{"id":38039,"date":"2019-09-18T08:30:00","date_gmt":"2019-09-17T22:30:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.intrepidtravel.com\/adventures\/?p=38039&preview=true&preview_id=38039"},"modified":"2025-02-27T04:17:40","modified_gmt":"2025-02-26T17:17:40","slug":"canadian-rockies-northern-lights","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.intrepidtravel.com\/adventures\/canadian-rockies-northern-lights\/","title":{"rendered":"Why the Canadian Rockies are the best place on earth to see the Northern Lights"},"content":{"rendered":"

When you think of the Northern Lights\u00a0\u2013\u00a0the elusive green ribbons of the earth\u2019s solar and magnetic fields that dance through the sky on dark cold nights\u00a0\u2013\u00a0places like Iceland<\/a>, Greenland<\/a>, and the Norwegian or Canadian Arctic<\/a> typically come to mind. We think far north, hence the name.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Sure, Iceland\u2019s scenery is otherworldly, and its northerly latitude and longitude are perfectly positioned for viewing the Northern Lights, but the weather is unpredictable. In the winter months, when the aurora forecast is typically at its strongest, it\u2019s often cloudy (and overcast, at best). And, well, the Arctic isn\u2019t very accessible during those\u00a0<\/span>dark winter months \u2013 for most of us at least. Instead, we rely on researchers and scientists<\/span> brave enough to spend winter there to share imagery o<\/span>f the<\/span> aurora with us.<\/span><\/p>\n

Much to my surprise (especially as a Canadian married to an Icelandic), some of the best places to spot the bright pallet of colours of the aurora are actually right here in my backyard. Alberta, Canada<\/a> is home to the top two largest Dark Sky Preserves on earth: Wood Buffalo National Park (also Canada\u2019s largest national park) covers an area of 44,807 km<\/span>2<\/span>, and Jasper National Park covers an area of 11,000 km\u00b2. Those spots \u2013 and plenty of small towns and parks across the province \u2013 make <\/span>Alberta <\/span>one of the most spectacular places on earth to catch the aurora at its finest.<\/span><\/p>\n

JOIN US ON AN OUT-OF-THIS-WORLD 11-DAY SMALL GROUP ADVENTURE THROUGH THE CANADIAN ROCKIES\u00a0\u2013 FULL DETAILS HERE<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n

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The Northern Lights, dancing above Banff. Photo by Janice Chen.<\/p><\/div>\n

There are two things that set the search for the Northern Lights in Alberta\u2019s Rocky Mountains apart from anywhere else: the pure, unobstructed solitude of Alberta\u2019s dark skies, and the fact that the region gets more cloud-free days than most places on earth. Despite the incredibly harsh, cold winters, (seriously, Alberta has some of the coldest-ever temperatures recorded in the Canada, getting as low as -60<\/span>\u00b0C<\/span>) Alberta has clear skies more than 300 days per year, with Edmonton and Calgary ranked as the country\u2019s sunniest cities.<\/span><\/p>\n

If you\u2019re up for stargazing and adventure in some of Canada\u2019s most wild, extreme conditions, head to the Rockies during the winter to see some serious celestial magic on display. From <\/span>the bustle of <\/span>Edmonton<\/span>,<\/span> to the sprawling space of Peace R<\/span>iv<\/span>er, to the untouched gem that makes up Jasper National Park\u00a0<\/span>and<\/span> the <\/span>unsurpassed rugged beauty <\/span>of Banff, Canmore and Kananaskis, Alberta\u2019s <\/span>natural state\u00a0\u2013\u00a0<\/span>especially in the colder months \u2013 will captivate you.<\/span><\/p>\n

EXPLORE OUR FULL RANGE OF SMALL GROUP ADVENTURES IN CANADA NOW<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n

Jasper National Park<\/b><\/h2>\n
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Perfect reflections in Jasper’s stunning Annette Lake. Photo by Liam Neal.<\/p><\/div>\n

A true untouched gem in Alberta is UNESCO World Heritage Site Jasper National Park. Though there\u2019s a historic, laid-back<\/span> little<\/span> town right in the centre of the park \u2013 created in 1907 along th<\/span>e Canadian Pacific R<\/span>ailway \u2013 it remains a remote wilderness because of its secluded location three hours from Lake Louise, four hours from Edmonton, and five hours from Calgary.<\/span><\/p>\n

For stargazers and aurora hunters, the best thing about Jasper National Park is that in March 2011 it was designated as a Dark Sky Preserve by the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada. Receiving the designation require<\/span>s <\/span>the area to have little to no light pollution. \u201cIn Jasper, we changed the park lights to dark sky lights, with fixtures that shine downwards instead of upwards towards the sky,\u201d says Rogier Gruys, who works for Parks Canada as a product development specialist. \u201cWe all need darkness. For ourselves to sleep, and for a lot of nocturnal animals, be it turtles, owls, wolves, bears,<\/span> and<\/span> bats, who all rely on darkness to hunt and live \u2013 so having natural dark skies is important.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

SPLASH OUT ON SOME NEW WINTER WOOLLIES ON OUR 10-DAY CANADIAN ROCKIES WINTER ADVENTURES\u00a0\u2013 MORE INFO HERE<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n

