Funnily enough the best 2 times I've seen the lights have been in the city - once in Edmonton (-30°C at 2 am!!!, coming home after working for an exam and NOT the bar) but much more surprisingly in Vancouver - much more comfortable sitting against a log near Spanish Banks just above Jericho Beach.

Only ever seen green, however. Some might like this link I found.

http://www.netreal.co.uk/aurora/gallery3.htm

Some great colours and patterns.

Rana