best time to see northern lights in alaska

The resort offers lodging, dining, a pool house, and a northern lights viewing room. While Dan and I didn’t stay at the resort during our Fairbanks weekend getaway, we could immediately see why it is such a popular location for aurora-viewing. The thermal pools are attached to the Chena Hot Springs Resort. The thermal pools are a popular place to visit near Fairbanks-especially in winter, when Alaska’s other great natural wonders are effectively off-limits due to ice, snow and freezing temperatures. In order to increase our chances of seeing the northern lights, Dan and I drove from Fairbanks to the remote Chena Hot Springs. Perfect viewing conditions consist of a new moon, a cloudless sky, and high auroral activity. The aurora season in Fairbanks extends from September through April, though winter is the best time to visit due to darker skies. The city sits within the Auroral oval-meaning that when conditions are favorable, the lights are frequently viewable. When the opportunity arose, we journeyed northward.īEST TIME TO SEE THE NORTHERN LIGHTS IN FAIRBANKS ALASKAįairbanks’ low precipitation and clear skies make the Alaskan city one of the world’s best places to see the northern lights. The flexibility of flying standby allowed Dan and I to wait around for a weekend with clear skies and a promising Aurora Forecast. And with the ability to fly standby on a moment’s notice due to my airline job, chasing the northern lights in Fairbanks was both a feasible and economical weekend getaway. I’d always dreamed of witnessing the world’s greatest light display with my own eyes. The reason? To see the aurora borealis, also known as the northern lights.

In mid-December, as the Northern Hemisphere approached its shortest and darkest day of the year, Dan and I chose to spend a weekend in an unlikely Destination: Fairbanks, Alaska.

Best time to see northern lights in alaska