Northern Lights tips

[Danno]

So, contemplating taking a trip I can't afford to mark a big event. This place never ceases to amaze me in its knowledge, so whatcha got? The wife and I (and possibly our 8 year old kiddo?) might be taking a trip somewhere in the late fall/winter to (hopefully) view some northern lights. Cost is a consideration, always, but I also recognize that a trip like this isn't going to be three-fiddy. Willing to go north (Fairbanks?) or Canada or Iceland or ??? Probably looking at something like a 5 night trip? Hard to see affording much longer (or arranging child care if the kid isn't with us).

[cmcrawfo]

The most cost effective measure is to just take some acid and stay home.

Pro tip. don't dose the kid

[dookeyXXX]

Check Iceland Air.
They usually have some sweet package deals (flights + hotels).

I attended their annual music fest, Iceland Airwaves roughly 10 years ago and it was fairly reasonable (flight + hotel + festival tix).
Saw the Northern Lights while standing in line to see a band in downtown Reykjavik. I remember looking up and seeing these neon flashing lights and naively asking the Icelander standing in front of me "are those the Northern Lights" and he just shrugged his shoulders and said "yes" like it was an everyday occurance for him (probably was).


If you go to Iceland I suggest you rent a car and at the very least drive around 1/2 of the country (my buddy and I did it in 3 days). Best way to experience the place.
Also, as touristy as it is, The Blue Lagoon is a must.
'Nuff said.

[mtngirl79]

Fairbanks has a big ice carving festival in Fenuary. It's the world ice carving championship or something.

My dad and brother went there to spread my moms ashes...

I saw the northern lights in Montana. Sorta rad to have it just happen.

[Rideski]

[cmcrawfo]

Iqaluit is cheaper......as it has way higher rates of poverty and tuberculosis.

Come for the northern lights, stay for the post colonial oppression.

[XXX-er]

make sure it ain't cloudy

[Chugachjed]

Go to Fairbanks rent car drive to Manley Hot Springs look up.

[reckless toboggan]

[BCMtnHound]

Never been, but I think there”s a review or two on Svalbard buried in here somewhere...

[DeathVan]

Chena Hot Springs northeast of Fairbanks.

check this site
https://www.gi.alaska.edu/monitors/aurora-forecast

Clear skies help

[KyleLanTheman]

Dec thru feb gets mad cold in Fairbanks and ice fog is an issue. Make sure your eyes are adjusted to the dark, can seem like faint clouds at first. Large events are sporadic and bursts come as fast as they go. There are aurora forecast fb pages and websites that will give an idea of how strong an event may be, but like any weather it is rather unpredictable.

If going to fbx go sept through November or march-april. There'll be enough darkness but it won't be so cold that there's too much ice fog.

Your phone cam likely won't capture them, it is worth bringing a nice cam with large aperture/long exposure.

Plan other activites in case you get skunked. You can dogsled, see the santa claus house, see reindeer at UAF, or go to/stay at chena hot springs. Fairbanks is kinda hard to recommend as a destination because it isn't Ak pretty like you'd expect, but you can still have a good time.

Light pollution is the enemy. Get 'above' or out of the trees as the lights can be near the horizon. Good events you'll be able to see while in the middle of the city, but are kinda rare like good pow days. With good weather and little light pollution, you'll still be stoked on small events, just takes more work. If you have any q's about squarebanks or the aurora I can try my best to answe em.

Edit: more things to do would be check out a Fairbanks Icedogs nahl game. Some rowdy ass fans and decent junior hockey if into that kinda thing.

[Meadow Skipper]

Go to Fairbanks rent car drive to Manley Hot Springs look up.

This, or actually Chena Hot Springs which is closer to FBK and has a nice resort geared to aurora watching. March is a good month.

Edit: ^What DeathVan and Kyle said.

[Gcooker]

Go to the Yukon and enjoy the 30% Canadian discount.


Sent from my iPhone using TGR Forums

[riser4]

This. Good luck.

[gravitylover]

It's been a long time but... I saw some wonderful episodes in northern Canada and AK in May and September (1989). The best were on the prairies in northern Canada, being able to see horizon to horizon right down to the ground was great. Lying on my back watching the sky dance was one of those wonderful life experiences I'd like to have again.

[XXX-er]

used to see great northern lights going north into quesnel lake in late september which wasnt very far north or in winter, altho there was a big lake and no light pollution

[Brownski]

It's been a long time but... I saw some wonderful episodes in northern Canada and AK in May and September (1989). The best were on the prairies in northern Canada, being able to see horizon to horizon right down to the ground was great. Lying on my back watching the sky dance was one of those wonderful life experiences I'd like to have again.

I feel exactly the same way. I spent two summers in AK in the mid nineties and caught the lights at the beginning and end of each season. In particular I remember one night on my way south on the Alcan in mid to late September. We pulled over and watched them for I don’t know how long- an hour or two maybe. Filled the whole northern horizon with absolutely zero clouds or artificial light to spoil the view. Green to red to purple in just gigantic undulating waves. That sight is imprinted on my brain. Just spectacular. I don’t know when but hopefully I get the chance to see it again some day.

[highangle]

OP - Aim for the dark of the moon. If you have to schedule in advance, be prepared to move around for clear weather.

Find an "Hours of Daylight" table. Highly unlikely anyone sees the NLs in May...Alaska has been my home for decades, and I've spent winters in the Arctic (and Antarctic)... but like some others here, the best I ever saw were in late September of 2002. But I wouldn't recommend September for NLs - bad weather, too much daylight - that event just happened then.

Fairbanks is kind of a dump. Sophie's Station or The Wedgewood if you can't get a nice B&B/Cabin-With-Plumbing. Chena Hot Springs may be the best for you, as it's nice, and way out by itself away from city lights of FAI, such as they are.

[Chugachjed]

The best way to see the aurora is on a boat. Its harder to accomplish if you’re not working on a boat but on watch in the Bering is absolutely the best I’ve ever seen them. And I grew up outside of Fairbanks beyond the reach of light pollution.

Also funnily enough I may have seen them on a boat in September of 02 I remember a few days in the fall and the Bering was like glass and there were no clouds. Like being in a different universe. Was awesome but eerie as fuck.

[The AD]

Iceland is surprisingly easy to get to. However, tourism there has really boomed in popularity, so it certainly isn't cheap anymore (if it ever was). That said, when you want to go will be a relatively cheap time to travel there and it's an interesting place to visit any time of the year. The landscape is incredible. You can set off on your own to find the Aurora or just book a tour. They are plentiful.

[Tele 'til You're Smelly]

The best way to see the aurora is on a boat.

Poor man's Alaska cruise: book a long passage on the Alaska state ferry system, sleep on the chaise lounges outside with sleeping bags- watch the glaciers go by and maybe the aurora? I did Prince Rupert to Juneau many moon ago- that section isn't as north as would be best, but maybe try one of the more northern routes

[mtngirl79]

They are talking about shutting down the ferry system I heard.

[Chugachjed]

Only in the winter. Our governor is a fucking idiot.

[schindlerpiste]

Lofoten