bjc280

Hello Travelors!

Happy Days

I have a question and need advice. I want to go to Canada to see the Northern Lights and I have a few questions.

1. Where do you think I should go?
2. When is the best time to see it (i understand it varies )
3. Do you know what tours are good?
4. Any other advice

Thanks!!!!
Bara

Erick_L

1- North. Yukon is good simply because it's far north and accessible.
2- They are slightly more frequent at the equinoxes. Winter is a good time because the night is long.
3- No need for a tour, just a dark sky so avoid cities. Then best would be an isolated cabin with a good view facing north.
4- I like this site for forecasts: http://www.gi.alaska.edu/AuroraForecast/NorthAmerica/
- Keep the lights inside very low.
- Stay up and look out!!! You won't see them if you're watching TV and go to bed early.
- You might be standing still at -30° so bring/rent very warm clothes.
- Stay long enough.
- Go where there's something else to do/see. Travelling up north in winter can be expensive so have a back up plan in case the sky doesn't light up.

janisj

>>- Stay long enough.
- Go where there's something else to do/see. Travelling up north in winter can be expensive so have a back up plan in case the sky doesn't light up.<<

That is the main problem w/ planning a trip primarily for the Northern Lights. Your time is limited so you can't wait it out, and there may be nothing to see so you will have spent a boat load of $$$$ for not much . . .

elbegewa

Be sure to explore the webpages associated to that which Erick_L listed above ... in particular that for people trying to travel to see them: http://www.gi.alaska.edu/AuroraForecast/travelers-guide

bjc280

thank you everyone!

PolarBearTown

We spend a great deal of time in Churchill, Manitoba and the Northern Lights there are stunning! You're pretty sure to have a polar bear sighting while there as well!

Borealis

You don't have to go in winter - avoid the cold and go in spring or autumn, the nights are long enough then. What you definitely need is a clear sky - you won't see the aurora borealis if it is overcast. Ditto for the bright city lights - the light pollution can wash the northern lights out. Anywhere north of 53 to 54 degrees will be suitable. Stronger displays are seen much further south than that. The sun has been very active lately spewing out lots of CMEs, but soon (meaning probably within the next year) will start becoming more quiet and brilliant displays will become rarer - all part of the 11 year-or-so cycle.