Northern Lights Viewing in Fairbanks, Alaska: Cold Nights, Bright Skies, and Unforgettable Adventures On This Aurora Tour!
- Ben Cox
- Jan 27
- 3 min read
Fairbanks, Alaska is one of the best places in the world to see the Northern Lights, also known as the aurora borealis. Located beneath the “auroral oval,” Fairbanks offers frequent aurora activity, long dark nights, and wide-open skies, perfect conditions for witnessing this natural phenomenon.
While the lights themselves are incredible, knowing when to go, what to expect, and how to stay comfortable can make the difference between a long cold wait and an unforgettable night.
Best Times to go on an Aurora Tour in Fairbanks
The Northern Lights are visible in Fairbanks from late August through early April, when nights are dark enough to see the aurora.
The best viewing window on most nights is:
Between 10:00 PM and 2:00 AM
On clear nights with minimal cloud cover
During periods of increased solar activity
That said, the aurora operates on its own schedule. Some nights it dances nonstop, other nights it appears briefly and fades just as quickly. Patience, and being in the right place, matters, and that's why we try and schedule this aurora tour in the right place at the right time!
How Cold Does It Get While Aurora Viewing?
Winter in Interior Alaska is no joke, and aurora viewing often means spending time outdoors during some of the coldest months of the year.
Temperatures can range from:
20°F to -20°F, and oftentimes colder
Standing still for long periods while waiting for the Northern Lights can feel much colder than daytime activities. That’s why staying warm and having shelter nearby is key to actually enjoying the experience instead of just enduring it.
Why Combine Northern Lights Viewing with Ice Fishing?
One of the best ways to experience the Northern Lights is by combining aurora viewing with an ice fishing trip.
Instead of standing outside waiting in the cold, you’re:
Staying warm in a heated ice fishing shelter
Enjoying a fun, hands-on activity
Watching the sky while staying comfortable
Ice fishing gives you something exciting to do while waiting for the aurora to appear. When the lights start dancing, you can step outside, take photos, and soak it all in—then warm right back up in the shelter.
It turns waiting time into part of the adventure.
A Heated Shelter Makes All the Difference
Our ice fishing shelters provide a warm, comfortable place to relax during the coldest hours of the night. You can:
Warm up between aurora bursts
Share stories and laughs
Enjoy the thrill of fishing beneath the ice
Stay out longer without getting miserable
That comfort often means more time outside, which increases your chances of seeing the Northern Lights.
Less Light Pollution, Better Aurora Viewing
Another major advantage of our trips is location.
Our ice fishing and aurora experiences take place well outside of Fairbanks, away from city lights and light pollution. Darker skies mean:
Brighter, more visible auroras
Better photos
A more immersive experience
Getting out of town is one of the most important factors in successful Northern Lights viewing, and it’s something many visitors underestimate.
An Alaska Winter Experience You Won’t Forget
Combining Northern Lights viewing with ice fishing creates a uniquely Alaskan experience! Cold air, quiet wilderness, warm shelters, and the chance to watch green and purple lights dance across the sky.
Whether you’re visiting Fairbanks specifically for the aurora or looking to make the most of a winter trip, pairing it with ice fishing adds comfort, excitement, and a little extra thrill to the wait.
Some nights you catch fish. Some nights the sky steals the show. Often, you get both.
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