Northern Tales in the Yukon
Co-owners of Northern Tales, Emily & Aaron
As we look ahead to fall, we’re shining a light on one of our most anticipated experiences: the Northern Lights in the Yukon. To give you an insider’s perspective, we caught up with Aaron Ratko, co-owner of our trusted partner Northern Tales—the incredible team behind our Whitehorse-based aurora adventures. Their passion for the land, the lights, and the people of the Yukon makes every visit unforgettable. Here's what Aaron had to say.
What drew you to the Whitehorse area?
The accessible adventure and vast mountainous air, the historical significance and power of the Yukon River, and a welcoming community—on every trail, café, and barstool.
Tell us about Northern Tales…
Experience Yukon Lakes this Fall With Classic Canadian Tours & Northern Tales
Northern Tales is a front-country, inclusive guiding company that provides world-class care to each guest in the Yukon. We thrive on hosting visitors and showcasing life in the North. We’re experts at introducing guests to the culture and community of the Yukon, and our small guide-to-guest ratio allows for personalized experiences throughout their visit. From the personal booking process to fireside connections and s’more conversations, we share the excitement and joy of the Aurora Borealis with every guest, celebrating each showing and appreciating every starry night.
What makes the Northern Lights in the Yukon so special?
A cozy cabin at the Northern Tales viewing site, taken on Classic Canadian Tours’ last visit (March 2025)
I think it’s the big skies and the scattered mountains in the distance that give depth to the view. Sometimes the sky is completely filled with Aurora, and other times you have to scan the horizon as they ribbon through the landscape. Our Aurora viewing site features a cozy cabin, and the low-lying mountain ranges to the east and west offer great perspective—whether the lights are dancing on the northern horizon or right overhead.
There’s also so much happening in the Yukon—so many activities, and it's incredibly rich in wilderness and wildlife. In my opinion, the Aurora activity here is like the most spectacular icing on the cake.
What’s your favourite Northern Lights memory?
Personally, my first and favourite Northern Lights experience was sitting fireside, cooking the rest of a fish I’d caught earlier that day. I stepped away from the fire for a moment and wondered why the clouds were moving so rapidly. I only realized what I had seen later that night as I tried to fall asleep.
My favourite Northern Tales Northern Lights experiences come from those rare nights when expectations are just as vast as the landscape. It’s the nights when it starts snowing as we load the vans, when you can't see a single star and it feels like all hope is lost—that “tonight is not the night.” And then suddenly, the clouds break, stars shine through, and the Aurora lights up the sky like a mysterious superpower. No one can ever fully predict that kind of magic. Those moments catch everyone off guard, and the excitement is so real—those are my favourite memories.
Alternatively, there are the nights when the Aurora rips through the sky in pink and yellow, when no one even thinks to take a photo because they're so awestruck. People are laughing, speechless, and genuinely moved. Everyone’s oohing and ahhing—and that authentic joy makes those nights just as unforgettable.
Do you have a favourite place to spend time in Whitehorse?
The Yukon River at sunrise taken on Canadian Classic Tours’ visit in February 2025
I have two favourites. First, being right next to the Yukon River by the visitor centre on our city tour—introducing the Kwanlin Dün First Nation and the Ta’an Kwäch’än Council to visitors really helps me feel grounded in the history of the Yukon.
Second would be spending time at the Yukon Wildlife Preserve, surrounded by animals from across the territory. It gives me a similar feeling of connection—like being by the river.
Aaron’s Final Thoughts
The Yukon is rich with wildlife, community, and incredibly diverse history—from the Ice Age and Beringia to the Gold Rush, the Alaska Highway, the formation of the Council of Yukon First Nations, and the construction of the Kwanlin Dün Cultural Centre just over a decade ago. There is so much to live, learn, and experience here.
Northern Tales is proud to host guests checking off bucket-list items, because we know there's so much more to this place than the thrill of adventure. We’re honoured to introduce our visitors to the community we love and respect.
Ready to experience the Yukon for yourself?
Our Fall Northern Lights tour runs September 11–14, 2025, with departures from Vancouver, Calgary, and Edmonton. Seats are limited—and this is one experience you don’t want to miss!
