Canada’s Greatest Locations to Witness the Northern Lights, In response to a High Journey Advisor

I’ve at all times had a lust for far-flung locations and exploring the cultures that inhabit them. I discover the methods of life in distant locations fascinating: how folks survive in harsh circumstances, purchase meals, entertain themselves, elevate youngsters, and protect their historical past and non secular beliefs.

Canada’s northern territories ship this and extra. So far as it’s, the area offers a lifetime of exploration. Plus, it presents an unobstructed vantage level to witness the northern lights greater than 200 nights a yr. Listed below are two exhilarating winter journeys I like to recommend: one to the Northwest Territories and one other to the Yukon Territory. 

Yukon Territory

Immediately north of British Columbia and east of Alaska lies the Yukon Territory. It is almost the dimensions of Spain, however with solely 45,000 inhabitants, 1 / 4 of whom are indigenous. The province has a wealthy historical past and spectacular surroundings: towering mountains, crystal-clear lakes, and dense forests. 

After arriving within the capital, Whitehorse, start your journey with a go to to a distant lodge on the shores of Tagish Lake. Winter actions embrace ice fishing, snowshoeing, canine sledding, and snowmobiling on the frozen lake and surrounding trails. At night time, marvel on the northern lights, whereas keeping track of forecasts and apps that predict aurora visibility.

Following three nights on the lake, journey to Dawson Metropolis, a city made well-known by the Klondike Gold Rush. Right here, you’ll study in regards to the first gold discovery at Bonanza Creek in 1896 and the way Dawson Metropolis swelled from 500 to 100,000 folks in simply three years. A gathering with a neighborhood First Nations elder presents perception into how the gold rush impacted its tradition and freedom.

The journey to Dawson Metropolis is additional highlighted by a flight over Tombstone Territorial Park and a return journey alongside the famed Dempster Freeway. And, after all, there’s extra northern lights viewing from a secluded yurt, free from gentle air pollution.

Northwest Territories

The Northwest Territories supply an expertise not like every other. The epic geography of this area, a lot of it above the tree line, has formed how its inhabitants have lived for generations. Half the territory lies inside a polar local weather and borders the Arctic Ocean, the place frozen sea ice stretches from October to June. Every winter, ice highways emerge, making distant villages accessible. 

After an evening in Yellowknife, the capital, take a ski-plane to Blachford Lake Lodge and land on the frozen lake itself. You’ll spend your days having fun with mushy adventures reminiscent of snowboarding, snowshoeing, ice fishing, and snowmobiling on close by trails. Evenings are reserved for the northern lights (seen right here as much as 240 days a yr), which you’ll take pleasure in in silence underneath the crisp, starry skies.

Subsequent, journey to Inuvik, the place native Inuit hosts share their conventional lifestyle. Study life on the traplines, witness an igloo-building demonstration, and have the chance to strive muktuk (whale pores and skin and blubber), a conventional Inuit meals.

The journey’s crescendo is a personal flight over the Richardson mountain vary to Tuktoyaktuk, an Inuit hamlet on the shores of the Arctic Ocean. It’s the one Arctic neighborhood related to the remainder of Canada by freeway, and life right here feels otherworldly. Bruce Noksana, an Inuvialuit canine musher, will lead an exhilarating canine sledding expertise and welcome you into his house, sharing native bounty and tales of his folks’s traditions and life on the tundra.

Whereas many come to see the northern lights, vacationers in these distant territories are rewarded with one thing deeper: significant connections to the folks, tradition, and land.

Marc Telio is a member of Journey + Leisure’s A-Checklist and, because the founder and president of Entrée Locations, focuses on journeys to Canada and Alaska. You possibly can create a tailored itinerary with Telio by contacting him at marc@entreedestinations.com.