
SkyChase™ | Northern Lights Experience - Free Photography & More
Traveler rating
4.8/5
Based on 808 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is SkyChase™ | Northern Lights Experience - Free Photography & More worth booking?
SkyChase™ | Northern Lights Experience - Free Photography & More is a 5-hour experience in Fairbanks, United States, from $285 per person. It scores 81 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Exceptional”, based on a 4.8/5 rating across 808 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 81 / 100
- Rating
- 4.8/5 (808)
- Duration
- 5 hours
- From
- $285 per person
We don’t just take you to the Northern Lights — we chase them. At Aurora In Alaska™, our exclusive SkyChase™ Northern Lights Experience uses our Lights-for-Life™ Formula to track weather, clouds, and solar activity in real time to take you to the clearest skies, at the best time. Travel in a heated, winterized Mercedes Sprinter van, relax at our mobile Aurora lodge, enjoy a twilight campfire meal, and sip drinks from our Borealis Brew Bar. Receive unlimited Aurora portraits from our pro photographers, plus night-lapse video and tripod rentals. We’re the only tour with an Aurora Guarantee: If no Aurora is visible to the eye or camera on a “guaranteed night,” you get a 50% refund or free rebooking. Disclaimer: A guaranteed night is based on real-time conditions. If any Aurora is visible by eye or camera, the night is considered fulfilled.
What you get
About this experience
We don’t just take you to the Northern Lights — we chase them. At Aurora In Alaska™, our exclusive SkyChase™ Northern Lights Experience uses our Lights-for-Life™ Formula to track weather, clouds, and solar activity in real time to take you to the clearest skies, at the best time. Travel in a heated, winterized Mercedes Sprinter van, relax at our mobile Aurora lodge, enjoy a twilight campfire meal, and sip drinks from our Borealis Brew Bar. Receive unlimited Aurora portraits from our pro photographers, plus night-lapse video and tripod rentals. We’re the only tour with an Aurora Guarantee: If no Aurora is visible to the eye or camera on a “guaranteed night,” you get a 50% refund or free rebooking. Disclaimer: A guaranteed night is based on real-time conditions. If any Aurora is visible by eye or camera, the night is considered fulfilled.
What's included
Included
- 360° time-lapse video of the night
- Aurora Guarantee* (refund or retry if no lights are seen)
- Twilight Campfire meal (Alaskan reindeer sausage or vegan option)
- Your personal Auro-meteorologist - predicts northern lights' visibility blending aurora and weather.
- Hands-on camera support & tripod rentals
- Keepsake Media - professional photography included, downloadable images
- Real-time Aurora tracking with Lights-for-Life™ Formula
- Solo Stove Fire Pits (most nights)
- Public transportation (bus, subway, cable car, etc.)
- Borealis Brew Drink Bar - Featuring 8+ hot/cold drink options
- Mobile Aurora Lodge - Most nights our mobile heated lodge follows the vans.
- Local Expert - ensure your in the best spot to view the lights for the night
Not included
- Edited Pictures - unlimited download of edited photos
- Please note our Primary goal is Aurora viewing. Weather and other variables may remove extras
- Meals
- Private transportation
- RAW files and watermark-free originals are not included in the base package
What you'll see and do
Fairbanks
As our home base, Fairbanks is one of the best locations in the world for Northern Lights viewing — located directly under the Aurora Oval. Each night, our SkyChase™ tour departs from Fairbanks and uses the Lights-for-Life™ Formula to determine the optimal location outside the city for clear skies and strong activity.
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Murphy Dome
Murphy Dome is one of the highest accessible points in the Fairbanks area and occasionally used on clear-sky nights for its panoramic views and low light pollution. It’s a prime example of the remote high-elevation locations our team accesses while chasing the Aurora.
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North Pole
While not our final destination, North Pole, Alaska is located along our route and adds charm to the adventure. Guests love passing Santa Claus House and seeing this quirky, festive town en route to darker skies.
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Chena Hot Springs
Chena Hot Springs region is often considered when skies to the east are favorable. These peaceful, forested areas offer a quiet backdrop for Northern Lights viewing with excellent visibility when cloud trends push us in that direction.
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c, northeast of Fairbanks, is one of the elevated points we use on select Aurora nights. When conditions are right, it offers excellent visibility and sweeping skies, especially during high activity nights.
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Denali National Park and Preserve
While not a nightly destination, Denali National Park is visible on rare clear-sky nights from certain elevated viewpoints. Guests occasionally glimpse the Alaska Range from afar, especially during strong Aurora activity. This region highlights the vast scope of Alaska’s night sky and our commitment to chasing the most breathtaking views whenever possible.
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Felix Pedro Monument
This historical stop marks the first major gold discovery in Alaska and is located along one of the routes we sometimes take while chasing clear skies. Though we typically pass by, it showcases our access to remote, scenic locations far from city lights. It’s a meaningful part of the Alaskan landscape and history.
