See Northern Lights at Fort McMurray, Alberta
Winter Aurora Borealis Watching is Easy & Comfortable With a Guide
At 56.39 degrees North, Fort McMurray lies toward the southern edge of the oval of the Aurora borealis, or Northern Lights. Well connected by air from Calgary or Edmonton, Fort McMurray is easier and cheaper to reach than many northern places. There is a selection of accommodation, restaurants, and plenty to do.
Aurora Tours Provides Comfortable Outdoor Northern Lights Watching
Stu Ross of Aurora Tours in Anzac, Alberta (near Fort McMurray) is a dedicated Aurora watcher. In winter, the dark, frozen lake at Ross's doorstep is perfect for night-time viewing and photography. Northern Lights show up in summer too, but the nights are much shorter. Winter is the best viewing season.
After years of first-hand viewing, study, and record-keeping, Ross can predict the Aurora activity levels fairly well. But, predicting is more an art than a science, and no one is 100 percent accurate. On top of that, the weather can interfere. If it's cloudy, everyone will have to try again the next night.
Ross encourages visitors to check with him before making travel plans, saying, “I tell people to allow 3 nights. That way they should get at least one good one.” It's not just any 3 nights, either. Fluctuations in the sun's activities and other factors mean the Northern Lights only show on some nights.
On good nights, the Aurora will appear, then rest for a while and come back later. Ross's guests can go into his warm log lodge (with washroom and kitchen) for a cup of hot tea while waiting.
What to Expect on a Northern Lights Tour From Fort McMurray
Leave Fort McMurray around 9 p.m. (varies) and drive about an hour on good roads to Aurora Tours' lodge at Anzac. In winter, dress very warmly in layers. There will be a fair bit of standing still. Warm boots make a difference.
The Northern Lights are typically strongest around midnight. Before then, Ross can show his Aurora borealis photos and slides, which record the Aurora over several years. He talks knowledgeably about the science of the Aurora and tells stories of northern living. Visitors come from around the world to see the sky at his home. When the Northern Lights come out, it's time to stop talking and get outside for viewing and picture-taking.
The Northern Lights change from night to night and moment to moment. Milky green and white are common colours, but Stu Ross has seen most shades over the years. The Aurora can look like curtains, plumes, animals, birds and people. Sometimes they crackle, roar and whisper. In legends, they are often associated with the spirit world.
Planning to See the Northern Lights
Visitors can contact Stu Ross of Aurora Tours to plan dates for the best chance of good viewing. Northern Lights tours are priced from $40 Canadian per person per evening, or from $80 Canadian per person per evening if transportation to and from Fort McMurray is required.
Aurora Tours also offers daytime snowmobile tours and other recreational opportunities.
Other activities that go well with an Aurora vacation in Fort McMurray: visiting the Oil Sands Discovery Centre, oil sands site tours, winter sports, hockey games, museum (in summer), and local cultural events.
More:
Where to Eat in Fort McMurray, Alberta, Canada
Oil Sands Discovery Centre, Fort McMurray
Contact Fort McMurray Tourism (1-800-565-3947) for local information, and Travel Alberta (1-800- ALBERTA) for Northern Alberta travel tips. Both organizations provided assistance to the writer.
For Northern Lights tours from Aurora Tours, contact Stu Ross at (780) 334-2292, or by email at auroratours@msn.com.
The images below can be enlarged by clicking on them.
Northern Lights & Pink City Lights
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Aurora Tours Lodge at Anzac, Alberta
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Taking Pictures of Northern Lights by Moonlight
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Aurora Borealis or Northern Lights at Anzac, AB
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