travel to alaska in winter

8 Reasons to Visit Alaska in Winter

Last Updated on April 9, 2024

When most tourists leave, the temperature drops, fall zooms by and long nights bring out the spectacular northern lights it is winter in Alaska . You might be thinking a winter visit to Alaska sounds nuts. Can you visit Alaska in winter? Yes you can and I highly recommend it.

I lived in Alaska for seven years and usually split my visits back between summer and winter. That’s how hard it is to choose. I hope to convince you that for an independent traveler, winter might be your very best option for visiting Alaska . Intrigued? Read on!

• 8 Reasons why a winter visit to Alaska is awesome
• What’s the weather like in Alaska in winter?
• When is the best time for a winter visit?

What to pack for Alaska in winter

• How to get around and winter driving
• Things to do in Alaska in winter

8 Reasons why visiting Alaska in winter is awesome

#1 – You can see Northern Lights

A chance to see the Northern Lights, or Aurora Borealis, is the primary reason most people have for visiting Alaska in winter . And it’s a good one! Because of Alaska’s long summer days where much of the state doesn’t see full darkness at all, you cannot see the Northern lights during most of the summer. By mid to late August it’s getting dark enough to see them. During the winter there are many hours of possible viewing. The longer you stay, the better chance you have of seeing them. Read my full guide to seeing the Northern Lights in Alaska here .

#2 – It’s absolutely BEAUTIFUL

Alaska is beautiful all the time all year long . Frozen snow covered landscapes add an element of beauty that no summer landscape can compete with. Add to that the low angled light and five hour sunrises to sunsets as the sun struggles to come up for a few hours and you have amazing photography opportunities. Wildlife , especially moose, stand out against the snowy landscape. If you have an amazing display of the northern lights that just adds to it.

#3 – You’ll save Money

I have a whole post about traveling to Alaska on a budget . You will definitely save money by visiting Alaska in winter instead of summer. Most hotels are much less expensive in winter (with a few exceptions, such as Chena Hot Springs resort or hotels in Anchorage around the Iditarod start). Car rental is also cheaper. It’s possible that your flight to Alaska might also be cheaper. Expect food and most organized tours to cost about the same.

#4 – No Crowds

There are no crowds in Alaska in winter . The one exception is big events like Fur Rondy (see events below) and the Iditarod ceremonial start. Those are fun community events and crowded with locals and visitors.

Speaking of locals, it’s much easier to get to know locals and interact with them in winter. People are less busy and overwhelmed by tourists and will generally be excited to share their ideas about what you should do with your time and how to have fun in winter.

#5 – You can try new winter snow activities

Especially in Fairbanks and Anchorage, there are TONS of tours oriented towards experiencing a new winter sport . If you ever wanted to try a new winter sport, this is the place to give it a try. No need to get any gear or watch hours of Youtube. A few of the unique winter activities that you can try out include:

• dog mushing (dog sledding)
• snowmachining (snowmobiling)
• ice fishing
• fat tire biking
• cross country skiing (nordic skiing)

#6 – Unique Community Events

Alaska is home to the world famous Iditarod Sled dog race . You can watch the ceremonial start as part of a big community festival in Anchorage. Fairbanks also has sled dog racing for spectators as well as the incredible world ice art championships. See below for more on these amazing events. These events are worth planning a trip around!

Another wonderful community event in Fairbanks is the World Ice Art Competition that takes place late February through March. In addition to the impressive ice sculptures there are also slides and games made out of ice that are super fun for all ages.

#7 – It’s Heaven for winter sports enthusiasts

If you already love winter sports, then you’ll be in heaven in Alaska in winter! In addition to trying out some new winter activities you can spend your time

• Snowmachining (snowmobiling) in Anchorage and Fairbanks – both rentals as well as tours; snowmobiling is usually called snowmachining in Alaska
• Cross country skiing/nordic skiing – Anchorage and Fairbanks are surrounded by world class ski trails, both in the middle of town as well as the surrounding areas
• Downhill skiing – Girdwood (near Anchorage) is home to the Alyeska Resort, a downhill ski area with the most amazing view. Eaglecrest Ski area near Juneau also offers great views on clear days
• Snowshoeing – Snowshoeing is available near every town in Alaska! Ask locals for the best places to get out on the snow

#8 – It’s full of adventure of all kinds

Alaska in winter is made for adventure ! Between the incredible landscapes, the many winter sports, winter boat tours and joining the quest to see the northern lights, every day of your trip to Alaska in winter will be unforgettable!

Ready to plan your winter adventure to Alaska? Grab my 7 day winter itinerary here !

What’s the weather like in Alaska in Winter?

Like many other places, the winter weather in Alaska varies a lot depending on where you are in Alaska , what month it is and the weather at that particular time. Winter in Alaska is generally November through March . October is sometimes winter and sometimes fall, depending on the year. April and early May are spring. Spring and Fall are extremely short in Alaska!

Temperature

Fairbanks is the coldest and darkest part of Alaska (at least parts of Alaska that visitors go to!). The average high temperature in January is around 0 F and the average low is -15 F. Be aware that it can be MUCH colder. Generally there isn’t much difference in December and January between the high and low with the weak sun not warming things up much. There are cold snaps that can get as cold is -50 F and it can warm up above zero at times. By March, it’s still solidly winter and will be below freezing day and night. You’re unlikely to experience temperatures below -20 F. Since March brings 12 hours of daylight and 12 hours of darkness for aurora viewing and it’s slightly less cold, I think March is the best time to visit Fairbanks !

Anchorage is warmer than Fairbanks, but it still has cold winters ! Anchorage’s winters are comparable to cold states in the lower 48. Average highs and lows in Anchorage in December and January are above 0 F but below freezing (32 F). Anchorage does have occasional warmer periods where it can rain.

In Juneau and the rest of Southeast Alaska, snow is not guaranteed , especially in town. The temperature hovers around freezing a lot of the winter, with snowier and less snowy periods. Watch out for ice at these temperatures. Juneau also has less sun than Anchorage and Fairbanks, more like the Pacific Northwest cloudy, wet winters.

In addition to weather, darkness is another thing to consider ! In winter in Alaska, the further north you go the shorter the days are. By the spring solstice at the end of March, all of Alaska has 12 hours of daylight just like everywhere else. In late February and March, daylight is gaining rapidly throughout the state.

The winter solstice is in late December, which is the shortest day of the year in Alaska. At that time of year, the sun rises in Fairbanks about 11am and sets just before 3pm. The sun is low in the sky and creates the effect of a six hour sunrise/sunset! Anchorage has a bit more daylight with the sun rising just after 10 am and setting shortly before 4pm. In Juneau there’s about an hour more daylight than Anchorage in December. Sunrise comes just before 9 am and set just after 3 pm. It often feels darker in Juneau given the cloudiness, similar to Seattle or Portland.

When is the best time for a winter visit to Alaska?

I don’t recommend visiting Alaska in November because there might not be that much snow yet. Some years it might be amazing, but if you’re planning your trip far ahead of time go later in the winter to make sure there’s enough snow.

December and January are the darkest and generally coldest months . Alaska is festive around the holidays, with lots of events and holiday markets and lights everywhere, so it can be a good time to visit. Your flights might be expensive as lots of Alaskans travel for the holidays. Keep in mind there are only a few short hours of daylight in these months.

Late February and early March is the best time for a winter visit to Alaska (leaning more into March for Fairbanks). Snow will be about at its peak, days are a bit longer, temperatures generally slightly warmer and an excellent chance of seeing the Northern Lights. In addition to weather, this time of year hosts several of Alaska’s most iconic winter events such as the Iditarod Sled Dog race, Fur Rondy and the World Ice Art Competition (see more on this below).

I have a whole post about what to pack for Alaska in winter, but here are a few highlights of what’s most important to bring:

• Really warm coat – the warmest one you have! If you don’t have a super warm coat, you can get away with lots of layers as a visitor, but make sure to try them on together to make sure they fit underneath each other
• Hat, gloves, scarf – make sure you can cover all your skin, especially if you’re going to Fairbanks
• Really warm boots – if you don’t have super warm ones bring multiple pairs of super warm socks and make sure your shoes or boots are big enough to accommodate them
• Lighter clothes to wear indoors – some indoor spaces in Alaska are blazing hot in winter to make up for the outdoors, or because the temperature of heaters like woodstoves is hard to control! Make sure to have some light layers in case your sleeping and lounging space is hot.

Get your FREE Alaska winter packing list!

Getting around and winter driving in alaska.

If you’re planning a visit to Alaska in winter it’s very likely you’ll be renting a car. I highly recommend upgrading to a vehicle with all wheel drive or four wheel drive , this will make navigating winter driving much easier! In Fairbanks, you’ll also get an extension cord to “ plug in ” the car when you aren’t driving it. This is important! It’s pretty straightforward, there are plugs in parking lots everywhere. The rental car company will provide you with instructions for plugging in. Plug in the extension cord to the plug hanging out the front and then the other end into the plug in the parking spot. This is important because at very cold temperatures the battery can freeze. It also improves air quality because when you start the car it doesn’t produce as many emissions.

If you don’t want to deal with winter driving, you can still visit Alaska in winter but you’ll have a bit less flexibility in where you go. There are plenty of tours for winter activities in both Anchorage and Fairbanks who will do the driving for you and you can take the Aurora winter train between the two cities if you want to visit both. If you are going to go this way, I recommend finding a hotel or vacation rental that’s close to downtown or the airport in both cities.

Best Things to do in Alaska in winter

See the northern lights.

Seeing the Northern Lights, or Aurora Borealis is a highlight of Alaska in winter! All of Alaska is treated to fantastic displays of the Aurora at times throughout the dark winter months. If the primary goal of your trip is to see the northern lights, I highly recommend planning your trip around Fairbanks, the best place to see them. Fairbanks is an especially good place because of it’s generally clear skies and proximity to the Auroral oval where maximum aurora activity happens! Read more about how to see the northern lights in Alaska here .

Aurora Winter Train

If you don’t want to deal with driving, the Aurora Winter Train on the Alaska Railroad is a great way to see some epic winter landscapes without worrying about driving! You can use it as transportation between Anchorage and Fairbanks (12 hour trip and $220 per person one way). You can do an overnight trip on weekends to the charming town of Talkeetna (6 hour round trip and $265 round trip per person including overnight lodging). For $30 more you can enjoy a pie making class at the famous Talkeetna Roadhouse! No one knows baking like Alaskans, and pie and other baked goods throughout the state are amazing year round!

If you take the train between Anchorage and Fairbanks, you give yourself the option of flying into one city and out of the other. Then you can experience it all on your Alaska winter adventure!

Unique Winter Events in Alaska

World Ice Art Competition – Fairbanks (mid February – March)

This is one of the best things about Fairbanks! Artists come from all over the world to carve impressive ice sculptures in late February. Some sculptures are the size of a couch while others are as big as a garage. If you come early in the competition you can watch the artists working on their creations or you can come at the end and see them all finished. Either way, make sure to make at least one visit at night when you can see them lit up in colorful lights!

Fur Rendezvous – Anchorage (late February – early March)

Anchorage’s Fur Rondy festival goes the last week of February and first week of March. Celebrations, competitions and events of all kinds fill the streets downtown and will really give you a taste of what life in Alaska is all about! The last day of Fur Rondy as it’s known for short is the ceremonial start of the Iditarod Sled Dog race.

