SkyChase™ | Northern Lights Experience – Free Photography & More

Fairbanks sits beneath the Aurora Oval, and SkyChase™ makes the most of that advantage by moving beyond city lights when clouds or weak activity get in the way. You ride in a heated van, stop at remote viewing points, warm up by a fire, and wait for the sky to put on its show.

I especially like the included photography and the flexible route. Your guide can help with camera settings, lend you a tripod, and take a group portrait with the aurora behind you. The team also watches weather and aurora data closely, which matters far more than simply parking at one fixed viewpoint.

The main catch is simple: no company can order up clear skies or strong auroras. At $335 per person, this is a costly night out, and the van may feel cramped for taller people. Still, the heated facilities, food, drinks, photo service, and aurora guarantee give the price real weight.

Key points to know before booking

• Aurora chasing is flexible: The team uses many approved locations around Fairbanks instead of promising one fixed stop.
• Photos are included: You receive downloadable group and individual images, plus a 360-degree time-lapse video of the night.
• Warmth is built in: Heated vans, a campfire, hot drinks, and, on larger departures, a mobile heated lodge help you handle severe cold.
• The guarantee matters: If poor conditions prevent an aurora sighting, you may receive a refund or another chance, subject to the company’s terms.
• Hotel pickup is practical: Pickup is offered from Fairbanks hotels and B&Bs within five miles of downtown, generally between 9 and 10 p.m.
• The night can be long and cold: Bring serious winter clothing, even though the van and camp facilities provide places to warm up.

A five-hour search beneath the Aurora Oval

SkyChase™ begins in Fairbanks at 10 p.m., with pickup usually running from 9 to 10 p.m. Your guide sends a text or calls when the vehicle is about 10 minutes away. That small bit of communication is useful in winter, when standing outside and waiting for a van is no fun.

The tour can end around five hours later back at the starting point. The exact route depends on cloud cover, aurora forecasts, and road conditions. This is not a sightseeing bus with a fixed schedule. It is a night of watching data, driving where the sky looks best, and stopping when the odds improve.

The company calls its tracking system the Lights-for-Life™ Formula. You do not need to understand the formula itself. What matters is that the guide is working with current weather and aurora information instead of relying only on a general forecast issued earlier in the day.

On strong forecast nights, the company may ask to start earlier. One departure was moved forward because the best activity was expected before the original time. You can accept the change, keep the original plan, or ask about rescheduling or a refund when conditions require it.

What the route can include around Fairbanks

You may stop at several places, but no stop is guaranteed. The route is chosen for that night, not for sightseeing variety. That distinction is important: you are paying for better viewing conditions, not a checklist of Alaskan landmarks.

Murphy Dome is among the higher accessible points near Fairbanks. Its height and broad views make it useful on a clear night, especially when city glow is low. The road and cold can be demanding, but the open sky is the reason to come here.

Ester Dome is another frequent direction. It offers distance from Fairbanks light pollution and a wide view of the sky. If conditions are clear in the west, this can be a sensible place to wait for activity.

The Chena Hot Springs region and nearby Chena areas may be used when the eastern sky looks better. These wooded surroundings offer darker conditions and a quieter setting, though trees can limit the horizon in some spots.

The Two Rivers and Pleasant Valley region is also considered when eastern skies are clearing. These areas provide a more remote feel and can work well when cloud patterns make Fairbanks itself less useful.

On selected nights, the route may head toward a high point near C, northeast of Fairbanks. The supplied route information identifies this as one of the team’s higher viewing areas, with broad skies during strong activity.

The Nenana Hills may come into play when the western sky is clearing. This gives the team another direction to try instead of waiting under a stubborn cloud bank near town.

You may pass through North Pole, Alaska, home of Santa Claus House. This is more of a charming roadside sight than a main viewing stop, but it adds a little local character to the drive.

The route can also pass near Pedro Dome, associated with one of Alaska’s important early gold discoveries. Usually, the point is not to stop for a long historical visit. It is a reminder that the company can use remote roads and dark country beyond the city.

On an unusually clear night, distant views toward Denali National Park and the Alaska Range may be possible from certain high points. Treat this as a lucky extra, not a promised part of the tour. The northern lights remain the central reason for every route choice.

Campfires, sausage, and a warm place to wait

The waiting period is where SkyChase™ earns much of its value. A northern lights tour can involve long stretches of standing still, staring at a dark sky. Here, you can warm up in the van, gather around a fire, or use the mobile lodge when it travels with your group.

The campfire meal includes Alaskan reindeer sausage, with a vegan option available. You heat the pre-cooked sausage and bun over the fire. Follow the guide’s timing advice, since food cools quickly in severe cold. S’mores are also part of the setup on some nights.

The Borealis Brew drink bar offers at least eight hot and cold choices. Hot chocolate is particularly welcome when you have been outside with a camera. The fire is positioned behind the van so its light does not spoil the view toward the sky.

The mobile Aurora Lodge is usually included for groups of 14 or more. It provides a heated room and, according to the information supplied, a bathroom. This can make a major difference for older adults, families, or anyone uneasy about spending five hours far from indoor facilities.

The lodge is not guaranteed every night. Equipment problems have occasionally meant that a group had only the heated van and campfire. The van remains an important backup, but it may feel tight, particularly if you are taller than about 5 feet 9 inches.

Photography that adds real value

The free photography is one of the strongest reasons to consider this tour. Northern lights photos are not easy to make. You need a stable camera, the right exposure, a tripod, and enough battery power to survive the cold.

Guides help with camera settings and offer tripod rentals. Tony, Andrew, and Dre are among the guides praised for helping people frame shots, pose for portraits, and understand what their cameras are doing. If you bring your own camera, ask for help early rather than waiting until the sky becomes active.

