Four New Ways to Experience the Northern Lights in Alaska

The 2026-27 aurora borealis season has begun in the Great Land

ANCHORAGE, Alaska, Sept. 28, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- The aurora-viewing season kicked off in Alaska in late August, meaning the next seven months are a prime time to witness the northern lights, according to the Alaska Travel Industry Association (ATIA).

"This fall into early winter timeframe is one of my favorite times of year for aurora viewing. The nights are starting to get longer, but the temperatures are mild," ATIA President and CEO Jillian Simpson said. "In destinations like Fairbanks under the auroral oval, your chances of seeing the northern lights are pretty high on a clear night. Great aurora viewing in Alaska isn't dependent on it being a solar maximum."

With northern lights viewing ranking as one of Alaska's most popular winter travel experiences, visitors can find a range of aurora tours, specialty lodges and experiences throughout the Southcentral and Interior Alaska regions. Places like Coldfoot Camp, Chena Hot Springs Resort and Borealis Basecamp have become iconic for their northern lights offerings.

Earlier this year, several new ways to see the northern lights became available to visitors in Alaska:

• The Orion, a sister property to A Taste of Alaska Lodge, opened this past spring near Fairbanks. The new 10-room property is designed to support northern lights viewing while offering modern accommodations. Located close to town, the property features single- and double-queen guest rooms, an indoor aurora viewing lounge, an aurora camera and an outdoor viewing deck. Guests can sign up to receive aurora alerts and access viewing areas when conditions are favorable.
• Aurora Black Truck Tours is a new Fairbanks operator offering private, small-group northern lights excursions. Tours are conducted in heated vehicles and include transportation to aurora viewing locations selected based on current conditions. The four- to six-hour experiences are led by local guides who provide knowledgeable insight while focusing on comfort and flexibility for guests.
• Outbound Heli Adventures has introduced a new aurora viewing dome overlooking Knik Glacier in Southcentral Alaska. Accessible only by helicopter, the dome offers a private, guided winter experience designed for aurora viewing in a remote setting. The experience includes transportation by helicopter and access to a fully enclosed dome with panoramic views.
• Snowhook Adventure Guides has expanded its operations with the opening of a new lodge in Hatcher Pass. Available year-round, the lodge enhances Snowhook's winter offerings, which include dog sledding, kennel tours, snowmobiling, access to an on-site sauna and overnight packages designed for northern lights viewing.

Visitors can learn about additional northern lights viewing experiences at TravelAlaska.com, including the cultural significance of the aurora borealis to Alaska Native peoples.

About Alaska Travel Industry Association
The Alaska Travel Industry Association, Alaska's leading statewide nonprofit membership association for the travel industry, promotes Alaska's tourism industry as an economic contributor while providing statewide marketing resources, education opportunities and advocacy to members. ATIA has long managed Alaska's destination marketing program: Travel Alaska. Visitor information can be found at TravelAlaska.com.

Media contact:
Meghan Aftosmis Murphy, Thompson & Co.
[email protected]
(212) 729-8634

SOURCE Alaska Travel Industry Association