Iditarod Ceremonial Start – Anchorage (first Saturday of March)

If you love dogs, your life might not be complete without seeing the start of the Iditarod at least once! This big event in downtown Anchorage is ceremonial, the event is joyous and exciting and filled with canine and human enthusiasm. Check online for the exact map of where the dog teams will go through town as you don’t have to be downtown to see it!

The official start of the Iditarod happens the next day in Willow (40 miles away) and the public can also watch it. Space is more limited and parking nonexistent. There are shuttles available from Anchorage, Wasilla and Talkeetna.

North American Open Sled Dog Championships – Fairbanks (March)

Fairbanks hosts the North American Open Sled Dog Championships in mid to late March each year and it’s a great spectator sport since it’s not a long distance race. You’ll get to see lots of dogs and lots of excitement but you’ll need to dress warm as watching outdoor sports in Fairbanks in winter is COLD.

Winterfest – Denali National Park (late February)

Denali National Park and the surrounding community come together for Winterfest in late February to celebrate all things winter with activities, food and lots of fun for all ages!

Rent a Public Use Cabin

Alaska has a wonderful network of public use cabins across the state that are super affordable and a way to get away from it all with a solid roof over your head and a woodstove! These are dry cabins with outhouses, so think of it like camping. Most are open year round although the access varies. Some are accessible by road in summer but only snowmobile or skiing in winter. Make sure to read about the access in the description before booking. You also need to read what you need to bring with you (in many cases heating oil or wood, drinking water, etc).

Best winter activities – Anchorage area

There are so many things to do in Anchorage , even in winter! All of these are either in Anchorage or a short road trip away!

• Day trip to Hatcher Pass – About an hour from Anchorage near Palmer is Hatcher Pass, a state managed recreation area with what is arguably some of the most spectacular mountain scenery in Alaska. You can snowshoe or cross country ski here, checking out the scenery as well as the remnants of the historic Independence mine.
• Day trip to Portage Glacier – I have a whole post about visiting Portage here , and in winter this valley is a winter wonderland. In mid and late winter, you can even ski or snowshoe on Portage Lake!
• Ride the Tram in Girdwood – even if you aren’t a skier, you don’t want to miss the awesome view from the tram at the Alyeska resort . Join the locals at Chair 5 for pizza after.
• Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center – Located between Girdwood and Portage and open year round, this is the place to check all the famous Alaska wildlife off your list, and get some amazing photos.
• Coastal Trail – walking, biking or skiing (depending on the conditions) is an excellent way to see this beautiful trail which starts in downtown Anchorage and extends for 11 mostly flat miles along the coast
• Earthquake Park – a year round destination and crossed by the Coastal trail, you can learn about and see some of the impacts of Alaska’s devastating 1967 earthquake.
• Drive around and look for Moose – It’s easier to see moose in winter since their big brown bodies stand out against the white snow! Slow down and sweep both sides of the road with your eyes and I can almost guarantee you’ll see at least one during your visit.
• Visit a museum – Both the Anchorage Museum and the Alaska Aviation Museum are excellent and open in winter.
• Explore the Eagle River Nature Center – a mellow three mile loop is an option here with boots, snowshoes or skis with amazing views of the mountains and a good chance of seeing a moose.

Best winter activities – Fairbanks area

Winter is cold and long and stunningly beautiful in Fairbanks! The times I miss living there the most are definitely associated with winter. In addition to the Ice Art Competition and watching dog sled racing, there are lots of things to do in Fairbanks ! A few things not to miss in winter include

• Chena Hot Springs – this developed hot springs is a great way to get outside when it’s cold! You can swim even if you’re not staying at the resort. In addition to the hot springs, check out the Aurora Ice Hotel! This is a good way to check out the ice sculptures if you miss the ice art competition. Chena Hot Springs resort also has cross country ski trails and many tours to try every imaginable winter activity!
• Morris Thompson Cultural Center – It’s free and provides a ton of information about Fairbanks and it’s history as well as indigenous people of the Tanana Valley both today and in the past. In addition to learning a lot about Fairbanks, you can also get lots of information for the Public Lands Information Center and Explore Fairbanks. Both of them are housed here. You can get maps and information about absolutely everything both in town and in the surrounding public lands. Take a walk along the Chena River after!
• Catch a hockey game – The University of Alaska Fairbanks hockey team has regular games and there are other junior hockey games to take in.
• Ice Skating – The Fairbanks area has three public ice rinks and the Big Dipper has outdoor rinks that you can skate around on which is really fun on sunny days!
• Take a walk (or ski) around Creamer’s Field – a gem and a wonderful year round place to walk (or ski) in Fairbanks. A former dairy farm protected as a migratory bird refuge , Creamer’s field is home to many migratory and summer birds from spring through early fall.
• University of Alaska Museum of the North – The impressive Museum of the North is home to galleries telling the natural and cultural history of the distinct regions of Alaska. There is also a gorgeous gallery of diverse Alaskan art from the last 2000 years.
• Trans Alaska Oil Pipeline Viewpoint – a large pullout with interpretive signs in a place where the oil pipeline passes very close to the road. The Trans-Alaska Oil pipeline was built in the 1970s to move oil from the oil fields in Prudhoe Bay on the Arctic Ocean to the marine terminal in Valdez. This 800 mile pipeline is a remarkable feat of engineering. The pipeline and associated oil revenue make up the bulk of Alaska’s state budget today and the construction of the pipeline led to explosive growth in the town of Fairbanks during the 1970s.
• Hike to the Castner Glacier ice caves – it’s a long drive but a short hike to Castner Glacier and absolutely worth the beautiful drive to get there. In addition to the beautiful blue ice and the cave, the snowy mountain landscape around you is breathtaking.
• Take a winter day trip to Denali National Park – Denali in winter provides big views, quiet trails, sled dog snuggles and an incredible winter landscape. You can take a tour and let someone else do the driving and even return by train!

Winter activities – Denali National Park

If you decide to road trip between Anchorage and Fairbanks, make sure to stop at Denali National Park in the heart of the Alaska Range. Denali is about 4 hours from Anchorage and 2 hours from Fairbanks. It is day trippable from Fairbanks. Much of the park is closed in winter, along with much of the lodging and dining in the area. You can still experience Denali in the winter months and there will be no one else there! Activities open to visitors in the winter include

• The Murie Learning Center – serves as the winter visitor center
• Indoor picnic area – next door to the Murie center is a heated indoor picnic area that also shows the park movie and has a water bottle filling station.
• Dog Kennels – Denali has had working dog teams in the park for a hundred years. In the winter they are hard at work helping ranging travel the park. The kennel is open on weekends in the afternoon and visitors are welcome. Because the dogs are busy during the winter, it’s possible many of the dogs won’t be home. It’s also possible you’ll get to see them coming or going!
• Snowshoeing or skiing the park road – the park road is closed but visitors are welcome to ski and snowshoe along it. Many other trails may also be available, check with a ranger about current conditions before heading out.

Best winter activities – Juneau and Southeast Alaska

On a sunny winter day, there’s nowhere more beautiful than Juneau. Cruising the inside passage by ferry is technically an option, but not super pleasant in winter unless you’re super adventurous! There’s not a lot of sun in the winter in southeast Alaska. Even on days that are not sunny there are lots of wonderful things to do in Juneau :

• Go Skiing – Eaglecrest Ski area is Juneau’s home town, community owned ski and snowboard area area! Affordable, with impressive views and zero crowds.
• Make it a beach day : Juneau has many wonderful beach parks that are open and awesome in winter
• Mendenhall Glacier : A must see year round, there’s a chance the lake will be frozen enough to walk on (ask a ranger!). Even if it isn’t, there are plenty of trails in the area.
• Visit Haines – Haines is a four hour ferry ride or half hour flight away. It has an amazing number of bald eagles and is a fun Alaskan town! Check the ferry schedule and do an overnight trip or fly up if there’s a good weather window and check it out.

If you’re planning a trip to Alaska, check out my itineraries for independent travelers ! Some of these are summer only but others work for visiting Alaska in winter too. Enjoy your Alaska adventure!

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What’s it Like Traveling to Alaska in the Winter?

03/18/2021 by Kristin Addis 3 Comments

Is traveling in Alaska during the winter an insane thing to do?

This is a perfectly reasonable question, and I’m glad you asked, because I had the same question before heading to Alaska this past February.

I was prepared for this to be a tough trip. I worried about the roads and extreme cold, but I’m happy to report that my fears were assuaged almost immediately. Alaska was emptier, beautiful in a different way, and the dry cold in the interior made for pretty easy traveling despite the snow. Thinking of going in the winter as well? Whether it’s Aurora you’re chasing or an empty Denali National Park, this is what you need to know about traveling to Alaska in the winter:

Table of Contents

The Best Time for Aurora is Near the Spring Equinox

I’m guessing that your biggest reason for choosing Alaska in the winter is to see the northern lights, or the aurora borealis.

I’ve been fortunate to see the Aurora four times, in four different places around the world including Iceland , Canada , Finland , and most recently, in Alaska.

I’ve seen them all at different times of the year, but Alaska in particular offers clearer skies in March, plus the spring equinox tends to have the period with the most viewing probability.  

Alaska is also the cheapest place I have ever gone to see the Aurora. The Nordic countries can be quite expensive, as can getting to the Arctic in Canada. But with Alaska airlines, living on the West Coast means we have a pretty easy way to get up there via Seattle.

For my Alaskan winter experience I chose Fairbanks, which is in the interior of Alaska, highly accessible, and a great jumping off point for Aurora adventures.

That brings me to the point I need to make about viewing Aurora. If that’s the only reason you have for going somewhere, you might be disappointed if you don’t see them, which is a real possibility. So pick a place that has activities you want to do as well!

In Fairbanks you can also travel to the North Pole to see Santa, visit the Chena hot springs, go dog sledding, and in late February, can access Denali National Park up to mile 12.5 and see the World Ice Art Championships .

Planning Your Itinerary

So let’s get one very obvious thing out of the way; Alaska is huge and you’re going to have to narrow it down when it comes to your winter travels there.

You could fly into any one of Alaska’s major cities, but Fairbanks is well-situated for the Northern Lights – much moreso than Anchorage or Juneau are.

We based ourselves more or less out of Fairbanks, and this is what we saw:

Though I’m sure any part of Alaska would have its own special beauty, we liked Fairbanks for its easy access and location in the Aurora oval. It’s the largest city in Alaska’s interior, and is easy to fly into and well-connected.

Some Parts of Alaska Will be Inaccessible in the Winter

This brings me to my next point. There are some gravel roads and parts of Alaska that are not drivable in the winter.

If you were hoping To drive the Dalton Highway, Denali Highway, McCarthy highway, and more gravel roads, those are generally not accessible during the winter months. Many of the hikes and mountain routes that are beautiful in the summer will also not be nearly as accessible, or wise to attempt, in the winter months.

We went in the winter time knowing that this was true.

I have had the pleasure of traveling in Alaska and backpacking there twice in the summer, and I knew that the winter would be a completely different experience. But that different experience is exactly what I wanted. But if you were hoping to have the same accessibility in the winter as you would have in the summer, then you might be disappointed by the Alaska in the winter.

