Have you ever wanted to catch a glimpse of the rainbow, the northern lights, of the elusive Arctic North? Good, because there’s never been a better time than this winter.
Due to a quirk of solar physics, the Aurora Borealis is set for an extreme parade as the Sun’s activity is at its maximum (the brighter it shines in space, the wilder and more impressive its display on Earth).
Experts say this will be the best chance to spy on them in two decades.
And you don’t have to trek to Norway or Iceland to see them: some of the best perches for aurora chasers are just over the border.
“In North America we have an advantage because the geomagnetic north pole is closer to Canada, and so we can see auroras at lower latitudes than in Europe,” said Vincent Ledvina. Boy.” “If you’re in the right place, and it’s clear and dark, you can see it every night.”
But whether it’s a brief burst at 3 a.m., or a longer show around midnight, be prepared to stay up late and sleep in the next day. “You’ll work from 5 p.m. to 9 a.m., not 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.,” Ledwina said.
“Don’t schedule yourself too much because you never know what time the light will appear. And when you’re checking in to a hotel, make sure they know that seeing the lights is important to your trip,” advises Scott Dunn travel expert Angela Malek. “Most properties will offer Northern Lights wake-up calls.”
There are three prime places to see them, Canuck-style. First, Yellowknife, a city in the Northwest Territories that is only a 2-hour flight north of Calgary. It is barely 250 miles south of the Arctic Circle, with a particularly flat terrain and therefore ideal for sweeping views.
Yellowknife is right below the “auroral oval” – the latitude where the northern lights are always seen – and far from the ocean, which means stable weather. It also offers the chance to experience indigenous culture: stay in Aurora Village with 21 traditional tepees. Chipewyan Joe Buffalo Child is the best guide there is to how the lights were viewed by early Canadians.
You can also explore Canada’s other northernmost province, Yukon, from your base in Whitehorse. “It’s just south of the Auroral Oval, but you get it almost every night,” Ledwina said.
If you are willing to combine aurora chasing with adventure sports, whether snowmobiling on Lake Leberge or hiking in a protected area, this is the best option. However, it is so far north that it experiences a midnight sun in the summer, making the viewing season short.
Arctic Range Adventure Run four-day tours here from about $750 per person, including a visit to the geothermal Eclipse Nordic Hot Springs. Try to win the hair-freezing contest: It runs every winter (the winner of each category, including Best Beard, takes home about $1,500 in cash).
However, the smartest all-round base is undoubtedly Churchill in the far north of Manitoba. There’s plenty of wildlife to see while you wait for the lights to appear, from wolves and arctic foxes to beluga whales (the polar bear population in the area is around 1,000, almost guaranteeing a chance to see them). ).
Born and raised in the same city, Brendan McEwen is now a guide Frontiers North Adventures There. It runs tours starting at around $5,200 per person, with days packed with cultural experiences and nights packed with aurora chases.
He said they run in February and March, when the nights are coldest, allowing water crystals to freeze in the air and create the clearest conditions. Smartphone technology has improved so much that you can rely on that camera to capture what you see, but don’t let the juice run out. “Extreme cold can drain your battery,” he warned.
Aurora Guy Ledwina said your phone can be helpful in other ways. Our eyes often struggle to discern the details of a microscopic light storm, so when you spot what an aurora might be, take a photo.
“It might not be a pretty picture, but if you see any kind of green or red or purple, you can tell it’s not a normal cloud,” he said. Another tip: Use a flashlight and shine it under your chin, “Blair Witch” style, and this will cause your eyes to switch to daytime mode when they’ll better recognize color details. . Just be sure to dress warmly and bring some gloves – the average temperature in winter is below 7 degrees.
