Canada’s best places to see the Northern Lights
The Northern Lights, otherwise known as the Aurora Borealis, are one of the biggest draws for winter travellers - long associated with the North Pole and the Arctic regions. But they’re also visible much farther south, making the northern provinces of Canada a prime destination to spot the phenomenon on a clear night.
According to a 2024 survey, almost three-quarters of Canadians (71%) aspire to see the Northern Lights in their lifetime but haven’t yet crossed the item off their bucket-list. With interest so high among Canadians and international visitors, knowing the best places to see the aurora could make dreams a reality.
Known for its spectacular landscapes, Canada is a top destination for travelers seeking a once-in-a-lifetime chance to see the Northern Lights. Yet, many are unaware of which cities provide the best viewing opportunities.
So, which Canadian city brings together the perfect elements for an unforgettable view of the Aurora Borealis?
Experts at Spin Casino analyzed the cities in Canada that fall around 2,500 miles from the North Pole, since locations much farther away are unlikely to see the lights. They also factored in sky darkness (Bortle scale), overall night sky brightness (SQM scale), and the percentage of time the skies are clear each year to determine which destinations offer the best overall experience.
The Bortle Scale is a nine-level system used to measure the brightness of the night sky and the impact of light pollution on visibility of celestial objects. A Bortle rating of 1 represents a pristine, darkest possible sky, while a rating of 9 indicates a totally light polluted sky that remains bright gray or orange even at midnight.
The SQM scale (Sky Quality Meter scale) measures night sky brightness in magnitudes per square arcsecond (mag/arcsec²). Higher values mean darker skies, while lower values indicate more light pollution. A reading near 22.0 represents a pristine, dark sky, whereas below 18.0 suggests bright, urban conditions.
Top 10 cities in Canada to see the Northern Lights
Yellowknife in the Northwest Territories has emerged as Canada’s best overall city to see the Northern Lights, with a distance of just 1,910 miles from the North Pole it’s the closest city among all those analyzed. Located under the Aurora Oval, the city has an SQM level of 19.12 mag/arcsec² and lands at 6.2 on the Bortle scale, meaning there's a good chance of seeing the aurora.
Cold Lake in Alberta follows closely behind in second place with a distance of 2,448 miles from the North Pole. Named after one of the deepest lakes in the province, the city has a sky brightness of 20.08 mag/arcsec² and a 5.4 mark on the Bortle scale, meaning the sky is dark enough to see bright stars and aurora displays due to only partial light pollution.
Ranking in third as a top city to see the Northern Lights in Canada is Thompson in north-central Manitoba. With the highest percentage of clear skies among all cities analyzed at 46%, combined with a sky brightness of 19.36 mag/arcsec², it offers an excellent setting for aurora spotting.
Prince George in British Columbia sits just over the 2,500 mile mark, yet it boasts the lowest Bortle score of 5.1 and the highest SQM scale level of 20.44 mag/arcsec² indicating dark skies with minimal light pollution. These conditions make it ideal for spotting the Northern Lights on a clear night; however, with clear skies only 38% of the time, visitors will need to plan their trip carefully to maximize their chances.
Despite landing at 9 on the Bortle scale, meaning there are high levels of light pollution, visitors to the metropolitan city of Edmonton, Alberta, still have the opportunity to see the aurora. Located just over the 2,500 mile mark, the city has one of the highest percentages of clear skies at 43% and the Northern Lights can still be seen when particularly strong.
Catching the Northern Lights in Canada is an unforgettable experience and one that doesn’t come around all the time, so whether you’re patiently waiting for the lights to appear or enjoying the excitement of online gaming after a night of viewings, Spin Casino offers a rewarding experience to add to your day. Play responsibly and discover your next win.
Methodology
Spin Casino researched every Canadian city and gathered data for sky brightness (Bortle scale) per area, sky quality (SQM scale), hours of clear skies per year, and the distance from the North Pole. From this data, an index was created ranking each city for the likelihood of seeing an aurora.
Data correct as of October 2025.
