Aurora Hunting Near Whitehorse: Night Drives to See the Northern Lights
Difficulty
easy
Duration
4 hours
Fitness Level
Low aerobic demand—participants should be able to stand outdoors in cold for extended periods and walk short distances on frozen ground.
Overview
Head out of Whitehorse after dark and chase the aurora across frozen lakes and high pullouts. This guided night drive combines astrophotography, local storytelling, and professional cold-weather logistics to improve your chances of witnessing the Northern Lights.
Aurora Hunting Near Whitehorse: Night Drives to See the Northern Lights
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You slide into the van with a thermos of hot drink, the heater humming like a small promise. Outside, the highway fades into a ribbon of black and the whitewash of frozen lakes glints under a low moon. Your guide eases the vehicle onto a turnout, kills the engine, and the silence arrives: an Arctic silence that feels alive. Above, a soft green band swells, then ripples—an electric curtain unfurling across a sky unimaginably vast.
Adventure Photos
Adventure Tips
Dress in insulated layers
Temperatures can fall below -40°C—bring a down parka, base layers, insulated boots, gloves and a face mask to stay warm while standing still.
Bring a tripod and spare batteries
Cold drains batteries fast and steady framing requires a tripod—store spares close to your body to keep them warm.
Watch the local aurora forecast
Guides chase clear skies—check KP-index alerts and cloud cover before your night; flexibility improves your odds.
Minimize light and noise
Use red headlamps, avoid phone flash photography, and follow guide directions to preserve night vision and the experience for others.
Local Insights
Wildlife
- Moose
- Red fox
History
Local First Nations such as the Kwanlin Dün and Ta’an Kwäch’än have long stories connecting the lights to ancestors and seasonal cycles.
Conservation
Operate with low-impact principles: limit idling, pack out all waste, and avoid disturbing wildlife and vegetation on fragile winter soils.
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Adventure Hotspots in Whitehorse
Frequently Asked Questions
Recommended Gear
Insulated down parka
Core warmth for standing in subzero temperatures.
winter specific
Insulated, waterproof boots with good traction
Keeps feet warm and stable on icy pullouts and lake shores.
winter specific
Tripod and wide-angle camera lens
Required for long-exposure aurora photography and steady composition.
Red-headlamp and spare camera batteries
Preserves night vision and ensures you can keep shooting as batteries cool.
winter specific