Columbia Icefield Glacier Experience : Jasper : Seek The Aurora

Jasper

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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 Lake, 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.

Credit: Nunzio Guerrera
Credit: Ali Kazal
Credit: James Wheeler
Credit: Priscilla Du Preez
Credit: Alayna Tam
Credit: Redd Francisco
Credit: Damien Dufour

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.

0%

There is a 0% chance of seeing the aurora overhead in the Jasper area (forecast for 6 November 2025 at 5:07pm UTC)

Kp 2.33

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 -3 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 aurora activity.

Density 3.26 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, energy is released in the form of light that we see as the aurora.

Speed 540.8 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.

Moon

Waning gibbous

Sunrise 7:59am

Sunset 5:11pm

Moonrise 5:17pm

Moonset 10:11am

Clouds

-4°C Feels like -4°C

High: -1°C
Low: -6°C

Chance of precipitation 0%
Cloud cover 71%
Southerly winds 3 km/h gusts of 5 km/h

Book an amazing adventure in Jasper

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

Free cancellation Likely to sell out

Jasper Wildlife & Sightseeing Tour with Maligne Lake Cruise

4.8 (604)

6 hours From £130.60

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.
Free cancellation Likely to sell out

Jasper to Banff One-Way Tour

4.9 (83)

10 hours From £207.78

This one-way tour from Jasper to Banff is the ultimate way to experience the biggest and best the Canadian Rockies has to offer. Your journey to Banff will take you past sweeping glaciers, immense waterfalls and shimmering mountain lakes. Time will be provided at the Columbia Ice Fields to participate in the Glacier Adventure and Glacier SkyWalk which are both included along with a picnic lunch.
Free cancellation

Winter Wildlife Discovery Tour

4.6 (59)

3 hours 30 minutes From £50.28

Explore the stunning natural beauty outside of Jasper with this educational and entertaining guided Winter wildlife tour. Hop in the comfortable touring vehicle and don’t forget your camera to capture the wildlife and scenic beauty of the Athabasca Valley. Learn about the history, geology and wildlife of the area from an expert local guide, as you travel through the incredible mountain landscape. This is a must for nature lovers.
Free cancellation

Jasper Evening Wildlife Tour

4.6 (711)

3 hours From £48.37

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.
Free cancellation

Half-Day Jasper Culture Food Tour

4.9 (332)

3 hours From £90.03

Jasper is for Foodies… And for people who luuuvv their cocktails. The food culture in Jasper is eclectic and unique. From Canadian classics, locally brewed beers, wild game and globally inspired restos - there's something to tickle your palate. Join us on the Downtown Foodie Tour - a short guided walk over 3 hours where you will be visiting four restaurants and tasting four carefully handpicked dishes, each paired with an alcoholic beverage. Along the way you will learn about Jasper’s history and taking in some of the town’s tastiest tales.
Free cancellation Likely to sell out

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

4.6 (475)

6 hours From £114.49

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**