Find the best places in the world to view the Northern Lights

Plan your northern lights trip with expert travel advice, real-time aurora forecasts and destination guides. Whether you’re chasing the aurora borealis across Scandinavia, Iceland or the Canadian wilderness, we’ll help you find the best time and place to witness one of nature’s most spectacular displays.

Canada

Banff •Churchill •Edmonton •Jasper •Whitehorse •Yellowknife

Faroe Islands

Tórshavn

Finland

Inari •Levi •Luosto •Rovaniemi

Greenland

Ilulissat •Kangerlussuaq •Nuuk •Qaqortoq

Iceland

Akureyri •Reykjavík •Vík

Norway

Alta •Bodø •Lofoten •Tromsø

Shetland

Lerwick

Svalbard

Longyearbyen

Sweden

Abisko •Björkliden •Kiruna

USA

Anchorage •Fairbanks •Healy

See also

Aurora Forecast•​Planning Your Northern Lights Adventure•​Northern Lights Photography•​Science Of The Aurora•​Northern Lights Playlist•​Northern Lights Myths And Legends•​About Seek The Aurora

Jasper

Home / Canada / Jasper

Jasper, a picturesque town nestled in the heart of the Canadian Rockies, is a premier destination for witnessing the mesmerizing Northern Lights. Surrounded by stunning mountain landscapes and pristine wilderness, Jasper offers an ideal setting for aurora viewing.

Jasper National Park is designated as a Dark Sky Preserve, minimizing light pollution and enhancing your chances of seeing the auroras. Popular spots for aurora watching include Pyramid Beach, Maligne Lake and the Jasper SkyTram, where you can set up for a night of stargazing and aurora chasing.

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

How are my chances of seeing the aurora today?

Many factors contribute to your likelihood of viewing the aurora in Jasper. Geomagnetic activity, cloud cover and the amount of ambient light all play a big part. Check the forecasts for how good the viewing conditions are today.

Aurora Probability and Atmospheric Conditions

0%

There is a 0% chance of seeing the aurora overhead in the Jasper area (forecast for 11 April 2026 at 7:53pm UTC)

HPI 21 GW

The Hemispheric Power Index (HPI) is a vital measure used to assess the strength of auroral activity at the poles. It estimates the total auroral energy input, with values above 20 GW indicating an aurora-active state. When the HPI reaches levels of 100 GW or more, it signifies a very significant geomagnetic storm, which can lead to spectacular auroral displays.

Density 2.22 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 centimetre (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, energy is released in the form of light that we see as the aurora.

Speed 576.8 km/s

Solar wind speed refers to the velocity at which charged particles are ejected from the Sun’s outer atmosphere, known as the corona.

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.

Light Levels

Moon

Waning crescent 40%

Sunrise 7:01am

Sunset 8:43pm

Moonrise 5:15am

Moonset 1:28pm

Weather Forecast for Jasper

Snow

3°C Feels like 3°C

High
7°C
Low
-5°C

  • Chance of precipitation 100%

  • Cloud cover 93%

  • Northerly winds 4 km/h gusts of 5 km/h

  • Snow 2 mm

Book an amazing adventure in Jasper

Explore this selection of tours and activities to make the most of your visit to Jasper.

  • Free cancellation

    Jasper National Park Tour: Maligne Valley, Medicine Lake and Spirit Island

    4.6 (474)

    6 hours From £113.31

    Discover Jasper National Park’s spectacular Maligne Valley on a 6-hour adventure with an expert guide. During stops at Medicine Lake and Maligne Lake, you’ll look for wildlife and learn about the human and natural history in this part of the Canadian Rockies. You’ll see stunning scenery throughout the day and have plenty of opportunities to take photos and short walks. At Maligne Lake, choose to take a boat cruise to Spirit Island or a guided walk along the lakeshore. **Please note the guided walk does not include Spirit Island, you must select BOAT option for this tour to see Spirit Island**

  • Maligne Lake Cruise

    4.7 (502)

    1 hour 30 minutes From £63.57

    Declared the “Best Boat Cruise in Canada” by 8 million Reader’s Digest subscribers, the Maligne Lake Cruise is an experience like no other. Join us on a panoramic tour across the crystal waters of magical Maligne Lake, fed by the glaciers of Jasper National Park. Glide past the jagged mountain peaks as we cruise to Spirit Island, a world-famous destination only accessible by boat.