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Chena River State Recreation Area
The Chena area is one of many regions we travel toward when skies are favorable. It offers forested backdrops, river reflections, and lower light pollution — making it a frequent route on strong Aurora nights. This region represents one of many weather-based destination options included in our flexible SkyChase™ route strategy.
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Alyeska Pipeline Viewing Point
One of many high-elevation stops that we utilize on clear-sky nights for its vast visibility and iconic Alaska scenery. Our flexible route often includes this point or others nearby when it offers cloud-free conditions and great Aurora potential. We use dozens of pre-approved locations in all directions based on real-time sky data.
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Pleasant Valley
The Two Rivers and Pleasant Valley region is often considered when skies to the east are favorable. These peaceful, forested areas offer a quiet backdrop for Northern Lights viewing with excellent visibility when cloud trends push us in that direction.
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Ester
Ester Dome is a frequent direction for clear-sky nights. Its elevation, low light pollution, and distance from city glow make it a strong candidate in our flexible SkyChase™ route system.
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Nenana
On nights with clearing trends to the west, we may head toward the Nenana Hills region, exploring lesser-known sites that deliver expansive skies and beautiful terrain far from city lights.
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Where it starts and ends
Meeting point
Fairbanks
Please let us know if you need meeting point details.
Hotel pickup
Pickup is available for selected locations. Pickup begins about 60 minutes before departure.
Ends at
Please let us know if you need meeting point details.
Before you book
- Cancellation
- For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
- Languages
- en
- Ticket
- Mobile Only
- Runs on
- Every day
- Group size
- Up to 30 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- Aurora In Alaska
Know before you go
- Service animals allowed
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- No more than 1 backpack per guest
- All persons joining are required to purchase a ticket, despite their age.
- Please visit our website for a full cancellation policy and information
Photos






What travelers are saying
Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 802 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.
The guide
5 mentionsTravelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
Photo opportunities
3 mentionsThe views and photo stops come up again and again.
Traveler reviews
802 verified traveler reviews for SkyChase™ | Northern Lights Experience - Free Photography & More. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Highlight of the trip
Everything went so smoothly from the pickup to the drop off. Andrew was great. He gave us so many interesting tidbits about the Auroras and Alaska in general. The entire crew was very concerned about our comfort and kept us informed when there was activity. They offered many tips on how to get the best pictures with cameras and on our phones. It was nice that they had tripods for whoever needed them. The hot drinks came in handy but I wasn’t hungry enough to try the reindeer sausage. We went to 3 different areas and the sightings and pictures were amazing. It’s definitely cold so dress in layers and don’t forget your hand and toe warmers.
via Viator
Best Northern Lights chasing tour!
With a big cloud ceiling coming fast on the night we set off early around 8pm and thanks to the great decision and efficient communications we saw amazing colorful Auroras at two places on that evening! Andre is our tour guide and he is very friendly and professional, setting the camp for us and taking us al lot of great photos, and most important, finding us the gorgeous Aurora! It’s so beautiful you can see them dancing from your naked eyes, even the pictures taken from my IPhone are looking unreal! We were so lucky to be with this tour on the night of Oct. 3rd. Highly recommended!
via Tripadvisor
The crew were very...
The crew were very friendly and helpful, doing the most to help us have a comfortable and memorable experience. Even though we didn't see the lights (bummer- but never guaranteed) , they made the most of it.
via Viator
Best experience ever
We had an amazing experience with our aurora hunter! He was incredibly kind, professional, and knowledgeable. He really knew where to go and worked hard to help us find the best conditions. Thanks to him, we successfully saw the Northern Lights, which made our trip so special and unforgettable. He was also very patient and friendly throughout the whole experience. You can tell he genuinely cares about helping his guests see the aurora. Highly recommend him to anyone visiting Fairbanks and hoping to see the Northern Lights!
via Tripadvisor
Northern Lights- Fairbanks Alaska
Absolutely amazing. We saw the northern lights dancing throughout the skies with the naked eye. Our guide was clear that we might miss them because of cloud coverage and picked us up early but instead we saw them all night long. Pretty incredible experience. Our guide went out of their way to make sure we had the best opportunities to the see the lights! Highly recommend!
via Tripadvisor
Good to know
- Duration
- 5 hours
- Free cancellation
- Up to 24h before
- Minimum age to book
- All ages
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Runs on
- Every day
- Price range
- $285 to $335
- Hotel pickup
- Available for selected locations
- Booked in 30 days
- 283
- Verdict
- Exceptional
Why this scores 81
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
SkyChase™ | Northern Lights Experience - Free Photography & More: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Fairbanks.
How much does SkyChase™ | Northern Lights Experience - Free Photography & More cost?
