THESE DAYS THE TERM “astro-tourism” flows through dinner conversations, talk shows and is splashed across travel magazines and websites – and with good reason. The sudden interest in what’s above us took hold during the pandemic – providing a sense of wonder while we were confined to our own bubbles, with people sharing their night sky views on social media.
One of the most buzzed about sky adventures are the Northern Lights, or Aurora Borealis, (flashes of charged particles along Earth’s magnetic field mixing with gasses in the atmosphere, which create the vibrant colours we see in the sky). Thanks to a surge in solar activity, we have a Solar Maximum – the peak of an 11-year cycle when solar activity is dramatically increased. That’s why, this winter season, we’re seeing displays across the sky much further south and more frequently – wispy blues, greens, pinks and purples sliding across the sky like a water-colour painting. “We’re unbelievably fortunate to be able to observe the Northern Lights,” says astronomer Matt Robinson, who is based in Sweden and is a Northern Lights guide for The Aurora Zone. “The odds are stacked against us and yet we have the opportunity to travel north and experience this breathtaking phenomenon.” While some of the videos and images might have you wondering if they’re even real (we live in an AI world after all), they truly don’t do the natural wonder justice when experienced in person, especially if you’re as far north as possible.
“During the winter, nature in the Arctic is firmly in hibernation,” explains Robinson. “The only signs of life are distant barking from husky safaris running through the forest and the crunch of snow below your feet. Add this sensory overload with seeing the magical, colourful lights above your head and you have the perfect experience – in my opinion, nothing else comes close.” Full disclosure, at the time of writing this, I have yet to catch a glimpse of Aurora magic with my own eyes despite trying on several occasions. That’s the nature of travel, it doesn’t always go as planned, but when it does, that’s when memories are made. And I’m ready for this season to be my Northern Lights moment.
One way to make your Aurora adventure more rewarding is to book an experience with a trained guide to take you through the phenomenon and help you capture the moment. “I feel like an astronomical wizard [when showing people the Northern Lights]… Only joking. Pride, immense pride,” says Robinson. “You now have a place permanently in that person’s memory and them in yours. I also feel in that moment exactly what they’re feeling because I had that feeling 12 years ago when I saw the Northern Lights for the first time and every time after because every display is different.”
Here’s where you can find the best Northern Lights chances – from our own Canadian backyard to the Arctic Circle – all with luxurious and unique accommodations (because an out-of-this-world experience deserves a room that steps up to that level or magic).
FINLAND
The Kirkujell Waterfalls are breathtaking by day, but at night, it’s possible to witness the vibrant aurora borealis in all its glory.
Increase your odds by going as far north as possible, (we’re talking Arctic Circle north) in arguably one of the best places to see the Aurora Borealis: Finland. Seeing the Northern Lights could happen a few times this year in lower destinations because of the Solar Maximum, but in Finland your chances increase to several times per week – every single winter. Helping you get the most of those chances is The Aurora Zone, which specializes in aurora-based trips throughout Finland, Norway and Iceland. Picture yourself under a sky with dancing colours, knee-deep snow and gazing upward. When you’re not out chasing the lights with a guide like Robinson, the company also designs winter adventures like snowmobiling, husky safaris and reindeer activities, and offer luxury stays too, with glass-roofed accommodations, iconic log cabins, stylish hotel rooms or quirky Aurora Huts.
CRUISING THROUGH SCANDINAVIA
Why not pair two bucket list items at once? Cruise the Arctic and catch the Aurora Borealis at the same time in one of the more unique ways to see the Northern Lights this season. With many cruise lines offering the chance to do anywhere from six nights up to three weeks onboard (remember, the longer you’re there, the better your chances), you can also choose from more luxury-based ships (think Regent Seven Seas) to expedition- based cruises (think Quark). Hurtigruten’s cruise even comes with a Northern Lights promise – should you not see the display on their 11-day Norwegian cruise, you’ll get a free six-day southbound or seven-day northbound cruise to try again. Or opt for one that is aptly named Aurora Expeditions that has an 18-day Northern Lights cruise leaving from Tromsø in Norway to the Lofoten Islands and then on to Greenland and Iceland – only offered once per year, so sign up for 2026 asap if this is your dream.
ALASKA
Alaska also has the advantage of being far enough north to make Northern Lights sightings more on the reg than other places around the world. The added bonus: You get impressive mountain views in the foreground while the Aurora Borealis runs across the sky above. Get that epic combo with a stay at the Susitna Lodge. Just off the Denali Highway, this all-inclusive private resort lodge comes with views of the Alaskan mountain range and lakes. By day you can do dog mushing training, dog sledding, an ice fishing day trip, snow hiking, snowmobiling and more –there’s no chance that you will be bored here. By night you can do a guided Aurora tour bundled up with blankets and hot drinks.
MANITOBA
The Pas, in northern Manitoba, is a top spot for viewing the Northern Lights, offering dark skies and minimal light pollution near the Saskatchewan River and Clearwater Lake. Photo: Travel Manitoba
The Northern Lights plus polar bears plus incredible food? Sign us up for an Aurora vacation with Frontiers North in Churchill, Manitoba. This is truly a Canadian bucket list vacation – spending time in the subarctic just beneath the auroral oval is considered to be one of the best places in the world to see the Northern Lights. Daytime adventures along the tundra include tours, beluga whale watching and polar bear spotting. Once the astronomical darkness hits, you can view the Northern Lights while enjoying a multi- course menu. Frontiers North offers Dan’s Diner in their Northern Lights package – a chance to dine on local ingredients from the drsea and the land in a remote setting – it’ll be one meal you’ll never forget.
SCOTLAND
With the Solar Maximum pushing those colourful flits south, you have a chance to see the Aurora sans the frigid temps and knee-high snow. If a light dusting of snow or morning mist is in your temperature range, make a visit to Scotland where the lights can be visible from the islands all the way down to the capital, Edinburgh. One of the more out-there options to unpack your bags at is Airship002 – a space-age looking accommodation sitting on 4-acres near Drimnin in the Scottish Highlands. Named one of the most unique stays in the country, this space comes with curved glass windows, portholes for viewing, a balcony, a fireplace and the chance to see wildlife and the curving landscape during day – but by night, glimpses of the stars, the Milky Way and, fingers crossed, those dancing swirls of green and purple.
ONTARIO
Thanks to this year’s phenomena with the Aurora Borealis, your chances of seeing the lights closer to the 49th parallel are much higher. And while the show won’t be as spectacular as it would be further north, knowing you could just be a few hours away means you can easily make a weekend of it – and makes it far more accessible. Just a few hours north of Toronto you will find Freija – a rustic but lovely cabin experience located in one of the darkest sky areas of Ontario, adjacent to Kinghurst Forest in Grey County on 100 acres perfect for stargazing, forest bathing, and unplugging from day-to-day life. Your perfect Aurora day and night here might go something like this: snowshoeing through the forest, warming up in the Finnish-inspired sauna, warm bevies and s’mores fireside, and star-and Aurora-gazing through the night. Sounds like a dream.