\u201cIn bright cities, you see insects attracted to the light, and of course that\u2019s not natural. For wildlife everywhere, including here in the Rockies, it\u2019s so important to have natural dark areas,\u201d he says. Even humans benefit from the dark sky, adds Gruys. \u201cWhen people sleep, scientists recommend a dark room, so if we\u2019re using our phones with a lot of blue light, have streetlights or the neighbour\u2019s lights shining into our windows, it disrupts our circadian rhythm, disturbs our natural patterns, and makes it more difficult to sleep \u2013 that\u2019s why it\u2019s important for us to have darkness.<\/span>\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

According to former marketing manager for the Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge Taylor Lancee, \u201cWe\u2019re fully outnumbered in Jasper by elk, deer, moose, coyotes, wolf, black bears, brown bears, grizzly bears, foxes… the list goes on. But you definitely find more wildlife than people here.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

RELATED: 8 INCREDIBLE ANIMALS YOU’LL FIND IN CANADA<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n

So bonus, <\/span>you can come to the Rockies for not only the astronomy and wildlife, but for some much-needed REM sleep too. And if you don\u2019t catch the Northern Lights, there is plenty to do in the charming old town, like visiting the delicious Jasper Brewing Company for a pint of their signature Jasper the Bear Lager (named after the town\u2019s mascot),\u00a0<\/span>brewed <\/span>with clover honey. Later, grab dinner at sinister-themed Evil Dave\u2019s, where they served locally sourced Canadian cuisine with a wicked twist (the hell\u2019s chicken is to die for). If you\u2019re a skier, the local mountain, Marmot Basin, has more champagne powder than anywhere else in Canada,<\/span> due to its altitude and dry climate, <\/span>and no line ups longer than two minutes at the lifts; a true local secret.<\/span><\/p>\n

Later, head to the Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge, situated on the shores of Lac Beauvert, and visit the planetarium. It\u2019s a unique 50-person geodesic heated dome where you can learn about the aboriginal star history of the area.\u00a0 Afterwards, eat s<\/span>\u2019<\/span>mores<\/span> and<\/span> drink hot chocolate<\/span> or a cocktail<\/span>, and take a peek through the two largest telescopes in the Rockies at the stars, nebulas, and craters on the moon; you’ll<\/span>\u00a0even be able to see the pink dust around the stars.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

If <\/span>you\u2019re passionate about <\/span>astronom<\/span>y,<\/span> plan your trip during the Dark Sky Festival<\/a> (which happens this year from October 18-27 at the Jasper Park Lodge and Planetarium). You\u2019ll rub shoulders with some astronomy greats, watch the sky while an orchestra plays, and learn more than you thought possible about the night sky.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"A

Banff’s incredible Lake Louise. Photo by Liam Neal.<\/p><\/div>\n

Just 10 minutes from the town of Jasper is Pyramid Island, <\/span>a<\/span> local favourite place t<\/span>o <\/span>stargaze. Walk 100 metres down an easy trail \u2013 so easy that you can\u2019t get lost, even in the dark\u00a0\u2013 then cross a small bridge that gives you a perfect view to the north. If there\u2019s no moon, it\u2019s likely you\u2019ll see the Milky Way. During summer, Pyramid Island has incredible reflections, and in winter, the frozen lake <\/span>surrounded by <\/span>snow-covered mountains makes for a beautiful backdrop.<\/span><\/p>\n

Another must during winter is the ice walk through the Maligne Canyon \u2013 and you can do it regardless of the hour. By day, pop on ice cleats and a helmet and explore the incredible karst cave and river system that runs beneath the deepest canyon in the Rockies, with 30-metre-high limestone walls, surrounded by\u00a0glittering ice caves and towering frozen waterfalls that glow turquoise with the sun. You\u2019ll notice patterns in the ice and snow that look like they <\/span>can\u2019t possibly be made naturally<\/span>, and the<\/span> tiniest, most intricate snowflakes and icicles, if you get up close. By night, you\u2019ll be taking this all in with headlamps, then have a chance to <\/span>flick them off and <\/span>watch the <\/span>sky in a place with no light pollution at all.<\/span><\/p>\n

RELATED: WHY YOU SHOULD GO ON A CAMPING ADVENTURE THROUGH THE ROCKY MOUNTAINS<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n

Icefields Parkway<\/b><\/h2>\n

The Icefields Parkway \u2013 a 232 km stretch of highway that winds through the Rocky Mountain peaks, icefields, waterfalls, and valleys from Jasper to Lake Louise \u2013 is rated as one of the best drives in the world. Not only that, if you drive it at night, it’s<\/span>\u00a0dark enough to catch a glimpse of the fabled aurora, where gaseous particles from the earth\u2019s atmosphere collide with charged particles released from the sun\u2019s atmosphere.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThere are maps of light pollution\u00a0\u2013 even with towns 300 km away, it still has an effect\u00a0\u2013 but with the Icefields Parkway, it is truly dark, with absolutely no light pollution,\u201d says Gruys. \u201cYou get both the Northern Lights, and the incredible scenery<\/span> with a<\/span> mountain backdrop to go with it,\u201d he adds. \u201cAnd even if you don\u2019t catch the Northern Lights, you can see fully moon-lit natural landscapes, the Milky Way, <\/span>and <\/span>many stars.<\/span>\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

