In this article, we will introduce an "easy viewing plan" that is perfect for those who are hesitant to see the aurora because they think it is far away and cold and difficult. Everyone will surely enjoy it, even if you are traveling with your family or in a group. A writer who has actually experienced viewing the aurora will give a detailed explanation of what it is like on site.
Image courtesy of auroranavi.com
Interview and photography: Yuriko Sachi, with assistance from Yukio Yanagisawa
INDEX
- The flight time from Japan to Whitehorse is 9 hours + 2.5 hours!
- Aurora season runs from autumn to spring!
- In fact, the rate of sunny days is high!
- Easy viewing plan
- Whitehorse's "98% viewing rate over three days" was true!
- Vancouver International Airport, a transit point, is also a treasure trove of "Canadianness"
The flight time from Japan to Whitehorse is 9 hours + 2.5 hours!
It is common to travel from Japan to Whitehorse via Vancouver. For example, if you depart Narita International Airport at 18:40, you will arrive at Vancouver International Airport at 10:45 that same day. You may wonder, "Why? Isn't the time going backwards?" This is because you cross the International Date Line over the Pacific Ocean. The actual flight time is about 9 hours.
Then, change to a domestic flight at Vancouver International Airport for approximately two and a half hours flight to Erik Nielsen Whitehorse International Airport.
*Flight times are examples for December 2023. Please note that there are time differences depending on the region within Canada, and that the time difference with Japan will be shortened by one hour during daylight saving time in the summer (mid-March to early November), so please check the latest schedule.
The view from the plane over Whitehorse. The pure white world of deep snow on the mountains spreads out below.
Aurora season runs from autumn to spring!
Aurora photographed in October. You don't have to be in the middle of winter to see this spectacular curtain of light (Image provided by Northern Tales Travel Services)
You may have a strong image that aurora viewing involves freezing in extreme cold, but the season is surprisingly long and you can see them even in seasons when the cold is relatively mild. The aurora also appears in summer, but you can't see it because the daylight hours are long and it's not completely dark. Therefore, the season starts at the end of August when the nights start to get longer, and you can see them until the end of April.
There are more opportunities to see the aurora in mid-winter, as the hours of darkness are longer, but the average minimum temperature during this time is minus 20 degrees Celsius. As it gets bitterly cold, you will need to bring proper cold weather gear (rentals are available for a fee).
So, if you don't like the cold, it's a good idea to avoid the best season, mid-winter. For an "easy viewing plan," we recommend October or March, which are near the beginning or end of the season. The average minimum temperature in October is around -3°C to 0°C, and in March it is around -8°C to -14°C, which is the same temperature as a Japanese ski resort. However, the ground is covered with snow or ice, so you'll need to bring snow boots with good grip.
September is also the season for autumn leaves in Whitehorse. At this time of year, you can enjoy both the autumn leaves and the aurora. However, it gets completely dark late, around 11:30 p.m., so the viewing time is short.
The aurora borealis lights appear in many different ways (Image credit: auroranavi.com)
In fact, the rate of sunny days is high!
The key to seeing the Aurora is complete darkness and clear skies.
Whitehorse has a high rate of clear skies, and the probability of seeing it over three days is said to be between 95% and 98%.* It's safe to say that your chances of seeing it if you stay for three nights are pretty high.
*Probability of seeing the aurora at least once in three days
Easy viewing plan
Tip 1: Stay at a hotel where you can see the Aurora!
The main way to see the Aurora is to join a tour where you are picked up from your hotel and taken to the site to view it, but the drawbacks are that you cannot change the departure time or go home even if you want to.
However, there are lodgings in Whitehorse where you can see the aurora without having to leave your hotel. Among them, the lakeside hideaway lodge "Inn on the Lake" is a "convenient" lodging where you can make inquiries and reservations in Japanese. It is about 40 minutes by shuttle from the airport, and is a lodge with a spectacular view that is quietly located on the shores of Lake Marsh.
Inn on the Lake is a high-quality lodge with eight rooms. It has a warm and friendly atmosphere.
The time when the Aurora is most likely to appear is midnight. Some people find it hard to stay awake until that time. Even in such cases, if you stay at a lodge where you can view the Aurora from the lodge, you can take turns taking a nap. Even if you are traveling to see the Aurora with children, you can have peace of mind with a high degree of freedom at this type of lodging.
There is a big lake right behind this place. During the winter, the entire lake freezes over and snow piles up on top of it, making the whole area white as far as the eye can see. The aurora viewing spot is located on top of this lake.
You can tell how big the lake is by the small figures of the people. This large lake is all yours to yourself, the guests of this lodge.
A balcony with a spectacular view of the lake. You can also see the Northern Lights from here.
Now, this is what the aurora looked like when I stayed at this lodge in late March.
The aurora appeared above the lake! Although it wasn't as spectacular as an aurora curtain, I was entranced by its hazy beauty.