  • Free cancellation

    Jasper Wildlife & Sightseeing Tour with Maligne Lake Cruise

    4.8 (603)

    6 hours From £129.26

    Discover why the Maligne Valley is a must-see in Jasper National Park. On this breathtaking 6-hour tour, enjoy a short scenic walk along the shoreline of Medicine Lake, admiring the majestic limestone cliffs above. Along the drive, watch for iconic Canadian wildlife often spotted in the area. Arriving at the valley’s jewel, Maligne Lake, take a 90-minute scenic boat cruise to Spirit Island and experience the wild beauty of this vast wilderness.

  • Tread Lightly Glacier Hikes

    4.8 (171)

    4 hours From £101.07

    Join us for a unique exploration of the Athabasca Glacier on this 4 hour hike across rock, snow and ice. Meet your guide at our Rockaboo Trailer in the Icefields RV Lot, get geared up, and head out on a fully organic, by foot mission to discover some of the hidden wonders of this powerful place. Surrounded by some of the tallest peaks of the range, your guide will walk you through the history of these headwaters, while ensuring your safety and comfort. If conditions allow, we look for an opportunity for people to increase their connection with this landscape by taking scientific samples or using ropes to explore some of these features more intimately in a safe and controlled manner. Group size is small to ensure exploration of the area is environmentally conscious.

  • Free cancellation

    Jasper Evening Wildlife Tour

    4.6 (711)

    3 hours From £47.87

    Experience the diversity and abundance of wildlife that Jasper National Park has to offer by embarking on this 3-hour Evening Wildlife Search. Your highly knowledgeable local guide will use their expertise to help track down many native species. From the pocket-sized squirrel to the iconic grizzly, the opportunities are plentiful with many wild animals such as elk, moose, bears, sheep and deer all calling Jasper home. Private Tours are available.

  • Likely to sell out

    Jasper SkyTram Roundtrip Flight Ticket

    4.4 (438)

    1 - 2 hours From £44.60

    Soar up Whistlers Mountain and take in Jasper National Park from new heights. The Jasper SkyTram transports you to an elevation of 2,263 metres (7,425 feet) in a matter of minutes. Once there, you're free to explore boardwalks, hike to the summit, soak in stunning panoramic views and experience the mountaintop your way. Don't forget to bring your appetite to the Upper Station and dine among the clouds at the full-service Summit Café. Or swing by the Basecamp Café at the Lower Station before or after your adventure for fresh-baked treats, coffee and ice cream. Make sky-high memories atop Whistlers Mountain — just a 10-minute drive from town.

Places to check out around Jasper

Explore more nearby Jasper

  • Beaver Boardwalk in Hinton Alberta

    Credit: Debbie Molle

    Hinton

    53°23'56"N, 117°34'45"W

    Aurora probability in Hinton: 0%

    Hinton, Alberta, Canada, is a charming town located just west of Jasper National Park. Surrounded by stunning natural beauty, Hinton offers a variety of outdoor activities such as hiking, fishing and wildlife viewing. The town is also home to the Beaver Boardwalk, a scenic trail that winds through wetlands and forests.

  • Reflected mountains at Cranberry Marsh near Valemount, British Columbia, Canada

    Credit: Darren Kirby

    Valemount

    52°49'52"N, 119°15'51"W

    Aurora probability in Valemount: 0%

    Valemount, a village municipality in east central British Columbia, Canada, is surrounded by the stunning Rocky, Monashee and Cariboo Mountains, making it a paradise for outdoor enthusiasts with activities ranging from hiking and mountain biking in the summer to skiing and snowmobiling in the winter.

  • Scenic view of a river cutting through a rocky valley near Grande Cache, Canada

    Credit: david hebert

    Grande Cache

    53°53'18"N, 119°6'51"W

    Aurora probability in Grande Cache: 0%

    Grande Cache is a small town in rural Alberta, Canada, nestled in the foothills of the Rocky Mountains around 2 hours from Jasper. Offering a wealth of outdoor activities, including hiking, fishing and wildlife viewing, set against a backdrop of breathtaking natural beauty.

Other places in Canada

Banff•​Churchill•​Edmonton•​Whitehorse•​Yellowknife

See also

Home•​Aurora Forecast•​Planning Your Northern Lights Adventure•​Northern Lights Photography•​Science Of The Aurora•​Northern Lights Playlist•​Northern Lights Myths And Legends•​About Seek The Aurora