Banff : Seek The Aurora

Banff

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Banff, a breathtaking gem nestled in the heart of the Canadian Rockies. If you’re dreaming of witnessing the enchanting Northern Lights, you’re in for a treat. Banff National Park offers a stunning backdrop of majestic mountains, pristine lakes, and starry skies, making it one of the best places in the world to experience the Aurora Borealis.

The park’s dramatic landscapes, including towering peaks and glacial lakes, provide a breathtaking setting for viewing the Northern Lights. It is designated as a Dark Sky Preserve, minimizing light pollution and enhancing your chances of seeing the auroras.

Popular spots for aurora watching include Lake Minnewanka, Tunnel Mountain, and Bow Valley, where you can set up for a night of stargazing and aurora chasing. Keep an eye out for local wildlife, such as elk and deer, which can often be spotted in the park.

The best time to visit is during the winter months from October to May when the combination of clear, dark skies and minimal light pollution ideal viewing conditions to witness the aurora.

Visiting Banff to see the Northern Lights is a magical experience that combines the beauty of nature with outdoor adventure. Are you ready to embark on this incredible journey to the Rockies?

Credit: John Lee
Credit: Ali Kazal
Credit: Ampersand Studios
Credit: Corey Tran
Credit: Olga MikKo
Credit: Colleen Theresa

Book an amazing adventure in Banff

Likely to sell out

Banff Gondola Ride Admission

4.6 (1950)

2 hours From £32.25

Enjoy stunning panoramas of six different mountain ranges on the state-of-the-art Banff Gondola. Soar to the top of Sulphur Mountain for a bird's-eye view of town and vistas of Canada's first national park. Walk along the ridge line at your leisure during your allotted time at the top, take plenty of photos, or visit a national historic site while appreciating the alpine scenery all around.
Free cancellation Likely to sell out

Lake Louise, Moraine, Emerald Lake, Yoho, Marble Canyon &Banff

4.8 (124)

8 - 11 hours From £55.93

Experience a full-day small group (max. 24 pax) journey with us to the Canadian Rockies. Discover the iconic beauty of Lake Louise, Moraine Lake, and Emerald Lake, each offering breathtaking scenery. Marvel at the Natural Bridge, a stunning geological wonder. This tour provides pick up point at Calgary/Canmore/Banff, and the tour time is around 8 hours, you will complete the tour and choose drop off point at Banff/Canmore/Calgary
Free cancellation Private tour

Private Banff Day Tour Lake Louise, Moraine, Peyto & More Sights!

5.0 (54)

10 - 12 hours From £545.03

****Fully Customizable **** This exclusive experience combines iconic sights with the flexibility to create an itinerary that suits adventurers of all ages.Uncover the breathtaking beauty of the Canadian Rockies with our Private Banff, Lake Louise & Icefields Tour, tailored to your group’s unique preferences. Highlights of this private tour include: • Lake Louise: Marvel at its turquoise waters framed by majestic glaciers. • Moraine Lake (optional, seasonal): Discover the vibrant blue jewel of the Valley of the Ten Peaks. • Icefields Parkway: Journey along one of the world’s most scenic highways with stops at: • Peyto Lake, Bow Lake, and Crowfoot Glacier. • Johnston Canyon or Marble Canyon: Choose a hike suited to your group’s preferences. Optional Additions in Yoho National Park: • Emerald Lake • Natural Bridge • Takakkaw Falls Customize your day with: • Canoeing or paddleboarding at Moraine Lake or Bow Lake. Travel in comfort aboard a luxury SUV or van, with a dedicated guide.
Columbia Icefield Tour with Glacier Skywalk

4.7 (1308)

3 hours From £64.15

Visit the Athabasca Glacier on a massive ice explorer on this 3-hour excursion. Walk along the frozen sheet of ice and fill your water bottle with pure snowmelt, then venture out along the glass bottomed Glacier Skywalk for incredible views along the cliff's edge. See two amazing attractions outside of Banff in one fun-filled adventure.
Free cancellation Special offer

Lake Louise, Moraine Lake and the Icefields Parkway Full-Day Tour

4.9 (700)

8 - 9 hours From £96.50

Enjoy a full day tour with a local family run company! Lake Louise and the Icefield Parkway contains some of the best scenery that Canada has to offer. With stunning views of snow-capped peaks, crystal clear mountain lakes, glaciers, waterfalls and abundant wildlife this 8-hour tours take's you to the world-renowned Lake Louise, Morraine Lake and Bow Lake. Also included are stops at Two Jack Lake and Lake Minnewanka. Beyond Banff provides small and personalized tours for up to 22 guests. This tour covers a good portion of the Banff National Park and its beautiful lakes within a single Tour. Private tours available on request. Please note that the road to Moraine Lake is closed and will reopen late May. Winter in the Canadian Rockies can make travel difficult at times and access to some destinations in Banff may not be guaranteed. The tour itinerary may be changed due to conditions.
Free cancellation Likely to sell out

Lake Louise Moraine Emerald Lake Johnston Canyon Banff Town

4.8 (193)

8 - 11 hours From £63.06

Experience a full-day tour of Banff's most iconic lakes, including Lake Louise and Moraine Lake (replaced by Emerald Lake and Natural Bridge from Oct 15 - May 31). Embark on the best hiking trail at Johnston Canyon. Finish your adventure and immerse yourself in the charm of Banff Avenue. This tour provides pick up point at Calgary/Canmore/Banff, you will complete the tour and choose drop off point at Banff/Canmore/Calgary

0%

Currently there is a 0% chance of seeing the aurora overhead in the Banff area.

Kp 4.33

The Kp-index is a scale used to measure geomagnetic activity. It ranges from 0 to 9, with higher values indicating greater geomagnetic activity.

0-2 (Very low) Far north, quite dim, and not very active.
3-5 (Moderate) Can be seen further south, with increased brightness and activity. Chance of good viewing conditions nearer the pole.
6-7 (High) Visible in many northern regions, with vibrant displays.
8-9 (Extreme) Widespread visibility, often seen in areas much further south than usual, with intense and colorful displays.

Bz -2 nT

Bz refers to the north-south orientation of the magnetic field embedded in the solar wind. It is measured in nanoteslas (nT).

When Bz is negative (southward), it allows solar wind particles to penetrate the Earth’s magnetic field more easily. A strong negative Bz is often associated with increased chances of seeing the Northern Lights.

Conversely, when Bz is positive (northward), the Earth’s magnetic field tends to block the solar wind, resulting in reduced auroral activity.

Density 0.17 p/cm³

Solar wind density refers to the number of charged particles in a given volume of the solar wind, typically measured in particles per cubic centimeter (p/cm³).

A typical solar wind density is around 2.76 p/cm³.

The density of the solar wind affects how many particles reach the Earth’s magnetosphere. A higher density means more particles are available to interact with the Earth’s magnetic field. When these charged particles collide with the gases in the Earth’s atmosphere, they produce the stunning light displays known as auroras.

Speed 540.3 km/s

The speed of the solar wind also plays a significant role. A typical solar wind speed is about 375 km/s. When both speed and density are high, the energy transferred to the Earth’s magnetosphere increases, enhancing the chances of seeing vibrant auroras.