60.72° N, 135.06° WCanada · 5 min read
Whitehorse & The Northern Lights – A Yukon Winter Escape
The sky turned pink.Then green. The aurora danced across the Yukon night.
Whitehorse, the capital of Canada's Yukon territory, is one of the best places in the world to witness the Northern Lights. Far from light pollution and nestled under the auroral oval, the Yukon offers dark skies, stunning wilderness, and an escape from the crowds.
We saw the Northern Lights every single night – something even the locals said was rare.
The trip on a map
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Whitehorse. Gautam had bison burger, Deepthi had pizza, good cocktails.
Good aurora on horizon. Snacks, coffee, hot chocolate provided.
SO much more than expected. Beautiful room with breathtaking mountain view — like a dream. Snacks, fruits, espresso in room. 3-course dinner included. Staff from Europe. Waiter Yoris (Belgian, moved to Yukon). Rick's wife Deborah works in kitchen. No light pollution — stargazing. Small tree on the lake with chairs — breathtaking views.
Great guide. 1.5hr drive, 2hrs with stops. Indigenous community history. Sculptures in town. Snow-laden mountains. Wildlife: moose, caribou. Green trees everywhere.
Viewed from balcony + walked to hockey field. Night 2: great aurora but cloudy, sky lit up.
Joyful experience. 4-hour ride with 1-hour lunch break. Bonfire, wraps, marshmallows, hot chocolate. 8 dogs: Max, Chester, Moose, Brute, Mali, Rupert, Sula (girl), Sula's sister. Adira joined solo, running alongside the dogs.
About Whitehorse & The Yukon
Whitehorse is the capital and largest city of Yukon, Canada’s westernmost and smallest territory. With a population of just over 25,000, it’s one of the least densely populated regions in the country – which makes it perfect for stargazing and aurora viewing.
The best time to visit for Northern Lights is between late August and April, with peak viewing from November to March when the nights are longest and darkest. We visited in early March and experienced clear skies, cold temperatures (around -15°C to -25°C), and spectacular aurora displays.
The Yukon sits directly under the auroral oval, making it one of the most reliable places on Earth to see the Northern Lights.
Our Experience
We spent a week in the Yukon – two nights in downtown Whitehorse followed by four nights at the Northern Lights Resort & Spa. It was just the two of us, escaping the Ontario winter for something even more magical.
What surprised us most was how few people there were. The Yukon feels vast and empty in the best possible way – endless snow, towering spruce forests, and skies that go on forever.
Stay: Best Western Gold Rush Inn
We started our trip with two nights at the Best Western Gold Rush Inn in downtown Whitehorse. The hotel is centrally located and comfortable, serving as a good base before heading to the resort. While there’s not much to do in Whitehorse itself, the hotel was clean and conveniently located.
Stay: Northern Lights Resort & Spa
Northern Lights Resort & Spa is where the magic happened.
Located just 3 hours south of Whitehorse, this boutique resort offers eight private chalets nestled among spruce forests with views of the surrounding mountains and frozen lake. We stayed in the Aurora Log Chalet Deluxe – a beautifully appointed cabin with vaulted ceilings, massive windows, a cozy fireplace, and a private deck with chairs.
The chalet was stunning. Floor-to-ceiling windows framed the snow-covered landscape by day and, at night, provided a front-row seat to the aurora. We’d bundle up on the deck, drinks in hand, watching the lights dance overhead.
With no light pollution and no neighbours, the resort is purpose-built for aurora viewing. You can watch from your private chalet, gather around the nightly bonfire, or walk out onto the frozen lake for an unobstructed view.
The Northern Lights
We saw the Northern Lights every single night.
Let that sink in. The resort staff told us this was exceptionally rare – many guests visit for a week and see the aurora once or twice. We were treated to displays every night, with the best show painting the entire sky in waves of pink and green.
The resort provides aurora wake-up calls if you want to be notified when the lights appear, but we found ourselves naturally staying up late, eyes on the sky.
Activities
- 01
Dog Sledding
A half-day adventure through 15 kilometres of snow-covered trails, weaving through dense forests of spruce and pine. The mutts were incredible – their excitement was contagious as they howled and pulled, eager to run. You can drive your own sled or ride in the musher's sled; we took turns doing both.
- 02
Snowmobiling
An afternoon racing across frozen lakes and through the trees. After a safety briefing and some practice, we hit the trails – it's a thrilling way to explore the landscape and cover more ground than you could on foot or snowshoe.
- 03
Walking on the Frozen Lake
One of the simple pleasures of the trip. The ice was thick and solid, and we spent time just wandering, taking in the mountain views and the vast expanse of white. The resort also clears a section for ice skating and provides skates.
Tips & Mistakes to avoid
Book well in advance – the resort's chalets book up months ahead, especially during peak aurora season
Layer up – temperatures can drop to -25°C or colder; bring proper winter gear, including a warm hat, gloves, and insulated boots
Bring a tripod – if you want to photograph the Northern Lights, a tripod is essential for long exposures
Stay multiple nights – aurora sightings aren't guaranteed; the more nights you stay, the better your chances
Budget accordingly – flights to Whitehorse and the resort are both expensive; expect to spend around $5,000 CAD or more for a week
Don't rush downtown Whitehorse – there isn't much to do there; we recommend heading straight to the resort
Yay or Nay
Oh, a definite yes!
The Northern Lights Resort & Spa delivered an experience beyond our expectations. The aurora displays were extraordinary, the chalet was luxurious yet cozy, and the activities – dog sledding, snowmobiling, walking on frozen lakes – made every day feel like an adventure.
We came hoping to see the Northern Lights and left having experienced something truly magical. If the aurora is on your bucket list, Whitehorse and the Yukon should be at the top of your destination list.
Yay or Nay?
The Northern Lights Resort & Spa delivered an experience beyond our expectations.
The aurora, the chalet, the hospitality – exceptional in every way. If aurora viewing is on your bucket list, Whitehorse and the Yukon should be at the top of your destination list.
This is our travel book — let's explore together. We travel with our two dogs, Naina and Naaz.
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