With much of Canada positioned directly under the auroral oval, there’s no better place on Earth to witness the northern lights. Aurora hot spots, Yukon Territory and the Northwest Territories, are easily accessible from Canada’s renowned ski destinations in British Columbia and Alberta, with short internal flights available from Vancouver and Calgary.
While Canada’s enchanting aurora borealis is visible throughout the country up to 300 nights per year, the northern regions provide a front-row seat, with peak viewing taking place from December to April.
Here are three ways to embark on an aurora adventure in Canada’s north:
Aurora hunting in the Northwest Territories
Stay in the capital city of Yellowknife in the Northwest Territories, a two-hour flight from Vancouver or Calgary, and view the aurora nightly from nearby viewing stations.
Alternatively, join renowned aurora hunter, Joe Bailey, for an Aurora Hunting Tour like no other. Led by Joe, you’ll search the outskirts of town for the best vantage points, listening to teachings and traditions along the way, handed down by Joe’s Dene ancestors.
For a full northern lights immersion, stay at eco-friendly Blachford Lake Lodge, accessible only by bush plane. One of the most sought-after aurora lodges in the world, this wilderness paradise serves up snowmobiling, snowshoeing, ice skating, ice fishing, and a hot tub with million-dollar views. Ready for bed? The beacon alert wake-up service means you don’t have to worry about missing the light show.
Blachford Lake Lodge is open during the two aurora seasons of summer/autumn and winter.
Aurora thrills in the Yukon
The clear, star-filled skies of the Yukon, in Canada’s north-west, provide the perfect backdrop for this enchanting natural phenomenon. Your first look at the mystical emerald and violet ribbons of dancing lights might occur during your flight into the capital city of Whitehorse or from the window of your hotel room. But there are many ways to weave aurora viewing into an exciting winter experience.
An adventure with Northern Tales will take you 30 minutes into the wilderness outside Whitehorse where the sky is darkest. Relax in a prospector-style wall tent once used by gold seekers and trappers and hear stories of northern life from local guides who make maple syrup taffy right in front of your eyes. Next, bundle up to head outside and marvel as the night sky billows with mysterious curtains of rainbow colours from green and yellow to pink and blue.
Stay in a glass-front chalet at the Northern Lights Resort & Spa, designed specifically for the best aurora views. With floor-to-ceiling windows, the stunning natural beauty flows seamlessly inside. Located just 20 minutes from Whitehorse, this peaceful retreat is far from city lights, nestled among scenic pine forests and snow-covered mountains. The cabins, crafted from Douglas fir, offer unobstructed views of the breathtaking northern lights as they soar across the sky.
During the day, learn how to drive your own team of sled dogs, snowmobiling, or snowshoe throughout this snow-drenched winter wonderland.
Dazzling displays in Churchill, Manitoba
The celestial aurora spectacle can be witnessed 300 days per year in Canada’s subarctic region of Churchill, Manitoba, with prime viewing taking place in February and March.
Embark on a Northern Lights and Winter Nights escapade with Frontiers North Adventures, where you’ll witness this enchanting phenomenon from the warmth of a Tundra Buggy, amid a wondrous snow-dome landscape. Stop in at Dan’s Diner, a pop-up dining hall hidden in the wilderness for a multi-course meal inspired by the land. Immerse yourself in Indigenous cultural presentations, then step outside to enjoy a nightcap at a glittering ice bar under the brilliant northern lights.
For an aurora escapade of a different kind, Nanuk Operations takes you deep into a boreal forest directly under the aurora oval with the Nights Under Lights tour. Snuggle up in a luxurious dome-ceiling yurt with a hot drink, and head outside, camera poised, when the breathtaking lightshow begins. Your Kiwi guide, Caleb, who arrived in Churchill 14 years ago and never left, will take you on an unforgettable nighttime snowshoeing trek through the trees by flashlight to view the aurora.
GETTING THERE
Air Canada offers daily direct flights to Vancouver from Sydney and Brisbane. Direct flights from Sydney to Vancouver are also available on Qantas. Internal flights from Vancouver are available to the Yukon, Northwest Territories and Manitoba.
