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Northern Lights Best time to go: February and March Churchill is one of the best places in the world to view the northern lights or aurora borealis. Due to its position under the auroral oval, the northern lights can be seen in Churchill up to 300 nights a year; however, the clear, dark skies of winter between February and March tend to offer the most optimal viewing conditions. Travellers can choose from unique, warm viewing locations to guarantee a comfortable experience for watching these coloured curtains of light dance across the sky. With Frontiers North Adventures, most of the northern lights viewing happens from the oh-so-cozy Thanadelthur Lounge, situated away from town on the other side of the frozen Churchill River, far from any light pollution. Added to the itinerary is a visit to Dan's Diner, a pop-up Tundra Buggy dining hall located across the Churchill River, where guests enjoy a delicious meal under the northern lights that features regional and local fare. Book your northern lights trip with Natural Habitat Adventures and get exclusive access to the warm and comfortable Aurora Pod, built by Great White Bear. This specially designed structure features 360-degree views of the sky via its innovative glass construction and cushioned seats. The Churchill Northern Studies Centre offers science-based tours during their Winter Skies: Aurora and Astronomy learning vacations. During your stay at this active subarctic research station located 23 kilometres outside the town of Churchill, learn from leading researchers and scientists studying the aurora. When the northern lights appear, the facility turns out all lights as guests scramble up to the aurora viewing dome or gather on the outdoor viewing balcony. Best suited for DIY travellers, Nanuk Operations offers Nights Under Lights, a guided evening photography outing for the chance to shoot the aurora with the backdrop of a yurt tucked deep in the boreal forest. Join the Discover Churchill Aurora Call List any time of year if you find yourself in Churchill and want to be guided by a professional photographer to capture the lights with your camera. Discover Churchill also offers multi-night packages to hunt for northern lights in four different unique locations throughout town. TRAVELMANITOBA .COM 21 Getting there: No Access by Road Plane or Train Via Rail or Calm Air C H U RC H I L L N O RTH E R N STU D I E S C E NTR E P H OTO : TH O MAS F R I C KE

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