Join our Aurora Photography Workshop in Alaska at Chena Hot Springs. Learn how to capture the Northern Lights with expert guidance during a hands-on photography workshop at the summit of Charlie Dome, featuring unobstructed 360° night-sky views, heated yurts, and time to photograph the aurora beneath Alaska’s darkest skies.
60-min aurora photography workshop with professional instruction
5-hour aurora viewing experience at Charlie Dome
Personal guidance & portrait under the Northern Lights
Duration
6.5 Hours
About
The Aurora Photography Workshop pairs a 60-minute indoor photography session with the full Charlie Dome aurora viewing experience. Before you head up the mountain, you'll spend an hour with your instructor covering camera settings, composition, and how to read and react to the aurora as it moves.
Then you ascend. Your instructor rides up with you and stays with you the entire night, helping you capture the sky whether it's blazing green overhead or quietly starlit. You leave with photos you actually took, and a portrait taken of you beneath the Alaskan night sky.
Tour Details
Location
17600 Chena Hot Springs Rd, Fairbanks, AK 99712
Min Age
2+
⚠️ Aurora Visibility Disclaimer: The Northern Lights are a natural phenomenon, and visibility can never be guaranteed. Weather conditions, solar activity, and atmospheric factors may limit or prevent aurora displays on any given night. The absence of visible aurora does not qualify for refunds or rescheduling of this experience.
What's Included
60-minute indoor Aurora Photography Workshop
5-hour Aurora Viewing Experience at the Summit of Charlie Dome
Round-trip SUSV transportation
Dedicated photography instructor throughout the experience for real-time camera setup and creative feedback
Professional portrait under the Northern Lights
High-resolution digital copy of your portrait
Warm Mongolian-style yurt with heated interior
Hot chocolate, coffee, tea, water, Top Ramen, and oatmeal
Complimentary parkas and boots if needed
What to Bring
Warm winter clothing and insulated boots
Gloves that allow easy camera use
Smartphone or DSLR/mirrorless camera
Extra batteries
Tripod
📸 Great photos, aurora or not: If the aurora stays quiet, your instructor uses light painting and long-exposure techniques to create stunning images of you beneath the Alaskan night sky. The results speak for themselves.
The Workshop
The evening begins with a 60-minute indoor session at Chena Hot Springs Resort. Your instructor covers everything you need: optimal camera settings for low light, how to compose a shot in the dark, how to anticipate and respond to the aurora as it shifts, and basic editing to bring your images to life.
Whether you're shooting on a smartphone or a DSLR, the session is built around your gear and skill level. By the time you board the SUSV, you'll feel ready.
At Charlie Dome
The summit of Charlie Dome sits three miles up, well above the treeline and far from any light pollution, directly beneath the Auroral Oval. You'll spend four hours up there, with heated yurts to retreat to, and your instructor alongside you the entire time.
If the aurora comes out, you'll be in position to capture it properly. If the sky stays clear but quiet, your instructor will photograph you beneath the stars using long-exposure and light painting techniques, creating stunning images regardless of what the aurora decides to do.
Winter Mountain Conditions: The route to Charlie Dome travels over active mountain terrain and can be uneven. Snow depth off designated paths can be significant. For your safety, remain with your group and follow your guide's instructions at all times.
Transportation Safety
Transport to the summit is by enclosed, military-style SUSV designed for winter mountain conditions
Remain seated during travel and follow guide instructions when boarding and exiting the vehicle
A safety briefing will be provided prior to departure
At Charlie Dome
Stay on designated paths. Snow depth off trail can exceed several feet
If you plan to step away from the main group area, please inform your guide
Children must be supervised by an adult at all times
Be mindful of footing in icy or low-visibility conditions
Extreme Cold Awareness
Temperatures at elevation can drop well below zero. Dress in insulated winter clothing rated for sub-zero conditions. If you begin to feel excessively cold or notice numbness in fingers, toes, ears, or nose, return to the yurts immediately and notify your guide. Frostbite can occur in extreme cold.
⚠️ No Refunds for Aurora: The Aurora Borealis/Northern Lights is a natural phenomenon that cannot be predicted or guaranteed to appear. We will not provide refunds if the Aurora does not show during your tour.
Cancellation Policy
Notice Required
24-hour notice required for cancellations
Refund
Full refund with proper notice
No-Shows
May be charged full amount without notice
Weather & Aurora Policy
Tour runs regardless of weather, unless weather is unsafe
The Aurora is a natural phenomenon not guaranteed to appear
No refunds will be given if the Aurora does not show
We wish you the best of luck in seeing this amazing display!
Arrival & Check-In
Arrival Time
Please arrive 15 minutes early for check-in
Late Arrivals
Tour may depart without you if you arrive late
📋 Overview
▼
60-min photography workshop at the resort, then four hours at the summit of Charlie Dome with your instructor. Camera settings, composition, real-time guidance, and a long-exposure portrait of you beneath the Alaskan sky.
⚠️ Aurora Disclaimer: Natural phenomenon - not guaranteed. No refunds if aurora doesn't appear.
✨ What's Included
▼
60-min photography workshop
5-hr aurora viewing at Charlie Dome
Round-trip SUSV transport
Personal photo instructor all night
Professional portrait under aurora
High-res digital portrait copy
Heated yurt, hot beverages, snacks
Parkas & boots if needed
You Bring
Warm winter clothing
Camera-friendly gloves
Camera, extra batteries, tripod
📸 Experience
▼
Workshop covers camera settings, composition, and editing. Then four hours at Charlie Dome with your instructor, ready to capture whatever the sky brings.
Either way: Long-exposure portrait under the Alaskan sky included.
Extreme Cold: Sub-zero temps possible. Dress warm. Watch for numbness. Frostbite risk.
📅 Policies
▼
⚠️ No Aurora Refunds: Aurora is a natural phenomenon - not guaranteed. No refunds if it doesn't appear.
Cancellation
24hr notice for full refund
Arrival
15 minutes early please
Weather
Tour runs unless unsafe
Book Your Tour
Live Availability
FAQ
Please meet at the Activities Center and plan to arrive 15–30 minutes before your scheduled tour start time to check in and get ready.
Cancellations made at least 24 hours before your scheduled tour receive a full refund or credit. Refunds are also issued in the event of operator cancellation due to weather or unforeseen circumstances. No-shows and late arrivals may be charged in full.
The full experience lasts approximately six hours, including the one-hour workshop and five-hour summit tour.
No. This workshop is designed for all skill levels, from first-time night shooters to experienced photographers.
That's perfectly fine. While dedicated cameras offer more control, most smartphones from recent years are capable of capturing impressive aurora photos and are more than sufficient for this experience.
Yes. Your instructor is on site throughout the night offering real-time shooting guidance and camera adjustments.
Warm winter clothing is recommended. Complimentary parkas, snow pants, and boots are available if needed.
The aurora is a natural phenomenon and cannot be guaranteed. This tour visits one of the most active viewing locations in the world and allows ample time in dark, open skies for the best possible opportunity.
If the aurora does not appear, the full tour still takes place. The experience focuses on being in a prime dark-sky location for the best possible chance, but refunds are not offered based on aurora activity.
Yes. Heated restroom facilities are available at Charlie Dome near the yurts. They are well maintained and designed for comfort in winter conditions.
