You can see the Northern Lights in the Yukon region of Canada, as well as in the alpine region of Jasper. These areas are closer to the North Pole and are very remote, which means there is very little light pollution to distort your view. There is also a chance to see the Northern Lights in other discrete areas, such as Yellowknife in the Northwest Territories and Churchill in Manitoba periodically, but your best chance is up North!

A natural phenomenon known across the world, the Northern Lights have captivated people for centuries with their seemingly magical display of lights. Seeing the Northern Lights is at the top of many bucket lists. Every year, people all across the world pack their bags and head out in search of an opportunity to catch a glimpse of the Aurora Borealis.

Fortunately, you won’t have to book a trip to the Nordic countries to get a good view. All over Canada, you can find prime locations to see the Northern lights.

From fall to spring these neon lights light up the sky in both the Yukon and Jasper.

The Best Spots to See the Northern Lights in the Yukon

Outdoor activities make up most of Yukon’s tourism. The same landscape that makes Yukon great for hiking and skiing have also made the alpine location ideal for watching the Northern Lights. The view of the Northern Lights is so great in the Yukon that it’s consistently ranked as one of the best places in the world to see them.

Because the Yukon has become famous for its view, you’ll be able to find a few comfortable places to stay in an otherwise remote area. If having to bundle up to watch the lights outside isn’t for you, you can have your pick from cozy cabins, glass chalets, and hot springs. While it’s possible to get a good view of the lights all across the territory, Whitehorse is a popular spot for many and is accessible for travel. Choosing Kluane National Park as your Northern Lights Viewing spot also gives you plenty to do during the day.

Much of Yukon has remained untouched over history, so the jagged landscape of the mountains looks perfect against the sky. The ruggedness of the northwest can be difficult to navigate for some but only adds to the experience. All over the Yukon you can find guided tours of the best spots to see the lights and get a better understanding of what makes the area special.

Why you should see the Northern Lights

People have a long history of looking to the sky for answers. Every culture has had its own interpretation of the constellations and the effect the planets have on us. It’s no wonder that for centuries people have tried to understand the Northern Lights.

Every culture has their interpretation of what the Northern Lights mean. Some see it as a sign that war is coming, while others believe babies born during the Northern Lights will live prosperous lives. Many Indigenous tribes thought the lights were ghosts of deceased family members playing in the sky.

Today we know that the Northern Lights are a phenomenon caused by collisions between electrically charged particles from the sun. Knowing the scientific reasoning behind the Northern Lights hasn’t made it any less inspiring to us, and many still believe spiritual reasoning behind it.

Most people don’t need to be talked into seeing the Northern Lights. Pictures of it are enough of a selling point, but you could never capture the impact of the lights in a photo. Many who have seen the Northern Lights consider it to be one of the most important things they’ve seen. Photos and descriptions could never compete with getting to see it in person. To really understand the magnitude of the Northern Lights, you’ll have to make the trip to see them yourself.

Throughout Canada and the rest of the world, you can find countless pieces of art stretching back hundreds of years. While these might be great examples of beauty, man-made artwork can’t hold up compared to the beauty found in nature. The Northern Lights have long been considered one of the most beautiful occurrences in the world, and it’s something we could never recreate. No matter how advanced humans become in art or technology, natural phenomenons stand like the Northern Lights are unattainable.

Mixed with Canada’s landscape, the Northern Lights are the best way to appreciate astronomy and nature. It’s clear to see what brings people out to some of the coldest spots in the world in the dead of winter.