The best months to see the aurora in Fairbanks

Do you guys want to see the Aurora? You can watch the aurora in Fairbanks, which is known as the capital of the northern lights. Friends who want to see the aurora should not miss it. Here is the relevant introduction to the activities, let’s go and see it together. Fairbanks aurora viewing methods and observation points

Fairbanks is known as the "Northern Lights Capital". The dry climate creates its winter weather with few clouds and clear skies. With Fairbanks as the center, it is not only a "perfect" aurora observation destination, but also has many winter ice and snow activities, so you will not be bored during the day.

Best observation season and time

Seasonally speaking, because the aurora must appear at night~, Alaska has long days and short nights in summer, and there is also the polar day phenomenon with almost no night. You definitely won’t be able to see the aurora; therefore, from September to March every year, there are more than ten hours of darkness a day, which is the best time to observe the aurora. It’s almost completely dark in December, with only a few hours of daylight. You can watch the aurora every day, but there aren’t many daytime activities, so you have to choose carefully.

In terms of time, generally 10 pm to 2 am is the time period with the highest probability of auroras appearing. As long as the weather is clear, the probability of encountering auroras is greatly increased.

The best observation location

Fairbanks → Head east, more than half an hour’s drive, to the cabin on the top of the mountain in the suburbs. It can be far away from the light pollution of the city, the terrain is high, and the business is open enough. Professional photographers usually come here to shoot aurora. The cabin is equipped with tables, chairs, heaters and hot drinks. In the warm cabin, you can adjust the pixels of your mobile phone and camera at any time and wait for nature's aurora show.

Fairbanks→Further east, an hour and a half’s drive away, is Chena Hot Springs

Springs. Because it is in a valley, the night sky is dark enough, so you can take a bath while waiting. You can obviously see the aurora after it appears; but because it is not open enough, you may not be able to see it comprehensively. So some people choose to give up the warm and comfortable soup pool and walk to the slightly higher mountain behind (about 15 minutes) to wait for the aurora. There is a small cabin with heating, chairs, and a large floor-to-ceiling window facing the north. You can sit comfortably in the room. Wait comfortably for the Aurora to appear.

Fairbanks → Go north, a 6 and a half hour drive (crossing the Arctic Circle along the Dalton Highway, the road conditions are dangerous) or a direct flight by small plane to the Coldfoot Polar Cabin in Cotford. Cotford is located in the very center of the Northern Lights Ring

, with only about 10 people, a dormitory, a cafe, a tire repair shop, a gas station, a post office, and a small airport. In winter In addition to watching the Aurora, you can also participate in dog sledding activities.

Fairbanks→Further north, a 7-hour drive to WisemanVillage. This may be the northernmost village in the world that has been inhabited all year round.

It is remote and has no light pollution. It is an excellent place to watch the stars and other auroras. However, due to local protectionism, outside tourist groups or individuals are generally not allowed to enter easily.

It is also important to do your homework in advance

The official website of the University of Alaska Fairbanks will publish the aurora activity status within 28 days every day. Is it data captured from NOAA? Very accurate, from 1 to 9, the higher the number, the stronger the aurora. In August, there are generally levels 3 to 4, or even level 5; after September, they are generally above level 5. Of course, if the aurora level is very high, you still won’t be able to see it in rainy weather, so you need to judge the possibility of seeing the aurora based on the clear weather conditions of the day.

The aurora intensity query website is as follows

http://www.gi.alaska.edu/AuroraForecast/Alaska food and accommodation recommendations

Accommodation: There is no local accommodation in Alaska A luxurious five-star hotel, because in the eyes of Europeans and Americans, Alaska’s status is equivalent to Tibet in the eyes of the Chinese. It is a pure region that can wash the mind and purify the soul, so traveling here is not just for enjoying luxury.

For this reason, there are mostly affordable and comfortable three-star hotels in the area. Although the facilities of these hotels are not all the latest, they are very clean and feel very warm.

Eat: Of course when you come to the United States, you have to drink a lot and eat a lot of meat. In Alaska, you have to talk about the steaks, wild king crab legs and beer here, and whether you come to a street food stall It is still a regular restaurant. The local cuisine style is all large and full of ingredients. One person orders and two people eat. There is also Alaska beer, which is brewed from pure glacier water. It tastes slightly bitter and has a mellow taste that is simply irresistible. Just thinking about it makes you mouth-watering!