For a long time, auroras were only known from the far north. Images from Iceland, Norway and Finland shaped our perception of this special natural phenomenon. But something has changed in recent years: Auroras have also been observed in the Alps – and occasionally even in Tyrol. Around Söll and the Wilder Kaiser, more and more people are reporting unusual glimmers of light in the night sky.

These phenomena are no coincidence, but are directly related to the current increase in solar activity. The sun is in a particularly active phase of its cycle. As a result, more charged particles are ejected into space, which collide with the Earth’s magnetic field. If this activity is strong enough, the so-called auroral zone extends further south – to regions where this phenomenon would hardly have been thought possible in the past.

Tyrol offers good conditions for this. Away from large cities, light pollution is comparatively low, especially in the evening and at night. On clear winter nights, when the air is cold and dry, the sky is particularly rich in contrast. If you stay a little outside the town center or take a quiet evening walk, you have a much better chance of seeing subtle movements of light.

In this country, auroras do not usually appear as spectacular, glaring bands of light, but are rather subdued. They often appear as a soft greenish or reddish glow that slowly changes and appears to move across the sky. The human eye sometimes only perceives these lights faintly, while cameras – even smartphone cameras – capture the colors more clearly. It is therefore worth pausing for a moment in unusual lighting conditions and taking a closer look.

Especially in the late evening hours and around midnight, the chances increase if the sky is cloudless. Nevertheless, observing auroras is always a lucky moment. They cannot be planned or forced. It is precisely this uncertainty that makes them so appealing and fits in wonderfully with the tranquil winter landscape around Söll.

A moment like this – perhaps after an active day in the mountains or during a peaceful walk through the snowy surroundings – will stay with you for a long time.

If you raise your eyes, have patience and enjoy the tranquillity of the night, with a little luck you can experience a natural spectacle that was once only possible far to the north.