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Northern Lights

Ultimate Guide To Seeing The Aurora Borealis in Canada

Night Sky Theatre

The Yukon is one of the top places in the world to watch the Northern Lights.

You can stay in the capital city of Whitehorse and take nightly excursions to heated cabins and yurts for Aurora viewing or you can choose to visit one of the region’s many lodges where the Aurora Borealis can be seen just outside your door.

Beneath the Auroral Oval

Situated under the Aurora Oval, the Northwest Territories regularly has skies lit up by the Northern Lights.

Visits to the vast territory often begin in Yellowknife where Aurora hunting tours are available or choose to fly into a remote lodge to see the Northern Lights in a secluded location. 

On the Edge of Hudson Bay

Churchill is known around the world as one of the best places to see polar bears in their natural habitat but it is also a top spot in Canada for viewing the Northern Lights.

Located in Northern Manitoba along the shores of the Hudson Bay, Churchill sees about 300 nights of the Aurora Borealis annually.

Canada is a hotspot for watching
the Aurora Borealis

Find the answers to all your frequently asked questions here

While it is possible to see the Aurora Borealis from almost anywhere in Canada, they are particularly spectacular in the three northern territories as well as the more remote northern parts of BC, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Ontario, Quebec and Newfoundland & Labrador. 

Located under the Auroral Oval (a region within a radius of 2,500 km around the magnetic poles), Northern Canada is uniquely positioned to get the best view of the dancing Aurora. Learn more about how the upcoming Solar Maximum will affect Aurora Viewing in Canada in this post on the Landsby Journal. 

During strong solar activity, the Aurora can be seen in southern parts of the country as well. You can read more about stargazing and Aurora Borealis viewing in Ontario in this post on the Landsby Journal.

Where is the best place to see the Northern Lights in Canada?

This is a question we get asked very often and the answer isn’t simple. Because the Northern Lights are a natural phenomenon and cannot be predicted, the key to any successful Aurora viewing vacation (in our opinion) is to visit a place that has dynamic daytime activities as well as comfortable (warm) spaces from which to wait for the night sky show. 

In Churchill Manitoba, you can incorporate wildlife sightings, such as polar bears or belugas, with your tour. In the Northwest Territories, you can visit a spectacular wilderness lodge with snowshoeing and ice fishing or explore dynamic Yellowknife. In the Yukon, you can experience Klondike history or visit fascinating Whitehorse

The best place to see the Northern Lights in Canada depends on your other travel desires. Reach out to us and let us help you plan your dream Aurora vacation. 

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