Head to Interior Alaska in search of the Aurora

A trip to see the mysterious natural phenomenon, the Aurora Borealis

The aurora is a mysterious luminous phenomenon that occurs when the "solar wind" blowing from the sun collides with the Earth's magnetic field. Surely many people would like to see the sight of a shining curtain of light in various colors, including green, red, and purple, at least once in their life. There are many places around the world where you can see the aurora, but most of them are concentrated in an area called the "aurora belt," which is located at latitudes of about 60 to 70 degrees. The aurora appears frequently in this area throughout the year, but the best season for aurora viewing is the winter, when the nights are long and dark. If you have a clear night without clouds, you have a high chance of seeing the aurora.

Alaska, located in the northernmost part of the United States, is one of the world's most famous aurora viewing areas. Inland Alaska in particular is dotted with charming towns and resorts located under the "aurora belt." From here, we will introduce the best parts of a winter aurora trip based in Fairbanks, the largest city in the Alaskan interior.

Fairbanks: A base for aurora observation

If you want to enjoy watching the Aurora in Alaska in winter, we recommend using Fairbanks as your base for your trip. Located almost in the center of the state, this city with a population of about 33,000 is the central city of Alaska's interior, which was established during the gold rush in the early 20th century. Located at about 65 degrees north latitude, directly below the "Aurora Belt," this city has a high rate of sunny days throughout the year, and you can usually see the Aurora on clear nights between September and March. In addition, Fairbanks is the second largest city in Alaska after Anchorage, so it is attractive that you can enjoy a relatively comfortable trip even in Alaska during the harsh winter.

There are aurora viewing tours starting from the city, and if you go a little further out into the suburbs, you will find hotels and lodges where you can enjoy aurora viewing in a quiet environment away from the city lights. In addition, the city of Fairbanks is home to attractions such as the University of Alaska Museum of the North, which has a wide range of exhibits on Alaskan nature and culture, and the Pioneer Museum, where you can experience the history and culture of the Gold Rush era, so you can enjoy sightseeing at your leisure during the day and watch the aurora at night. By the way, the trick to watching the aurora is to check the night sky frequently after sunset. The weather in Alaska is changeable, so the clouds may clear up in just 30 minutes and the aurora may appear. The key is to wait patiently and not give up thinking, "It's cloudy tonight, so I guess I won't be able to see the aurora..."

Enjoy the relaxation of an open-air bath and the aurora borealis at China Hot Springs.

If you want to see the aurora dancing in the night sky more clearly, it's best to go out into nature, far away from the lights of the city. If you're looking for such an environment based in Fairbanks, why not head to Chena Hot Springs Resort, located about 100km from Fairbanks? The only hot spring resort in Alaska that is open all year round, it is so isolated that public facilities such as electricity and gas do not reach it. As there are no towns or houses nearby, it is a perfect place to view the aurora floating in the pitch-black night sky.

Surrounded by spruce forests, the resort offers locations that are almost completely free of artificial light, such as a large runway dedicated to the resort and a mountain lodge accessible by snowmobile tour, and attracts many people from all over the world during the aurora viewing season. Of course, as it is a "hot spring resort," the premises also feature a huge open-air rock bath that is about 43 meters long, so you can enjoy hot spring time while looking at the snowy scenery. In addition, you can enjoy activities such as dog sledding and cross-country skiing, so you can experience the untouched Alaskan wilderness with all five senses. Play in a world covered in snow, relax in the hot springs, and watch the fantastic lights of the aurora... At Chena Hot Springs Resort, you can enjoy such a luxurious Alaskan trip.

We head to Bettles, a small village in the Arctic.

The mysterious light of the Aurora Borealis has fascinated people since ancient times. To experience its breathtaking beauty face to face, we recommend taking the plunge and heading to the Arctic Circle. For example, Bettels Village, which can be accessed from Fairbanks in about an hour and 20 minutes by small plane, is a small village located further north than the Arctic Circle boundary at 66 degrees 33 minutes north latitude. In the village, which has a population of about 10 people in winter, there is Bettels Lodge, which remains open during the winter, and many Aurora enthusiasts visit every year.

Located at the southern foot of the Brooks Range, this area is like an "aurora mecca" where you have a high chance of seeing the aurora. If you stay in this village, which stands alone in the middle of the endless wilderness, you will be able to feel the beauty and harshness of Alaska's nature. Of course, even though it is in the Arctic Circle, it is easily accessible from Fairbanks, and the lodge is warm and very comfortable, so you can stay there in peace, which is a major attraction. If you want to enjoy an aurora trip that will be remembered for a lifetime, be sure to plan a trip to Bettles Village!

Fairbanks, Chena Hot Springs, Bettles... Inland Alaska is dotted with places where you can see the Northern Lights in a variety of styles. Make your dream trip to see the Northern Lights a reality.