For some, the winter holiday season is an opportunity to spend time with family, friends, and loved ones. For others, it’s a time of celebration and reflection during a season filled with magic, wonder, and warmth. During this season, many people also choose to travel  – taking the time to go somewhere special and make the holidays extra memorable.

It’s no wonder then that travellers from around the world think of the Northwest Territories as one of Canada’s best holiday destinations. The NWT is a top winter travel destination for a variety of reasons, especially around the holidays. One attraction in particular stands out: The Northwest Territories is home to the best Northern Lights in the world!

With cloudless skies, dark nights, high concentrations of Aurora activity, and a deep cultural connection to the nearly nightly displays, it’s a proven fact that some of the strongest and most vivid Northern Lights in Canada are in the NWT. For avid Aurora hunters, there’s simply nothing more spectacular than seeing the Northern Lights on a holiday trip to the NWT.

Gift-giving is a big part of many winter holiday celebrations, and searching for the best holiday gift often means finding something unique and memorable. The desire to give a truly unique gift is why gifting shared experiences like trips or vacations is becoming more and more popular. Travelling somewhere truly unique not only means sharing more time together, but it also comes with all sorts of incredible and unforgettable moments. People from around the world agree that nothing is quite as memorable as seeing the Northern Lights in the NWT.

The Northwest Territories is the best place in the world to see the Northern Lights. Not only do the crisp, dark winters provide the perfect nightly backdrop for the bright dancing Lights, but the variety of opportunities to see the Northern Lights are incredible as well. With so many ways to see the Aurora, you can create an experience perfect for you or whomever you’re sharing this magical gift with.

The winter holidays are also about spending time with friends and family while potentially meeting new people and sharing the holiday season with them. There’s a magic to the Aurora that brings people together with a shared sense of awe and wonder. You’ll find yourself immediately making connections with other people from around the world that have travelled to the NWT just to see its legendary Northern Lights.

Aurora Day Trips are the best way to meet other Aurora hunters – whether they make this trip to see the best Northern Lights nearly every year, or it’s their first time standing beneath the dazzling Lights. The Aurora holds a special place in the hearts of many people, and you’ll find a remarkable sense of togetherness as you collectively gaze upwards in silent wonder.

Hearing traditional stories from an Indigenous guide is an incredible way to learn more about the Indigenous cultures of the NWT. While you’re waiting for the Lights to emerge, many Indigenous operators hold your attention with timeless cultural knowledge and keep you warm with authentic spruce tea or warm freshly-cooked bannock. Before you know it, the Lights will make their debut and you’ll be able to appreciate the show with a deeper cultural understanding.

If your ideal winter holiday is more personal, private, or even romantic, consider a trip to bask in comfort under the Northern Lights. The Aurora has a reputation for being associated with romantic gestures; being such an incredible display of natural beauty and wonder, it’s easy  to see the connection. Sharing such a magical experience can be life-changing, and seeing the scenic winter landscapes of the North bathed in the glow of the Aurora will feel like something out of a storybook.

To enjoy the world’s best Northern Lights all to yourself, consider one of the many Aurora Lodges established around the territory. From remote all-inclusive fly-in lodges to private wilderness lodges just a short distance from town, you are sure to find a lodge to fit your ideal experience. Enjoy the warm and inviting hospitality of the North and experience something truly incredible in total comfort and privacy.

The winter holidays are a time for relaxation, good food, shared company, and so much more. Nevertheless, the build-up to the holidays may leave some feeling stressed, busy, and overwhelmed with holiday crowds and planning.

A trip to the Northwest Territories can be the perfect getaway during such a busy time of year. It won’t take long before you realize that the pace of daily life here is just a little different. Winter is the time for relaxing by a wood-burning stove, attending holiday markets to see hand-crafted goods from artisans around the territory, appreciating the frosted stillness of the great outdoors, and above all, extending our legendary Northern hospitality to neighbours and newcomers alike.

If you’re looking for a break, the gentle dance of the Aurora can single-handedly wick away the stress of the holidays with each graceful sway. Before long, you’ll find yourself filled with peace and warmth – ready to enjoy the rest of your time in such a spectacular place.

It’s not uncommon for people to take winter holidays to a place they’ve never experienced before so they can get a taste for something unique and beautiful. For many – Canadians especially – their first thoughts may turn to somewhere warm. In recent years though, as travel to the North has become easier and flights are more readily available, more people are realizing that winter in the North is something unique and beautiful in its own way.

Although winter in the North is undoubtedly cold,  this brings a picturesque winter wonderland full of sights and experiences unlike anywhere else. Whether that’s crossing over the feet of thick ice that make up the territory’s winter ice roads, racing across pristine snowscapes on snowmobile or dogsled, or catching the incredible beauty of a frost-covered forest in stunning photography, a true Northern winter is an incredible sight to behold. Northerners know winter well, and they know all the ways to make sure you stay warm and make the most of your time among the glistening snow and dancing Lights.

The Aurora is often the highlight of a winter trip to the NWT, and although the best Northern Lights in the world are a standout part of the experience, it’s only one of many spectacular sights to behold. A winter holiday to the Northwest Territories can take many forms and include many experiences, but you will leave with something unforgettable.

Inspired by the magic of the Aurora? Learn more about the best seasons to visit, the cultural importance of the Aurora, and available Northern Lights hunting tours. There is always another unforgettable experience to have under the best Northern Lights in the world.

Being the home of the best Northern Lights in the world is a pretty big claim, but we’ve got the facts to prove it. Before you come to see for yourself, read these 7 reasons why the NWT has the world’s best Aurora.