Viewed from mid-August through to mid-April, there has never been a better time to plan a northern lights viewing trip to the Yukon, in Canada's north-west, with the current solar cycle set to reach its peak in 2025. This increase in solar activity results in more aurora activity here on Earth, making it an outstanding time for aurora viewing.

The solar cycle is a periodic 11-year change in the sun's activity. This pattern has been observed for centuries but wasn't clearly identified and recorded until 1843. During the cycle, the levels of solar radiation and ejection of solar material, the number of sunspots, solar flares and coronal loops ebb and flow from a stage of minimal activity to a period of maximum activity (known as the 'solar max') and back again.

Solar cycle 25 began in December of 2019 and is set to culminate in 2025, when solar max will create more aurora activity here on Earth. Although this peak period will slowly ebb after 2026, aurora activity will still be dynamic, offering incredible northern lights viewing opportunities throughout the entire cycle. The clear, star-filled skies of the Yukon provide the perfect backdrop for this enchanting natural phenomenon.

Your first look at the beautiful ribbons of dancing lights might occur during your flight into the Yukon or from the window of your hotel room. But there are many different ways to weave aurora viewing into an exciting winter experience.

Aurora viewing from Whitehorse and Dawson City

When staying in the Yukon's capital city of Whitehorse, book with a northern lights tour operator, such as Up North Adventures, who will pick you up in the evening and take you to the vast expanse of Fish Lake, 20 minutes from Whitehorse, free from artificial light. Stay warm in an authentic yurt, enjoy a hot chocolate and listen to the fascinating folklore surrounding the aurora. 

Alternatively, an adventure with Northern Tales will take you 30 minutes into the wilderness outside Whitehorse to watch the Northern Lights at their brightest in winter's complete darkness. Relax in a prospector-style wall tent once used by gold seekers and trappers. Bundle up and head outside to marvel as the night sky billows with mysterious curtains of rainbow colours from green and yellow to pink and blue. Step inside where it's toasty, heated by a wood-fired barrel stove, and hear stories of northern life from local guides who make maple syrup taffy right in front of your eyes.

Travellers to Dawson City can take a front row seat to the aurora borealis with Klondike Experience in Dawson City (open February – October). You'll be escorted from their hotel to an aurora viewing area outside the city where you'll witness the breathtaking northern lights in all of their glory. Knowledgeable tour guides entrance you with cultural and historical stories about the region as you nibble on snacks and enjoy hot drinks around the campfire in this enchanting winter wonderland.

Wilderness lodge adventures

Stay in a glass-fronted chalet at the Northern Lights Resort & Spa, purposely built for optimum aurora viewing, with large floor-to-ceiling glass offering a magical way to bring the enchanting outdoors inside. Just 20 minutes from Whitehorse, far from any light pollution, this unique winter wonderland is framed by picturesque pine forests and snow-drenched mountains, with cabins created from Douglas fir trees, and unobstructed views of the soaring aurora borealis.  

Watch the sun rise over Tagish Lake from the balcony of your cabin at Southern Lakes Resort, situated within the traditional territory of the Carcross / Tagish First Nation. During autumn and winter, you'll enjoy front row seats to the mystical northern lights and fill your days with dog sledding, snowshoeing and snowmobiling. 

GETTING THERE

Air Canada offers daily direct flights to Vancouver from Sydney and direct flights between Brisbane and Vancouver four times per week. Direct flights from Sydney to Vancouver are also available on Qantas. Internal flights to Whitehorse and Dawson City are available on Air North and Air Canada.

For more information about Yukon visit www.travelyukon.com.