While the internet loves to tout all the apps and information available for ‘accurate’ northern lights conditions and forecasts, one might wonder why paying for an aurora tour with aurora guides is the better deal when virtual information is free.
It’s all in the investment of an unforgettable experience.
There are many elements of a successful night northern lights viewing, with several factors at play, including weather, location, and knowing the unique arrays of aurora colors and styles. But while many visitors attempt to view the northern lights on their own, we have a few reasons why it makes sense (and offers a higher-quality experience) to book a tour with an experienced aurora guide.
Like favorite berry-picking spots, people who chase northern lights often like to keep preferred vantage points a secret to ensure an uncrowded experience. Greatland Adventures guide teams have been in the business a long time, and are dialed in to some amazing spots to witness the dancing light displays. We even have our own property in Fairbanks, where the views are unobstructed and warm, dry indoor spaces, hot drinks, and snacks make for comfortable tour conditions.
Auroral displays posted on social media sometimes belie the actual conditions, with super-bright or intense colors that may give the impression that this is how the lights always look. All aurora chasers need to understand the subtleties of this all-natural phenomenon, some nights providing wild, swirling displays, other nights giving the observer a more muted color palette. Both are unique examples of the universe above us, but the latter sometimes needs a professional guide to point out what’s happening overhead.
Aurora borealis displays originate from solar wind traveling to Earth’s atmosphere. Greatland Adventures guides carefully study space weather data, looking for short-term predictions of northern lights for the night. Students of the northern lights and atmospheric conditions, our guide teams know how to read and decipher Earth weather models in real-time, then transport guests to the clearest skies possible and explain it all in terms that are easy to understand.
Greatland Adventures has pioneered aurora tourism in Southcentral Alaska, offering best-in-the-business tours since 2012. But long before that, our founder Steve Busby had been chasing “the lights” with group tours in Alaska, and now Greatland Adventures operates aurora tours out of Anchorage between August 21 and April 14, and out of Fairbanks between August 28 and April 14.
In Alaska, knowing the local geography, weather, and road conditions is vital for a safe and enjoyable aurora-chasing experience. Every Greatland Adventures guide is a year-round resident of Alaska and has experience navigating the often wet, slippery, or frigid roadways of the Southcentral and Interior regions of the state as they drive at night to aurora viewing sites. Not a fan of winter driving? Get comfortable in our clean, new vans, check out our in-vehicle video entertainment/education system, and let us take care of you, safely. Additionally, many guests do not realize that aurora can be better in various locations, resulting in some nocturnal drive time. Why not allow our guides to do the transporting, giving you the chance to relax, snooze, or just enjoy the experience? Leave the driving to us!
We know that taking photos at night is hard enough, but taking quality photographs with the northern lights as a dramatic backdrop is even more challenging, especially if you want to be in the picture frame, too!
Greatland Adventures guides are well-versed in aurora photography and provide each guest with a web-quality shot of their choice underneath the dramatic skies of an auroral display. If you’d like to learn more about the technical aspects of northern lights photography, guides can offer their best tips for framing and capturing that awesome shot.
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Matanuska Glacier Tour - Winter
Explore magnificent blue glacier ice and ice features on the Matanuska Glacier. Departs from Anchorage, Alaska.
Anchorage Northern Lights Tour
Journey to view and photograph the Aurora Borealis in the greater Anchorage area.
Fairbanks Northern Lights Tour
Join us and experience the magic of Aurora Borealis in the greater Fairbanks area.
