Question 1

What type of lens do I need?

Accepted Answer

We recommend bringing a telephoto lens in the 300–600mm range. Our setup is designed to perfectly frame two hares fighting with a 400mm (without cutting an ear or a paw). For tighter portrait shots, 600–800mm works beautifully, while a 70–200mm lens can be useful for wider and environmental images.

Question 2

Where is the hide located?

Accepted Answer

The hide is located in Kiberg, a small town just a 15 min drive from Vardø (Varanger, Norway).
The exact meeting location is provided in your booking confirmation email. You will need your own transportation to the meeting point, as transport is not included

Question 3

What time is the meetup for the Mountain Hare Hide?

Accepted Answer

Meetup is at 20:00 (CET / local time). You will receive detailed instructions and a precise meeting point in your booking confirmation email. From there, you will be guided to the hide, a less than 1 minute walk (20 meters).

Question 4

Are there gimbal head mounts, or do I need to bring a tripod?

Accepted Answer

We don’t have gimbal head mounts at the hide, so we recommend bringing your own tripod. If you don’t have one, no worries—we offer sandbags that can securely support your camera during your session.

Question 5

When is the best time to visit the Mountain hare hide?

Accepted Answer

All three winter months—February, March, and April—offer great opportunities for photographing mountain hares.

That said, February often stands out as slightly better overall. This is because deeper winter conditions mean more snow cover, making it harder for the hares to find natural food. As a result, they’re generally more eager to visit the feeding area, which can increase the chances of close encounters and more frequent activity around the hide.

March and April are still excellent months, and the hares are active throughout the season.

Question 6

Do you offer guiding, tours, or workshops?

Accepted Answer

No, not yet — we currently focus exclusively on our Mountain Hare Hide.

Question 7

What should I bring?

Accepted Answer

The Arctic can be extremely cold, especially at night. We recommend:

Warm winter clothing
Gloves suitable for photography
Extra memory cards and batteries (cold drains batteries quickly)
Snacks or light food for the session
Tripod (recommended, as we do not provide gimbal heads)

We do offer coffee, tea and hot chocolate at the hide (for free).

Question 8

Are there toilets at the hide?

Accepted Answer

Yes, there is a toilet available at the hide.

Question 9

Are the animals active during the daylight?

Accepted Answer

No, the animals are not active during daylight. Once the sun rises, they return to the mountains and stay away for the rest of the day. Because the hide is located on the outskirts of the small town of Kiberg, normal daytime human activity in the area also keeps the animals from approaching during daylight hours.

Question 10

What is the price?

Accepted Answer

Price for the 2027 season is NOK 1.800,- per person per night.

No upfront payment or deposit is required.
All payments are made upon arrival at the hide.

We accept credit cards and cash payments on site. 
For Norwegian customers, payment via Vipps is also available.

For companies or tour operators, we can issue invoices upon request.

All prices include 12% VAT.

(1800 NOK is ≈ 160 EUR / 190 USD as of April 2026)

Question 11

Why does the season only last until the 10th of April?

Accepted Answer

Our season officially ends at the 10th of April. This is because daylight increases rapidly at this time of year. After this point, there are only about 2-3 hours of total darkness left each night as the midnight sun approaches, which significantly limits the conditions needed for nighttime photography. In addition, the likelihood of snow cover decreases as spring progresses, making it harder to guarantee the winter scenery and consistent activity that define the experience at the hide.

However, if winter conditions persist and snow cover remains good after the 10th of April, feel free to contact us by email (contact@arcticvaranger.com) and we may be able to extend the season on request. Our very final date will be the 20th of April (if conditions allow it).

Frequently asked questions (FAQ)