Experiences
My Plans

Culture Trip stands with
Black Lives Matter

Paul Zizka's Canada: 25 Magical Photos Of The Northern Lights

Polarlicht 2 | © SrA Joshua Strang/Wikicommons
Polarlicht 2 | © SrA Joshua Strang/Wikicommons
Paul Zizka, landscape photographer guru and mountain adventurer from Banff, Alberta, is known for capturing The Great White North from snow to sun. Aurora borealis, known as The Northern Lights, is a natural phenomena that occurs when electrons collide with the upper, or Northern, reaches of the Earth’s atmosphere. This majestic and breathtaking occurrence is difficult to capture; however, Zizka has mastered the art, capturing the lights when they make their appearance in the early, or late hours in the Canadian Rockies. Read on to discover 25 of his best views of this natural form of magic.

Bow Lake, Banff, Alberta

Jasper National Park, Alberta

Yellowknife, Northwest Territories

Vermillion Lakes, Alberta

Mount Robson Provincial Park, British Colombia

"Cosmic Celebrations" The obligatory (and belated) Perseid meteor shower composite! We happened to be high on Mount Robson during the peak of the display, but having climbed the mountain earlier that day, we were more eager to get out of the wind and eat the rest of our food than to stay out and enjoy the night sky. The "yard sale" happening around the tent is also due to us being more concerned about lying down than putting gear away… Thanks to the camera we didn't completely miss out. While we were sleeping the 5D3 captured a few meteors, the north end of the Milky Way and some aurora activity. Have a wonderful weekend everyone! The Dome, Mount Robson Provincial Park, Destination British Columbia. #canadiancreatives #mountaincultureelevated #artsyheaven #awesomeearth #explorebc #ballwatch #climbing #canon_official #canadianrockies #earthpix #earthporn #explorecanada #fantastic_earth #grippedmagazine #huffpostcanada #liveclimbrepeat #mountrobson #mountaineering #ourcamplife #robson @blackdiamond #TheClimbingLife #TheGlobeWanderer #warrenjc

A photo posted by Paul Zizka • Banff, AB (@paulzizkaphoto) on

Yellowknife, Northwest Territories

Banff, Alberta

Lake Minnewanka, Banff, Alberta

Yellowknife, Northwest Territories

Lake O’Hara, Yoho National Park, British Colombia

Highlights of 2015 – Day 1 Between now and the end of the month, I would like to share one image daily, picked out of my favourites of the year. Let's kick it off with what I feel was the most spectacular aurora display of the year here in the Canadian Rockies. I am sure many here have vivid memories from the great show of St. Patrick's night. The northern lights raged on for hours, displaying an incredible array of colours (at least in camera) and shapes throughout the night. I happened to be shooting for Lake O'Hara Lodge that night. After a full day out in the field shooting the surrounding wilderness, I was out on the lake on my own shooting the incredibly clear night skies. I spent a couple of hours taking frame after frame of the Milky Way and some beautiful zodiacal lights we had that night. At about 11pm, the green haze appeared in the sky and soon purple pillars started showing in camera. I set the camera to shoot non-stop, and ran to the Lodge to fetch my second camera and ski gear. Upon returning to the lake, pillars were dancing overhead and were clearly visible to the naked eye. One could even distinguish colours other than green, which is quite rare at our latitude. I spent the following 5 hours shooting my heart out, boosted by the adrenaline that always kicks in when the aurora explodes. This is the image I ended up liking best. A self-portrait seeing I was alone out there! #ShotOnCanon #BALLWatch #CanadianCreatives #MountainCultureElevated

A photo posted by Paul Zizka • Banff, AB (@paulzizkaphoto) on

Bow Summit, Banff, Alberta

Lake Minnewanka, Banff, Alberta

Jasper, Alberta

Peyto Lake, Banff, Alberta

Yellowknife, Northwest Territories

Alberta Prairies

Vermillion Lakes, Banff, Alberta

Lake Minnewanka, Banff, Alberta

Athabasca Glacier, Jasper, Alberta

Castle Mountain, Banff, Alberta

Banff, Alberta

Lake Minnewanka, Banff, Alberta

Jasper, Alberta

Castel Mountain, Banff, Alberta

Lake Minnewanka, Banff, Alberta