Skip to main content

Find out more about the current wildfire and wildfire-related concerns in the NWT.

Home Story Capturing the magic of the Aurora
A person sits under a sky dancing with the northern lights in the Northwest Territories. Photo by James Galasinao

Capturing the Magic of The Aurora

Bill Braden has seen the Northern Lights dancing in the skies above Yellowknife thousands of times. But when he’s with eager newcomers watching as the first flickers of the Aurora begin to grow in intensity and energy, soon filling up the night sky with glowing green and pink swirls, it’s like experiencing the magic again for the first time.

“You can’t escape their enthusiasm and their sense of wonder as they’re taking this all in,” says the well-known local photographer, who guides guests travelling to Yellowknife from across the world to witness the Northern Lights.

Sometimes they holler and dance around; sometimes they’re very still and contemplative. Either way, they come away thoroughly moved by the spectacle. “They’ve seen the promotions, they’ve seen the videos and the TV shows, but it cannot duplicate actually being there on the ice, in the dark, and watching this magic, enthralling show appear before their eyes.”

Braden is one of many local photographers who find inspiration in the Northern Lights – and share that feeling with others.

Photo Credit: Bill Braden

Brilliant colours of the Aurora in the sky along the Dempster highway in the Northwest Territoires. photo credit Kristian Binder

Kristian Binder grew up in Inuvik, 200 kilometres north of the Arctic Circle, but he admits he used to take the Northern Lights for granted. “Some mornings when I was walking to school, there would be green lights up in the sky,” he says.”It was just something that was always there.” Maybe his relative disinterest stemmed from missing the really impressive Aurora shows when he was a kid, because it would be too late and he’d already be in bed.

Binder always had an interest in photography and, in 2012, he began reading up and watching videos online to learn how to best capture the Northern Lights. “The most important thing is to be able to know what settings you need to change and how it’s going to affect your photos” he says. “A 15-second exposure can become a two-second exposure in a matter of seconds.” Luckily, photographers in the Northwest Territories are blessed with the world’s most reliable and vibrant Northern Lights, allowing them to go out to practice whenever the skies are clear.

Photo Credit: Kristian Binder

Billing colours of the Aurora in the sky along the Dempster highway in the Northwest Territoires. photo credit Kristian Binder

Binder has held three Aurora photography workshops in Inuvik. “People ask me all the time for advice,” he says. Some quick tips: don’t underestimate the importance of a tripod, dress warmly, and make sure you bring a flashlight with a really good throw distance. This allows you to focus on an interesting object, which helps frame the lights in the sky. “I like to have foreground objects, whether it’s trees or a boat or a person,” he says. “It’s nice to just get flat tundra with Aurora too, but I prefer to have something else in the photo as well.”

Photo Credit: Kristian Binder

Binder likes to get away from Inuvik’s light pollution by driving down the Dempster Highway and spending the evening with a friend at a scenic landscape until the Aurora show up. “The best nights are when you’re with someone you don’t mind killing hours with,” he says. There’s no cell service and no fiddling around on phones, which makes for rich conversation.  “You can just enjoy each other’s company while you sit somewhere in the vehicle and wait.” Soon enough, the Aurora will begin to brighten up the sky.

It’s one of the benefits of being visited so regularly by the Northern Lights, living in a land located right underneath what Braden calls “the Earth’s magnetic halo.”

“As long as there are clear skies, it’s almost a given that we are going to see Aurora here,” he says. “Other parts of the world that don’t have our really favourable geomagnetic location, they aren’t so lucky.”

Photo Credit: Yuichi Takasaka

Northern Lights in the night sky above a placid lake in the Northwest Territories, photo credit Aurora Village

Binder is always ready to shoot at a moment’s notice. While it can sometimes feel like a panic to snap that perfect photo of the ephemeral Northern Lights, he is calmed by the knowledge that the opportunity will present itself again.

“I mean, sometimes, if it’s particularly dazzling, I just put everything down and I’m like, you know what? I’m just going to enjoy it.”

Photo Credit: Aurora Village

Here are some more helpful tips on How to take an amazing Aurora photo

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.

