Destination Comparison
Yellowknife vs Whitehorse for Northern Lights
Canada's two top aurora cities — Yellowknife in the Northwest Territories and Whitehorse in the Yukon — both sit in the auroral zone with a thriving winter tourism scene. They're frequently compared by travellers planning a Canadian aurora trip.
✓✦9/10
Aurora Score
✦8/10
$165/day
Daily Budget
✓$155/day
Easy ✈️
Accessibility
Easy ✈️
Dec, Jan, Feb, Mar
Best Months
Dec, Jan, Feb, Mar
✓18h
Dark Hours (Winter)
17h
Subarctic
Region
Subarctic
16 types
Activities
16 types
Our Verdict
Yellowknife has a slight statistical edge on aurora success rates sitting directly on the oval; Whitehorse offers more diverse winter activities and a scenic mountain setting.
Choose Yellowknife if:
Slightly higher aurora score, frozen lake teepee viewing, Indigenous cultural experiences, renowned dedicated aurora tour operators
Choose Whitehorse if:
Mountain scenery, dog sledding Yukon culture, historic frontier spirit, slightly milder temperatures, broader winter activities
Canada
Yellowknife
Aurora chasers from North America seeking the continent's highest success rates and most authentic Indigenous experience
Canada
Whitehorse
Adventure travellers wanting aurora, dog sledding, and Yukon wilderness wildlife