Searching for Aurora in Yellowknife, NWT

 

For those who love adventure and nature, seeing the aurora borealis or northern lights as they are more commonly known, is a bucket list item to check off in their lifetime.  This was certainly one of mine.  I headed to Yellowknife, NWT to try to see them.  You can also see them in Iceland, Finland and Norway or even Alaska, but it seemed much more economical for me to see them in my own country.  It's also much more expensive in those other countries. This is the best place to see the northern lights as they can be seen in Yellowknife for 240 days of the year on average because of the proximity to the arctic circle! 

WHEN IS THE BEST TIME TO SEE THEM?

The aurora will start to show up in October and the season will go until mid-April.  However, it can also be seen as early as late August.  These are the best chances to see them.  They do come out in the summer as well but during May to July, the sun is up 24/7.  It will still look like daytime at midnight. 

HOW MANY DAYS SHOULD YOU PLAN FOR?

I chose to stay for four nights.  I was able to see them the first night and the last night. Both nights put on a show and were spectacular. The two nights in between were cloudy and we were unable to see the aurora.    Seeing the aurora are based on multiple things; clear sky, stars out and very cold temperature.  I was out in -24 the first night and in -27 the last night.  If all these are in place, you will 99.9% see the northern lights that night.

WHAT IS THE BEST WAY TO SEE THEM?

There are three ways to see them.  The first option is to pick a tour that allows you to stay in one spot and hope the aurora shows up there.  Some people like this option as it provides a teepee with a fire pit and hot chocolate to keep you warm and there are washrooms available on site.  This tour is called Aurora Village.  It is a little more expensive than the tour bus option but if comfort and warmth is what your are looking for, this is definitely it.

The second option is that you can drive around yourself at night and hope you can see them or you can choose the third option and join a tour that will do all that for you.  Unless you know the area, I would join the tours at night.  There are many advantages to this.  They will pick you up from your hotel and take you aurora hunting anywhere from 4-6 hours and do their best to show you the aurora.  They know many of the places outside of Yellowknife away from the light pollution where it may appear and you can get great shots of it.  Some tours even provide you with hot chocolate and take photos of you with the aurora behind you as your keepsake.

Photo taken by Katie

I chose to go with Aurora Borealis Experience.  They can pick you up from any hotel or Bed and Breakfast in Yellowknife and take you on the hunt for the night.  I had two different drivers.  The first night I had Roland and Katie, a wonderful husband and wife team.  Roland drove while Katie looked out the windows searching for aurora in the sky.  She also took our tour pictures and made us hot chocolate during the night.  Roland drives a large black bus and it was parked outside my BnB for three of the nights to pick me up.  They are very knowledgeable and know where to get the best views.

The other driver is Steven.  I had him the third night. He drives a smaller bus and will take pictures for you, however, there is no hot chocolate offered.  Either way, I had a wonderful experience with all the drivers.

The pictures are uploaded by the company and sent you to in an email for you download the next day.

WHAT CAN YOU DO DURING THE DAY?

So, your nights are full of aurora hunting but what can you do during the daytime?  There are many activities you can join;

• Dog Sledding
• Dettah Ice Road Tour
• Ice Fishing
• City Sightseeing Tour
• Snowmobile Tour
• Ice Grotto Cave Tour
• Visit the Snowcastle

WHAT SHOULD YOU WEAR?

The weather up north is cold.  During the day, it might be sunny and -13, which is bearable, however, once the wind picks up, the temperature can quickly turn down to -26 with the wind-chill.  You will need the items below to keep warm, especially at night;

• Hand Warmers
• Toe Warmers
• Double layered socks
• A Parka or Heavy Winter Jacket
• Hand Mitts
• Scarf
• Toque 
• Earmuffs
• Thermal pants and shirt
• Snow Pants (optional)
• Waterproof arctic boots
• Pack of tissues for your runny nose

HOW TO TAKE PICTURES OF AURORA WITH YOUR iPHONE?

If you have an iPhone, the instructions are simple.

• Open your camera app
• Click on top left night mode button (yellow with half moon) to turn it on
• Click on the middle arrow on the top of screen
• Go below and click on the night mode button again
• Swipe to the left so your iso is gone to the far right
• Place it on a tripod to prevent shakes and get the maximum exposure time
• Use a remote button to take pictures
• Pictures will come out displaying the northern lights.
• If you want pics of you in them, someone must flash a quick light on you during the exposure time.

Seeing the northern lights in person can be a life changing experience.  It is easily the most beautiful thing you will see when you are there.  I know it was for me.  I hope that you will be able to have the same experience.  Good luck and happy hunting!