Beaufort Sea Adventures - Arctic Luxury Experience

Arctic Luxury Experience - 3 nights, 4 days

Beaufort Sea Adventures

Activities

Aurora Boat Tours Cultural Demonstrations Dogsledding Fall Aurora Tours Western Arctic Winter Activities Winter Aurora

Step into a world where the Arctic’s beauty and culture come to life in ways few have ever experienced.  In Tuktoyaktuk, every moment is an invitation to connect with the land and its people on a deeper level. The vast tundra stretches endlessly before you, offering a sense of peace and wonder that can only […]...

Inquire for price

CAD + 5% GST + Per Person
View this Package
Image related to Winter Aurora – 3 Day Trip

Winter Aurora – 3 Day Trip

Namushka Lodge (1982) Ltd.

Activities

Aurora Aurora Lodges Fall Aurora Fishing Ice Fishing Nature and Wildlife Snowmobiling Snowshoeing Winter Activities Winter Aurora

Namushka Lodge is your wilderness home away from home.  The main lodge boasts a comfortable seating area with unobstructed views of Harding Lake. Enjoy all the comforts of home with the solitude of being the only person on the lake. All inclusive (breakfast, light lunch, supper and snacks). 1 hour drive from/ to Yellowknife down […]...

Starting At

$3,125

CAD + 5% GST + Double Occupancy
View this Package
Bucket List Tours - Aurora

Cozy Cabin Aurora Tours

Bucket List Tour Company

Activities

Aurora Aurora Day Trips Fall Aurora Tours Winter Activities Winter Aurora

We are local with plenty of Northern stories to share. Our tours are small and the cabin is cozy. This tour gives guest the opportunity to ‘hunt the aurora from the cabin’ while enjoying northern stories, a midnight lunch of fish chowder and hot bannock, and enjoy an assortment of teas. Guests are invited to […]...

$135

CAD + 5% GST + Per Person
View this Package
Aurora Package_Gord_Yellowknife_Aurora_1

Aurora Package

Yellow Dog Lodge, Inc.

Activities

Aurora Aurora Lodges Fall Aurora Fishing Nature and Wildlife Snowshoeing Tours Wilderness Lodges Winter Activities

Packages Include Accommodations – main lodge rooms Bush Plane charter or snowmobile transportation – return All home made meals All home baked snacks Complimentary coffee, tea hot chocolate, juice, water Paddling equipment: kayaks, canoes, peddle boats, paddle boards, float tubes Self guided paddling and nature trail hiking Satellite WiFi, satellite TV, satellite telephone, movies, games, […]...

Starting at

$2,143

CAD + 5% GST + Per Person
View this Package
Nahanni, NWT, Canoe, Nahanni Park_2024_Nahanni River Adventures

Nahanni Canyons from Virginia Falls - 12 Day Rafting Trip

Nahanni River Adventures

Activities

Arctic Char Arctic Grayling Aurora Birding Boat Tours Camping Canoeing and Kayaking Experienced Paddling Fall Aurora Fishing Fly Fishing Hiking Tours Inconnu Lake Trout Nahanni to Dehcho Nature and Wildlife Nature Photography Nature Tours Northern Pike Novice Paddling Paddling Rafting Road Trips Tours White Water

This trip takes you through some of the iconic features for which this historic river is renowned, including Canada's deepest canyons and Nailicho / Virginia Falls - twice the height of Niagara! Our Nahanni River 12-day trip covers the same distance as our seven day trip but allows more time for additional hiking and exploring, as well as savouring the beauty of the Nahanni Valley area because… why rush if you don’t have to?...

$10,595

CAD + 5% GST + $220.48 CAD National Park fees.
View this Package
Enoch Pokiak_Region_Western Arctic_Polar Pack Arctic Adventures_Aurora_Witner_2024_2

Winter Package – Northern Lights Tour

Polar Pack Arctic Adventures

Activities

Aurora Aurora Day Trips Dempster Highway to the Arctic Ocean Nature and Wildlife Road Tours Tours Western Arctic Winter Activities Winter Aurora

Experience the Northern Lights on the Inuvik to Tuktoyaktuk Highway Join us for a breathtaking tour along the stunning Mackenzie River, where we embark on an adventure to chase the mesmerizing northern lights. As we traverse the icy landscape, you’ll have the opportunity to spot a variety of wildlife! Tour Details: Time: 9 PM to […]...

