Peak aurora viewing season in Churchill typically falls between February and March, when dark skies and crisp air create ideal conditions. Thanks to the town’s location beneath the aurora oval, the northern lights can be visible up to 300 nights a year. Elsewhere in Manitoba, the best chances to see the aurora are between September and March, though sightings are rarer and more unpredictable.

From an operating research centre

Churchill

The Churchill Northern Studies Centre, located 30 minutes from the town of Churchill, offers great conditions for watching the night sky. When the aurora borealis appears, workers turn off the central lights to minimize light pollution and maximize viewing opportunities from the heated dome at the top of the centre or the outdoor observation deck. If you're a photographer, you may prefer to shoot from the ground level to get foreground subjects in their photos.

From a Tundra Buggy

Churchill

Frontiers North Adventures has a variety of package options to choose from. Most northern lights viewing takes place in their cozy Thanadelthur Lounge, situated away from town on the other side of the frozen Churchill River, far from any bright lights.

From the world’s most exclusive restaurant

Churchill

A Frontier’s North itinerary also includes a visit to Dan's Diner, a mobile Tundra Buggy restaurant on the arctic tundra, where guests enjoy a unique culinary experience featuring regional and local fare.

From an Aurora Pod and Aurora Dome

Churchill

Book your northern lights trip with Natural Habitat Adventures and get exclusive access to the warm and comfortable Aurora Pod. This specially designed structure features a 360-degree view of the sky thanks to its unique glass construction. A Nat Hab trip will also bring you to the Churchill Hotel's prized Aurora Domes, where you can spend the night relaxing in the lounge or heading up to one of two viewing domes to see the northern lights.

From a wilderness setting

Churchill

Best suited for the DIY traveller, Nanuk Operations offers Nights Under Lights, a multi-day tour package that includes a guided evening hike for the chance to photograph the aurora against the backdrop of a yurt tucked deep in the boreal forest. All guests get a clear view of the lights from the yurt's large, wrap-around deck and can head indoors to warm up near the fire with a nightcap in hand.

From behind the lens

Churchill

For the budget conscious and truly adventurous, add your name to Discover Churchill’s call list. If the lights are out before midnight, they’ll call you and pick you up where you’re staying for a two-to-four hour tour where expert photographer Alex de Vries will take you to some of his favourite aurora viewing locations.

From a dogsled yard

Churchill

You will hear Wapusk Adventures before you see it, thanks to the dozens of sled dogs that make their home at this cozy retreat in the forests near Churchill. Visit with these boisterous canines and take in the lights outside, while warming up inside a fire-warmed tipi.

From a unique perspective

Churchill

Another DIY option is Beyond Boreal Expeditions, an Indigenous locally-owned and -operated tour company offering daily photography adventure tours to capture the aurora borealis at handpicked viewing locations. Or try a guided experience with Sub-Arctic Tours, Churchill's only tour company that is Inuit owned and operated.

From a national park

Riding Mountain National Park

Riding Mountain National Park is known for its regular aurora activity in the depths of winter. Book a stay at a hotel in Wasagaming, Elkhorn Resort or a winterized Parks Canada oTENTik and watch the night sky light up.

From a fishing lodge

Flin Flon

Book a stay at Baker’s Narrows Lodge, located outside Flin Flon where the northern lights are often highly visible. Book an ice fishing package for a multi-night stay and hook a mammoth catch while taking advantage of the north’s wide open skies.

From within an hour of the city

Birds Hill Provincial Park or Oak Hammock Marsh

Did you know that it's possible to see the northern lights fairly close to Winnipeg when the conditions are just right? We recommend that you head to a nearby park like Birds Hill or Oak Hammock Marsh to ensure the lights of the city don’t impact your view. On rare occasions, the northern lights are sometimes bright enough to see within the city limits.

Tip: Download an aurora forecasting app and keep an eye out for clear nights with a high chance of discovery.