And while the aurora is amazing, the best view is at dusk. For just a few minutes as the sun sets, the whole surrounding area is dyed in deep blue. And once the sun has completely set, the sky is filled with stars like you've never seen before. Both are worth seeing.
Around 8pm in late March. The sun is setting, leaving parts of the sky orange and painting the surroundings a deep blue.
Just after sunset, the whole area turns deep blue. The silence and fantastical scenery make you feel like you've entered another world.
An endless starry sky. It feels like you're in space. Shooting stars are everywhere.
In addition to the Inn on the Lake, there are several other accommodations in Whitehorse where you can see the aurora, but the number of rooms is limited and repeat visitors who visit every year often make reservations a year in advance, so the most popular accommodations are often fully booked six months in advance. Depending on availability, you may be able to make reservations up to two months in advance, but it's best to reserve your desired accommodation and dates early.
The aurora curtain appears directly above the lodge at Inn on the Lake, creating a fairytale-like scene. (Image credit: auroranavi.com)
Tip 2: Enjoy watching the Aurora on a fun and lively tour!
You can also stay at a hotel in the city and go on a tour at night. The tour shuttle will pick you up in front of the hotel, so it's easy to get there. It takes about 30 to 40 minutes to get to the viewing spot.
Many companies offer aurora tours, but if you're looking for an "easy viewing," you should check the comfort of the "rest area where you wait for the aurora." Most tours last about four hours, including travel time. It's cold to be outside the whole time you're waiting for the aurora, so rest areas are provided, but the "ease" will vary greatly depending on whether they are simple tent-like facilities or spacious log cabins.
If you are joining a tour, it is convenient to have a comfortable rest area, and having hot drinks will make you feel even more relaxed.
It's even better if you have a bonfire, which will keep you warm and lively even outdoors. You can also enjoy s'mores, a classic North American camping treat made with roasted marshmallows and chocolate biscuits.
Now, we waited for an hour to see the Aurora, enjoying coffee and chatting.
Faint auroras had been seen many times before, but suddenly, an aurora curtain appeared in the sky!
Image courtesy of Northern Tales Travel Services
Image courtesy of Northern Tales Travel Services
It was finally here! The spectacular sight of the aurora borealis made me think, "This is it!" When the red and green curtains of light shone across the starry sky, I got goosebumps all over my body.
While we were waiting, we took plenty of photos and videos of the aurora using the "secret settings for taking aurora photos with a smartphone camera" that the tour guide taught us. Although the photos are not as good as those taken with a single-lens reflex camera, they are still beautiful enough with a smartphone. Make sure to fully charge your battery before the tour so that you don't run out of battery during the tour.
Image courtesy of Northern Tales Travel Services
Image courtesy of Northern Tales Travel Services
Image courtesy of Northern Tales Travel Services
The aurora comes in many different colors and shapes, so you'll never tire of looking at it. It's a one-time spectacle that you can only experience at that particular time.
By the way, aurora viewing is a popular tour among Japanese people, so there are many Japanese participants and Japanese guides. Even if you are not good at English, you don't have to worry.
Whitehorse's "98% viewing rate over three days" was true!
The appearance of the aurora is not related to the cold, and there are days when you can see the spectacular aurora in any season. In my experience, the main attraction, the aurora curtains, appeared on the third day, so I thought that a trip of three nights or more during a relatively mild period of the year would be the best for an easy viewing plan.
In addition to watching the Northern Lights, Whitehorse also offers a wide range of activities, including dog sledding, wildlife refuge tours where you can see wild animals such as moose and caribou, museums, gourmet food, and hot springs.
Dog sledding is a popular activity (Image credit: auroranavi.com)
A tour of the wildlife sanctuary where you can see rare wildlife is an exciting experience (Image provided by auroranavi.com)
Vancouver International Airport, a transit point, is also a treasure trove of "Canadianness"
There's plenty to enjoy at your stopover on the way there and back. Vancouver International Airport is a huge airport with a variety of restaurants, shops, duty-free stores, etc. In addition to the shops, there are plenty of attractions, such as an exhibition of Canadian indigenous art and a large aquarium with ornamental fish and jellyfish.
Whitehorse, Canada is a great place to visit for both family and solo travelers, as it's a place you can enjoy without overdoing it. Now is the time to go and see the Aurora Borealis!
<Interview and photo support>
Yamnuska Mountain Tours
| phone | ： | 1-877-678-9404 |
|---|---|---|
| ： | contact@yamnuskaguides.com | |
| web | ： | https://auroranavi.com/ (Japanese) |
Northern Tales Travel Services Inc.
| phone | ： | 1-867-667-6054 |
|---|---|---|
| ： | info@northerntales.ca | |
| web | ： | https://www.northerntales.ca/ (English) |
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The contents published are accurate at the time of publication and are subject to change.