The Roads + Renting the Right Vehicle

My biggest concern was how driving would be in Alaska in the winter. Are the roads icy, and how well-maintained are they? I can only speak from my own experience, but there had been plenty of snow right before my trip and a bit during, and for the most part, the roads were very well plowed and were often down to tar.

As a child of Southern California, I avoid driving in any kind of inclement weather, but my boyfriend who has experience driving in Massachusetts and Vermont found the driving around Fairbanks to be much easier. Since it is a dry cold and it stays pretty well below freezing all throughout winter, you don’t get as much of the melting and refreezing that causes ice on the roads.

That said, we still rented a vehicle that had four-wheel-drive AND snow tires. Since we did drive some mountain roads, including into Denali National Park and to a beautiful mountain yurt in Fairbanks’ ski area, we were very glad to have it.

That said, most major car rental companies do not put winter tires on their cars. I only found one, through Alaska Auto Rental , that offered both four-wheel-drive and snow tires. Snow tires are important, because even with four-wheel-drive, if you don’t have traction you can slip and slide. Renting from this company was a bit annoying and more expensive, particularly because they don’t have a location at the airport and you have to Uber or taxi to their office, but I would still rent from them again to have the snow tires.

(Update from Alaska Auto Rental: The company now offers the option for renters to place reservations to pick up their rental at the Fairbanks airport and avoid the inconvenience of having to travel to their office. Rejoice!)

Temperatures and Gear

If you’re visiting some of the more northern coastal areas during the Alaskan winter, get prepared for some serious cold . I looked at the weather for the most northern city, Utqiagvik, and saw that they had a much higher humidity percentage and frequent wind. So although the temperature was -8 F°, it ‘felt like’ -33° according to my weather app. Yikes!

But in Denali and Fairbanks, even -11° didn’t feel that terrible since it was a dry cold. Don’t get me wrong, I still needed snow pants, a heavy jacket, merino wool layers, and boots that are suited to those temperatures, but with the right gear we were out for hours at night chasing aurora without feeling uncomfortable.

So overall I’m pleased to say that I was more impressed with Alaska in the winter than I thought I would be. I worried about road conditions, worried that we would have to be completely self-reliant, and that hardly anything would be available or open. And while many things around Denali National Park were closed, we still had an amazing time there, seeing only a handful of other people all day.

I doubt anyone in the summertime there can say that!

So if you are hoping to see the northern lights, want to experience Alaska without the crowds, are looking for the peace and quiet that only the dead of winter can provide, and want a true arctic experience without leaving the US, Alaska in the winter is awesome, and I have a feeling I will be back!

About Kristin Addis

Kristin Addis is the founder and CEO of Be My Travel Muse, a resource for female travelers all around the world since 2012. She's traveled solo to over 65 countries and has brought over 150 women on her all-female adventure tours from Botswana to the Alaskan tundra.

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03/19/2021 at 10:53 am

Enjoyed the post! I have heard that the Northern Lights might be enhanced tonight with sightings possible down to the northern tier of the lower 48! This would be just south of the Canadian border. Those in Hancock, MI are gearing up for a show. It is hard to predict but they seem psyched about it! So if you live in the far northern part of the US (Michigan to Montana) or Canada, take a look tonight. And Alaska too. They said looking at them over Lake Superior is something otherworldly. And it is the spring equinox too tonite (5AM Eastern Time)! 🙂

02/14/2024 at 10:03 am

These pictures are just dumb and do not represent winter in the north. I have been living in the Northwest Territories for years and your hands would freeze within minutes without really warm mittens. You’d also need really well insulated pants. You’re just wanting to look like a model. Unless Alaska is 30 degrees warmer than the Yukon and NWT in the winter??

Kristin Addis says

02/14/2024 at 1:32 pm

Lol I have snow pants and snow gear on all throughout the video and in all the photos except for one with my gloves off (it’s hard to operate a camera with them on, and it hurts in that much cold, but I bear it).

Big hug Fred. Seems you’re having a rough day.

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Linda On The Run

Travel, Lifestyle, And Fitness For Those Over 60

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9 Things to Know Before Traveling to Alaska in Winter

September 10, 2023 //  by  Linda On The Run //   Leave a Comment

There are many advantages to visiting Alaska in the winter, including cheaper prices, fewer crowds, and amazing outdoor recreation and wildlife viewing opportunities.

In winter, the Final Frontier becomes a beautiful, snowy wonderland and at night the northern lights dance across the sky.

You will not want to miss the chance to explore nature during an Alaska winter! Spot moose among snow-covered trees and ski down powdery slopes.

If you visit Alaska in December, you will love the Christmas lights and festivities too.

Keep reading to learn why winter might be the best time to go to Alaska!

It is a Great Time to See the Northern Lights

One of the top reasons people visit Alaska in winter is for the chance to see the northern lights or aurora borealis . This colorful natural phenomenon is on many bucket lists.

The northern lights are visible in Alaska from September through mid-April but you need the right conditions to spot them. It might take a few nights to see the lights well.

You need a clear sky far from any light pollution caused by big cities. Plan to be out from 10 pm to 2 am preferably on a night with no moon.

The best place to see the northern lights in Alaska is near Fairbanks. Since the town is located just under the auroral oval, it is in a prime location.

Fairbanks really is where to travel in winter for the northern lights! Other things to do in Fairbanks in winter include the Aurora Ice Museum and Chena Hot Springs.

For your best chance of seeing the northern lights in Alaska, consider booking a tour with an expert guide.

Book Here: From Fairbanks: Arctic Circle Northern Lights Full-Day Trip

Where to Stay in Fairbanks:

Affordable: Pike’s Waterfront Lodge . Check Rates: Booking.com

The Temperature and Weather Vary By Region

If you plan on traveling to Alaska in winter, you are in for a real treat!

When people think of an Alaska winter, they imagine snow, ice, and cold!

However, Alaska’s winter temperatures and weather vary depending on the region you visit. Some parts are not any colder than northern states in the lower 48.

Snowfall varies greatly even within each region. Across the state, the annual average snowfall ranges anywhere from 35 inches to about 650 inches. Valdez is the snowiest area.

No matter which area you plan on exploring, you will want to pack warm clothes with plenty of layers. Be ready for changing Alaska winter temperatures.

Southcentral Region

Southcentral Alaska, including Anchorage, Homer, and Seward, is one of the most popular parts of the state to visit in winter. There are many things to do in Anchorage !

The average high temp here is around 20 degrees Fahrenheit while the average low is about 10 F. It can dip down to 0 degrees F.

Southeast/Inside Passage Region

In the Southeast region, you will find Juneau, Glacier Bay National Park, and Ketchikan. It is warmer here and this coastal area sees the least snowfall.

The average high temps range from 30 to 40 F. The lows are around 20 to 30 F.

Southwest Region

In the Southwest, you can explore Kodiak Island and Lake Clark National Park. The weather here is influenced by the ocean and it can be windy.

The winter average high is around 30 F and the lows range from 5 F to the mid-20s F.

Interior Region

Of course, as you move farther north, it gets colder. The Interior region encompasses Fairbanks and Denali National Park. These are some of the best places to visit in Alaska !

In Fairbanks, expect the highs to decrease from about 10 F in November to hovering around 0 F in December and January. It then slowly increases to the low-20s F in April.

The lows range from -5 F to -20 F over the course of the season. Rarely, temps can drop to as low as -60 F.

It is a little warmer in Denali ranging from 9 F to 25 F as the average high. The lows range from around -10 F to 0 F. It can drop to -40 F.

Far North Region

Most likely, you will not be visiting the remote Far North section of Alaska during winter. This region mostly lies above the Arctic Circle and is freezing cold.

While it will reach just above 0 F at the bookends of the season, the majority of winter is anywhere from -5 to -30 F on average. It is stormy with high winds.

There is Not a Lot of Daylight

Like the temperature, daylight during winter in Alaska varies by region. There is less light the farther north you go. The shortest day of the year is the Winter Solstice on December 21.

On the solstice, Juneau has 6 hours and 22 minutes of light. Anchorage has 5 hours and 28 minutes of light. Up in Fairbanks, there is only 3 hours and 42 minutes of daylight.

North of the Arctic Circle, there is no daylight for days to months at a time.

After the solstice, the light gradually increases each day. If you want the most daylight during your trip, plan to visit at the beginning or end of the season.

Even though there is not a lot of daylight, there are plenty of things to do in Alaska after dark.

Spend time stargazing, searching for the northern lights, going night skiing, cozying up around a fire, or grabbing drinks at a bar.

Winter in Alaska is a Cheaper Time to Visit

If you are on a budget, it is good to know that winter in Alaska is one of the cheapest times to visit. Compared to summer, winter is the off-season with overall low prices.

Most hotels and car rentals are cheaper so you can save money. However, some major hotels and ski resorts can be just as expensive as summer.

Many activities and tours are also about the same price as high season but there are some deals.

Flight prices can vary so keep an eye out for lower fares and book in advance. Being flexible with your travel dates is important too.

It is Easy to Get Around

If you are worried about driving in Alaska during winter, there is nothing to fear! While the roads see their fair share of snow and ice, main highways and roads are quickly cleared and kept in good condition.

Renting a car is the best way to explore Alaska since it gives you more freedom. You can keep your own schedule and go wherever you want.

Rent an all-wheel or 4-wheel drive vehicle when you travel in winter. Check road conditions before you head out.

Rural and mountain roads are not as well kept up during winter and can be more difficult to traverse.

Even if you choose not to drive, there are plenty of easy ways to get around. Buses, ferries, airplanes, and taxis are available.

The Alaska Railroad offers train services that connect many cities such as Anchorage, Talkeetna, and Fairbanks. It also offers activity packages such as aurora viewing.

Another way to get around is by booking tours. Let a guide do the driving while you learn about and enjoy the sights.

To get to Alaska in the first place, flying is the best option any time of the year.

There Are No Cruises and Less Crowds During Winter In Alaska

Alaska’s cruise season is May through September so by winter there are no giant ships to be found at ports. No cruises mean the tourist crowds are dramatically reduced.

Mingle with the locals and walk city streets with fewer people. You’ll love the peace of popular nature spots without the noise and bustling of summer crowds.

Many attractions in Alaska are still open through winter as are numerous restaurants, bars, and shops.

Keep in mind that some winter events, such as the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race, draw people in. Check local events before booking your trip.

Where to Stay in Anchorage: Mid-Range: Aloft Anchorage . Check Rates: Booking.com

Winter is a Good Time for Wildlife Viewing

Alaska is known for its amazing wildlife and winter provides ample chances to spot animals in snowy landscapes. With less vegetation, animals are easier to spot and footprints can be seen in the snow.

Moose move south in winter and commonly pop up in the city of Anchorage.

Some good places near Anchorage to see these massive animals include Chugach State Park and the Palmer Hay Flats State Game Refuge.

In November, the world’s largest concentration of bald eagles can be found on the shores of the Chilkat River near Haines. Over 3,000 eagles gather to eat salmon.

To get to Haines, you can fly or take a ferry from Juneau. You will not want to pass up on one of the best places to visit in Alaska for wildlife!

Other wildlife to keep an eye out for include Dall sheep, mountain goats, ravens, owls, harbor seals, wolves, and more!

Do not plan on seeing bears during winter in Alaska. They begin hibernating by late November and do not emerge until late March or early April.

