Late August starts the season of the northern lights. We are coming upon a solar maximum (greatest solar activity - solar flares) in July 2025 which creates awesome opportunities to see the aurora borealis (2023 - 2024 season will be awesome). The best time to see the lights is during a new to quarter moon (darkest skies) during a solar storm. Many people claim to see the northern lights in the lower 48 states but the most you will see is some glow on the horizon. If you want to see lights shooting overhead, you have to travel to Fairbanks, Alaska (65 degrees latitude) to be in the center of the aurora ring (between 60 and 75 degrees of latitude). The difference between Anchorage and Fairbanks during a solar storm is huge (way better in Fairbanks). You can see the northern lights during late Aug - early April because you need dark skies (sun glows at night during April - Aug in Alaska). December and January are not idea due to extreme cold. Hence late Aug - Nov and Feb - March are best. You can see northern lights dance off water if you go between Aug - Oct before Chena Lakes freezes. If you go during Feb - March, you have opportunity to visit an ice cave in Matanuska-Glacier (private land tours). You can also go heliskiing with Chugach Powder Guides outside of Anchorage (highly recommend). The best places to see the northern lights outside of the city of Fairbanks are Clearly Summit, Chena Hot Springs, Aurora Chasers (pricy but great for first class service and photography) or Chena Lakes. While you are there, swim in a hot spring (Chena Hot Springs), visit an ice bar, see wildlife (on way the way to Chena Hot Springs), go skiing, hike, take a dog sled ride, etc. I usually get a hotel in Fairbanks and drive to location. Be aware the lights come and go through the night. Ensure you have a place to stay warm while you wait (except for Chena Lakes, all the locations I recommend have a place to stay warm). Being at -20 F for hours on end is miserable. Bring extremely warm clothing (really warm). Know the solar forecast before you go out so you have an idea of when to expect the lights. Be patient ... multiple times I waited until 2 or 3 AM and was rewarded with a few minutes of a magnificent show. Sometimes the show goes on for hours during a solar storm but that is more rare. If you are traveling from the lower 48, sit on the right side of plane. Bring a black cloth to block out surrounding light on the plane window around your head. You have a good chance of seeing the lights from the plane. Drop me a comment with any questions you may have.
