Five Ways to See the Aurora Borealis in Canada
Here are five top destinations in Canada for an unforgettable northern lights experience, from an eco-lodge in Churchill, Manitoba, to glamping domes in Nunavik.
“If you are interested in seeing the northern lights, now is the time,” says Montreal-based space educator Trevor Kjorlien (aka Plateau Astro). “The sun goes through about an 11-year cycle, and we are reaching the peak.” The peak, or solar maximum, means more frequent and intense spectacles, which you can maximize your chance of seeing with these northern expeditions and tips.
Photo: Aurora Villa
Aurora Village
Yellowknife, NT
Cozy up and stargaze in your own heated teepee where the odds of seeing the aurora borealis rest at 98 percent (over a three-night stay in peak season). Aurora Village also offers dog sledding, snowshoeing and ice-fishing for a well-rounded Arctic adventure.
Lazy Bear Expeditions
Churchill, MB
This rustic but comfortable eco-lodge organizes thrilling polar bear safaris, beluga whale watching tours and northern lights viewing expeditions, all guided by knowledgeable local experts. Back at the lodge, curl up with a book by the stone fireplace and refuel on provisions like slow-roasted bison at the in-house restaurant.
Frontiers North Adventures
Churchill, MB
Trek through the boreal forest to a heated yurt, where an expert helps you capture the lights (and maybe wildlife) on camera. Next up: dogsledding with a Métis guide and an electric Tundra Buggy ride across the frozen Churchill River. At your final pitstop, Dan’s Diner, dinner is served under skylights for a last glimpse of green above.
Northern Tales
Whitehorse, YK
If you’re more of a lone wolf, Northern Tales lets you skip group tours and book a remote heated cabin (equipped with a wood stove and running water) on the shores of Little Atlin Lake. Warm up with a polar dip in a cedar or tin wood-fired hot tub. Just don’t forget to look up at the sky’s colourful spectacle.
Photo: Ungava Polar Eco–Tours
Ungava Polar Eco-Tours
Kuujjuaq, QC
Head north to Nunavik’s remote, uninhabited Gyrfalcon Islands in Ungava Bay on a new multi-day tour led by Inuit guides, James May and Jonathan Grenier. You’ll stay in one of five private pods and dine in a communal shelter where an on-hand chef preps meals with locally harvested and hunted caribou, Arctic char, mussels and berries.
Plateau Astro’s Tips for a Stellar Light Show
Kevin Kjorlien
Photo: Alex Tran
- Know when to go north: “June, July, and August are not good months to go because it doesn’t get very dark,” he says. Instead, aim for late September to April.
- Avoid the full moon: “The full moon is a competing bright light in the sky. If possible, plan around a new moon,” he says.
- Stay up to date: “Download free aurora forecasting apps like Aurora Alerts, Aurora Now, and Aurora Forecast and get familiar with what the graphs and colours mean.”
- Go with the flow: “The northern lights are not like the solar eclipse, which we can predict down to the second.” Staying flexible is part of the fun, he says.
- For smartphone photo ops: “Learn how to use night mode or download apps that can do long exposures,” he suggests. A mini tripod will keep you sharp and steady.
- Stuck in the city? “Get to the darkest park you can and look north.” If you have access to a car, check sites like lightpollutionmap.info to find darker places nearby.
- From an airplane: “Sit on the side of the airplane that faces north. If you’re flying west to east, for example, sit on the left side.”
