Have you always dreamed of witnessing the spectacular natural wonder of the Northern Lights? Lucky for you, the charming mountain town of Whistler in British Columbia, Canada offers some of the best views of the Aurora Borealis. Nestled in the Coast Mountains, Whistler’s stunning landscape provides the perfect backdrop for viewing the colorful, dancing lights in the night sky. The best time to spot the Whistler Northern Lights is between 10 pm and 3 am on a clear, dark night between September and March when solar activity is highest. Bundle up, grab your camera, and head to one of these top three spots near Whistler for an unforgettable encounter with the magical Aurora Borealis.
Did you know that over 80% of tourists miss the Northern Lights due to the lack of Aurora knowledge? Don't let that be you! The right time and the right place are the key. Northern Lights Online Course and Aurora mobile app designed for beginners will significantly increase your chances.
Designed For Beginners
Designed For Beginners
Yes, you can observe the Northern Lights in Whistler given the right conditions including a clear sky, minimal artificial light pollution, and an Aurora Activity level of at least Kp 4 or higher ideally Kp 5 or more. Aurora Borealis can be seen all-year-round in Whistler.
If you want the best chance of spotting the Aurora Borealis in Whistler, timing is everything. The Northern Lights are most active during the equinoxes in March and September, as well as the solstices in June and December. These are the periods when the Aurora Zone, the area where the lights are visible, extends the farthest south.
Within those optimal months, the New Moon phase is ideal since the darker skies make the lights more visible. The best viewing usually starts around 10 pm and can last until 3 am. The later into the night you stay out, the better your odds of a dazzling display.
Check the geomagnetic activity forecasts in the days leading up to your trip. When the geomagnetic activity is high, especially around 5 or greater on the Kp index, get ready for an amazing show! (You can see Whistler Northern Lights when Aurora activity reaches Kp 4 but Kp 5 and higher gives you better chances.) The lights will be most active and vibrant, often dancing and shimmering across a large portion of the sky.
During periods of peak activity, find an open area away from city lights for the best view. Some top spots near Whistler include Rainbow Lake, Green Lake, and Whistler Olympic Park. At any of these locations, you'll have sprawling vistas of the night sky and a front-row seat to one of nature's greatest wonders. With the right conditions and a little patience, you'll be chasing the Northern Lights in no time!
All-in-one tool for Aurora hunting. Try the new experience.
Check our article on how to easily find the best place for Northern Lights viewing in 4 easy steps: Where Can I See the Northern Lights
An easy way to find the darkest place near Whistler ideal for Aurora viewing is to use the light pollution map: Light Pollution Maps for Aurora Hunters
The Northern Lights Whistler Forecast for 3 days and long-term Aurora forecast for up to 27 days ahead can be found here: Geophysical Institute
Before going out for your Aurora Borealis Whistler hunt take Northern Lights Online Course where you will learn all you need to know to successfully hunt for the Northern Lights and significantly increase your chances. This course is designed for beginners so you don't need to worry about not knowing much yet.
When chasing the Northern Lights near Whistler, there are three spots you absolutely have to check out.
Rainbow Lake
Just a 20-minute drive from Whistler, Rainbow Lake is a stargazer’s paradise. The lake is surrounded by mountains that block out light pollution, allowing for dazzling views of the night sky and any Auroral activity. There are hiking and snowshoe trails around the lake, or you can view the lights right from the parking lot. Either way, the lake provides stunning reflections of the colorful lights dancing above.
All-in-one tool for Aurora hunting. Try the new experience.
Brandywine Falls Provincial Park
Only 15 minutes south of Whistler, Brandywine Falls Provincial Park offers prime viewing areas like the massive 70-meter waterfall and mountain vistas. The park is open at night, so you can find a secluded viewing spot, set up your tripod, and wait for the show to start. The thundering falls lit up in auroral greens and pinks make for a surreal, almost fantastical scene.
Nairn Falls Provincial Park
A mere 30-minute drive from Whistler, Nairn Falls Provincial Park protects a scenic canyon through which the Green River flows. There are several viewpoints with panoramic views of the surrounding mountain ranges which provide ideal viewing of Northern Lights activity and stargazing. The park’s many hiking trails are open at night if you want to find an even more secluded vantage point in the forest to witness the Auroral splendor in all its glory.
With jaw-dropping scenery and limited light pollution, these three spots near Whistler offer the best chances of catching a glimpse of the Northern Lights in all their celestial beauty. So grab your coat, pack a thermos of hot cocoa, and head out in search of your own natural wonder.
All-in-one tool for Aurora hunting. Try the new experience.
To capture the Northern Lights on camera in Whistler, keep these tips in mind:
Find a dark location away from town lights. Head to one of the spots outside of Whistler recommended earlier - the darker the sky, the more vivid the lights will appear.
Use a DSLR camera and wide-angle lens. A digital SLR with a lens that can capture a wide field of view, like a 14mm or 20mm, will allow you to photograph the broad, dancing strokes of color.
Use a high ISO. Crank your ISO up to at least 800, and in some cases 3200 or higher. The higher the ISO, the more sensitive your camera will be to the available light from the Aurora.
Open your aperture wide. Choose an aperture of f/2.8 or lower to let in as much light as possible. The wider the aperture, the more light that hits your camera's sensor.
Use a shutter release cable or timer. To avoid shaking the camera when you press the shutter button, use a cable release or timer so you don't have to touch the camera to take the shot.
Experiment with exposure times. Start with 15 to 20 seconds and adjust from there. Longer exposures of 20 to 30 seconds will often produce brilliant results, but shorter exposures can work too, especially if the Aurora is very active.
Review and adjust. Check your photos as you shoot and adjust your settings accordingly. It may take a few attempts to get the perfect exposure, so don't be afraid to experiment.
With the right equipment and these tips, you'll be on your way to photographing the stunning Aurora Borealis and coming away with shots you'll cherish for years to come.
The most useful Northern Lights online tools for a successful Aurora hunt. Are you about to hunt the Northern Lights on your own? Then you will find these resources helpful. If you are trying to see Aurora for the first time we recommend signing up for the Northern Lights Online Course where is explained step-by-step all you need to know to see the Northern Lights in an easy way.
Northern Lights essential online tools designed for beginners to help you see Aurora like the handy Aurora Mobile App and Northern Lights Online Course will help you to understand how Aurora works and to monitor real-time activity.
The Northern Lights Forecast for 3 days and long-term Aurora forecast for up to 27 days ahead can be found here: Geophysical Institute Forecast, NOAA Aurora Forecast, Spaceweatherlive Forecast or in the Northern Lights App.
Find the best Aurora spots with the light pollution map and cloud cover prediction.
Northern Lights activity in real-time: Real-time Aurora activity (worldwide magnetometers), Solar Wind activity, Sun's activity, Aurora live Boreal webcams list or Aurora App.
Additional resources to know when it will be dark enough Darkness graph & Map and how much the moon will illuminate the sky Moon Phase + Moonrise & Moonset.
If you decide to go with professional Aurora hunters here you can find the top-rated Aurora Tours.
So there you have it, everything you need to know to catch those magical Northern Lights in Whistler. Bundle up, grab your camera, find a dark secluded spot away from light pollution and wait patiently. If the conditions are right, you'll be dazzled by the spectacular show Mother Nature puts on. Seeing the Aurora Borealis dance across the night sky, illuminating the snowcapped mountains will be an experience you never forget. The vibrant colors and flickering lights are a once-in-a-lifetime sight. Now get out there under those starry skies, you have some chasing to do! The Aurora Borealis awaits you in Whistler.