Frequently Asked Questions
How do the northern lights happen?
Northern lights, also known as aurora borealis, occur when charged particles from the sun collide with atmospheric gases at the Earth’s north and south magnetic poles. As these particles interact with different gases, they produce different colours, depending on the type of gas and where it is located. This is why you will sometimes see the northern lights in green and purple, but you can also experience them in red, pink, blue and yellow. Curiously, our planet is not the only one to experience the auroras other planets around the sun as well as some comets and natural satellites experience their own aurorae.
Where is the best place to see aurora borealis in Canada?
The remote northern town of Churchill, Manitoba, is one of the best places to see aurora borealis in Canada and in the world. Its remoteness means dark skies and its location beneath the auroral oval—a region centred around Earth’s magnetic poles where increased northern lights activity occurs—means the chances of seeing the dancing skies on a single trip are sky-high!
When and where can I watch the northern lights in Manitoba?
Manitoba’s Churchill is one of the top destinations for northern lights chasers not only because this northern town sees aurorae for 300 nights a year, on average, but because it offers a prime selection of aurora viewing lodges and specialized tours.
Other locations to catch the northern lights include Manitoba’s first and only designated Dark-Sky Preserve in Spruce Woods Provincial Park and northern cities of Flin Flon and Thompson, where minimal light pollution means better aurora visibility.
Peak auroral activity in Manitoba is usually from January to March.
What should I pack for a winter trip to Churchill to see the northern lights?
If you are travelling to Churchill between January and March, be prepared for snow and cold conditions. Bring an insulated parka and snow boots rated for -45°C (-25°F), ski pants, a balaclava or a neck gaiter to cover your nose and mouth when outside, thick mittens or gloves, a toque (thick wool beanie) and long first layers. Browse our detailed guide on what to pack for each season in Churchill.
Can I drive to Churchill from Winnipeg or Ontario?
Churchill is a port town on Hudson Bay in northern Manitoba. The distance from Winnipeg to Churchill is over 1,000 km, but due to the town’s subarctic location, surrounded by hundreds of kilometres of tundra and permafrost, there are no roads leading to it. The only way to reach the town is by train or plane from Winnipeg or Thompson.
Can I see polar bears, beluga whales and the northern lights all on the same trip?
Churchill, Manitoba, is known as the Polar Bear Capital of the World, the site of the world’s largest beluga whale migration and one of the most reliable spots to view the northern lights. The challenge is that each happen at a different time of year, but your best chance to catch all three at the same time is in late July to early August.
Beluga season is July to August, which is the best time to go beluga whale watching in Churchill. The polar bears are not as concentrated in the area as they would be later in the year; it’s sometimes possible to spot bears along the coast or on summer tundra tours. The northern lights can also appear during the summer, albeit more rarely.
October to early November is the best time to prioritize seeing the polar bears. The bears gather along Hudson Bay at this time of year as they are preparing for winter. The nights are long and dark enough for northern lights viewing, but weather and cloud cover could prevent you from seeing the lights in their full glory. The beluga whales will have migrated out by this time of year.
January to March is the northern lights season in Churchill and Manitoba as a whole. The nights are long with crisp clear skies, while the auroral activity is high. But the polar bears are out on the ice on Hudson Bay by this time of year, while belugas are also not present.
Do I need to bring special camera equipment to capture aurora borealis?
No, most modern cameras will capture the northern lights in all their vivid detail, including most current smartphones. For the best results, you can join a photography-centered northern lights tour where an experienced guide will teach you the best camera settings for capturing the aurora. The northern lights are very photogenic and will likely look just as amazing on your phone camera as most photo equipment.
Pro tip: Make sure to pack extra batteries as they drain fast in the cold!
What are my chances of seeing the northern lights on a short trip?
Aurora borealis shows up in the sky around Churchill for most days of the year—an average of 300 nights out of 365, making your chances of seeing the dancing lights quite high. While a viewing is never 100% guaranteed as it depends on cloud cover and the presence of a geomagnetic activation, Churchill is one of the most reliable places on the planet to catch an aurora borealis display on a short trip.