Most whale species have migrated away from Alaska by November and they do not return until March. Orcas can be sighted year-round, especially in bays and inlets, but are rare.

Where to Stay in Juneau:

Luxury: Silverbow Inn & Suites . Check Rates: Booking.com

National Parks Can Be Limited During Winter in Alaska

Some of the best places in Alaska to visit in winter are the many national parks. Many of the parks are open during the winter months, but there is limited access and reduced services.

In Denali National Park, train and bus services are only open from mid-May through mid-September. You can drive private vehicles, but after snow falls, the road is only plowed until Mile 3.

Denali winter activities include stopping by the Murie Science and Learning Center, cross-country skiing, snow-shoeing, viewing the northern lights, and attending the Denali Winterfest in February.

In Kenai Fjords National Park, the visitor centers are closed in winter and the road to Exit Glacier is left unplowed. You can still reach the glacier by cross-country skis or snowmobile but it will be covered in snow.

A variety of Alaska winter tours of the park are offered by Adventure Sixty North. These include kayaking and snowmobiling. There is also a shuttle, which is great for family winter vacations in Alaska!

If you are looking for a true Alaska winter adventure, head to Wrangell-St. Elias National Park. However the roads are not maintained, there are no services, and the visitor centers are closed.

You can go snowmobiling as well as cross-country skiing or snowshoeing on trails. All equipment must be brought with you as there is nowhere to rent anything.

You have to visit national parks in Alaska during your trip!

Winter In Alaska Is An Amazing Time For Winter Sports

If you are a winter sports enthusiast, Alaska is one of the best winter vacations in the US!

For downhill skiing, plan on visiting the slopes at Alyeska Resort about an hour from Anchorage.

This top ski destination sits in the Chugach Mountains and has the “best view of any U.S. ski resort” according to Conde Nast Traveler .

There are 1,610 skiable acres with 76 runs and trails. Beginners can take a lesson while experts will want to test out the longest continuous double black diamond run in North America.

If you have ever wanted to try heli-skiing, you’ll have the chance too. Ride a helicopter to higher elevations to experience fresh, untouched snow.

The Alyeska Resort is also one of the best places to stay in Alaska. Amenities include a saltwater pool, a world-class Nordic spa, multiple restaurants, and incredible, cozy rooms.

Other places to visit in Alaska for skiing and snowboarding include Eaglecrest Ski Area, Skeetawk Ski Area, and Moose Mountain Ski Resort.

Ice skating is also a fun, family-friendly winter activity in Alaska. Imagine skating on a gorgeous, frozen lake surrounded by snowy mountains.

Check out Eklutna Lake Ice Skating, A.R.C. Lake Park, and Adventure Ice Skating at Potter Marsh.

Packing List When Visiting Alaska In Winter

If you will be traveling, either by plane or by car to Alaska, here are some  tips on how to pack lightly.

A  concealed travel pouch  may be one of the most important items you bring along when vacationing during winter in Alaska.

It is  always   important  to protect your personal information. Identity thieves are everywhere.

This  unisex RFID-blocking concealed travel pouch is  lightweight and comes in several colors. It has lots of organization to give you peace of mind.

You can place it under your clothes next to your body to carry your ID safely.

If you have a pouch already that does not come with RFID protection, as I do, these  RFID sleeves are the perfect solution.

This configuration comes with enough credit card sleeves that the entire family would be protected. They are slim too, so they will easily fit into your pouch or wallet. 

If you are planning on taking a lot of pictures with your phone you will definitely want to consider an  external charging battery .

This  Anker high-speed phone charging battery  is  the exact one  I carry with me on all of my trips.

It can be used on a variety of phones, not just an iPhone as I have. And wow is it fast!

My daughter gifted me with this  FugeTek selfie stick and tripod   setup for my birthday. I absolutely love it! It is made of lightweight aluminum and so easy to use.

It has Bluetooth connectivity and is a breeze to use for taking photos during your London activities.

You will want to bring your own  refillable water bottle  with you. 

I never leave home on a trip without my  Bobble filtration bottle .  The 18.5-ounce size is perfect for hiking and it fits nicely in the pocket of a backpack.

The replaceable carbon filter ensures clean drinking water when you want it.

Then this collapsible silicone foldable water bottle  would work well for you. Would not take up much space at all. 

You will want a  backpack or daypack  with you to store snacks, your water bottle, phone, extra clothes, etc… No matter the time of day or evening.

This   foldable water-resistant backpack   would be great.

It is very affordable and is available in many color options for you to choose from. The fact that it folds down into a zippered pouch will make it easy to pack.

Alaska is sure to be one of the best winter vacations you’ll ever take! Fill your Alaska itinerary will skiing, wildlife viewing, northern lights, and riding trains.

Do you think winter is the best time to go to Alaska for your needs?

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The Case for Visiting Alaska in Wintertime

By David Amsden

All products featured on Condé Nast Traveler are independently selected by our editors. However, when you buy something through our retail links, we may earn an affiliate commission.

It was the first week of April, the dawn of spring in most of the Northern Hemisphere, but in Anchorage it still felt very much like winter . Snow was everywhere: piled high on rooftops and cars, lining the sidewalks in colossal embankments, floating in clumps in the Cook Inlet, and shellacking the nearby Chugach Mountains, which form a fierce and jagged amphitheater on the city's eastern edge.

I'd come to Alaska in part to ski those mountains, thanks to a chance encounter I'd had the previous year. While visiting the state for the first time in the way that many do—on a midsummer cruise—I met a guy from Anchorage at a bar. After recounting how I'd fallen for the state after a day spent hiking imagination-defying landscapes, I made a predictably naive remark about how the winters must be brutal.

Signage at Mother Hubbard’s Cupboard home store in the resort town of Girdwood

Breakfast at Fire Island Rustic Bakeshop in Anchorage

“Oh no,” he said. “Winter here is the absolute best.”

He described jaunts to a ski resort with surreal terrain and no crowds, weekends spent holed up in cabins reachable only by bush planes that land on frozen lakes, and weather that (at least around Anchorage) was less punishing than you might think. Go after February, he advised, when the sunlight is back but the snow is still deep.

I began my first day by exploring Anchorage, mainly because I've long been intrigued by cities that seem overlooked—or, in the case of Anchorage, cast more as an entry point than an ultimate destination. Alaska's largest city, home to nearly half the state's 730,000 inhabitants, has a fascinating history and heritage. Indigenous cultures here date back to long before it became a tent encampment of frontiersmen. An earthquake leveled the place in 1964, four years before oil was discovered and opened a spigot of money that shaped the mini metropolis one encounters today. Anchorage feels somehow both brand new and dated, consisting primarily of a downtown of utilitarian towers and a sprawl of strip malls that resemble those towers tipped on their sides. Everyone in the state knows the quip about Anchorage's best feature: “You can see Alaska from there.”

Mark Fleenor, owner of Sheep Mountain Lodge, landing on Matanuska Glacier

Club Paris, a mainstay of Anchorage nightlife since the 1950s, serving steaks and Alaskan halibut

“We are definitely due for a revamp,” joked Rachel Pennington, part of the family that owns Fire Island Rustic Bakeshop, a local staple where I stopped in for breakfast on my first morning. “But that's part of the fun. So much here is hidden that you have to be willing to look for it.”

Her bakery, a past James Beard Award nominee, is a prime example. Occupying a former medical clinic, the space now houses an artisanal liquor store, a produce stand, and a coffee shop where one can purchase potted succulents and oat milk lattes. After a delicious made-from-scratch croissant, I drove around the city at random, eventually settling in for a tasty lunch at the Midnight Sun Brewing Co., one of the many craft beer spots peppering an industrial swath of town. By evening, my apprehension had morphed into fondness, helped by the martini I nursed at Club Paris, an old-school haunt that is one of the few establishments remaining from before the earthquake. Around the corner I found excellent whiskey cocktails and ramen at a place called, aptly, Whiskey & Ramen. Newly opened in a sleek bi-level space, it would not have been out of place in my Los Angeles neighborhood. But by then I was feeling gloriously far from home.

A salmon dish at Alyeska ski resort

Goods at Mother Hubbard’s

The next morning I steered my rented 4x4 out of the city and onto the Seward Highway, where the full magnitude of Alaska's wilderness hit me. Hugging the Turnagain Arm, a narrow saltwater inlet where pods of beluga whales congregate in summer, the road is framed by mountains that shoot skyward from the sea as if being launched. It is the kind of natural majesty you absorb not so much with your eyes as with your cells.

My destination was Girdwood, a former mining colony 45 minutes from Anchorage. Today it is centered around Alyeska , the state's premier ski resort, which rose with imposing elegance from a forest of evergreens. I'd be based here for the next few days, staying at the resort's on-mountain hotel. Having not been on skis in a year, I thought I'd start by clocking some downhill hours on the mountain's 2,500 vertical feet of terrain before attempting something I'd long been both intrigued and intimidated by: backcountry skiing, which Alaskans speak of with religious fervor.

Girdwood Brewing Company

The immense Matanuska Glacier

But the weather turned out to be so perfect—bright sun and a bluebird sky—that it would have been a mistake to miss the opportunity for a backcountry outing. And so it was with considerable nerves that I skipped the groomed runs at the resort to meet up with Mike Welch, operator of an independent local outfitter called Sundog Ski Guides, who had offered to take me out for a tutorial. Tall and limber, with the crow's feet that come from spending most of the year squinting into Alpine sun, he projected an easy confidence that was a balm for my jitters. “The only thing I personally love more than skiing this part of the world is introducing it to people for the first time,” he said. After a brief lesson on how to use the avalanche beacons in case things got hairy, we put skins over our skis and began walking up into a valley framed by downy slopes.

We gained some 2,000 feet of elevation over four miles. Halfway up, as an avalanche precaution, Welch had us separate by about 100 yards for the remainder of the hike. Following the path carved by Welch's skis and poles, which resembled a seam stitched through fabric of otherworldly white, I felt impossibly tiny, overwhelmed by the quiet. Time and space took on dreamlike properties. So did my thoughts. By the time I reached Welch at the summit, I could barely remember my own name.

Displays of Native art at the Anchorage Museum

Making the most of Alyeska’s 1,610 skiable acres

“Weird shit happens out there, doesn't it?” Welch said with a sage grin.

We stood at the top of a mountain known as Tincan Peak, the enormity of Alaska's famed backcountry stretching before us, range after range interlocking like an M.C. Escher woodcut. The tree line ends at 1,500 feet, so unlike in the northeast or the Rockies the view consisted only of icy cornices, peaks, and gullies sheathed in a penetrating blanket of snow. After admiring the panorama over sandwiches, we removed the skins from our skis and tipped in, slaloming down a steep section that leveled off in a small saucer-shaped valley.

I thought I'd skied powder before. I'd thought wrong. This stuff was chest deep and humbling. At first its impact on me was a torrent of foul language rather than euphoria, but once I got the hang of it, I had as much fun as I'd ever had on skis in my life. Carving our way back down the mountain felt not so much like skiing but like floating through an alternate reality.