The package includes professional photographs that you can download. A group aurora portrait is included, and guides also take photos without people in the frame. A 360-degree time-lapse video of the night is another useful extra.

There is a limit to what the package includes. Edited pictures, RAW files, and watermark-free originals are not included in the base package. The included photos are also not a guarantee of a large gallery. On a slow night, one guide may take fewer images than you hoped, and portrait technique can vary.

Bring spare batteries and protect your equipment from the cold. One person described needing hand warmers after taking photos for a while. Your own winter gear still matters, even with a heated van and lodge nearby.

What happens when the aurora is weak

A good aurora tour is not the same as a guaranteed spectacular display. Sometimes the lights appear only as a faint haze. Sometimes a camera sensor records green that your eyes can barely detect. Sometimes the sky stays empty.

SkyChase™ tries to respond by checking several areas. You might make two or three stops before finding a break in the clouds. On one night, the final stop produced a strong display after earlier locations had little to show. On another, the lights were visible mainly through a camera.

The company’s Aurora Guarantee is an important safety net. If you see no lights, the terms provide a refund or another opportunity, depending on the type of night and company policy. That does not turn a cloudy night into a success, but it lowers the risk of spending $335 for nothing.

Book this early in your Fairbanks stay if you can. If the weather cancels the outing or the aurora does not cooperate, you have a better chance of rescheduling before you leave. Waiting until your final night removes that useful option.

Guides, group size, and the feel of the night

The experience is a public group tour, with up to 60 people overall and as many as 14 in one van. That means the atmosphere can vary. A smaller van group may feel friendly and personal, while a full departure can feel more organized than intimate.

The strongest part of the service is the guide team. Tony has been praised for explaining aurora science and Alaskan culture while also taking photos. Andrew has helped with camera settings and shared detailed information about Fairbanks. Dre has been singled out for his warmth and willingness to help with portraits.

Communication before pickup is another plus. The team may text about weather changes, earlier departure times, or different options. This flexibility can improve the odds of seeing the lights, but it also means your schedule may shift.

This tour suits couples, families, solo visitors, and friends. It is also a reasonable choice for older adults if the mobile lodge is operating, though you should confirm that detail before booking if a bathroom is important.

Is $335 a fair price?

At $335 per person, SkyChase™ is not a budget aurora outing. You can find cheaper tours that provide transportation and a place to wait. The question is what you would otherwise need to arrange yourself.

Here, the price includes hotel pickup, a heated van, guide service, route planning, real-time tracking, food, drinks, campfire access, camera support, tripod use, downloadable photography, and the aurora guarantee. The mobile lodge is an added comfort when available.

The photography alone can make the price easier to accept. A portrait under the aurora is difficult to arrange on your own, especially when you are also trying to keep your fingers warm and your camera working.

I would not call it a bargain. I would call it a premium package for people who want help with the full night, not just a ride into the dark. If you already own camera equipment, have a rental car, and are comfortable waiting outside for hours, a cheaper option may suit you better.

Practical advice for a cold Fairbanks night

Wear serious winter clothing from head to toe. A warm coat is not enough. Pay special attention to boots, gloves, socks, and face protection. The cold can become painful while you stand still, even when the van is close.

Pack no more than one backpack per person. Bring your camera, spare batteries, hand warmers, and any personal snacks you need. Food beyond the included fire-cooked meal is not covered.

All people joining need a ticket, regardless of age. Service animals are allowed, and most people can take part. Pickup is available from hotels and B&Bs within five miles of downtown Fairbanks. Otherwise, the meeting point is 425 Merhar Avenue, with the tour returning there.

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time. Cancellations or changes inside 24 hours are not refunded. If bad weather or insufficient bookings cancel the tour, you can choose another date or receive a full refund.

Should you book SkyChase™?

I would book this tour if seeing the aurora is a top priority and you want the company to handle the hard parts: weather checks, route changes, transport, warming areas, food, and photography. The guarantee and the option to move earlier when conditions improve are especially useful.

I would also book early in your Fairbanks visit, not on your last night. That gives you room to reschedule if clouds take over.

I would choose another option if $335 feels steep, if you dislike group tours, or if you want a roomy vehicle. The van can be cramped, the lodge may not travel every night, and the photo service may not produce as many polished images as you expect.

For most visitors who want a supported, comfortable northern lights night, SkyChase™ offers a strong package. Just remember that the guarantee covers the chance to try again or receive a refund. It cannot guarantee a sky full of dancing color.

FAQ

How long does the SkyChase™ tour last?

The experience lasts approximately five hours and returns to the starting point in Fairbanks.

What time does the tour begin?

The listed start time is 10 p.m. Hotel pickup generally takes place between 9 and 10 p.m.

Is hotel pickup included?

Yes. Pickup and drop-off are offered from Fairbanks hotels and B&Bs within five miles of downtown. The guide calls or texts when about 10 minutes away.

What happens if no Northern Lights appear?

The Aurora Guarantee provides a refund or another chance if no lights are seen, according to the company’s terms and the type of viewing night.

Is food included?

Yes. The tour includes a twilight campfire meal with Alaskan reindeer sausage or a vegan option. Food beyond the included meal is not covered.

Are drinks included?

Yes. The Borealis Brew Drink Bar includes at least eight hot and cold drink choices.

Are photographs included in the price?

Professional downloadable photographs are included, along with a group aurora portrait. RAW files, watermark-free originals, and edited pictures are not included in the base package.

Can I get help with my camera?

Yes. Guides provide hands-on camera support, and tripod rentals are available.

What is the cancellation policy?

You can cancel up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before the start time are not refunded.