CELESTIAL GLORY
Experiencing the aurora borealis in Canada is an incredible adventure
The colourful dancing lights of the aurora borealis are so magical there are countless legends about them. Some legends say the lights are earthly manifestations of the gods while others say they are the spirits of ancestors. Regardless of which legend you choose to believe, there is no doubt that an aurora is a spectacular marvel of nature.
Canada’s clear skies and northern latitude make it an ideal place for witnessing auroral activity. Long, dark winter nights are the prime time — though you can see northern lights as early as August. Here are some of the best places in Canada for viewing nature’s most magnificent light show.
WHITEHORSE
The Yukon is legendary for its reliable northern lights displays, and auroras can be spotted throughout the territory. Mid-august to midapril is the peak season, and dark clear skies provide the best aurora viewing. From Whitehorse, take a drive toward Fish Lake or Chadburn Lake Road to get away from light pollution. There are many companies that offer aurora-viewing tours from Whitehorse. On such tours, guests are bused outside the city, where there are heated yurts set up so they can relax and wait in comfort until the aurora comes out. The magic window is typically between 10 p.m. and 3 a.m.
YELLOWKNIFE
The capital of the Northwest Territories is one of the best places in North America for northern lights viewing. The flat landscape along the shores of Great Slave Lake provides unobstructed views, and the low precipitation results in an abundance of cloudless skies. There are many tour operators that offer aurora-viewing tours, and there’s even an “aurora village” with heated teepees, excellent viewing areas and room to accommodate up to 400 people. mid-november to the beginning of April is peak aurora season here.
IQALUIT
There’s something magical about the dancing lights of the aurora borealis. A traditional Inuit story relates that the lights are ancestral spirits playing ball with the skull of a walrus. Nunavut, Canada’s youngest territory, is an excellent place for aurora viewing. Aurora activity is most visible during the coldest months of the year, but spring and autumn provide good aurora activity with much milder temperatures, which allow for more comfortable viewing. Several operators offer aurora tours from Iqaluit.
NUNAVIK, QUE.
Northern Quebec’s Nunavik region is an aurora-watching hot spot. The Inuit village of Kuujjuaq is the largest community in this region, with a population of approximately 2,800. The tourism company Inuit Adventures offers multi-way aurora-viewing tours that include airfare from Montreal. During the day, guests experience Inuit culture, visit archeological sites and observe wildlife. Aurora tours run from mid-september through the end of April.
MUNCHO LAKE PROVINCIAL PARK, B.C.
It’s a spectacular site when the northern lights reflect off the glassy, clear waters of Muncho Lake in northern British Columbia. Not far from the Yukon border, this 12-kilometre-long lake is one of the highlights of the Alaska Highway. The lake is surrounded by mountains, so there’s great hiking in the area. If you like watching the aurora dance from the comfort of a hot spring, just a few minutes down the road is Liard River Hot Springs Provincial Park. Mid-august to mid-april is peak season for aurora viewing here.
FORT MCMURRAY, ALTA.
Situated on the 56th parallel, the aurora dances in the skies above Fort Mcmurray on cold, clear evenings from October through March and occasionally during other months. The aurora is typically seen around midnight, but it can appear any time between 9 p.m. and 3 a.m., lasting for hours or mere minutes. There are operators that offer aurora-viewing tours from Fort Mcmurray.
MELFORT, SASK.
About 280 kilometres north of Regina, Melfort has been called “the city of the northern lights” due to the frequency of auroral activity in the area. Spruce Haven Park is a good spot for aurora viewing inside Melfort. If you want to view the aurora while camping, head two hours northwest to Prince Albert National Park. The marketing slogan for the province of Saskatchewan is “land of the living skies,” and
northern Saskatchewan in particular lives up to that reputation.
THE PAS, MAN.
January to March is peak viewing time for the aurora borealis in most of Manitoba, but in the northern region the dancing lights can be seen up to 300 nights a year. At The Pas, which has been called “the gateway to the north,” the northern lights are said to be visible year-round when the skies are clear. The Pas is an isolated group of communities located at the confluence of two rivers about 630 kilometres northwest of Winnipeg.
MANITOULIN ISLAND, ONT.
At 2,766 square kilometres, Manitoulin Island in Lake Huron is the largest freshwater island in the world. There are more than 100 inland lakes on the island, and above it are some of the darkest skies in Ontario. Gordon’s Park is Canada’s first commercial dark sky preserve and a great place from which to view the northern lights. Spring and fall are the best times for aurora viewing, and the park hosts aurora borealis-themed weekends.