Canada
Canada spans an enormous range of aurora-viewing latitudes, from the Rocky Mountain parks of Alberta in the south to the Arctic tundra of the Northwest Territories in the north. The country’s sheer size, low population density and vast stretches of uninhabited wilderness mean dark skies are never far away, and several Canadian locations rank among the best in the world for Northern Lights viewing.
Yellowknife, directly beneath the auroral oval, is one of the most reliable aurora destinations anywhere, with displays visible on around 240 nights per year. Whitehorse in the Yukon and Churchill in Manitoba offer their own distinctive experiences, hot springs under the lights and polar bears respectively. Further south, the Dark Sky Preserves of Jasper and Banff in the Canadian Rockies deliver dramatic mountain-backed displays during strong geomagnetic storms.
Canada’s aurora season is long, running from late August through to April in northern locations. Dog sledding, snowmobile tours, ice fishing and Indigenous cultural experiences add depth to any Northern Lights trip.
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Banff
51°10'42"N, 115°34'14"W
Aurora probability in Banff: 0%
Banff, in the Canadian Rockies at 51°N, is a Dark Sky Preserve where strong geomagnetic storms produce spectacular aurora displays above glacial lakes and mountain peaks. Further south than most aurora destinations, but dramatic when conditions align.
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Churchill
58°46'4"N, 94°10'10"W
Aurora probability in Churchill: 1%
Churchill, on Hudson Bay in northern Manitoba at 59°N, is the polar bear capital of the world and a superb aurora destination. Its extreme remoteness and zero light pollution produce spectacularly dark skies beneath the auroral oval.
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Edmonton
53°32'39"N, 113°29'27"W
Aurora probability in Edmonton: 0%
Edmonton, Alberta’s capital at 53°N, is one of North America’s most northerly major cities. Flat prairie horizons and nearby Dark Sky Preserves offer good aurora viewing, and the city serves as a gateway to Jasper and Canada’s north.
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Jasper
52°52'24"N, 117°57'15"W
Aurora probability in Jasper: 0%
Jasper, at 53°N in the Canadian Rockies, sits within the world’s largest Dark Sky Preserve. Its remote location, dark skies and mountain lake reflections make it one of the best aurora viewing spots in the Rockies.
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Whitehorse
60°43'10"N, 135°3'8"W
Aurora probability in Whitehorse: 3%
Whitehorse, capital of Canada’s Yukon Territory at 61°N, combines dry interior skies with easy access to dark viewing locations. Takhini Hot Springs, boreal forest and gold rush heritage make it a distinctive base for Northern Lights viewing in western Canada.
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Yellowknife
62°27'14"N, 114°22'18"W
Aurora probability in Yellowknife: 4%
Yellowknife, capital of Canada’s Northwest Territories at 62°N, sits directly beneath the auroral oval. A dry continental climate and around 240 aurora-active nights per year make it one of the most reliable Northern Lights destinations in the world.
Book an amazing adventure in Canada
Explore this selection of tours and activities to make the most of your visit to Canada.
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Northern Lights Viewing in a Semi-Private Dome in Whitehorse
No reviews
6 hours From £218.39
Begin your Yukon adventure stress-free with hotel pickup via our climate-controlled Executive Shuttle. Trek through snow-blanketed trails on a guided snowshoe journey in Whitehorse, then enjoy a scenic 52-minute drive to Carcross. Explore Northern Canada’s largest Wildlife Museum with life-like taxidermy—from mammoths to the world’s largest mounted polar bear. In the evening, an unforgettable aurora viewing, Romance Under the Aurora, in a semi-private heated dome watch the northern lights dazzle in green, pink, and violet waves. End your night with a comfortable hotel drop-off. For extra excitement, opt for a thrilling 15-minute dog sled ride with real Yukon Quest sled dogs ($75 CAD + GST, onsite availability).
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Northern Lights and Huskies
5.0 (28)
2 days From £518.78
Our location is very unique and our family are our dogs. We do have over 100 friendly and lovable dogs on site. "We are a place for people who love dogs". It is important that you are very comfortable around dogs to fully enjoy this experience. We are located outside the city light pollution so northern lights are visible directly overhead of our lodge. No need to drive anywhere. In addition to that we are located at the shores of the Takhini River and for as long as the river is not frozen (until late October) there is a chance to get mirror pictures of the Northern Lights.
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Arctic Day: Aurora Viewing Tour | late night
4.3 (88)
4 hours 30 minutes From £97.00
As one of the most sought-after Northern experiences, a Yukon vacation is only complete with a viewing of the aurora borealis cascading across the Yukon night sky. We invite you to join us at our custom built Aurora viewing location, far from the lights of the city, so you can experience the Northern Lights for yourself – and create your own legends.
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Aurora Lounge: Whitehorse's Coziest Aurora Viewing Experience
4.8 (6)
4 hours From £92.38
Immerse yourself in the magic of the Yukon with our luxurious Northern Lights experience in Whitehorse. Enjoy an unforgettable evening in a cozy cabin featuring large windows for optimal aurora viewing, complete with a stone fireplace and heated amenities. Experience the beauty of the auroras while sipping hot chocolate and roasting marshmallows around the campfire. With a maximum group size of 24, enjoy a personalized experience with photography tips from expert guides, ensuring you capture the perfect shot of the Northern Lights. This tour is perfect for couples and families seeking a unique night out under the stars. - Tour runs from 10:00 PM to 2:00 AM, providing ample time for aurora viewing - Enjoy unlimited hot chocolate and s’mores, included in the experience - Conveniently located just 20 minutes from Downtown Whitehorse - Professional guidance and complimentary photos to preserve your memories
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Small Group Yukon Aurora Viewing
4.6 (23)
4 hours From £103.86
Small aurora Tours! Escape the crowds, leave the buses behind, and take in the lights with a small number of travellers! With space for up to 10 people, we will travel by pickup truck or van out to a clear spot to hopefully catch sight of the elusive Aurora Borealis.
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Arctic Day: Yukon Wildlife Half Day Viewing Tour
4.3 (16)
3 hours From £102.74
We will visit the Yukon Wildlife Preserve where you’ll have the opportunity to view and photograph wildlife in its natural habitat. Dalls sheep, bighorn sheep, mountain goats, mule deer, wapiti (elk), woodland caribou, wood bison, musk-ox, moose, arctic fox and even lynx can all be seen on this tour. It's a photographer's and naturalist's dream to see Yukon's wildlife up close and you will be in the front-row to learn about wildlife living year-round in the True North.
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