog-sledding, and raving about all those awesome things to do in Norway in winter.Luckily, the south part of the country is equally beautiful, but much less visited in winter. The temperatures can range from -25°C (-13°F) up to 8°C (46°F) in winter. Either you choose to attend a tour and join a professional guide or try your luck alone, you have plenty of time to explore Northern Norway while searching for the magical Aurora Borealis. Please also read our Privacy Notice and Terms of Use, which became effective December 20, 2019. Just because the sun doesn't rise it doesn't mean that the world stops spinning. There's no lack of fascinating phenomena inside the Polar Circle. Hygge, a culture of coziness that has taken over the self-care space, is Scandinavia’s specialty. To learn more or opt-out, read our Cookie Policy. However, the northern lights might dance above your head. In fact, the length of the Polar Night period depends on where you are in Northern Norway. On the news now with Covid-19, they [say] “What did Norway do right? I think Norway may be most explicit about it. But most of us just deal with it. I actually wanted to ask you about that. Maybe it’s just a partner or maybe it’s a couple of friends or maybe it’s just a couple of family members that you’re really close with, and that’s your flock. So keep in touch with your friends, and if you have a partner, talk to your partner about how you’re doing. Skibenes spoke to Vox about how she survives winter, and her methods to combat feelings of isolation that come with the colder months of the year. Today, it's time to explore more of Oslo. Norwegian road trips are common year-round. We go all in. I struggle with how early it gets dark even in New York. Norway winter travel can be done via most of the same means as during the summer. Why conservatives’ favorite Twitter alternative has disappeared from the internet. If you’re warm on your feet and warm on your head, then you’re basically covered. We are used to having many months in a row where we don’t really see that much sun or daylight. Of course, right now it’s hard to not isolate. In Longyearbyen, however, there are a couple weeks around Christmas where there's nothing but darkness throughout the entire day. Try to, if you have the chance during your day, get out and get some sun. The magical light and skies have a special place in a locals heart. The opportunities are endless and there's still a lot to explore even though the sun stays beneath the horizon. Winter in Tromso is considered from December until late March. Do you like winter? Going on a relaxing walk along one of the beautiful beaches on the Lofoten Archipelago is also a popular attraction during the Polar Night. For those that want something a little less ordinary, it is also possible to enjoy a Norway winter cruise. The Ultimate Countdown of Norway's Fjords, Read this before you go hiking up Preikestolen. Immediately, as soon as we hit the end of September, start of October, that’s when we get our wool game on. Telling yourself that it’s okay if you’re more tired, it’s okay if you don’t want to go outside, and it’s okay if you feel less energized and don’t want to socialize much, or anything that you’re feeling. You should visit Norway in the winter & here is why! By choosing I Accept, you consent to our use of cookies and other tracking technologies. https://unofficialnetworks.com/2019/11/11/norwegian-secret-winters From top to bottom. A Scandinavian local explains how to make it through winter, This story is part of a group of stories called, Sign up for the Book Your Tour on Norway Travel Gu... Preikestolen is one of the most popular tourist attraction in Norway. From December to February, the temperatures are very low and there is … In fact, by the end of February, there were easily 8 hours of daylight or more to enjoy each day. Can you tell me more about that? Whilst a wander through the British Isles, Spain and France might see you confronted with a vicious badger or perhaps e... 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