Alaska’s aurora season kicked off in late August, and right now the nights are getting longer while the temperatures stay mild. Earlier this year, four operators rolled out new ways to watch the northern lights, from a lodge near Fairbanks with its own aurora camera to a dome you can only reach by helicopter.
You’ll already find a few famous names on Alaska’s aurora map. The Alaska Travel Industry Association calls Coldfoot Camp, Chena Hot Springs Resort and Borealis Basecamp iconic for their northern lights offerings. Two of this year’s newcomers sit near Fairbanks in the Interior, while the helicopter dome is in Southcentral Alaska, so Fairbanks isn’t your only base.
Fairbanks Doesn’t Need a Solar Maximum
Jillian Simpson heads the Alaska Travel Industry Association, and she’s clear that great aurora viewing here doesn’t depend on a solar maximum. “In destinations like Fairbanks under the auroral oval, your chances of seeing the northern lights are pretty high on a clear night,” she said.
Northern lights viewing already ranks among Alaska’s most popular winter experiences, according to the association. Travel Alaska also explains the cultural significance of the aurora to Alaska Native peoples, and it’s worth a read before you go.
2 New Stays Put the Aurora First
The Orion opened near Fairbanks this past spring as a sister property to A Taste of Alaska Lodge. It has 10 rooms with single or double queen beds, plus an indoor aurora viewing lounge and an aurora camera.
It sits close to town and has an outdoor viewing deck. Guests can sign up for aurora alerts and head to the viewing areas when conditions look good.
Snowhook Adventure Guides expanded with a new lodge in Hatcher Pass that’s available all year. In winter, you can go dog sledding, tour the kennel, ride a snowmobile or use the sauna on site. Snowhook also runs overnight packages for northern lights viewing.
Tours Go by Heated Truck or Helicopter
Aurora Black Truck Tours is a new Fairbanks operator that offers private northern lights trips, plus outings for small groups. The company picks viewing locations based on current conditions, and you ride out in a heated vehicle.
Tours last four to six hours, and local guides lead them.
Down in Southcentral Alaska, Outbound Heli Adventures added an aurora-viewing dome that overlooks Knik Glacier. You can only get there by helicopter.
A guide joins you for the private winter outing, which covers the helicopter ride and access to a fully enclosed dome with panoramic views.
Prime aurora viewing in Alaska runs about seven months from late August, so you’ve got time to plan. Decide if you’d rather watch from an indoor lounge or somewhere only a helicopter can reach, then build your trip around that. Keep an eye on cloud cover, too, since Simpson ties your Fairbanks odds to a clear night.