Northern lights
5 tips for northern lights viewing
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Let the northern lights show you their true colors.
The Yukon is home to nature’s most coveted light show: the northern lights. And for the next year or so, they’ll be at their peak. Solar max means the lights will be brighter, more intense, and more frequent than they’ve been in a decade.
Luckily, we’ve got the inside scoop on how to catch them at their best. From the ideal time of year to the location, and even who to ask, here are the top tips to ensure you don’t miss out on this natural phenomenon.
Know when and where to do it
The first rule of aurora club is you need dark skies. Our long summer days, while glorious, aren't exactly helpful. The official viewing season runs from mid-August to mid-April, giving you a generous window to plan a trip.
Fall (late August to October) is a fantastic, often underrated, time. The weather is milder, the autumn colours are stunning, and the nights are dark enough for a great show. Winter (November to March) is the classic choice, offering the longest and darkest nights. The trade-off? You’ll need to be serious about bundling up.
@stardustexperience (IG)
A key piece of local wisdom: recommend visitors stay for at least three nights. This significantly boosts their chances of catching a clear night with active lights. Mother Nature doesn't do reservations, so building in a buffer is the best way to avoid disappointment.
What happens when good ol’ aurora decides to pay us a surprise visit? Chances are, if you’re sitting at a bar, someone will yell “northern lights!” and a big, happy huddle of strangers will abandon their drinks in unison and storm toward the too-small door.
@ctamisphotography (IG)
But if you want something a little more reliable, we recommend an aurora viewing app such asMy Aurora Forecast or checking out Aurora Forecast. After all, there's nothing more trustworthy than the internet—unless it's that Nigerian Prince. He still owes us a lot of money.
If a guided aurora tour is more your pace, get ready to be spoiled for choice. The Yukon has a plethora of northern lights tours and experiences including cabins, lodges, and dog sledding excursions. And don’t worry about the cold—most tour operators will rent winter outerwear or include it in their packages.
@__kingma__ (IG)
With so many ways to view the aurora borealis in the Yukon, about the only way you can't view it is from 36,000 feet on a B737 charging 900km/h straight into the northern lights. Oh...never mind. Apparently, you can do that too.
Frost-nipped ears should never be your Yukon memory. Ask locals and they’ll tell you: being comfortable outside is an art form. The pros wear layers—yeah, plural.
@roverandsoul (IG)
Yukoner’s tip: show up with a thermos of something warm and suddenly everyone’s your best friend. Want the full packing list, right down to the socks?
Sure, you’ll want to capture that galaxy-twisting, mind-blowing green swirl, but remember, phones get the job done only sometimes. If you’re keen for a photo you’ll frame, bring:
A camera with manual mode
A tripod (don’t skip this—you’ll thank yourself)
A wide lens (f/2.8 or lower if possible)
@camera_5 (IG)
Basic settings to get you started: manual mode, widest aperture, shutter speed around 10–15 seconds, ISO 800–1600 (but test a few shots). Manual focus on infinity for those star-sharp edges.