A refuge hut for skiers atop Matanuska Glacier

Cocktails at Whiskey & Ramen in Anchorage

Returning to Alyeska , I was worried that I would never again be able to enjoy resort skiing. The next three days dispelled this concern while presenting another: Would I ever want to ski anywhere else? First conceived in 1959, when a crew of locals pooled together money to develop the mountain, the resort does not have the size or frills of its glossier counterparts in the Rockies. But it does offer the sorts of luxuries that make for transcendent days on the slopes: terrain to satisfy the palate of just about any skier or snowboarder, with no lift lines or elbowing your way through the gear-cloaked masses for that afternoon beer. Because of the lack of trees, most of the mountain is an open bowl, with the named trails acting mostly as suggestions, unlike the defined runs that cut through forest in most ski areas. This makes the experience about as close to backcountry skiing as you can get while still having the convenience of lifts—with the surreal bonus of staring at the churn of ocean water through the Turnagain Arm, which is visible on every descent.

Jessica Chapel

Alex Erdekian

Diana Oates

Jessica Puckett

The vibe in Girdwood, a woodsy little hamlet, is much like that on the mountain: unfussy, ripe with tumbledown charm, checking all the essential après-ski boxes without the manufactured authenticity of so many ski towns. One evening I kicked back with a pint at Girdwood Brewing Company, with its airy taproom, outdoor firepits, and rotating food trucks. Another, I ate an exquisite meal of bibimbap at Jack Sprat, an eclectic, buttery-lit mainstay run by Frans and Jen Weits, a couple originally from Michigan. Chair 5, a low-key restaurant-bar, cooked up exactly the kind of burger one craves after a day in the snow. It was refreshing not to encounter anyone from outside of Alaska. Where the barstool chatter at Vail can turn quickly stock portfolios, at Chair 5 I chatted with a rowdy group of local skiers about the incoming “bore tide,” a phenomenon in the Turnagain Arm that creates a single wave that breaks for miles on end. They talked about plans to surf it the next morning with the nonchalance of New York cyclists discussing a loop through Central Park. “Wanna join?” one asked.

Alyeska at night

Taxidermy at Sheep Mountain Lodge

It all adds up to a world-class ski destination that, improbably, is still primarily the realm of the locals. But this may be changing. In 2018, Alyeska was purchased by Pomeroy Lodging, a Canadian company that is pushing to spread word of the property to residents of the Lower 48. The current ski season marks Alyeska's first as part of the Ikon Pass. The hotel has been making various upgrades, most notably a new 50,000-square-foot Nordic spa that debuted in 2022. Set in the forest adjacent to the main gondola, with a slick restaurant of floor-to-ceiling windows and blond wood tables, the facility is a transporting oasis with outdoor hot tubs and cold plunges, steam rooms, an exfoliation cabin, and a semicircle of barrel saunas built from cedar and tucked into a glade. This is not, needless to say, the Alaska of frostbite and frontier lore, though the no-phone policy happily prevents it from being pure influencer catnip. During my three days of downhill hijinks, it proved a welcome respite that left me primed for more adventure.

Leaving Alyeska, I drove through light flurries back toward Anchorage, then hooked northeast along the foothills of the Chugach Mountains and headed deeper into the state's interior. After about three hours, I found myself far removed from anything resembling civilization, even though I'd barely penetrated a state that is nearly three times the size of France. My destination was Sheep Mountain Lodge, one of Alaska's many off-the-grid hideaways. Consisting of cozy single-occupancy log cabins fanned out along the foot of a mountain, Sheep Mountain Lodge has the advantage of being reachable by car and close to the Matanuska Glacier, a 27-mile-long cathedral of ancient ice.

The heated pool at Alyeska Nordic Spa

A simple, chic room at Alyeska

Pulling in, I was met by Mark Fleenor, who runs the property with his wife, Ruthann. He grew up in Tennessee and spent years flying planes for NGOs in Afghanistan before settling in Alaska because few other places could sate his appetite for adventure. Inside the lodge's main building, I saw a photo of him ice climbing the glacier and another of him scuba diving inside of it. “People think we're bundled up in this barren, inhospitable land half the year, when really we're just having an insane amount of fun,” he told me. Then, with earnest bluster: “You ready to get intimate with the glacier yourself?”

With that, he handed me off to a buddy of his, Ryan Cote, who runs snowmobile tours out of the property. Soon I was piloting one of these machines along a frozen creek toward the base of the glacier. After 30 minutes we stopped at what I failed to immediately recognize as a wall of ice because it looked almost soot-stained. But what came into focus was extraordinary: the surface as clear as a cut diamond, the black projected by the stones suspended inside it. It was a frozen snapshot of a seismic shift tens of thousands years old. “It's called basal ice,” Cote explained. “It's essentially the base of the glacier, the part that moves along the floor until it reaches this point.” In just a few weeks, as the weather warmed, where we were standing would be water and what we were looking at would vanish into it.

The view of the fjord below Alyeska Resort

The next morning, my last before heading home, I rose from a deep slumber, the result of a second snowmobile excursion through the powdery hills above the property, a superb dinner of local salmon back at the lodge, and the fine bottle of bourbon Fleenor had brought out for a nightcap. Now Fleenor was whipping us up espressos in preparation for seeing the glacier from another vantage point: the seat of his cherry red helicopter. Minutes later we were hovering above it. There were sections that resembled vertebrae, others that looked like waves crashing into each other. The scale only became more incomprehensible the more I stared.

Eventually, Fleenor landed the helicopter atop the glacier and handed me a pair of ice cleats to slide over my boots. “Ready to go inside?” he asked.

Every summer, Fleenor explained, he spends hours flying over the glacier in search of such spots: wormlike caves formed by meltwater moving through cracks in the ice. Come late fall, when freezing temperatures stop the melting, he explores them, looking for any he can bring guests to. “You know the slot canyons in Utah ? This is basically that,” he noted. “But rather than taking eons to form, here we get new ones every year that only exist for a few months. Pretty rad, right?”

A deconstructed banana split at Whiskey & Ramen

A bakery in Girdwood

I followed him down the shaft, a narrow passage that opened up to a world of sublime and paralyzing beauty: curving, swooping walls of ice that reflected the sun in vivid shades of aquamarine and cobalt, everything perfectly still while also seeming alive, as if breathing. As we ventured in farther, the cave darkened, tapering to a point where interlaced ice crystals, fine as silk, dangled and seemed to dance. We were the only humans inside a glacier twice the size of Manhattan, our feet atop 900 feet of solid ice. In a corner of my brain, I felt a flicker of gratitude toward the man I'd met in the bar and the few simple words that had brought me to Alaska in the winter.

Just outside Anchorage, the family-friendly Alyeska Resort has amenities, five restaurants, and a new Nordic spa with a series of hot pools. There are 76 trails suitable for skiers of all levels, with lessons available. For those looking to go deeper, Sundog Ski Guides takes groups and individuals into the Chugach and Talkeetna ranges, with all-local guides able to introduce the area even to those with no backcountry experience. For a cozier experience, book one of the free-standing cabins at Sheep Mountain Lodge , northeast of Anchorage. Guests can snowmobile and take helicopters to ice caves and glacial canyons before returning to a feast of blackened local halibut. No matter what your itinerary, you will likely pass through Anchorage, where the Hotel Captain Cook is in the center of town.

This article appeared in the January/February 2024 issue of Condé Nast Traveler. Subscribe to the magazine here .

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21 Surprising Reasons To Visit Alaska in Winter

Updated August 22, 2023. 21 Surprising Reasons to Visit Alaska in Winter was originally written in October 2022.

There is something truly magical when you visit Alaska in winter while everything is blanketed with snow and it feels like you’re walking in a winter wonderland.

However, I have to admit that winter in Alaska can be harsh with bone-chilling temperatures, freezing rain, and extended hours of darkness, but the only way to survive an Alaskan winter is to embrace the winter season!

Growing up in Alaska, winter was always filled with sledding down nearby hills and learning how to snowboard. As an adult, I still love playing in the snow, but I can also appreciate a cozy night sitting around the fireplace and sippin’ on a hot toddy.

From winter festivals to chasing the Northern Lights, I’m going to share the best reasons to visit Alaska in winter and the best things to do in Alaska in December, January, and February.

How much does it snow in Alaska in winter?

21. save money.

AndreaKuuipoAbroad.com contains affiliate links to various products, and as an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Read more about my  Affiliate Disclosure .

Packing for a winter trip to Alaska? Here’s my Alaska Winter Packing List .

What to Know About Winter in Alaska

When is winter in alaska.

Winter in Alaska starts in late October and ends in March. Winter solstice, the shortest day of the year, is on December 21.

How cold is Alaska in the winter?

The winter temperature in Alaska ranges from 0°F / -18°C to -30°F / -35°C from November to March. Since Alaska is so big, you will see huge differences in winter weather across the state.

Anchorage receives an average of 76.4 inches of snow per year. Valdez is one of the snowiest cities in Alaska, with an average of 325.3 inches of snow per year. In December, the average snowfall in Anchorage is 18.2 inches.

21 Reasons To Visit Alaska in Winter

1. winter photography.

Whether you’re a professional or amateur photographer, Alaska winter will spoil you with endless photo ops of snow-covered landscapes, hoarfrost-covered trees, and dark skies full of stars and dancing Northern Lights.

A few of my favorite places near Anchorage for winter photography are Eklutna Tailrace , Eagle River Nature Center , Eklutna Lake , and South Fork Falls .

PRO TIP: Bring hand warmers in case your camera batteries get too cold!

2. See the Northern Lights

I am so spoiled when it comes to seeing the Northern Lights in Alaska . I’ve seen them as early as August and I’ve even watched them from my house in Anchorage. If you want to see the aurora borealis in Alaska, you’ll want to visit between October and March. This is because the skies become darker making it easier to see the lights.

I recommend people visit in February or March because the lights are highly active during these months. March in Alaska can be a better option for those that want to enjoy milder temperatures. You can see the Northern Lights all over the state but Fairbanks is a popular destination for those who have it on their bucket list! You can even hop on the Alaska Railroad’s  Aurora Winter Train  for a 12-hour journey between Anchorage and Fairbanks, passing through some of the most stunning snowy landscapes. 

3. Fur Rondy

Alaska has a ton of fun winter events and festivals to participate in! Fur Rendezvous, known locally as Fur Rondy , is one of my favorite winter festivals in Anchorage. It’s a two-week-long celebration featuring snow sculptures, local artisans, carnival games, and crazy events like “running of the reindeer.”

The winter festival kicks off in late February, and many locals will head downtown to enjoy the activities. One of the unique events that takes place during the festival is the Fur Rondy Auction , which in previous years has included Wolf pelts, Coyote pelts, Wolverine pelts, Beaver pelts, Arctic, Red, and Cross Foxes, Muskrats, Ermine, bleached skulls, and more!

4. The Iditarod

Fur Rondy leads into the Iditarod , which is an annual long-distance sled dog race from Anchorage to Nome. Mushers will travel a distance of 1,049 miles (1,688 km) with their sled dog teams.

The Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race dates back to 1973 and the tradition has continued every year since then. You can watch the ceremonial start in downtown Anchorage and the official start in Willow. I love watching the race from the Chester Creek Trail at a local event called, “Trailgate”.

5. Winter Races

If you like outdoor sports and races, there is no shortage of them during the winter season. The Iron Dog Snowmobile Race is considered the world’s longest and toughest snowmobile race. Races traverse more than 2,500 miles across Alaska in February.

