What Are The Northern Lights?

The northern lights are a spectacular light show seen in northern skies. Colourful lights dancing, often lighting up some of the darkest skies in the world. The aurora Borealis actually occurs when charged particles collide with Earth’s upper atmosphere. Tiny flashes are produced from these collisions, and then billions happen at once! Causing the lights to dance beautifully in front of us.

*Northern Lights in Jasper over Pyramid Lake Island – Tourism Jasper*

Where To Find Alberta’s Lights

The Aurora can be found all over the province! They are especially active through the months of September-May. Of course, if you really want to improve your chances the best thing you can do is head north. Leave on a night when the skies are clear. Find somewhere with no clouds and no light pollution. Since many parks in Alberta are renowned for their dark skies, finding a good spot outside any cities shouldn’t be too difficult. Alberta is the second largest dark sky preserve in the world, making the northern lights accessible no matter where you are. But there are a few places that offer amazing shows you won’t find anywhere else.

We love watching the lights dance around the Rockies so we’ve included our favourite places where a short trip to the Rockies could include a night full of light shows.

Northern Lights Viewing Tips

“The best times to view the northern lights are around midnight, but they can often be seen anytime from 9pm to 3am.
Viewing is affected by a variety of factors, such as cloud cover, moonlight, and urban light pollution.
Light pollution can diminish the experience. Head out of town for better viewing.
Be patient, wear warm clothes, and bring something warm to drink.
Look to the north and northeast for the best viewing.” - Fort McMurray Wood Buffalo

Fort McMurray & Wood Buffalo

By far the best city to view the northern lights in Alberta is Fort McMurray and the Wood Buffalo region. Fort McMurray & Wood Buffalo may see these dancing lights up to 300 nights a year! Making this an obvious choice for all of our aurora hunters. Fort McMurray is home to the world’s largest dark sky preserve, so you always have a chance to see the show.

For more tips on how and where to get the best view in the area check out Dark Sky Viewing in Fort McMurray.

Wood Buffalo Dark Sky Preserve - Travel Alberta

Waterton Lakes National Park

One of the most beautiful parks you can find in Alberta, located just 3 hours south of Calgary, right on the U.S. Border and connecting with Glacier National Park. Where the Prairies roll into the Rockies, this park became the first international dark sky park in 2021.

They also offer Dark Sky Guides allowing tourists to stargaze using quality equipment and explore the night sky in a way they never thought possible.

Glacier National Park - Smoky Bear Ranch

Banff And Jasper National Park

The best time to see the northern lights in Banff begins in October. Though, the best chance is during the month of December when there is a new moon. Thanks to the strict light pollution laws in Alberta that preserve our Dark Sky parks you're able to see the northern lights in Banff even during the summer months if you're lucky enough.

Jasper gets to see the northern lights as frequently as once a week! And is another dark sky preservation. Jasper’s Dark Sky Festival happens in mid-October and offers amazing experiences under the dark skies. You can participate in many activities, such as:

You could spend your entire winter in these parks and not even touch the surface of all of the beauty that they have to offer.

Anywhere Else!

You can find the northern lights virtually anywhere in Alberta, even in major cities on the right nights. If you’re interested in tracking them down take a look at the AuroraWatch website by the University of Alberta. Though they focus mainly on activity in and around the Edmonton area you can view Alberta-wide activity in real-time!

If you are looking for more places to see this amazing phenomenon in and around your city, for amazing experience and photography, contact your SeeLocal guide today!

How To See The Northern Lights In Alberta