Quick answer: Kirovsk is a town at the foot of the Khibiny Mountains, about 205 km from Murmansk, known for the Bolshoy Vudyavr ski resort. The town has little light pollution of its own, and the surrounding mountains create naturally dark patches of sky. Check the current probability and Kp index in the panel below.
Kirovsk sits at the foot of the Khibiny Mountains and is best known for the Bolshoy Vudyavr ski resort, as well as apatite ore mining, which gave the town its name. It's also home to the world's northernmost polar-alpine botanical garden. The town lies noticeably south of Murmansk and Teriberka, but thanks to the mountainous terrain and low light pollution, the evening sky here stays dark enough for aurora watching.
Kirovsk is about 205 km from Murmansk — roughly a 3-hour drive. Trains run to neighboring Apatity (3.5–4.5 hours), and from there it's about a 20-minute taxi ride to Kirovsk. Buses also connect Murmansk with both towns.
Apatity also has its own airport, Khibiny, with flights from Moscow and Saint Petersburg — the fastest way to get here from other parts of the country. In summer, seasonal flights are sometimes added, for example to Sochi and Anapa. The schedule and list of destinations change from time to time, so check current flights and carriers with the airport or the airlines before you travel.
Light pollution in Kirovsk is generally low, so the aurora is often visible right in town. If the aurora is faint, though, it's better to head out of town to a spot with the clearest, most open view of the sky.
Check the probability and Kp index in the panel above: since Kirovsk is south of Murmansk, a brighter aurora here usually needs somewhat higher activity. With clear skies and an elevated Kp, your chances are good at any time after dark.
See the map with probability, Kp index and cloud cover →
About 205 km. The drive takes roughly 3 hours; by bus or train it's 3.5 to 4.5 hours. The train goes to neighboring Apatity, and from there it's about a 20-minute taxi ride to Kirovsk.
Yes — in the evening and at night, lighting on the slopes of Bolshoy Vudyavr and around the town is minimal compared to a large city, so the aurora is often visible there too. The further you get from the town's lights and the lifts, the clearer the view.
During periods of higher activity, the aurora is seen here just as often, and the Khibiny Mountains along with the low light pollution make for a very comfortable view. After all, it's still the same Arctic region.
The aurora season across the Murmansk region runs from late August to April, which is longer than the ski season. Many visitors combine skiing during the day with aurora watching in the evening, but you can also come in early autumn, before snow arrives on the slopes.
Updated: 04.10.2026