RELATED: 10 ESSENTIAL WINTER ACTIVITIES TO TRY IN CANADA<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n

\"The

The Northern Lights, dancing above Banff. Photo by Janice Chen.<\/p><\/div>\n

Pull over at the Columbia Icefield \u2013 the largest fields of <\/span>i<\/span>ce south of the Arctic Circle \u2013 and take in the views of the glaciers and sprawling ice. Stop at the weeping wall, where you\u2019ll catch ice climbers in action during the winter; in summer, it resembles weeping tears towering down the side of the rock, hence the name.<\/span><\/p>\n

Peace River<\/b><\/h2>\n

The Peace River is one of the least populated parts of Alberta, which means better Northern Light-viewing opportunities. It\u2019s a true wide-open space \u2013 which is its biggest draw \u2013 where people come to get away from it all. Camping in spots like Lac Cardinal Recreational Area, George Lake, and along the Peace River are your best bet<\/span>s<\/span> for finding solitude<\/span> and the aurora<\/span>. By day, you can snowshoe along the Peace River and Misery Mountain Ski Area, where you\u2019ll find lots of snowshoe trails and, from the top, you can see the whole <\/span>P<\/span>eace <\/span>R<\/span>iver <\/span>V<\/span>alley. By night, the sky is yours to take in<\/span> alone.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Don\u2019t let the cold scare you off; that\u2019s what winter parkas, fleece and Gore-Tex were invented for. Winter is the best time to see the Northern Lights, and for stargazing in general because it gets darker earlier; it means you don\u2019t have to stay up too late in the freezing conditions to see them. Of course, it also depends on the activity of the sun; sometimes the lights will come out in full force, other times they’ll be weak, and every so often you won\u2019t see them at all.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

RELATED: 9 FOODS TO TRY ON YOUR CANADIAN ADVENTURE (THAT AREN’T POUTINE)<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n

Tip:<\/strong> Learn how to take photos of the Northern Lights <\/span>before <\/span><\/i>you head off into the cold night. In -30 weather you don\u2019t have any time to fiddle with your tripod and ISO. Get your camera set up as best as you can for a long exposure with a wide aperture to capture as much as you can. I highly recommend a camera remote, and a pair of camera-friendly gloves.<\/span><\/p>\n

Canadian winter adventures are always followed up with warm open fires, hearty food (like poutine, bison, elk, and some of the best beef in the world), uniquely accommodation, camp spots with wild views and nobody else in sight, and warm-hearted, plaid-clad Canadian hospitality \u2013 you\u2019re in for the trip of a lifetime.<\/span><\/p>\n

Embrace Canada’s dark skies\u00a0\u2013 and catch a glimpse of the elusive Northern Lights\u00a0\u2013 on our 11-day Canadian Rockies & Northern Lights <\/a>small group adventure.\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

If you\u2019re up for stargazing and adventure in some of Canada\u2019s most wild, extreme conditions, head to the Rockies during the winter to see some serious celestial magic on display.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":16173,"featured_media":38044,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_lmt_disableupdate":"","_lmt_disable":"","_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":false,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"enabled":false},"version":2}},"categories":[1313],"tags":[198,874,423,632,971],"class_list":["post-38039","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-guides","tag-canada","tag-national-parks","tag-north-america","tag-northern-lights","tag-rocky-mountains","ipf_region-canada"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\nWhere To See The Northern Lights In Canada | Intrepid Travel Blog<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"When you think of the Northern Lights,\u00a0Iceland, Greenland, and the Arctic typically come to mind. 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When she\u2019s not exploring her own backyard of beautiful British Columbia, or enjoying a glass of Malbec while reading a travel memoir, you\u2019ll find her searching for remote hot springs with her family in Iceland, camping amongst penguins and fur seals on the Antarctic Peninsula, and hiking to waterfalls in the Fijian Islands.","sameAs":["aliciaolafsson"],"url":"https:\/\/www.intrepidtravel.com\/adventures\/author\/alicia-rae-olafsson\/"}]}},"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/www.intrepidtravel.com\/adventures\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/shutterstock_717741121-e1568180344884.jpg","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p4OQMK-9Tx","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.intrepidtravel.com\/adventures\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/38039","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.intrepidtravel.com\/adventures\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.intrepidtravel.com\/adventures\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.intrepidtravel.com\/adventures\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/16173"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.intrepidtravel.com\/adventures\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=38039"}],"version-history":[{"count":11,"href":"https:\/\/www.intrepidtravel.com\/adventures\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/38039\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":81772,"href":"https:\/\/www.intrepidtravel.com\/adventures\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/38039\/revisions\/81772"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.intrepidtravel.com\/adventures\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/38044"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.intrepidtravel.com\/adventures\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=38039"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.intrepidtravel.com\/adventures\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=38039"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.intrepidtravel.com\/adventures\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=38039"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}