If you want to test your winter toughness, you can ski, bike, or hike the Susitna 100 , which is a 100-mile extreme winter race across frozen rivers, swamps and twisty trails through the woods. The race takes place in the Susitna River Valley, north of Anchorage.

If you rather participate in a fun and laid-back race, then you might consider Oosik . This classic ski race happens in Talkeetna in March, and celebrates the end of ski season and the beginning of Spring. Skiers follow a 10, 25, or 50 km ski track, and most wear a costume while doing so.

6. Access Remote Locations

One of my favorite things about wintertime in Alaska has to do with the change in the landscapes. There are some really cool places in Alaska that can only be accessed on foot or fat bike during the winter when a lake or river has frozen over.

Knik Glacier , Spencer Glacier , or Portage Glacier become much more accessible during the winter and I definitely recommend experiencing it for yourself! It’s best to visit Alaska in January, February, or March to experience some of these winter destinations.

7. Try Winter Sports

I’ve already mentioned fat biking, which increases in popularity every year! It’s super fun whether you’re biking to a glacier or riding the snowy single tracks in Kincaid Park. Alaska is chock-full of winter sports to try first-hand.

You can sled in Arctic Valley, ice skate at Westchester Lagoon, ice climb Matanuska Glacier , ski in the backcountry, hike in the snow, xc ski in Government Peak Recreation Area, or spend the night winter camping in the wild. The list goes on!

8. Natural Hot Springs

It’s hard to beat soaking in a natural hot spring while watching your hair and eyelashes turn into majestic frozen icicles. Chena Hot Springs in Fairbanks is a great spot to visit during winter and you may even see the Northern Lights while you’re there!

Tolovana Hot Spring and Manley Hot Springs are a couple of other hot spring that you can find in the Interior region of Alaska. Don’t forget to pack a swimsuit !

9. Winter Resorts

One of the best things to do in Alaska in winter is visit a winter resort. Alyeska Resort in Girdwood is Alaska’s largest ski area and only destination ski resort. Receiving an average of 669 inches of snow per year, it’s the perfect winter playground for all levels of skiers and snowboarders.

After a long day of skiing, you can warm up and relax at Alaska’s first Nordic Spa . There are a bunch of cold pools, hot pools, and saunas that are all situated in the rainforest right underneath the Chugach Mountains.

Want to ski for free in Alaska? If you fly with Alaska Airlines, you make be able to ski free on your day of arrival at Alyeska Resort and Eaglecrest Ski Area in Juneau. I hope they offer this again for the 23/24 winter season!

Santas also ski free! This is only offered on one day of the year, usually in December before Christmas Day.

10. Avoid the Crowds

Winter season in Alaska is typically known as being off-season which means fewer people! You’ll definitely notice the empty spaces in some of Alaska’s National Parks as visitor centers and facilities that are usually open in the summer are closed during the winter months.

During the winter, Denali National Park plows its road through Mile 2 so you can still head there to go skiing, snow-shoeing, or dog sledding.

Kenai Fjords National Park closes the road to Exit Glacier so you’ll have to hike or bike an extra eight miles to reach the glacier and public use cabins in the area. If you’re willing to put in the extra effort to reach some of these places, you’ll get to experience solitude that others won’t.

Read Next: 13 Ultimate Winter Activities in Alaska

11. Stunning Sunrises and Sunsets

As the skies get darker something magical happens in the sky. Some of the best sunsets and sunrises I’ve seen in Alaska have happened during the winter months!

Honestly, this could just be due to the fact that the sun rises way later in the day and sets well before a normal bedtime, so I’ve probably seen more of them. Can’t complain about sleeping in and still getting to see the sunrise!

12. Hike in the Snow

I love hiking in the snow ! Especially after the first snowfall of the season blankets the tops of the mountains. Keep in mind that there are lots of areas that become avalanche terrain during the winter but there are still plenty of trails to hike safely in the winter.

One of my favorite winter hikes is the Winner Creek Trail in Girdwood. I love walking through the snow-covered forest!

13. Experience the Darkness

Opposite the nearly 24 hours of daylight during the summer, Alaska winters are full of darkness . On the day of the winter solstice, which has the longest period of darkness, Anchorage gets only five hours of sunlight! The sun rises around 10:15 a.m. before setting at 3:45 p.m.

People who live in Utqiagvik , the northernmost town in Alaska, go for more than two months without seeing the sun rise above the horizon! It’s definitely a unique experience for anyone and a good test to see if you could actually live in Alaska. (Most people want to move here after their first Alaska vacation!)

14. No Bears and Bugs! Oh My!

Okay, this one is a stretch because bears actually aren’t always hibernating all winter long, contrary to popular belief. However… your chances of running into one while exploring Alaska in the winter are pretty low!

But there are definitely no mosquitoes buzzing around in your ear or gnats biting you during the winter and this fills me with so much joy. The bugs usually start to die off in September when the temperatures start to drop.

15. Empty Roads and No Construction Zones

There’s an Alaska meme about treating yourself like the Seward Highway and never stop working on yourself. It’s funny and true because there is always some sort of construction zone and traffic stops on the Seward Highway and a lot of other main roads during the summer. It makes sense why it happens during that time but it always creates a lot of backed-up traffic when every Alaskan is hitting the highway during a summer weekend.

During the winter you don’t have to worry about that! Sometimes there are a lot of accidents after the first snowfall of the year and a fresh snowfall, so you might consider avoiding driving during these times.

16. Winter Road Trips

Yes, you can still drive in Alaska during winter. With fewer people on the road and off-season prices for accommodations and car rentals, winter is a great time to take a road trip around Alaska. It’s best to have a vehicle with a good set of winter tires or 4-wheel-drive if you plan on driving outside of the main road system.

Some of my favorite winter road trips have been to Valdez for the Ice Climbing Festival, Talkeetna to see Denali covered in snow, and Denali National Park to winter camp and see the Northern Lights.

17. Cozy Cabins

Even though you can rent a cabin year-round in Alaska, staying in a cabin during the winter brings that extra cozy factor. After a perfect day of frolicking around in the snow, you get to come back to a cozy cabin .

As the fireplace starts to roar, you slip into your pajamas and settle into that new book you’ve been waiting to read. Add a glass of wine and the snow falling outside your window to really complete the perfect cabin stay.

18. Visit Santa in the North Pole

Did you know that Alaska has a town called North Pole ? If you plan to visit Fairbanks in winter , you have to make a stop here. North Pole is known for having year-round Christmas decorations.

You can actually visit the Santa Claus House, take a photo with a 42-foot-tall Santa, or send a postcard from the North Pole. This is a fun destination for families traveling to Alaska in winter.

19. A White Christmas

Speaking of Christmas.. If you have been dreaming of a white Christmas then Alaska is the perfect winter destination for you. In December , the state is covered in snow, and there are plenty of festive events to enjoy, from art and craft fairs and bazaars to tree lighting ceremonies.

One of the newest holiday events is Bright Up the Night . It’s the largest drive-through holiday light display in the state. You drive your own vehicle for nearly a mile across the Alaska State Fair Grounds to see more than 70 amazing light displays. The displays are coordinated to music that you can tune into on your car radio. The event runs from Thanksgiving Day to New Year’s Eve.

20. Winter Tours

Alaska offers a lot of options when it comes to winter tours. The most popular tours to book during winter surround aurora viewing . It can be helpful to have an experienced guide or photographer with you for your best chances of seeing the Northern Lights.

Another popular winter tour is dog sledding . During this dogsledding and mushing experience in Fairbanks, you’ll be towed by sled dogs down five miles of snowy trails.

Flightseeing is also an incredible tour to do in winter in Alaska. Whether you are on a plane or a helicopter, seeing the snowy mountains and landscapes from above is spectacular.

The last reason to visit Alaska in winter is that you’ll save money ! Woohoo! Since winter tourism is not as busy as summer tourism, you can actually find some amazing deals on activities. You can also get around 50% off summer rates for lodging, which is a huge money saver.

Spending time to enjoy the outdoors in winter is free, but if you want to do some outdoor activities you’ll find there are lots of shops to rent gear and equipment from.

Happy winter travels!

Answering Your Questions

Is it worth visiting Alaska in the winter?

Alaska is the perfect winter destination if you want to see snow and the aurora borealis.

What is Alaska like in the winter?

Alaska in the winter is a winter wonderland and each month has someting different to offer.

Is it worth visiting Alaska in December?

December in Alaska is a great time to visit since there are a lot of fun seasonal festivals and events.

Is it safe to drive to Alaska in the winter?

Driving in Alaska in the winter can be challenging due to snow and icy roads. Drive slower than normal to increase safe driving.

What to Wear Hiking in Alaska (Winter)

Top 10 Things To Do In Fairbanks in Winter

Alaska Travel Guide

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Do you have any questions on reasons to visit Alaska in winter? Let me know in the comments.

About Andrea Kuuipo

I was born and raised in Anchorage and have been able to travel to many places around Alaska. As an Alaska Travel Blogger, I love sharing my favorite things to see and do in my home state to help others plan an incredible trip!

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Alaska Winter & Aurora Travel

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Alaska Winter Travel

This might just be the best kept secret about Alaska: It's even more beautiful in the winter.

Landscapes are blanketed in snow. Layers of frost transform even the simplest objects into glittering sculptures. Ice crystals reflect in moonbeams and streetlights. Daylight, though limited, is bright and golden. And the night? Our dark skies are the perfect aurora canvas.

It's also a festive season, especially starting in February when days get longer and some of winter's best loved events take place. Feeling inspired?

See the Northern Lights

By far the biggest inspiration for visiting Alaska in the winter is the chance to see the northern lights. You've seen the photos and videos. Yet nothing compares to seeing the lights in person, which alone makes journeying north in winter well worth it.

Seeing the northern lights is one part planning and one part luck. Check out our northern lights viewing tips as well as our special Alaska aurora tours for a little inspiration.

Winter Destinations in Alaska

From the frozen tundra of the Arctic Circle to peaks covered in fresh powder near Anchorage, the Alaskan winter experience varies widely by destination. Fairbanks is a favorite in February, March, and April for its northern lights displays and networks of cross country ski and snow machine trails.

Denali National Park welcomes travelers in the winter, with the Murie Science and Learning Center as the official off-season visitor center. There are no tours into the park at this time, but plenty of ways to enjoy the park's snowy frontcountry on your own. Snowshoeing and dog sled rides are must-dos.

The myriad hiking trails in Anchorage are just as popular in the winter as summer, with many open to fat tire bikes or groomed for cross country skiers. Just down the Turnagain Arm, the Alyeska Ski Resort in Girdwood offers some of the best skiing and boarding in the state. If you go, take it easy at first. Alyeska runs are steep!

Winter Events

Like so many states that see long winters, Alaska makes the most of season with lots of local festivities. Fur Rendezvous, known by the locals as Fur Rondy, is a 10-day festival in Anchorage that culminates with the ceremonial start of the Iditarod. Think summer fair with winter coats and warm boots. There are fireworks and ferris wheel rides, but special events like the Running of the Reindeer give Fur Rondy a decidedly Alaskan flair.

Even Seward has something to offer in the colder months: Whale watching. In late winter (about April through early May, which is also known as "spring" in the lower 48) gray whales beginning passing Seward on their annual migration to Arctic waters farther north. Special gray whale watching tours run during this time, plus early season orca tours around May.

