For travellers looking to pair Canada’s world-renowned ski destinations with the awe-inspiring northern lights, there’s no better opportunity than a winter journey through Canada’s north.
Positioned directly beneath the auroral oval, Canada offers some of the planet’s best aurora views, with sightings possible up to 300 nights per year. For those visiting British Columbia or Alberta, a quick internal flight from Vancouver or Calgary can whisk adventurers to the aurora hotspots of the Yukon, Northwest Territories, and Manitoba. Here’s how to make the most of an unforgettable northern lights experience in these regions.
Aurora Adventures in the Northwest Territories
Just a two-hour flight from Vancouver or Calgary, Yellowknife in the Northwest Territories is known as one of the best places on Earth to witness the aurora borealis. From here, travellers can explore multiple ways to take in this natural wonder.
In Yellowknife, Joe Bailey, a renowned aurora hunter, offers tours where guests venture to secluded locations for optimal aurora viewing. Bailey, whose Dene heritage deeply informs his tours, shares ancestral stories and insights, enriching the experience with local Indigenous traditions.
For an immersive experience, Blachford Lake Lodge is a must. This eco-friendly retreat, accessible only by bush plane, offers visitors a unique combination of luxury and wilderness. Guests can snowmobile, snowshoe, and even soak in a hot tub under the open sky. And with a special beacon alert wake-up service, no one misses the light show during their stay.
Yukon’s Spectacular Skies
The Yukon Territory, located in Canada’s northwest, is home to the iconic city of Whitehorse, where clear skies provide the perfect backdrop for witnessing the aurora. Arrivals into Whitehorse might even catch glimpses of the lights from the plane or hotel windows.
For a more immersive experience, Northern Tales hosts evening adventures just outside Whitehorse. Here, aurora chasers can relax in a heated prospector-style wall tent while guides share stories and prepare maple syrup taffy, a traditional northern treat. As the lights intensify, guests step outside to watch the sky erupt in vibrant greens, yellows, pinks, and blues.
For those who want to settle in for a longer stay, Northern Lights Resort & Spa offers glass-front chalets designed for unobstructed aurora viewing. Nestled in pine forests and surrounded by snow-dusted mountains, this peaceful retreat allows guests to enjoy the aurora from the warmth of their chalet while also offering activities like dog sledding and snowmobiling during the day.
Enchanting Nights in Churchill, Manitoba
In the subarctic reaches of Churchill, Manitoba, northern lights seekers are rewarded with peak viewing in February and March. Here, Frontiers North Adventures takes travellers into the winter wilderness aboard a Tundra Buggy, an all-terrain vehicle perfect for viewing the aurora against the snow-blanketed landscape. An indulgent pop-up dining experience at Dan’s Diner, surrounded by vast wilderness, combines fine dining with northern lights views.
For a more secluded option, Nanuk Operations’ Nights Under Lights tour offers accommodations in cozy yurt-style lodges with dome ceilings. Kiwi guide Caleb, a local expert, leads guests on night-time snowshoeing treks beneath the aurora, creating memories of the Canadian wilderness set aglow by the northern lights.
By combining skiing with the unforgettable sight of the aurora borealis, travellers can make their next Canadian adventure a truly magical experience.
Getting There
Air Canada and Qantas both offer direct flights to Vancouver from Sydney and Brisbane, with easy connections from Vancouver to the Yukon, Northwest Territories, and Manitoba.
