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Hot deal alert: You can fly to see the northern lights from Vancouver for only $136

Viewing the dancing lights from the north is nothing short of spectacular.

City slickers eager to see the aurora borealis in all of their kaleidoscopic wonder have a direct flight option starting this fall.

Air North is resuming direct flights between Vancouver International Airport (YVR) and Yellowknife Airport (YZF) on Nov.  24, providing a convenient, affordable route for locals looking to visit the capital of the Northwest Territories. 

The once-weekly service departs from Vancouver on Fridays at 1:25 p.m. and gets into Yellowknife at 4:55 p.m. The return flight from Yellowknife departs at 5:45 p.m. and gets into Vancouver at 7:30 p.m. 

Tickets are already on sale, with round-trip direct flights available for under $300. For example, a flight departing Vancouver on Friday, Dec. 12 and returning from Yellowknife on Monday, Dec. 15, costs $283 when booked directly through Air North (see slide two). 

Only need a one-way ticket? Third-party providers have tickets for as little as $136, or book directly with Air North starting at $145 on select dates. 

Unlike many Canadian airlines, Air North includes one piece of checked luggage for each guest, although the weight allowance varies per route. 

Why are northern lights viewing opportunities so much better in the north?

While it is possible to view the northern lights from the Lower Mainland, the view from the north is nothing short of spectacular, with the dancing lights creating vibrant, overhead displays.

Locally, the aurora typically looks like a very faint, milky manifestation in the heavens. Even areas outside the downtown core, such as Jericho Park, will still experience light pollution from North Vancouver and West Vancouver. 

In the central Northwest Territories, the aurora is visible for up to a whopping 240 nights annually, according to the tourism board. In other words, your chances of observing the multi-hued manifestation are particularly high. 

Flight prices may change quickly based on seat availability. If you want to secure a price, book the ticket right away (some airlines and travel suppliers allow you to hold seats, although you will need to confirm). Prices shown in this travel deal were available at the time of writing and may not be available when you look for them. 


Find more information about exciting destinations in B.C. and across the globe, as well as travel deals and tips, by signing up for V.I.A.'s weekly travel newsletter The Wanderer. Since travel deals can sell out, find out the day they are posted by signing up for our daily Travel Deals newsletter.

Want to learn more about a specific destination or have a travel concern or idea you would like V.I.A. to write about? Email us at [email protected]. Send us stories about recent holidays that you've been on, or if you have any tips you think our readers should know about. 

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