Up north in Fairbanks the World Ice Art Championships bring ice artists from around the world for a full month of competition. Using chainsaws, chisels, and tiny picks these talented sculptors transform massive blocks of ice into delicate works of art. The competition is open to the public, so it's possible to see the artists at work as well as their finished pieces.

These two festivals coincide, with Fur Rondy wrapping up on the first weekend in March and the ice sculpture competition running from about mid-February to mid-March.

Alaska Winter Trip Planning

With winter lodging and tours plus transportation options, you can easily plan a custom winter travel package with us. And if you dream of seeing it all, but without having to deal with your own logistics and transportation, check out our guided winter tour packages .

Alaska Winter Vacation Packages

Plan a custom trip or book a fully guided tour package. Either way, your perfect Alaskan winter vacation is well within reach. Learn More >

Alaska Northern Lights Tours

Travel north of Fairbanks where the nights are darkest and the chance of experiencing the northern lights greatest on these handpicked aurora tours. Learn More >

Alaska Winter Things to Do

Alaska is flush with wintertime activities. Take your pick from aurora tours, active outdoor adventures, and even wildlife viewing. Learn More >

Alaska Winter Lodging

From a cozy riverside hotel in Fairbanks to harbor side lodging in Seward, find comfortable places to stay during your Alaska winter vacation. Learn More >

Alaska Winter Transportation

Rent a 4x4 rental car or even travel by train. Getting around Alaska is just as straightforward and scenic in the winter as the summer. Learn More >

Unforgettable Alaska Winter Adventures for Families

If you think summer's the only time to travel to Alaska, think again. There's much more to do here than just cruise the Inside Passage with the family.

Alaskans love winter, and you can follow their lead by bundling up and getting right outside with them to enjoy it while taking in the Northern Lights , mushing a team of huskies, riding the rails aboard the Aurora Winter Train or fat tire biking around Anchorage. Follow our lead for some of the unforgettable Alaska winter adventures for families.

To get to Alaska, if you have Alaska Airlines miles, consider cashing them in from the lower 48 for a fabulous family winter vacation for as little as 12,500 miles each way.

American Airlines will want a little bit more for award flights to Alaska than for awards within the contiguous United States. Award flights to Fairbanks and Anchorage will run you at least 30,000 American Airlines miles for a round-trip saver award, which isn't bad considering the distance traveled.

Mush Your Own Alaskan Husky Sled Dog Team

Fly into Anchorage for the chance to try your hand at Alaska's official state sport during all-day dog mushing excursions with Salmon Berry Tours . Transportation is included from Anchorage to Talkeetna, the gateway to Alaska's interior, with the possibility of spotting Mount Denali along the way.

Then you'll arrive at the homestead of four-time Iditarod champion, Dallas Seavey, where your family will meet the huskies and be indoctrinated into the skills needed to properly mush the dogs along the snowy trails. Once it's time to go, there are two guests per sled (one standing/mushing and one riding) for each team of Alaskan Huskies, and you'll get to alternate positions half-way through the tour. Cruising along a mushing route roughly 7 miles long is one very Alaskan experience you won't soon forget. Mommy Points visited the Seavey sled dogs in the summer a few years ago and had a blast.

You can also book dog sled adventures directly and there are no official age minimums, though some of the longer days do have a recommended age of 6+. When we called, we were told you could take a little one under 2 on a sled dog tour at no extra charge.

Ride the Aurora Winter Train With Alaska Railroad

The Alaska Railroad operates year-round, but there are some special reasons to consider hopping aboard for the 12-hour trip between Anchorage and Fairbanks during the dark and snowy winter months. The Aurora Winter Train runs weekends from mid-September to mid-May, with select midweek service, too, from December through March. And while it takes the same route as summer's Denali Star Train, views blanketed with snow make the experience entirely different. Passengers can look forward to Denali views on clear days, and moose are often spotted close to the tracks, too. Winter packages from the railroad wrap excursions, such as dog sledding, chasing the Aurora and even taking in some winter flight-seeing, into your family's itinerary.

Depending on route, prices start at around $30 for kids and $60 for adults -- be sure to pay with a credit card that awards a bonus on travel .

Winter Glacier Walks

In Alaska, glacier-spotting is hardly reserved for cruise ship passengers and guests on flight-seeing tours. All year-round, you can head out with your family north of Anchorage with Salmon Berry Tours for a wintry walk like no other that takes you along part of a 27-mile-long frozen river of ice. Bundle up with the warm outerwear provided for you (including boots, gloves and snow pants) during two-hour walks that take you atop the Matanuska Glacier to marvel at the bright blue meltwater pools and other glacier features. Helmets, a trekking pole and spikes to help keep your boots from slipping are also provided to make the glacier outing as comfortable and safe as possible for the entire family.

Note that these tours are recommend for those who have kids at least 8 years of age and up and run about $299 per person.

Soak in Hot Springs While Watching the Northern Nights

When it comes to seeing the Northern Lights , nothing is guaranteed — the phenomenon is notoriously elusive, but if you're lucky enough to catch it, you'll remember it for life.

And while there are many ways to head out looking for the Northern Lights, we love the idea of soaking with the family in the balmy waters at Chena Hot Springs Resort while waiting for the sky to work its Aurora Borealis magic. The resort also offers snow coach tours to bring you out deeper into the night looking for the lights, as well as dog sledding and snowmobile tours into the surrounding wilderness.

While kids are welcome to use the indoor pool and the hot tubs, note that children under age 18 are not allowed in the natural Rock Lake due to naturally occurring bacteria that may impact them more than adults.

Family Fat-Tire Biking in Anchorage

You know what they say about the family that fat bikes together -- they have a ton of laughs. You can rent the wide-wheeled rides at a downtown Anchorage shop starting at $25 and head out on the snowy trails around downtown or further afield. While the shop doesn't offer guided rides, the owner can point you on your way along a route that matches your family's fitness level and there are even trailers for rent if your children are too young to pedal.

Plan a Family Ski Vacation in Southcentral Alaska  

Less than an hour southeast of Anchorage, in the town of Girdwood, Alyeska Resort is the go-to spot for families looking for an all-levels ski vacation in Alaska. From your beginners who are just getting a foothold on the sport with ski lessons to your confident teenage shredders and those family members keen to try heli-skiing, it's on the menu at this comprehensive mountain resort. True beginners pay just $5 for magic carpet access and all lift tickets are under $100 per day , with kids costing significantly less than that.

Where to Stay in Alaska on Points

Your points hotel options in Alaska are limited once you get out of the main towns, but there are options in the state's largest cities.

In Anchorage, you can pick from a variety of points hotels including, Embassy Suites by Hilton Anchorage (between 36k and 70k Hilton Honors points), Hilton Garden Inn Anchorage (from 23k to 60k points), Hampton Inn Anchorage (23k to 50k Hilton Honors points), Hyatt House Anchorage (from 8k World of Hyatt points), Anchorage Marriott Downtown (Category 5, from 35k Marriott points), Sheraton Anchorage Hotel & Spa (Category 4, 25k Marriott points), Residence Inn Anchorage Midtown (Category 4, 25k Marriott points) or Crown Plaza Anchorage-Midtown (from 35k IHG Rewards Club points).

In Fairbanks, look to the Best Western Plus Pioneer Park Inn or Best Western Plus Chena River Lodge (both 16k points per night), Hampton Inn & Suites Fairbanks (25k–50k points), SpringHill Suites by Marriott Fairbanks (Category 4, 25k Marriott points) or Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suites Fairbanks (from 25k IHG Rewards Club points).

Bottom Line

While most families head to Alaska in the summertime, don't discount the opportunities available in winter. If your crew loves the outdoors and activities to get the heart pumping, you can't do better than a cold-weather trip to the snowy north.

Has your family been to Alaska in the winter? What did you think?

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Winter Trip Ideas & Itineraries in Anchorage

With these winter itineraries, there’s no time to hibernate. Take advantage of what makes Anchorage special: the northern lights, plenty of snow, and plenty of cozy urban amenities. Whether your travels are fueled by high-octane or hot cocoa, these ideas will get you moving in winter.

A Cozy Winter Day in Anchorage

Aurora borealis viewing, girl’s guide to winter fun, snow fun for kids, winter octane, things to do.

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Winter Tours

Northern lights, dog sledding, skiing, iditarod, snowmobiling, snowshoeing.

Home » Tours » Natural Attractions » Winter Tours

Winter in Alaska is prime time for Alaskans, and the time of year we enjoy our favorite outdoor sports and activities. As Alaska’s natural surroundings become even more dramatic in the winter, new opportunities for viewing aurora borealis (the northern lights ), dog sledding , ice fishing, ice climbing, snowboarding, snowshoeing, skiing, and more open up new territory for all Alaska visitors.

Alaska’s most popular winter visitor experiences include northern lights viewing and dog mushing, but there is plenty more to see and do. The Interior and Far North regions sit below what is known as the “auroral oval,” a crown of charged particles that rings the earth’s northernmost latitudes and leads to intense northern light displays. Northern lights viewing tours combine viewing from backcountry cabins or other ideal locations with activities like soaking in hot springs, romantic dinners, dog mushing, skiing, snowmobiling, and more.

Alaska dog sledding or mushing tours can range from an hour to several days, giving guests hands-on experience as well as information about the care and feeding of sled dogs. Several dog mushing tours are oriented around the state’s biggest sporting event – the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race – including one that follows the 1,049-mile race from the start in Anchorage to the finish in Nome. Other winter activities include visiting museums and cultural facilities, snowmobiling, Alpine and Nordic skiing, snowshoeing, and winter rail tours.

Alaska’s main winter cities are Anchorage and Fairbanks , with dozens of tours and activities for visitors. Girdwood and Alyeska Resort ski areas are located south of Anchorage along Turnagain Arm. From Fairbanks, winter tours are available to the Far North by air, by road on the Dalton Highway, or a combination of the two. The Alaska Railroad’s winter trains run from Anchorage to Fairbanks and back, with a stop in Talkeetna along the way. Many hotels offer guests a northern lights wake-up call so you don’t miss the magic, which often peaks after midnight.

Come experience the real Alaska on an Alaska winter vacation or tour with us!

