This is one of our most asked questions! And the answer may surprise you...
Anytime it's dark between August and May.
I know, I know. That doesn't really narrow it down. But one of the best things about living in Fairbanks is that the aurora is out all. the. time. In fact, there was a fantastic show just last night!
The best thing you can do if seeing the aurora borealis is on your bucket list is to give yourself time. 90% of people who visit Fairbanks for 3 or more nights see the northern lights! Maximize your chances with a 4 to 7 day multi day dog sledding trip!
Here are some other things you can do to increase your odds:
1) Visit the North during the depths of winter, when daylight is at its minimum. The longer the night, the more opportunity to view the northern lights! We offer a 6 day dog sledding adventure during the longest night of the year, the Winter Solstice Hut to Hut Dog Sledding Adventure set in the remote wilderness of the White Mountains National Recreation Area north of Fairbanks, Alaska.
2) Locate yourself inside the Auroral Oval. The aurora borealis generally hits within what is called the Auroral Oval, between 65'N and 70'N. Fairbanks is located at 64.8' N. Our Hut to Hut Dog Sledding Adventures in the White Mountains are at 65' N & our Arctic Circle Trips are located in one of the best locations on earth for aurora viewing: Wiseman (67.4' N).
3) Go during a Fall or Spring Equinox. During Equinox, the Earth’s axis is side-on to the sun, which happens to sync with the magnetic field of the solar wind, meaning excellent chances of seeing the northern lights! For this reason, we offer a Spring Equinox Hut to Hut Dog Sledding Adventure.
4) Get away from light pollution. Our Tolovana Hot Springs Trip is our most remote trip the furthest away from any Alaskan community and its associated lights. Private Cabin Upgrade available on this trip!
5) Lastly, stay awake! I can't tell you how many people come to Fairbanks specifically to see the Northern Lights, and then go to bed and miss them! The lights are unpredictable and the only way to guarantee you will see them is to have eyes open and on the sky. That's another reason why guided tours are ideal for bucket list aurora experiences. I love our Arctic Basecamp Tours for this. Included in the package is an on site aurora expert who spends most evenings with his eyes on the sky.
