Looking for Northern Lights
 

In 1994 I went to Alaska in late July/early Aug and it was WAAAY too much summer to even think about seeing the lights. I'm now married and want to take my husband to Alaska. It'll mostly be for him, but the one "me" thing is to see the lights. Eventually we want to take our RV up the Alaska Highway to Fairbanks and Denali plus take a cruise to see the things that we can't drive to. My question is how to best see the lights. The best way to see them will be the 1st trip we take. Whether we drive first or cruise first doesn't matter. I just want to see the lights. Any ideas when would be the ideal time to see them, when the lights are prevelant but the road isn't to dangerous to drive and/or the water isn't too cold/frozen to cruise (I am not a fan of water, so this will be tough for me, but I will make this cruise, but I also need to go at a time that doesn't freak me out). And where is the best place to view the lights? Thanks so much for your help!

I want to see them, too, and eagerly await responses. Here's an article on the cycles. This cycle is supposed to peak from 2011 to 2013.

I would add Canada to the question. Where in Canada? I remember reading an article a long time ago about some place in Canada that a lot of people from Japan fly to see the lights. Anyone know where this is?

Woops. Left out the link:

http://aurorahunter.com/aurora-prediction.php

Add me to the list of interested persons :) One of the things on my list is seeing the northern lights. Thanks for the link.

Try posting on the Canada forum
As a kid growning up on the prairies of Canada we used to see the northern lights sometimes - it seems like it was late summer- but it was not a regular occurance - and everyone would be outside watching them flitter across the sky -

Wonderful website. Thank you Orcas. Looking forward to others' thoughts as well!

OK, I have seen them several times in Alaska, the best time, was my 2 March trips. :)

If you want Denali park with your visit, then the ONLY timeframe is Sept. The Denali Park shuttle buses stop running mid Sept, following that is the road lottery access, which is drawn in July. You also need TIME, I parked myself on both my prime time trips in March 2 weeks each. IF a priority then I would suggest the same. Daily, look at the prediction web site of the Alaska U Geophysical. You need an "active" status, CLEAR DARK skys and dark area- forget seeing much from the city of Fairbanks.

2012 is peak again, it has been crappy viewing the last couple years.

What is your "cruise" reference- do you mean boat tours?? They do wind down in Sept. so you need to make your plans carefully. Head to Kenai Peninsula first.

A popular Canadian area is Yellow Knife, BUT Fairbanks is superb, so really no need to go there, with it's very limited services.

Here's a good link from the link I provided above. It goes into where you can go to see the lights in the US and Canada and when:

http://www.gedds.alaska.edu/AuroraFo...elersGuide.htm

March and October used to be considered good times to see the northern lights. The last few years they haven't been out as much--at least in the Anchorage area. Something to do with sunspots.

hopingtotravel. You are correct, it has been the "down" years since 2006/7. Next peak is 2012- when I'll be back. My last winter trip was in 2005 when the peak was winding down.