Starting at

$500

CAD + 5% GST + Per Person
View this Package
Dancing Skies Aurora Tours_Yellowknife_2024_1B

Private Aurora Chasing and Photo Session

Dancing Skies Photo Tours

Activities

Aurora Nature and Wildlife Nature Photography

Enjoy a fully personalized experience for you and your group of up to five people with a single rate for the entire group in a Private Aurora Photo Session. For those seeking the ultimate northern lights experience, this session focuses on capturing you under the auroras with dozens of beautiful portraits and timelapse videos, all […]...

$750

CAD + 5% GST + Price for the whole group (max 5 people)
View this Package
Dancing Skies Aurora Tours_Yellowknife_2024_1A

Intimate Aurora Chasing Adventure

Dancing Skies Photo Tours

Activities

Aurora Fall Aurora Nature and Wildlife Nature Photography Tours Winter Activities Winter Aurora

Unlike conventional tours, which often involve large groups and crowded spots, our tours focus on intimate experiences in small groups of no more than 5 people. This approach ensures tranquility and allows for a deep, personal connection with the starry sky and the mesmerizing auroras. Silence is key to embracing the beauty of the Northern […]...

$150

CAD + 5% GST + Per Person
View this Package
Image related to Winter Aurora Package

Winter Aurora Package

Blachford Lodge

Activities

Aurora Aurora Lodges Cross-Country Skiing Cultural Demonstrations Ice Fishing Snowmobiling Snowshoeing Wilderness Lodges Winter Activities Winter Aurora

Welcome to Blachford Lodge. 2025 New Moon dates: January 29, February 27, March 29, April 27 Opening in December, 2024 will be our 5 newly renovated cabins. We are adding more comfort, beauty, and overall enhancements to your experience with us. Winter outdoor activities include cross-country skiing on 20 kilometers of groomed trails, snowshoeing, sliding, ice skating, […]...

Starting at

$3,597

CAD + 5% GST + Per Person + $499 Air Charter + Gratuities (10%)

View this Package
Blachford Lake Lodge - Aurora

Autumn Aurora Package

Blachford Lodge

Activities

Aurora Aurora Lodges Canoeing and Kayaking Cultural Demonstrations Fall Aurora Fishing Lake Trout Nature and Wildlife Northern Pike Stand up Paddling Winter Activities Winter Aurora

Welcome to Blachford Lodge. Aurora watchers and stargazers agree there are few better places to see the Aurora than Blachford Lodge. From mid-August, when night skies turn a velvety black to late October when the lake begins to freeze, Blachford guests can be treated to late night shows of the northern lights. On calm nights […]...

Starting at

$3,597

CAD + 5% GST + Per Person + $499 Air Charter + Gratuities (10%)

View this Package
Okpik Arctic Village_Western Arctic_Winter_2024_3

Okpik Arctic Village Winter Package

Tundra North Travel

Activities

Arts and Culture Aurora Cultural Demonstrations Dogsledding Nature and Wildlife On the Land Tours Western Arctic Wilderness Lodges Winter Activities Winter Aurora

DAY 1 Arrive at Okpik Arctic Village. Start off by settling into your home away from home. We’ll show you around our Eco-Village where you will learn about our local manufacturing and food production programs and why they are so important for Northern food security, economic leakage, as well as providing culturally relevant jobs in […]...

Starting at

$3,500

CAD + 5% GST + Per Person
View this Package
North Star Adventures group of tourists huddled under the green aurora in the dark sky in Yellowknife NWT.

Amazing Aurora Hunting Packages

North Star Adventures

Activities

Arts and Culture Aurora Aurora Day Trips City Tours Fall Aurora Tours Winter Activities Winter Aurora

If you’re looking for the complete Yellowknife Aurora experience then North Star Adventures is for you! As one of the world’s leading Aurora tour companies, we will go above and beyond to make sure your Yellowknife visit is a trip of a lifetime. We are 100% Indigenous owned. We know Yellowknife, we know Aurora....

