[Animals] 5 Spectacular Ways to See the Northern Lights in Canada

[FNX Magokiler]

If you're looking forward to seeing the Northern Lights, perhaps you should consider traveling to Canada, where, in some regions, they streak across the sky 300 days a year. Northern Canada, in particular, offers the best opportunity to see the northern lights because much of the region lies beneath the auroral oval, the area around Earth's magnetic poles that is a hot spot of activity.

Auroras occur when electrically charged particles from the sun enter the atmosphere in a solar wind, collide with gases and produce small flashes that fill the sky with neon light. The best time to see them in Canada is from December to March, when there are more hours of darkness and cold, clear nights, or between August and October, when the midnight sun begins to dim but the weather allows for outdoor activities, such as hiking and paddling.

To enrich the experience, travelers can combine northern lights viewing with cultural and adventure activities in many destinations. Here are five unique ways to view one of nature's most impressive phenomena.

Aurora hunting by the Dene indigenous people - Northwest Territories
The Northwest Territories, situated over the three western provinces of Canada, are home to the indigenous Dene people. In Yellowknife, North Star Adventures offers a safari-style aurora "hunting" experience with cultural immersion. Travelers ride an SUV and make several stops while tour founder Joe Bailey reads the sky for the lights.

 

 

"The reason I called it 'aurora hunting' is the Dene cultural connection with my grandfather, who would take me hunting caribou, elk and buffalo," he says; "I wanted to incorporate that traditional activity into the name of the excursion."

"In the Denesulin language, we call the lights ya'ke ngas, which means 'the sky shakes,'" Bailey continues; "We believe that the lights are the spirits of our ancestors and loved ones telling us that all is well."

For more indigenous information, snuggle up in an aurora-viewing dome at North of 60 Adventures or in a tipi warmed by a wood fire at Aurora Village. Both Dene-owned operators also offer dog sledding tours, exploring snow-covered forest trails and frozen lakes.

Outdoor Adventure and Northern Lights - Yukon
With its sweeping landscapes and spectacular mountain views (Mount Logan is Canada's highest peak), the Yukon is an outdoor lover's dream. In autumn, when the sky darkens earlier and the aspen forest turns golden, the province also attracts northern lights seekers.

 

https://www.nationalgeographic.es/viaje-y-aventuras/2023/12/ver-auroras-boreales-canada