Blue hours

1. February - 28. February

Everyone has heard about the half-year-long polar nights and days. But have you ever wondered what happens when the night loses its power and the day takes its place? This magic moment is called the “blue hour”. It is a very, very short season when light returns into valleys and dyes the whole world blue. The blue hours are the most charming and precious days in Svalbard; most likely because it fades away in the blink of an eye.

The return of the light

In winter, Svalbard is dominated by the polar night, a phase in which the sun does not rise above the horizon for four months. This darkness is seen by the inhabitants as a challenge, but also as an integral part of their lives. In February, however, the transition to the lighter season begins and the first signs of sunlight appear on the horizon. This time is not only a physical, but also an emotional relief for the people of Svalbard.

The phenomenon of the Blue Hour

The Blue Hour describes the short window of time in which the sun is just below the horizon and bathes the world in a deep, almost mystical blue. On cloudless days in particular, the sky appears unnaturally blue and the mountains shimmer almost pink in the indirect light - a very special phenomenon for photographers. The interplay between the snow-covered landscape and the deep blue sky creates an atmosphere that is both calming and impressive.

Scientific explanation

The blue light during the blue hour is caused by the scattering of sunlight in the atmosphere. When the sun is just below the horizon, the light travels a longer distance through the earth's atmosphere. The short-wave blue light is scattered more strongly than the long-wave red light, causing the sky to appear a deep blue colour. This phenomenon is particularly evident on Svalbard, where the air is clear and pure.

The cold and its challenges

February on Svalbard is also known for its extreme temperatures. On average, the temperatures in this month are between -20°C and -30°C, but can also be as low as -10°C or even 0°C. The icy cold, combined with strong winds, poses a considerable challenge for residents and visitors. Nevertheless, the people here are used to the harsh conditions and know how to protect themselves accordingly. Thick layers of clothing, special winter equipment and the constant exchange of tips and tricks are part of everyday life when braving the cold. On all dog sledding and snowmobile tours, clothing is of course provided to brave the cold temperatures to enjoy the Arctic (full body snowmobile suit, warm thick shoes, mittens, balaclava etc.).

Photographic opportunities

The blue hour is a particularly sought-after time for photographers. The soft, even light and intense colours offer perfect conditions for breathtaking shots. The contrasts between the blue sky and the white snowy landscape, combined with the long shadows of the low sun, create spectacular images. Many photographers plan their trips to Svalbard at precisely this time to capture the unique light conditions. Don't forget to take your tripod with you!===Unlikelihood of animal sightings===

Animal sightings (with the exception of reindeer and foxes) are rather unlikely in February. The whales spend the winter in the south and do not return to Svalbard until June, the walruses are far north in the pack ice at this time, and most of the birds are still in the south or on their return flight north. The first birds - mostly fulmars - are usually sighted in mid-March. Polar bear sightings are very unlikely as the bears are mainly on the newly forming sea ice; and local laws prohibit us from searching for or tracking polar bears and, from 2025, it is forbidden to be closer than 500 metres (300 metres in summer) from polar bears. This means that animal sightings are concentrated on reindeer (also possible in Longyearbyen) and, with a good dose of luck, foxes and ptarmigans that spend the winter on Svalbard. This makes the Blue Hour experience a tranquil, almost untouched nature experience, where the silence and the barren beauty of the landscape take centre stage.

Cultural significance and fascination

The Blue Hour also has a cultural significance on Svalbard. After weeks of darkness, it symbolises the start of a new season and brings with it renewal. The inhabitants of Svalbard celebrate the return of the sun with the Sun Festival on 8th of March, when the sun reaches Longyearbyen for the first time. At this time, the blue hour has long since passed, but due to the mountains, the sun only makes it to the town then.

Activities and tours

At this time of year, several day tours are already possible from Longyearbyen: hiking, dog sledding and snowmobile tours. Ship tours are not yet possible, as the ships do not return to Svalbard until March or April. While hiking tours are possible all year round, we need enough snow for snowmobile and dog sled tours.

From January onwards, we are already travelling in the dark with snowmobiles or four-legged friends, but in February the light allows us to go on more tours, because with the light comes some brightness. At the beginning of February, Svalbard is still rather plunged into darkness, offering the opportunity to see the Northern Lights even during the day. Towards the middle of February there is an impressive mix of darkness, with a bit of luck northern lights, but also enough light to be able to view and photograph the impressive landscape around you around midday. Towards the end of February, there is already so much light that you can be out and about all day without a head torch and it doesn't get dark again until late afternoon.

The whole of February is therefore suitable for tours and activities, especially for photographers. Depending on your personal preferences, you should plan your trip to Svalbard at the beginning, middle or end of February, as the Arctic changes incredibly quickly during this short period.