The extraordinary Aurora Borealis can be seen shape-shifting across the dark skies of The Yukon from mid-August to late April providing travelers a large window for planning their trip to northern Canada. It’s best to book your trip around the new moon for optimal dark skies. The Yukon sees an average winter temperature of -15 Celsius but can drop down to -40 Celsius with the coldest months typically being January and February. While it’s frigid, it’s also the best time of year for the clear, dark skies needed to witness nature’s shimmering technicolored light display.

Visiting between 2023 and 2025 will be the best chance to try your luck at catching the colorful display as it enters the solar maximum period. The northern lights follow an 11-year cycle depending on solar activity, with the middle period providing the most intense activity. During the solar maximum period, there’s a greater likelihood you’ll be able to witness the Aurora with more lights and bigger displays. The current cycle began in 2019 and starting in 2023 it began to enter the solar maximum period which will peak in 2025.

In The Yukon, where there’s very little light pollution, there are many areas renowned for spotting the Aurora. If you’re not staying in an accommodation that alerts guests when the aurora is on display, download the My Aurora Forecast app or check the Aurora Forecast to see when the lights may appear that evening.

Travelers can stay at a lodge in the Southern Lakes Region to have the full quintessential Yukon experience with a fireplace and cozy décor. The auroras are usually seen between 10 pm and 3 am. As you’ll be waking up in the middle of the night to see the northern lights, staying here is ideal as you won’t have to travel to a dark sky area to see the auroras dance.

If you’re staying in the Whitehorse area, you’ll need to drive out of town to get away from the city’s light pollution to Fish Lake or Chadburn Lake Road. In Dawson City, head up to the Midnight Dome—a scenic lookout high above the city.

While the star of the show only appears at night, there are plenty of exciting daytime experiences in The Yukon. Experience the dazzling winter landscape by going dog sledding or snowmobiling or get a bit more intimate with the surroundings by heading out into the boreal forest on foot in snowshoes. No matter how you decide to interact with the winter wonderland, you’re sure to be dazzled by the pristine nature of The Yukon. After such adventures, be sure to leave time to soak in The Yukon’s hot thermal waters at Eclipse Nordic Hot Springs.