The dancing lights of the aurora borealis are among nature's most magical displays. Like a celestial ballet, these ghostly green, blue, and sometimes red curtains shimmer and wave across the northern night sky. For many travelers, seeing the Northern Lights is a bucket-list experience—and Canada's Yukon Territory is one of the world's premier destinations to witness this spectacular phenomenon.
The Science Behind the Aurora
Before we delve into the practical aspects of aurora hunting, it's worth understanding what creates this mesmerizing light show. The Northern Lights occur when charged particles from the sun collide with gases in Earth's atmosphere. These collisions release energy in the form of light. Different gases produce different colors—oxygen typically creates green and red lights, while nitrogen produces blue and purple hues.
The auroras follow an 11-year solar cycle, with peak activity during solar maximum periods. Currently, we're approaching a solar maximum phase expected around 2024-2025, making the next few years an excellent time for aurora viewing.
Why Yukon?
Yukon Territory sits under what scientists call the "aurora oval"—the ring-shaped region around the Earth's magnetic poles where aurora activity is most concentrated. Additionally, Yukon offers several key advantages for aurora hunters:
- Low light pollution, especially in areas outside Whitehorse
- Clear, crisp nights with minimal cloud cover during winter months
- Long, dark winter nights providing extended viewing windows
- Accessible wilderness locations with stunning foreground landscapes
- Well-established tourism infrastructure for aurora viewing
Best Time to See the Northern Lights in Yukon
The prime viewing season runs from mid-August to mid-April. However, the absolute best months are February and March, which offer a perfect balance of dark skies, relatively milder temperatures (though still quite cold!), and statistically greater aurora activity.
Top Viewing Locations
While the Northern Lights can be seen throughout Yukon Territory, certain locations offer particularly spectacular viewing opportunities:
1. Whitehorse Area
The territorial capital serves as an excellent base for aurora hunting. Just 20-30 minutes outside the city, you'll find darkness suitable for aurora viewing. Many tour operators offer nightly excursions to purpose-built viewing areas complete with warm cabins, hot drinks, and photography assistance.
2. Lake Laberge
Made famous by Robert Service's poem "The Cremation of Sam McGee," this 50km-long lake about 50 minutes from Whitehorse offers spectacular aurora reflections when the lake isn't frozen. In winter, the frozen expanse provides a vast, open viewing platform.
3. Tombstone Territorial Park
For the more adventurous, this remote park along the Dempster Highway offers some of the most dramatic landscape backdrops for aurora photography. The jagged mountain peaks silhouetted against the dancing lights create truly unforgettable images.
4. Dawson City
This historic Gold Rush town sits even further north than Whitehorse, increasing your chances of aurora sightings. The contrast between the colorful heritage buildings and the Northern Lights makes for unique photography opportunities.
"There are no words to describe the feeling of standing beneath a sky alive with dancing lights. It's humbling, magical, and utterly transformative."
— Local Yukon Aurora Guide
Photography Tips for the Northern Lights
Capturing the aurora requires specialized techniques and equipment. Here are some essential tips for photographing this elusive phenomenon:
Essential Equipment
- Camera: A DSLR or mirrorless camera with manual settings is essential.
- Lens: A wide-angle lens with a fast aperture (f/2.8 or wider) will let in more light.
- Tripod: Absolutely necessary for the long exposures required.
- Remote shutter release: Helps avoid camera shake during long exposures.
- Extra batteries: Cold temperatures drain batteries quickly.
- Hand warmers: Useful for keeping batteries warm and fingers functioning.
Camera Settings
Start with these settings as a baseline and adjust as needed:
- Mode: Manual
- Format: RAW for maximum editing flexibility
- Aperture: As wide as possible (f/2.8 or lower)
- Shutter speed: 15-30 seconds (shorter for very bright auroras to avoid overexposure)
- ISO: Start at 1600 and adjust based on conditions
- Focus: Manual focus set to infinity (∞)
- White balance: Auto or 3500K-4500K
Composition Tips
While it's tempting to point your camera straight up at the lights, the most compelling aurora photographs typically include some foreground elements that provide context and scale. Look for silhouetted trees, mountains, cabins, or reflections in water to enhance your compositions.
Preparing for Your Aurora Adventure
Viewing the Northern Lights in Yukon involves spending extended periods outdoors in potentially very cold conditions. Proper preparation is essential:
What to Wear
The key is layering. Start with a moisture-wicking base layer, add an insulating middle layer (like fleece or down), and finish with a windproof, waterproof outer shell. Don't forget insulated pants, a warm hat, mittens (warmer than gloves), and insulated boots rated for extreme cold. Chemical hand and foot warmers can be lifesavers.
Tour or Independent Viewing?
If you're new to aurora hunting or visiting Yukon for the first time, I highly recommend booking with an established aurora tour company for at least your first night. Guides know the best viewing locations based on current weather conditions, provide transportation, warm shelters, hot drinks, and often photography assistance. After gaining experience, you might consider renting a vehicle for independent aurora chasing later in your trip.
Aurora Forecasting Resources
Several online resources can help predict aurora activity:
- Space Weather Prediction Center (SWPC)
- Aurora Forecast app by University of Alaska Fairbanks
- Canadian Space Weather Forecast Centre
Look for a Kp index of 3 or higher for good chances of seeing the aurora in Yukon.
Beyond the Aurora: Daytime Activities in Yukon
Since the aurora is a nighttime phenomenon, you'll want to plan activities for your daylight hours. Yukon offers plenty of options:
- Dog sledding through pristine wilderness
- Soaking in the Takhini Hot Springs
- Visiting the Yukon Wildlife Preserve to see northern species
- Exploring the history of the Klondike Gold Rush in Dawson City
- Ice fishing on one of Yukon's many lakes
- Cross-country skiing or snowshoeing on well-maintained trails
Respecting the Land and Culture
Yukon is home to 14 First Nations, many of whom have their own stories and beliefs about the Northern Lights. Some Indigenous cultures believe the lights are the spirits of ancestors dancing in the sky or that whistling at the lights will draw them closer (though others warn against this). Learning about these perspectives adds another dimension to your aurora experience.
When traveling in Yukon, practice Leave No Trace principles, respect private property, and be aware that you're in the habitat of wildlife like bears, moose, and wolves.
Final Thoughts
Seeing the Northern Lights is never guaranteed—it depends on solar activity, clear skies, and a bit of luck. However, by traveling to Yukon during prime aurora season and following the tips above, you'll maximize your chances of experiencing this natural wonder.
Even if the lights don't appear on a given night, the star-filled Yukon sky is a spectacle in itself. The journey to remote viewing locations through pristine wilderness, the camaraderie of fellow aurora chasers, and the stillness of the northern night all combine to create an experience that's about much more than just the lights themselves.
Come with patience, an adventurous spirit, and a willingness to embrace the cold—Yukon's Northern Lights will reward you with memories to last a lifetime.
