Aurora Borealis
Chasing the Northern Lights: A Complete Guide to the Aurora Borealis
Few natural phenomena match the aurora borealis for sheer spectacle. Bands and curtains of green, pink, and violet light ripple across a dark sky, driven by charged particles from the sun colliding with gases in the upper atmosphere. Witnessing this display is a bucket-list experience for many travellers, and with the right planning it is well within reach.
The prime viewing season runs from September through March. During these months, nights are long enough and skies dark enough to give the lights a proper stage. Avoid travelling in summer if seeing the aurora is your main goal – the extended daylight at high latitudes makes sightings nearly impossible.
Where to Go
Tromsø, Norway
Tromsø sits at 69 degrees north, well inside the auroral oval – the ring-shaped zone around the magnetic pole where aurora activity is most intense. The city is large enough to have good transport links and a range of accommodation, yet the surrounding fjords and mountains provide dark-sky locations within a short drive. Local operators run nightly tours by minibus or snowshoe into the countryside when conditions look favourable. The season here runs from late September to early April, with January and February typically offering the darkest skies.
The region around Tromsø also allows you to pair aurora hunting with dog-sledding, snowmobile trips across frozen lakes, and whale-watching cruises in the Kaldfjord and Ullsfjord areas. Sperm whales and humpbacks often feed in these waters through early winter.
Fairbanks, Alaska
Fairbanks is one of the most accessible aurora destinations in North America. It sits directly under the auroral oval, giving it a statistical edge over many competing locations. The Geophysical Institute at the University of Alaska Fairbanks issues a daily aurora forecast that is widely used by visitors to plan their evenings. The area around Cleary Summit, about 35 kilometres north of the city, is a popular dark-sky spot that requires no specialist guiding.
Winters in Fairbanks are genuinely cold – temperatures regularly fall below minus 30 Celsius in January – so thermal base layers, insulated outer gear, and hand warmers are essential. The upside of that cold is extremely dry air, which keeps the skies clear for extended periods. The season runs from late August through mid-April, and the equinox periods in September and March tend to bring heightened geomagnetic activity.
Yellowknife, Northwest Territories, Canada
Yellowknife markets itself as the aurora capital of North America, and the claim has merit. The city sits under the auroral oval, experiences over 240 clear nights per year on average, and has a well-developed tourism infrastructure built around the lights. The peak season runs from mid-November through early April, with February typically considered the most reliable month.
Aurora Village, located about 20 minutes from downtown, operates heated teepee shelters where visitors can wait in comfort and step outside when activity picks up. The frozen surface of Great Slave Lake, visible from many points around the city, provides a dramatic foreground for photographs. Several operators also offer overnight wilderness camp experiences on the tundra beyond the city limits.
Iceland
Iceland is the most accessible aurora destination for travellers from Europe. Reykjavik serves as a practical base, though light pollution limits sightings from the city itself. The Reykjanes Peninsula, the Snæfellsnes Peninsula, and the area around Thingvellir National Park all offer darker skies within an hour or two of the capital. Aurora activity peaks in Iceland from October through March. The island’s famously changeable weather means flexible scheduling pays off – a cloudy night can be followed by perfectly clear skies the next evening.
Swedish Lapland
Abisko, in the far north of Sweden, benefits from a local microclimate that keeps its skies clearer than surrounding areas. The Aurora Sky Station, reached by chairlift, positions visitors above low cloud cover that can otherwise obscure the lights. Kiruna, a short drive away, adds the option of staying in the original Icehotel or visiting the LKAB iron ore mine, one of the largest in the world.
Getting the Most from Aurora Hunting
Follow the forecasts. The NOAA Space Weather Prediction Center and the University of Alaska Fairbanks Geophysical Institute both publish Kp-index forecasts. A Kp of 3 or above is usually sufficient for sightings at high-latitude destinations; a Kp of 5 or higher can push the aurora south to mid-latitude locations.
Get away from light pollution. Even a modest amount of distance from town makes a significant difference. Renting a car gives you flexibility to chase clear skies and avoid cloud cover.
Give your eyes time to adjust. Dark adaptation takes about 20 minutes. Avoid looking at bright phone screens while you wait, or use a red-light torch.
Use a camera even if you are not a photographer. A smartphone on night mode or a basic DSLR set to ISO 1600, an aperture of f/2.8, and a 10-15 second exposure will capture colours that the eye can miss. A tripod or stable surface is essential.
Layer properly. Aurora hunting involves standing still in the cold for extended periods. Merino wool base layers, a mid-layer fleece, and a windproof outer shell are a reliable combination. Insulated boots rated to at least minus 20 Celsius are worth the investment at Fairbanks or Yellowknife.
Book tours in advance during peak season. Guided tours fill up quickly in February and March. Many operators offer a repeat tour free of charge if conditions are poor on your original night.
When to Travel
| Destination | Season | Peak Months |
|---|---|---|
| Tromsø, Norway | Sep – Mar | Jan – Feb |
| Fairbanks, Alaska | Aug – Apr | Sep, Feb – Mar |
| Yellowknife, Canada | Nov – Apr | Feb |
| Iceland | Oct – Mar | Nov – Jan |
| Swedish Lapland | Sep – Mar | Jan – Feb |
The equinox periods in late September and mid-March are worth targeting regardless of destination. Geomagnetic activity increases around the equinoxes due to the orientation of the Earth’s magnetic field relative to the solar wind, raising the odds of strong aurora displays.
Practical Tips for the Trip
- Travel insurance that covers weather-related cancellations is useful given how dependent aurora tourism is on conditions.
- Many aurora lodges and tours operate on a sliding scale – if you book a multi-night package, your chances of at least one good sighting rise considerably.
- The aurora is a natural phenomenon and cannot be guaranteed. Approaching the trip with patience, and with other activities planned for daytime hours, makes for a more enjoyable experience overall.
- Photography workshops are available at most major aurora destinations. Spending a morning with a local photographer is a practical way to improve your results quickly.
- Rental car availability is limited at peak times in Tromsø and Yellowknife. Book early.
The aurora borealis rewards planning and patience. Choose a destination that fits your travel style, travel during the September-to-March window, monitor the forecasts, and get away from artificial light. The rest is a matter of timing and luck – which, for many travellers, is part of what makes it so memorable.