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Prices start at $285 per person. The final price depends on the date, the time slot and the number of travelers, and peak weekends in Fairbanks usually price higher than midweek mornings. Live pricing and remaining availability are confirmed on the booking screen before you pay.
How long does SkyChase™ | Northern Lights Experience - Free Photography & More take?
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Plan for about 5 hours from start to finish, not counting travel to the meeting point. Most travelers leave another 30 minutes on either side so the rest of the day in Fairbanks is not rushed.
Is SkyChase™ | Northern Lights Experience - Free Photography & More worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 81 out of 100, which we label "Exceptional". That score blends traveler sentiment (4.8/5 across 808 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable most popular in Fairbanks, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.
Can I cancel or reschedule SkyChase™ | Northern Lights Experience - Free Photography & More?
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Yes. Cancel free up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Inside that window the booking is non-refundable, and no-shows are not refunded.
Is SkyChase™ | Northern Lights Experience - Free Photography & More suitable for kids and families?
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Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 5-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.
How far in advance should I book SkyChase™ | Northern Lights Experience - Free Photography & More?
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Around 283 people booked this in the last 30 days, so popular slots go early. Two to three weeks ahead is comfortable in shoulder season, while summer weekends and holidays in Fairbanks can sell out a month out. Same-day spots do open up when other travelers cancel, so it is worth checking if you are already in town.
What should I bring or wear?
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Bring photo ID, your booking confirmation on your phone, a refillable water bottle and comfortable shoes. Dress for the weather in Fairbanks and add a light layer if any part of the 5-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does SkyChase™ | Northern Lights Experience - Free Photography & More start and how do I get there?
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The exact meeting point and directions are on your voucher once you book, and they sit in central Fairbanks within reach of public transport. Arrive 15 minutes early: late arrivals are treated as no-shows by most operators.
What are the best things to do in Fairbanks?
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Fairbanks is the aurora capital of interior Alaska: heated viewing lodges, late-night chase tours, Arctic Circle day drives up the Dalton Highway, dog sledding and summer riverboat cruises. On Outty we rank every Fairbanks experience on the same 0 to 100 scale, and alongside this one the highest scorers right now include Northern Lights - Aurora with FREE Photos - Arctic Night Tours, Dog Sledding and Mushing Experience in North Pole, Fairbanks Ice Fishing Expedition in a Heated Cabin with Fish Cookout. The city page groups everything into most popular, highest reviewed, last minute and family-friendly so you can build a day around what actually delivers.
When is the best time to visit Fairbanks?
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Late August to April for aurora, June to August for midnight-sun river trips. Booking patterns follow the same curve: prices and queues climb in peak weeks, while shoulder season gives you better availability on the top-ranked experiences and more room to change plans.
How many days do you need in Fairbanks?
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Three full days covers the headline sights without sprinting. A workable rhythm is one anchor experience each morning, such as this one, an unhurried afternoon in a single neighborhood, then a food or nightlife booking in the evening. Five days lets you add a day trip outside the city.
Do I book through Outty or through the operator?
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Outty ranks and explains the experiences, then hands you to Viator to complete the booking with the operator directly. The price is the same as booking on Viator yourself, and Outty earns an affiliate commission on the referral, which is how the rankings stay free to read.
What is included in SkyChase™ | Northern Lights Experience - Free Photography & More?
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Included: 360° time-lapse video of the night; Aurora Guarantee* (refund or retry if no lights are seen); Twilight Campfire meal (Alaskan reindeer sausage or vegan option); Your personal Auro-meteorologist - predicts northern lights' visibility blending aurora an; and Hands-on camera support & tripod rentals. Not included: Edited Pictures - unlimited download of edited photos; Please note our Primary goal is Aurora viewing. Weather and other variables may remove ext; Meals; and Private transportation. Always check the voucher for the final list before you travel.
Does SkyChase™ | Northern Lights Experience - Free Photography & More include hotel pickup?
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Yes, pickup is offered, or you can meet at the start point instead from 33 listed pickup locations in and around Fairbanks. Be ready about 60 minutes before the start time. You can also enter a custom pickup address when booking.
What languages is SkyChase™ | Northern Lights Experience - Free Photography & More offered in?
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It runs in English. Pick your language when choosing a date and time, as not every departure runs in every language.
Will I get instant confirmation and a mobile ticket for SkyChase™ | Northern Lights Experience - Free Photography & More?
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Confirmation is sent by the operator after booking, usually within 48 hours; if it is not confirmed you are not charged. Mobile tickets are accepted, so you can show the voucher on your phone.
What happens to SkyChase™ | Northern Lights Experience - Free Photography & More if the weather is bad?
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This experience depends on good weather. If it is canceled because of poor weather, you are offered a different date or a full refund.
What do travelers say about SkyChase™ | Northern Lights Experience - Free Photography & More?
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Across 808 reviews averaging 4.8 out of 5, recurring themes include the guide, photo opportunities. Travelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
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