Starting at

$1,699

CAD+ 5% GST + Per Person
View this Package
Petersons Point Lodge - Aurora Experience

Aurora Experience

Peterson’s Point Lake Lodge

Activities

Aurora Lodges Fall Aurora Nature Photography Wilderness Lodges

Approximately every 10 years the northern lights are stronger than any other time and that time is now. Book a special trip this autumn miles away from city lights and crowds of people, right under the auroral oval. Our remote fly-in lodge provides the ideal location to see the northern lights with viewing opportunities right […]...

$4,159

USD + 5% GST + Per Person
View this Package
A person photograph a muskox in the Northwest territories

Guided Canoe Trip in Thaidene Nene National Park (12 days)

Jackpine Paddle

Activities

Birding Canoeing and Kayaking Experienced Paddling Lake Trout Nature Photography Nature Tours Novice Paddling On the Land White Water

This is our top trip for spectacular campsites and world-class hiking opportunities in a very remote tundra wilderness. Our guided Eileen River/Sled Creek canoe adventure offers exclusive access to one of the best wilderness wildlife trips in the Northwest Territories!...

$12,275

CAD + 5% GST + Per Person
View this Package
North of 60 Aurora Adventures

Skydome

North of 60 Aurora Adventures

Activities

Aurora Aurora Day Trips Fall Aurora Winter Activities Winter Aurora

Experience the amazing auroras from our Skydome.  The geodome offers the comforts of a hot wood burning stove, couches, lounge chairs and tables for eating fresh bannock and hot beverages, while you take in the dancing auroras from above.  Book your seat or group up to 20 people. Ask us about our 15% discount when […]...

Starting At

$125

CAD + 5% GST + Per Person
View this Package
Arctic Tours Canada

5 Days 4 Nights Explorer Hotel Winter Holiday Package

Arctic Tours Canada

Activities

Aurora Winter Activities Winter Aurora

Immerse yourself in the wintry wonders and snowy scenery of Yellowknife during 5 days 4 nights action-packed 5 days of subarctic winter outdoor adventure. Spend the daylight hours dog sledding, learn Yellowknife history, visit tourist attractions on guided Yellowknife sightseeing tour and soak in the splendor of the Northern Lights show after-dark aurora-hunting-viewing excursions. End […]...

Starting At

$1,076

CAD + 5% GST + Per Person
View this Package
Arctic Tours Canada

5 Days 4 Night Package

Arctic Tours Canada

Activities

Aurora Fall Aurora Winter Activities Winter Aurora

Let the Northern Lights enchant you in Yellowknife Experience an unforgettable adventure with our Yellowknife 5 Days 4 Nights Aurora Viewing package! Spend your nights under the stunning Northern Lights, each evening offering a unique spectacle. Enjoy comfortable hotel accommodations and thrilling Aurora hunting expeditions. Immerse yourself in cultural richness with a night at an […]...

Starting At

$835

CAD + 5% GST + Per Person
View this Package
Trail Blazer Tours aurora trip with the purple and green aurora in the sky over the lake and trees in Yellowknife NWT.

member icon Member
Blachford Lodge

Summer Winter

What began as a “part time fishing lodge” has now become a “full time Aurora Wilderness Lodge” open year round......

Aurora Viewing Cabins

member icon Member
Trail Blazer Tours

Book an adventure with us at Trail Blazer Tours for an unforgettable experience! Your adventure with us will create lasting......

Trout Rock lodge aerial view in the summer time.

member icon Member
Enodah Wilderness Travel/ Trout Rock Lodge/Enodah Kennel

Enodah Wilderness Travel / Trout Rock Lodge/ Enodah Kennel offer high-quality Aurora viewing experiences by night and dogsled tours by......

Bright green aurora blast over the sky with Ji Guang Tour in Yellowknife, NWT.

member icon Member
Ji Guang Tour

With over 30 years of living in Yellowknife, we offer a variety of tourism experiences for our guests. We are......

Lynx Lodges in the NWT

member icon Member
Andrew Lake and Lynx Tundra Lodges

Multi-day Trips Summer

Arctic Adventure & Wildlife viewing on the edge of the tree line of Canada’s Northwest Territories. Lynx Lake 400 km......

Nanook Aurora Tours green and purple aurora dancing in the sky over a large lake in Yellowknife, Northwest Territories.

member icon Member
Nanook Aurora Tours

Offering four-hour Aurora tours including the ice road and City of Yellowknife. Pick-up and drop-off available. Small groups. Service in......

