Witness the Northern Lights in Canada at these aurora hotspots

With the solar maximum happening right now, it’s the perfect time to combine your next Canadian ski trip with some aurora-chasing. Here’s where to go and some experiences to make your trip all the more memorable

2024 was one of the best years in two decades odds-wise for viewing the Northern Lights, thanks to the occurrence of an 11-year peak in solar activity known as the solar maximum. Regions situated under the auroral oval, such as Scandinavia, Alaska and parts of Canada, are always prime locations for observing this phenomenon, but during the solar maximum, the frequency and intensity of auroras can increase, making them visible even at lower latitudes​. Case in point: In May 2024, a series of powerful solar storms produced auroras visible as far south as Florida in the United States and parts of southern Europe.

This elevated solar activity continues as we approach the end of 2024, and well into 2025 (with peak viewing occuring through to April) meaning witnessing the Northern Lights is an even safer bet than usual in Canada’s northern regions. Plus, if you’re a skier, you can combine two adventures in one thanks to the easy accessibility of aurora hot spots – such as the Yukon Territory and Northwest Territories – from renowned ski destinations in British Columbia and Alberta.

Looking for itinerary ideas? Here are some unique experiences to add to your aurora-chasing adventure in Canada.

The Northwest Territories

Stay in the capital city of Yellowknife in the Northwest Territories, a two-hour flight from Vancouver or Calgary, and view the aurora nightly from nearby viewing stations, or book a tour with a professional aurora hunter like Joe Bailey, who’ll take you to the outskirts of town for the best vantage points, sharing teachings and traditions along the way that have been handed down by Joe’s Dene ancestors. Bailey can also customise packages that allow deep-pocketed travellers to travel by private jet.                                                                  

The Yukon

The clear, star-filled skies of the Yukon, in Canada’s north-west, provide the perfect backdrop for this enchanting natural phenomenon. At the Northern Lights Resort & Spa, designed specifically for the best aurora views, you can stay in a glass-front chalet with floor-to-ceiling windows, giving you a front row seat to the aurora. During the day, learn how to drive your own team of sled dogs, snowmobiling, or snowshoe throughout this snow-drenched winter wonderland.

Churchill, Manitoba

The celestial aurora spectacle can be witnessed 300 days per year in Canada’s subarctic region of Churchill, Manitoba, with prime viewing taking place in February and March. Frontiers North Adventures offer the unique experience of witnessing the aurora from the warmth of a Tundra Buggy. Dan’s Diner, meanwhile, is a pop-up dining hall hidden in the wilderness, serving multi-course meals inspired by the land. Immerse yourself in Indigenous cultural presentations then step outside to enjoy a nightcap at a glittering ice bar under the brilliant northern lights.

Nanuk Operations’ multi-day Nights Under Lights tour is another unique offering, where you can spend days adventuring with dog sledding tours, snow shoeing, visiting local historic sites and museums; and spend the evenings cosied up in a luxurious dome-ceiling yurt with a hot drink, before heading outside to photograph the breathtaking lightshow.