Yellowknife Aurora Chasing + Aurora Lodge: Warm viewing

You watch the aurora from inside a lodge instead of standing outside in the cold.

An aurora tour in Yellowknife that splits the night between a spacious heated lodge overlooking Madeline Lake and a warm bus for chasing clearer skies if clouds roll in. A professional guide leads the tour in English or Chinese, takes your photos and hands over the digital files at no extra cost. Light snacks and hot beverages are provided throughout the evening, and the lodge has proper washrooms, board games, cards and other indoor activities while you wait for the lights to appear. Pickup from your hotel is included. Children from age 5 are welcome.

Step-by-step itinerary

Aurora viewing and lodge experience

• Visit Madeline Lake Lodge
• Enjoy lodge amenities and warm seating
• View aurora from lodge decks
• Play board games and arcade
• Have light snacks and hot beverages
• Chase aurora by bus if cloudy
• Photographer takes guest photos

The experience

You arrive at Madeline Lake Lodge, which sits on 7,000 square meters of private land with over 180 square meters of viewing decks and in-floor heating. On a clear night, you'll spend most of the evening here, warm and comfortable, watching for the aurora to begin. While waiting, there's a display of furs and animal products to browse, and you can play board games, cards, mahjong, foosball or arcade games. Hot beverages and light snacks keep you fueled through the night.

If clouds move in and block the view, the guide will load everyone into a warm bus and drive to clearer locations across the territorial parks to chase better skies. When the aurora appears (whether from the lodge decks or from a stop along the route), a professional photographer captures images of you and the lights, then provides all the digital photos to you at no charge. The tour runs for around four hours, and if the aurora-chasing location happens to be close to the lodge, you can head back inside to rest between sightings.

Pickup from your hotel is included, and the guide speaks English or Chinese. The lodge has proper washrooms, so you're never caught without facilities in the cold. Infants can ride in a stroller or pram, and children from age 5 onward are welcome. Infants must sit on an adult's lap during the bus rides if clouds require chasing.

What’s included

• Light snacks and hot beverages throughout the evening.
• professional photographer who provides all digital photos at no extra cost.
• access to board games, cards, mahjong, foosball and arcade games at the lodge.
• use of proper washrooms.
• hotel pickup.
• WIFI at the lodge.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 22:00

Book up to2h before

AgesAdult (12 and older) · Child (5 to 11 years) · Under 5: can't be booked

GroupUp to 38

Live guideEnglish and Chinese

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.You can choose from 11 pickup points.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated today

Good to know

Low physical effortStroller-friendlyPets welcomeInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Destination NWT Ltd.

Is this one for you?Book this tour if you're visiting Yellowknife for the first time and want to see the aurora without spending hours outside in extreme cold. The lodge setup means you stay warm and comfortable while waiting, with activities and facilities that make the night feel less like an endurance test and more like an evening out.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English and Chinese.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (5 to 11 years). Children under 5 can't be included in the booking.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What do I do while waiting for the aurora to appear at Madeline Lake Lodge?

Madeline Lake Lodge has board games, cards, mahjong, foosball and arcade games available while you wait. A display of furs and animal products is also on view, and hot beverages and light snacks are served throughout the evening.

What happens if it's cloudy on the night of my tour?

If clouds are roaming across the sky, the guide will drive you in a warm bus to clearer locations in the territorial parks to chase better viewing conditions. If the aurora-chasing spot is close to the lodge, you can return to rest between sightings.

Do I get the aurora photos the photographer takes?

Yes. A professional photographer captures images of you and the aurora throughout the night, and all digital photos are provided to you at no additional charge.

Is pickup from my hotel included?

Pickup from your hotel is included in the tour price. The guide will arrange the time with you when you book.