Arctic Chalet Tours dog sledding with man on skidoo snowmobile transporting supplies in winter in Inuvik Northwest Territories.

member icon Member
Arctic Chalet Tours

Best Northern Road Trip! Now you can drive all the way to the Arctic ocean linking Canada from coast to......

Morning Star Travel green aurora in the dark blue sky over a brightly lit city in the Northwest Territories.

member icon Member
Morning Star Travel

Feel the best Aurora Tours...

Destination NWT

member icon Member
Destination NWT Ltd.

Day Trips Northern Lights Winter

Destination NWT Limited is a tourism operator located in Yellowknife, Canada. DNWT specializes in outdoors adventures, aurora photography, and cultural experiences: Best rated Snowmobile Tour, winter gears included, exciting trail riding Aurora Tour in a Luxurious lakeside Lodge Unique Aurora tour while Ice Fishing indoors Full panoramic moonroof vehicle for Aurora Viewing DNWT’s tours allow […]...

Explore Yellowknife Year - Round Adventures

member icon Member
Explore Yellowknife Year - Round Adventure

Day Trips Northern Lights Winter

Explore Yellowknife is an adventure tour operator based in Yellowknife, Northwest Territories.We offer authentic northern tours like no other. Witness......

A woman holding up a large Lake Trout at Aylmer Lake on a fishing trip in the NWT.

member icon Member
Aylmer Lake Lodge

DISCOVER A MOMENT THAT LASTS A LIFETIME. Aylmer Lake Lodge is located in Rocknest Bay, which is on the Barren......

Green aurora shooting across the dark Yellowknife sky picture by Aurora Dream tours.

member icon Member
Aurora Dream Tours

Our professional tour guides will take you on amazing Aurora viewing tours, city tours, ice road tours and much more.......

Image related to Yellowknife Outdoor Adventures

member icon Member
Yellowknife Outdoor Adventures

For a Great Northern Experience! Yellowknife Outdoor Adventures offers a variety of day trips ranging from 2 to 10 hours......

Logo

member icon Member
Beck's Kennels

World class dogsled tours! We are one of the largest professional sled dog kennels in Canada. Over 150 happy, healthy......

View of Little Doctor Lake and Nahanni Mountain Lodge in Nahanni National Park in the NWT.

member icon Member
Nahanni Mountain Lodge

Remote private wilderness paradise on Little Doctor Lake, 100 km west of Fort Simpson. Accommodates 20 in cabins. Fishing, swimming,......

Great Slave Lake Tours Bombardier snowmobile (B12) driving on snow under the purple and green aurora dancing in the night sky in Hay River Northwest Territories.

member icon Member
Great Slave Lake Tours

Great Slave Lake Tours offers winter and summer trips on Great Slave Lake, the ninth biggest lake in the world......

Yellowknife Tours Spectacular Aurora green and purple in the sky in the NWT.

member icon Member
Yellowknife Tours

Northern Lights Summer Winter

Come experience world-class Aurora Borealis viewing in Yellowknife, Northwest Territories, Canada. We are the only guides in the Northwest Territories......

A dancing green aurora captured by Sonny Aurora Tours in Yellowknife.

member icon Member
Sonny Aurora Tours

Day Trips Summer Winter

Join us on an Aurora hunting adventure. Our skilled tour guides know all the best places around Yellowknife to capture......

Dancing Skies Photo Tours

member icon Member
Dancing Skies Photo Tours

Northern Lights Winter

Dancing Skies is a new tour operator in Yellowknife, led by an experienced northern lights chaser and photographer with a passion for contemplation. Specializing in private tours and small groups of up to 5 people, we prioritize silent, serene observation and photography of the aurora, far from the crowds. With expertise in Space Weather data, […]...

My Backyard Tours city tour with visitors on a trail in Yellowknife in the Northwest Territories.

member icon Member
My Backyard Tours

We offer winter clothing rentals. Our winter clothing will keep you warm and comfortable for your outdoor fun – ask us......

Image related to Arctic Tours Canada

member icon Member
Arctic Tours Canada

Arctic Tours Canada is a Yellowknife based tour operating company that offer Aurora Hunting and Viewing tours, Yellowknife sightseeing tours,......

