NORTHERN YELLOW LIGHTS

NORTHERN YELLOW LIGHTS, “ The lights are out! ” my hubby says, poking his head inside the aft door. No, he’s not talking about a power failure. I step outdoors and cock my head back. The Yellowknife Northern Lights appear faint at first. also the bands come lustrously and start to shimmy across Mother Nature’s cotillion bottom, two thick green lines and some grandiloquent separating and coming together like suckers in a warm grasp.

Like the southern lights (or aurora australis), the northern lights (or aurora borealis) is an unpredictable natural phenomenon that occurs when oxygen, nitrogen, solar wind, and magnetic fields come together to produce dancing waves of coloured bands of light.

They are most visible near the north and south poles because of the longer darkness and the magnetic fields.

That explains why the Aurora can’t be seen during the summer.

The skies just aren’t dark enough.

The best places to go to see the northern lights in Canada are in national parks and dark sky preserves (such as Jasper Dark Sky Reserve) away from the city lights and in Canada’s north. Read about the Yukon Northern Lights.

NORTHWEST TERRITORIES

The Northwest Territories is located directly beneath the Auroral oval.

With 240 potential aurora-viewing days, there’s a good chance of seeing the dance of the northern lights on a clear night during the fall or winter.

Every year, thousands of people come here and cast their eyes toward the heavens looking for the Yellowknife northern lights.

The greatest natural light show north of the 60th parallel is named after Aurora, the Roman goddess of dawn, and Boreas, the Greek name for the north wind.

There are a variety of ways to appreciate Mother Nature’s light show, from evening experiences to multi-day packages.

OTHER AURORA TOUR ACTIVITIES

SNOWMOBILING

The first time that I rode on the back of a snowmobile was a hilly affair worthy of a rollercoaster.

Apparently, machines are more like Broncos when they don’t have proper suspension.

My second trip, with a local operator across the frozen tundra, was almost as smooth as a glassy lake on an autumn day.

Hop onto a snowmobile and drive along snow-covered trails and across frozen lakes to a trapper’s tent or a cosy cabin.

Keep warm by a crackling campfire or around a wood stove while waiting for the aurora to make her impromptu appearance.

Every winter, frozen lakes and rivers create a different transportation route.

Travel across frozen Great Slave Lake in an eight-passenger Bombardier snowmobile to a spot far from city lights.

DOGSLEDDING

Who wants to go for a run? “I do! I do!” all the dogs at the kennel seem to shout at the same time.

The barking and howling with excitement doesn’t die down until the teams have been hitched up to the sleds and their human cargo hops on.

Silence descends as each sled takes off down the trail. All you can hear is the sled runners scraping along the snow.

If you run your own team instead of riding in the basket, remember to get off the runners and walk behind the dogs when you head up a hill.

I learned that lesson when a husky looked over her shoulder at me and gave me a dirty look when she saw that I wasn’t being a team player.

After being shamed by a dog, I got off and joined the parade of paws trotting down the trail.

Let the power and energy of your huskies take you to a cabin or camp that offers an unobstructed view of the aurora. Enjoy hot chocolate while you wait for the celestial dance to begin.

LUXURY LODGE

Ditch your mobile phone and unplug from civilisation.

Climb aboard a bush plane and head out to a wilderness lodge 100 kilometres from Yellowknife.

Spend your days cross-country skiing on groomed trails, ice fishing or learning to build an igloo.

In the evening, strap on a pair of snowshoes, or put on your bathing suit and climb into a hot tub.

Then look way up. With any luck, the aurora borealis will streak across the sky.

NORTHERN LIGHTS CANADA – ON YOUR OWN

On a clear fall or winter night, check the aurora forecast on Yellowknife’s Astronomy North website to find out the likelihood that the aurora will make an appearance.

Then dress in layers and bundle up with long johns, snow pants, mitts and a warm jacket. Pack some hot chocolate and head out of town, away from the glare of city lights.

Walk out onto a solid, frozen pond or hike up the nearest hill around midnight on a clear night.

Pull out your thermos and sip a warm beverage while you watch the northern lights.

Once they show up, be prepared to be dazzled. You’ll remember it for a long time.