Know Before You Go | Churchill Northern Lights
Whether you're preparing for your upcoming northern lights tour or just want to learn more about the aurora borealis, be sure to check out these helpful resources. Discover what life is like on the Arctic tundra, browse useful packing tips and read compelling travel stories that will leave you in awe of nature’s winter magic.
Travel Tips
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
Have questions about the aurora borealis? We've got answers! We've compiled a list of our most frequently asked questions about the northern lights, Churchill, weather and more.
All About the Aurora Borealis
All About the Aurora Borealis
The aurora borealis is a glittering, radiant display, only visible in the northern night sky. Read on to discover the origins of these wonderous lights and the science behind this astounding phenomenon.
Best Time to See the Northern Lights
Best Time to See the Northern Lights
Maximize your chances of watching this wondrous natural spectacle by researching the best time to take a trip north to see the aurora borealis in Churchill.
Northern Lights Trivia
Northern Lights Trivia
Take our northern lights quiz to put your knowledge to the test, then share it with your family and friends to see who knows the most about the aurora borealis!
Conservation & Community
Conservation & Community
Through operating environmentally sensitive adventures for hundreds of visitors each year, we contribute financially to local communities while using travel as a means to spearhead conservation efforts.
Weather & Climate
Weather & Climate
Find out what the winter weather conditions are typically like in Winnipeg and farther north in Churchill during northern lights season.
Wildlife Guide
Wildlife Guide
Learn about Arctic foxes and other wildlife you may encounter on your Churchill northern lights adventure.
Packing List
Packing List
Check out our comprehensive list of all the clothing and gear you’ll want to pack so you'll be well prepared for winter on the tundra.
Travel Stories & Articles
An Expedition Leader’s Extraordinary Northern Lights Adventure in Churchill
An Expedition Leader’s Extraordinary Northern Lights Adventure in Churchill
—By Nat Hab Expedition Leader Eddy Savage
Clear skies, stunning landscapes, fascinating people and the remarkable northern lights make an adventure here one for the books. Please enjoy my recap of my first 2023 expedition to Churchill!
Clear skies, stunning landscapes, fascinating people and the remarkable northern lights make an adventure here one for the books. Please enjoy my recap of my first 2023 expedition to Churchill!
The Sounds of the Northern Lights
The Sounds of the Northern Lights
—By Nat Hab Expedition Leader Eddy Savage
Crackling, popping, whooshing. These are the sounds described as being produced by nature’s most beautiful phenomena. But where might they come from?
Crackling, popping, whooshing. These are the sounds described as being produced by nature’s most beautiful phenomena. But where might they come from?
Northern Lights, Sun Dogs and Fire Rainbows: 5 Optical Phenomena and Where to See Them
Northern Lights, Sun Dogs and Fire Rainbows: 5 Optical Phenomena and Where to See Them
—By Ruksana Hussain
Count yourself lucky if you’ve been an audience to some of these performances by Mother Nature, including the northern lights, sun dogs, fire rainbows, light pillars and the rare Brocken spectre. Keep your eyes on the skies to check these five off your list!
Count yourself lucky if you’ve been an audience to some of these performances by Mother Nature, including the northern lights, sun dogs, fire rainbows, light pillars and the rare Brocken spectre. Keep your eyes on the skies to check these five off your list!
Preparing for Photographing the Northern Lights
Preparing for Photographing the Northern Lights
—By Nat Hab Expedition Leader Eddy Savage
I have several key preparations in my Northern Lights Photography Kit that make my life easier and the rush of photographing the aurora borealis a lot of fun.
I have several key preparations in my Northern Lights Photography Kit that make my life easier and the rush of photographing the aurora borealis a lot of fun.
NASA Has Sent Two Rockets into the Northern Lights
NASA Has Sent Two Rockets into the Northern Lights
—By Samantha Miller
A new NASA mission has recently sent two rockets through an active aurora to study how the aurora borealis impacts the energy exchange in Earth’s atmosphere up close.
A new NASA mission has recently sent two rockets through an active aurora to study how the aurora borealis impacts the energy exchange in Earth’s atmosphere up close.
7 Northern Lights Photography Tips (That Aren’t Camera Settings)
7 Northern Lights Photography Tips (That Aren’t Camera Settings)
—By Megan Koelemay
Equip yourself with the right gear and an imaginative spirit, and you’ll have a delightful experience photographing the northern lights!
Equip yourself with the right gear and an imaginative spirit, and you’ll have a delightful experience photographing the northern lights!
Women in the Light—An Account of Our First Ever Women-Only Adventure
Women in the Light—An Account of Our First Ever Women-Only Adventure
—By Ben Bressler
If my mother were still alive she would have understood the power of women joining together to explore the world and discover themselves. And she would have signed up for this trip in a heartbeat (if only to get away from my brother and me).
If my mother were still alive she would have understood the power of women joining together to explore the world and discover themselves. And she would have signed up for this trip in a heartbeat (if only to get away from my brother and me).
Natural Habitat Adventures Announces Northern Lights Encounter Exclusively for Women
Natural Habitat Adventures Announces Northern Lights Encounter Exclusively for Women
—By Nat Hab
The first-ever departure will focus on the Arctic through a female lens via outdoor adventures, Indigenous storytelling and learning about powerful women leading lives as entrepreneurs, scientists and trailblazers in Canada’s North.
The first-ever departure will focus on the Arctic through a female lens via outdoor adventures, Indigenous storytelling and learning about powerful women leading lives as entrepreneurs, scientists and trailblazers in Canada’s North.
Video: The “Scientific” Beauty of the Northern Lights
Video: The “Scientific” Beauty of the Northern Lights
—By Candice Gaukel Andrews
While you may think that describing the process that creates the aurora in such detail takes away from their magic and beauty, there’s an even greater magnificence, I think, in understanding the science behind one of nature’s most breathtaking phenomena.
While you may think that describing the process that creates the aurora in such detail takes away from their magic and beauty, there’s an even greater magnificence, I think, in understanding the science behind one of nature’s most breathtaking phenomena.
15 Native Tales About the Northern Lights
15 Native Tales About the Northern Lights
—By Marsea Nelson
We know today that the aurora borealis, commonly called the “northern lights” occurs when electrically charged particles from the sun zoom into Earth’s...
We know today that the aurora borealis, commonly called the “northern lights” occurs when electrically charged particles from the sun zoom into Earth’s...
Know Before You Go
