How Santa's Route Is Planned

Planning Santa’s Christmas Eve route is one of the biggest puzzles at the North Pole.

The Navigation Team begins with a world map, but drawing a line from one place to another is only the beginning.

First, the team considers time zones. Christmas Eve doesn’t happen everywhere at once. While children in one part of the world are getting ready for bed, children somewhere else may already be waking up on Christmas morning.

Next comes distance. Route planners look for efficient ways to move Santa from region to region without unnecessary backtracking.

Then the Weather Team adds another layer. Wind, storms, clouds, snow and changing conditions can affect the route. Mission Control prepares alternatives in case Santa needs to change direction during the flight.

Geography matters too. Oceans, mountains, islands, cities and remote communities all appear on Mission Control’s maps.

And then there are the stops. Lots and lots and LOTS of stops.

Fortunately, Santa has centuries of Christmas Eve experience, an exceptional reindeer team and a Navigation Department that takes maps very seriously.

Before departure, the primary route is reviewed again. Backup routes are loaded into the sleigh’s navigation system, and Mission Control prepares to follow Santa’s progress.

But the route is never completely frozen.

If weather changes or Santa needs to make an adjustment, the Navigation Team can calculate a new path and send it directly to the sleigh.

That’s why the giant map inside Mission Control stays active all night.

Santa may be the one flying the sleigh, but an entire North Pole team is helping him find the way.