There’s something truly special about standing under the northern sky as it erupts in color—ribbons of green, violet, and rose twisting above snow-covered forests or wide-open tundra. The northern lights have a way of making time stop. But as a travel advisor, if there’s one truth I always share with travelers, it’s this: you can’t chase the aurora like it’s a guarantee. Even in the most ideal conditions, nature has the final say.
That’s why the best aurora-focused trips are about more than just the lights. Northern Canada is one of my favorite destinations, because with or without the lights, travelers can have an extraordinary, immersive journey full of winter magic, beautiful landscapes, and unique cultural immersion. Here’s how to plan your trip.
Yukon
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Store fronts in Dawson City, Yukon, Canada.
Yukon is a remote, mountainous territory in northwestern Canada known for its rugged natural beauty, rich history, and plentiful opportunities for adventure. In the Southern Lakes region, the wilderness is thick with spruce and the air carries a stillness that settles into the soul. Days are active—tracking snowy trails, learning the rhythm of a dogsled team, or simply watching winter light shift over the lake. As evening falls, anticipation grows. From a private chalet, it’s possible to watch the aurora shimmer across the frozen lake—no crowd, no commute, just the sky unfolding in silence.
Then there’s Dawson City, a town nestled along the Yukon River. Steeped in Gold Rush history and wrapped in subarctic quiet, it feels like a frontier dream. Days in this area are filled with tours of historic sites and museums like the Dawson City Museum, beautiful views from the Midnight Dome, and exploration by foot, ferry, or even dog sled.
At night, a heated viewing yurt will await you just outside town. With warm drinks in hand, travelers can listen as a guide weaves together science, story, and myth while the sky stirs overhead and—if you’re lucky—blooms into color.
Northwest Territories
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Tuktoyaktuk, a small Inuit hamlet in the Northwest Territories.
High in the subarctic, a ski plane touches down on the frozen surface of Blachford Lake. Just east of Yukon, the Northeast Territories is where wilderness meets comfort. Blachford is perfect for a moment of solitude, but also connection: to the land, the season, and the warm hospitality of the aptly named Blachford Lodge. Days might include snowshoeing, ice fishing, or ripping around on a snowmobile. Evenings often bring aurora, wide and wild, undisturbed by light pollution.
Travelers can then continue north to the town of Inuvik and on to Tuktoyaktuk, a small Inuvialuit settlement at the edge of the Arctic Ocean. Here, with a local indigenous guide, you can snowmobile and dogsled across the frozen sea past wind-sculpted drifts and ice-covered pingos, through a landscape that feels otherworldly. Afterwards, head back indoors and share a warm meal featuring traditional dishes like muktuk, or frozen whale skin and blubber, connecting with the local community and immersing yourself in a unique, historic culture.
When to Go
Mid-January through the end of March is the prime northern lights season in Canada. Nights are long, skies are dark and clear, and auroral activity tends to peak around this time. In areas like the Yukon and Northwest Territories, there are often over 200 nights of aurora sightings a year. But again—don’t build a trip that hinges entirely on a light show. If you’re planning on traveling during this time of year, picture snowmobiling through a frozen forest, warming up in a log cabin, and sharing stories with an Indigenous host over fresh bannock, a traditional fried bread. The lights are unforgettable—but if you plan things right, everything else will be, too.
How Not to Freeze (and Actually Enjoy It)
Yes, it’ll be cold. Very cold. But northern cold has its own personality—sharp, exhilarating, and entirely manageable with the right gear. The secret? Layers. Think merino, fleece, and down—like a stylish onion with excellent taste in outerwear. Then, top it all off with boots, mitts, and a parka that could double as a sleeping bag. With the right clothing, you’re not just comfortable—you’re free to embrace the elements. As we say in Canada: there’s no such thing as bad weather, only bad equipment.
A northern lights journey may be inspired by the sky, but it’s the land—and the people—that stay with you. Come for the aurora. Leave with stories you’ll carry forever.
Mark Telio is a member of Travel + Leisure’s A-List and specializes in Canada trips. You can create a tailor-made itinerary with Telio by contacting him at marc@entreedestinations.com.
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