Few winter experiences compare to watching the northern lights, also known as the aurora borealis, dance across the night sky. Even better is seeing that natural light show from a snow-covered ski resort, and at a handful of resorts with night skiing, you might even catch the aurora while making a few turns under the stars. Of course, spotting the northern lights is easier said than done. The aurora is famously unpredictable, and there’s never a guarantee it will appear.
You can improve your odds by heading north, to places like Canada and Alaska, and by going during a period of high solar activity. The sun’s activity peaked around 2024–25 in its roughly 11-year cycle, and strong aurora displays typically remain more common for a few years after the peak. Here’s our list of North American ski resorts with some of the best odds of seeing the northern lights.
Ski Resorts Where You Can See the Northern Lights
SkiBig3 Resorts, Alberta
Alberta’s SkiBig3 resorts, Banff Sunshine, Lake Louise, and Mt. Norquay, sit within Banff National Park, part of the Rocky Mountain dark sky corridor. High elevation and minimal light pollution make for great aurora viewing conditions. On crisp, clear nights, guests can simply step outside their lodge or head to nearby viewpoints to watch the northern lights ripple across the sky. For an even more immersive experience, local guiding companies offer night-sky tours to the best vantage points, where the aurora sometimes paints the sky green and purple above the rugged peaks.
If you’re lucky, you might even see the northern lights while skiing, thanks to night skiing at Mt. Norquay, typically offered on select Friday nights in winter. “Visibility is always dependent on conditions and luck,” said Lilly Coote of SkiBig3, who recommends the Alberta Aurora Chasers Facebook group for timely, accurate updates.
Big White, British Columbia
British Columbia’s Big White is known for its dry powder and family-friendly atmosphere, and occasionally it rewards skiers and riders with a stunning northern lights display. At its latitude, the aurora is visible only when geomagnetic activity is strong, but Big White’s high elevation, away from the lights of Kelowna, makes for dark skies on clear nights. It also has one of the biggest night skiing operations in Western Canada, served by its Plaza and Bullet chairlifts, so you may be able to catch the lights while skiing.
For even better odds, prime aurora destinations like Whitehorse and Yellowknife are reachable by connecting flights through Vancouver or Calgary.
Alyeska, Alaska
While Alyeska doesn’t have an official dark sky designation, its location in the Chugach Mountains, far enough from Anchorage’s lights, offers plenty of opportunities to see the northern lights. Guests can sometimes see the aurora from the slopes or their hotel balconies on clear winter nights, and regional outfitters offer guided excursions to prime viewing spots. Alyeska also offers night skiing on select evenings during the heart of the season.
Farther north, Fairbanks is renowned as one of the world’s top aurora destinations, sitting beneath the auroral oval with a much higher chance of sightings. Pair a ski trip to Alyeska with a visit to Fairbanks or Chena Hot Springs, where specialized tours, heated viewing spots, and aurora alert services maximize your chances.
Eaglecrest, Alaska
On Douglas Island and known as the highest road-accessible point in Juneau, Eaglecrest has dark skies away from city lights, making it possible to catch the aurora when geomagnetic activity is strong. Coastal weather often brings clouds that limit visibility, but clear nights can reward visitors with sweeping views of the aurora above the mountains and ocean. Eaglecrest occasionally holds night skiing events, so check with the ski area for upcoming dates.
Moose Mountain, Alaska
Moose Mountain, about 20 miles northwest of Fairbanks, has skies generally free from city light pollution, making it a good vantage point for aurora displays. The ski area doesn’t run a formal aurora-viewing program, but its elevation and dark location make the surrounding area a practical spot for chasing the northern lights, and some Fairbanks tour operators use the area for guided viewing and photography sessions.
Tips for Seeing the Northern Lights
When they’re visible, the northern lights are typically strongest between about 10 p.m. and 2 a.m. Dress warmly and get away from city lights, which can drown out the aurora. A bright full moon can also make it harder to see. Finally, pack your patience. The northern lights appear sporadically, so you may have to wait a while, and even then, you may not see them. While you wait, avoid looking at bright lights, like your phone or a flashlight, so your eyes stay adjusted to the dark; it can take 20 to 30 minutes for your night vision to fully adjust.
“The best experience will be in dark locations away from ambient light,” said Coote, who recommends keeping an eye on the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) aurora forecast. Aurora alert apps and Facebook groups like Northern Lights Alert also post updates and photos when the lights are active.
Header image ©Big White
