Four new northern lights products are open to visitors in Alaska for the 2026-27 aurora season, the Alaska Travel Industry Association (ATIA) said on September 28.
The additions give operators more winter inventory in a state whose visitor economy leans on the summer cruise season, which this year saw a tsunami threat pull cruise ships from the Tracy Arm fjord. The viewing season began in late August and runs for about seven months.
“In destinations like Fairbanks under the auroral oval, your chances of seeing the northern lights are pretty high on a clear night,” said ATIA President and CEO Jillian Simpson. “Great aurora viewing in Alaska isn’t dependent on it being a solar maximum.”
The Orion, a sister property to A Taste of Alaska Lodge, opened in spring near Fairbanks. The 10-room lodge has an indoor aurora viewing lounge, an aurora camera and an outdoor viewing deck, and guests can sign up for aurora alerts.
Aurora Black Truck Tours, a new Fairbanks operator, runs private small-group excursions of four to six hours in heated vehicles, with viewing spots chosen on the night’s conditions.
Outbound Heli Adventures has opened an aurora viewing dome overlooking Knik Glacier in Southcentral Alaska. The enclosed dome is accessible only by helicopter.
Snowhook Adventure Guides has opened a year-round lodge in Hatcher Pass. Its winter programme includes dog sledding, kennel tours, snowmobiling, a sauna and overnight northern lights packages.
They join established aurora operators such as Coldfoot Camp, Chena Hot Springs Resort and Borealis Basecamp. ATIA is Alaska’s statewide non-profit membership association for the travel industry and runs the state’s destination marketing programme, Travel Alaska.