Narwal Northern Adventures voyageur canoe on Great Slave Lake

member icon Member
NARWAL Northern Adventures

Northern and Remote Wilderness Adventures Ltd. (NARWAL) is a small, friendly, majority Aboriginal owned and operated family business. Our reputation......

Yellow Dog Lodge aerial view among trees on a bright sunny day along the Duncan and Graham lakes in the Northwest Territories.

member icon Member
Yellow Dog Lodge, Inc.

Multi-day Trips Northern Lights Summer

Yellow Dog Lodge is a comfortable lodge with 3 private cabins for our guests. The lodge is a short (15 minute) floatplane ride from Yellowknife. Located on Duncan and Graham Lakes, the lodge is your hub for adventure. Choose from an additional 5 lakes for guided day trip excursions. Each lake is unique and offers unspoiled first class fishing. We are the only lodge that operates guided trips on each of these remote lakes located in the NWT taiga wilderness. Packaged trips feature superb sport fishing and safe outdoor adventure. The lakes and streams offer the finest Lake Trout, Northern Pike, Walleye and Arctic Grayling in the region. As an added bonus, our guests will enjoy the midnight sun and may even catch the northern lights later in the fall or early spring....

AuroraTours.net logo with a rainbow feather business in Ndilǫ NWT.

member icon Member
AuroraTours.net

We are a local Aboriginal tour company based in Yellowknife, the capital of the Northwest Territories, Canada. Our focus is on......

Aerial view over Peterson's Point Lake Lodge in the Northwest Territories.

member icon Member
Peterson's Point Lake Lodge

Peterson’s Point Lake Lodge provides you access to known waters teeming with monster lake trout. Their current record is a......

aurora village tipi yellowknife

member icon Member
Aurora Village

Indigenous

Aurora Village – A Class of Its Own Aurora Village is a unique Aurora-viewing facility situated 25 minutes from downtown......

The green aurora dancing in the sky above the Raven Tours cabin in Yellowknife, NWT in the winter.

Raven Tours

Raven Tours is a tour operator in Yellowknife, NT, Canada. We offer Aurora Viewing, Snowshoeing, and Hiking Tours. We hope to......

Jeep Gladiator under the blazing green northern lights in Yellowknife with Lonely Traveler.

Lonely Traveler

Our goal is to provide unique customized services for high-end customers. We excel at making personalized tours. You can see......

Pehdzeh Ki First Nations picture of picnic benches on a cloudy day in Wrigley with the Mackenzie mountain range in the background in the NWT.

Pehdzeh Ki First Nation

Pehdzeh Ki First Nation is located in the community of Wrigley, Northwest Territories, Canada. We are a Designated Authority in......

Yellowknife Online logo - Aurora Tours in the Northwest Territories.

Yellowknife Online

Yellowknife Online produces Yellowknife specific articles and content for visitors, residents, and newcomers. Yellowknife Online has recently transferred that knowledge......

Arctic Safaris man taking a photo in the Barrenlands in the Northwest Territories.

Arctic Safaris

Fishing and Barrenlands wildlife photography, including migrating caribou, at the Obstruction Rapids in the central Barrenlands north of Yellowknife....

Spectacular NWT </div> </div> </div> <!-- end .endo --> </div> <script> jQuery(document).ready(function(){ getReadingTime(); if($('.story-fullwidth section:first').hasClass('mediastack--hero') || $('.story-fullwidth section:first').hasClass('mediastack--video')) { $('#social01').css('display', 'none'); $('#social02').css('display', 'block'); }else{ $('#social01').css('display', 'block'); $('#social02').css('display', 'none'); } }); </script> </main><!-- /#main --> <section id=

© Northwest Territories Tourism 2024

Land Acknowledgement

Northwest Territories Tourism acknowledges that we are located in Chief Drygeese territory. From time immemorial, it has been the traditional land of the Yellowknives Dene First Nation, and more recently, the homeland of the North Slave Métis Alliance. We respect the histories, languages, and cultures of Inuit, First Nations, Metis, and all First Peoples of the NWT and Canada, whose presence and cultures continue to enrich our vibrant communities.

Best places to go 2024 - Condé Nast Traveler