Choose from 36 vacations in Alaska related to Winter Tours

Matanuska Glacier Hiking Out of Anchorage

Length: 9 hours

Starting at: $299 / pp

Depart Anchorage by van for an Alaska glacier adventure beginning with a narrated 100-mile drive north through the scenic Matanuska Susitna Valley on your way to Matanuska Glacier. Photo stops will be made along the way to capture... Browse itinerary

Borealis Basecamp and Northern Lights Tour

Duration: 5 days

Starting at: $1319 / pp

Just outside of Fairbanks, Borealis Basecamp offers a new and unique way to see the Northern Lights. The fiberglass domes at Borealis Basecamp have clear, curved windows that stretch 16 feet across each dome roof, allowing you to... Browse itinerary

Alaska Dreams Winter Tour

Duration: 7 days

Starting at: $2139 / pp

Start your adventure with a glacier trek from Anchorage, then continue your journey north to Fairbanks with the Alaska Railroad. Finally, conclude your trip with a stay at the exclusive Borealis Basecamp, where you can watch for the... Browse itinerary

Fairbanks Northern Lights Vacation Package

Duration: 4 days

Starting at: $869 / pp

Spend three nights in Fairbanks exploring the history and culture of this modern northern city, including the opportunity to view the spectacular northern lights, a sight the area is known for around the world. The day starts with... Browse itinerary

Chena Hot Springs Aurora Viewing Package from Fairbanks

Starting at: $919 / pp

Chena Hot Springs Resort offers an outdoor hot springs rock lake and an indoor pool, perfect for relaxing. Admission to the pools is included. The resort also offers guests a restaurant and is home to the Aurora Ice... Browse itinerary

Aurora Train Travel in Fall and Winter

Starting at: $1149 / pp

This Aurora Train travel experience on the Alaska Railroad features some of Alaska’s best fall and winter activities in Anchorage and Fairbanks.  Begin your fall or winter tour with a day trip from Anchorage on a guided tour... Browse itinerary

Alaska’s Glaciers, Hot Springs and Northern Lights

Starting at: $1749 / pp

Start your adventure with a glacier trek from Anchorage, then continue your journey north to Fairbanks with the Alaska Railroad. Finally, conclude your trip with a stay at Chena Hot Springs, where you can soak in hot springs... Browse itinerary

Alaska Winter Wonders Tour

Duration: 9 days

Starting at: $1929 / pp

Exploring Alaska in winter is easy and a great value. Start with a few nights at a luxurious hotel in the mountain village of Girdwood, then travel aboard the Alaska Railroad Aurora Winter Train from Anchorage to Fairbanks.... Browse itinerary

Ultimate Alaska Winter Wonderland and Iditarod

Duration: 8 days

Starting at: $2129 / pp

This comprehensive Alaska winter travel experience begins with sightseeing in Fairbanks, including a great chance to see the northern lights. Departing from Fairbanks, travel by motorcoach to the historic town of Healy on the outskirts of Denali National... Browse itinerary

Winter Wonderland and Iditarod

Starting at: $1209 / pp

All things Iditarod! Attend the Musher’s Banquet, visit a kennel, meet an Iditarod champion, and watch the ceremonial start and official start of the Last Great Race! Travel by van or coach from Anchorage: Tour Anchorage, the Anchorage... Browse itinerary

Iditarod Race Official Start Tour

Duration: 6 days

Starting at: $1479 / pp

Based in Anchorage for five nights, this Iditarod experience begins with the ceremonial start on snow-covered city streets, where you can have up-close viewing of this unique dog sledding event. The next day, travel to the community of... Browse itinerary

Glacier & Wildlife Flightseeing Tour

Length: 1.5 hours

Starting at: $386 / pp

Enjoy a day tour from Anchorage with flightseeing from Lake Hood over the majestic Chugach State Park! You will soar above the expansive Knik or Triumvirate Glacier on your flight, rimmed with spectacular hanging ice formations. With a... Browse itinerary

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Best Alaska Packing List For Winter Travel

Published: 11/9/23

What To Pack for Your Winter Trip to Fairbanks, Alaska

When I decided to head to Alaska for a brief visit in December 2019, I had more questions about what you do in Alaska in winter , than what to pack.

Luckily living my entire life in northern Minnesota – where we have the harshest, longest winters in the lower 48 – well prepared me for dressing for Alaska’s winter weather . In fact, our winters are so similar, that it’s fairly common for folks from northern Minnesota to “migrate” to Alaska when they feel that things are getting “too crowded” down here.

As I prepared for my Alaska trip to Fairbanks, I simply threw everything I typically wear for a day of winter hiking in northern Minnesota into a suitcase and called it good. Ironically, I had to spend more money on clothing when I went to Hawaii; I shelled out a grand total of $0 for items on my Alaska packing list .

However, I fully acknowledge that packing for Alaska , especially in winter, can feel daunting. If you don’t live in a part of the world where -40F temperatures are normal, you’re probably going need to buy some clothing and outdoor gear.

That’s why I decided to write this post and take the challenge out of packing for an Alaska winter trip. To get you acquainted with all the Alaska winter must-have items in your suitcase, I’ll run through all the best need-to-have Alaska winter clothing and gear. At the bottom of this post, you’ll even find printable PDF Alaska winter packing list to make sure you don’t miss anything as you pack.  

If you’re wondering what to wear in Alaska in winter and what to include on your packing list, read on!

This post contains affiliate links. When you purchase something through these links, I receive a small commission that helps me create this blog’s content. There’s no extra cost to you.

Perplexed by what to pack for Alaska in winter? Pin my Alaska packing list!

Table of contents.

• Tips for packing for Alaska in winter
• Clothes for Alaska winter tips
• Alaska winter outerwear
• Alaska winter mid-layer
• Alaska winter base layer
• Other essential Alaska winter clothing
• Alaska gear list
• Printable Alaska Winter Packing List PDF

Tips for Packing for Alaska in Winter

1) take a look at the weather forecast before packing.

Nestled deep in the Alaska interior, Fairbanks is known for its chilly winter temperatures.

From November through February, temperatures struggle to get above 0F. It’s pretty typical for the mercury to drop down to -40F. The average low in the Fairbanks area in deep winter is -20F.

With about 5 feet of average snowfall, it definitely gives North Pole vibes. In fact, North Pole, AK is located just 14 miles southeast of Fairbanks!

But as you pack, it’s important to remember that the temperatures I’ve just described are averages. You might experience very different Alaska weather during your winter visit. We actually ended up at Chena Hot Springs Resort during a heatwave where temps hovered right around freezing!

Had I realized how hot all of the resort buildings (which are heated by geothermal hot water pipes) would be during such warm winter weather, I would have packed a couple t-shirts. We absolutely roasted whenever we were inside.

2) Remember, Alaska is massive

Most Alaska winter packing lists, including this one, assume you’re visiting the Alaskan interior. With the draw of northern lights, snow-covered mountains, ice museums, and dog sledding adventures, it’s easy to see why so many Alaska winter visitors end up in this part of America’s largest state.

But if your Alaska winter travels are taking you to the Kenai peninsula or another coastal area where the ocean prevents hard freezes year-round, you’re going to need to pack differently. For example, you might want to swap out a parka for a rain jacket! While layers and natural fibers like wool are still your friends, you’ll be able to get away with lighter weight clothing and footwear.

3) This is no time to pack light

It’s actually pretty standard (at least with Alaska Airlines and its partner Delta) to get two free checked bags when you fly to Alaska. I’m pretty sure this is for Alaska residents who often bring back a fair number of supplies when they visit the contiguous United States . However, you should definitely take full advantage of this rare generous space allotted to you!

Between bulky winter boots and jackets, it’s not realistic to attempt to travel to Alaska in winter with just a carry-on (but let me know if you’ve done it . . . that’s quite the feat!) so why try? If you’re already checking one bag, why not check two? At the very least, take your largest suitcase. If you own ice skates or snowshoes, throw them in!

What I Packed for Alaska in Winter

As a resident of Minnesota’s Gunflint Trail , where temps drop to -40F at least once a winter, I found packing for my Alaska winter trip very easy. 

Tips for the winter clothes you pack for alaska.

You’ve heard it before, but I’ll say it again, when you dress for an Alaskan winter (or any winter destination) you want to “dress like an onion.”

You’ll want several layers of clothing for maximum warmth, but make sure only your base layer is skintight. Don’t restrict your body’s movement or prevent your clothing from creating warm pockets of air around your body by wearing clothing that’s too tight. This is especially important with footwear. Please don’t squeeze into 17 pairs of socks and then wonder why your feet are still cold!

Opt for wool clothing whenever possible. This magical winter material wicks away moisture and keeps you toasty warm! With the advent of high quality merino wool clothing, it’s also not itchy.

Hi! I’m Ada, a travel writer based in northern Minnesota, on a mission to see the world. I use this travel blog to provide practical, no-nonsense travel tips and itineraries for both domestic and international travels.

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Winter Alaska Outerwear

Winter Parka

Parka – Your lightweight down jacket isn’t going to cut it in -40F. For Alaska, go all in with a down (real or synthetic, that’s up to you) parka . While a parka definitely isn’t the cheapest piece of winter clothing out there, you really don’t need a super expensive parka like Canada Goose to stay warm. I’ve had my Cabela’s synthetic down parka for a decade and it works great. Another popular parka option is Askov Finlayson .

Wool pants – We’re talking good ol’ itchy, old fashioned wool pants here. They’re definitely not fashionable, but nothing will keep you warmer and dryer than a pair of thick wool pants from Johnson Woolen Mills . Just remember that these pants require a base layer of leggings or long underwear underneath.

Snow pants – Not digging the wool pants? A pair of waterproof lightweight, fleece-lined pants paired with leggings or long underwear will also do the trick.

Winter boots – Just like with your jacket, when it comes to footwear in Alaska, you’re going to want to go big. I brought my beloved Schnee’s Pac Boots and they worked so well. They might be a little cumbersome, but they’re toasty warm and have great traction. I didn’t even need snowshoes to trek up the mountains around the resort with these on!

Thick stocking cap – Grab the warmest beanie or stocking hat in your closet. Definitely opt for function over fashion, although there are so many stylish winter hats on the market these days, there’s no reason not to be warm and look cute!

Mittens or winter gloves – I personally find mittens way warmer than gloves. I’ve always worn buckskin chopper-stype mitts with removable 100% wool liner mittens. When the liner mittens wear out, I just make (or buy) a new pair! Outdoor Research mittens are also a good option if you don’t share my “old man in a forest” winter aesthetic.

Balaclava – While you won’t need to put this on every time you go outside in Alaska, a balaclava can make a huge difference if you’re going to spend an extended period of time outside. Find a lightweight balaclava that will fit under your hat.

Fur ruff – If your jacket doesn’t have a fur ruff, consider making it extra cozy for your Alaska trip by adding one of these removable faux fur ruffs . You won’t believe how much warmer a ruff makes a jacket; nothing does a better job of blocking that bitter north wind.

Fleece gaiter or scarf – One final extra layer to add is a fleece gaiter or scarf around your neck. If I’m going to be active outside, I prefer a fleece gaiter since it stays in place better than a scarf.

Mid-Layers for Alaska Winter Travel

Wool Sweater

Fleece Jacket

Down vest – You might notice as you shop for parkas that many of these jackets are only rated to -20F. For very chilly Alaska mornings, adding a lightweight down vest is a great way to boost your jacket’s warmth.

Wool sweater – Nothing keeps you as warm in winter as wool. I’d pack at least one, but probably two 100% wool sweaters for your Alaska trip.

Full zip fleece jacke t – A fleece jacket or pullover like the ones from Cotopaxi or Patagonia are another great mid-layer They’ll keep you warm outside and also look stylish when you’re hanging out around the fireplace after dark.

Alaska Winter Base Layers

Wool Crew Top

Long sleeve wool top – I wear Minus 33 midweight long sleeve merino wool tops all winter long. They’re so cozy and do a great job of wicking moisture.

Leggings or long underwear – Personally, I prefer to use leggings as my long underwear. KUHL brand have been working well for me lately.  They also give you something less bulky to wear on the plane ride. If you want actual long underwear (which could double as your pajamas), I’d go with this mid-weight pair from Minus 33 .

Wool underwear – Think wool underwear sounds weird? Don’t knock it until you’ve tried it. They wick moisture and stay fresher so much longer than cotton or synthetic undies.

Wool socks – As long as you’ve invested in good winter boots, you don’t need to worry too much about your socks. Any midweight wool sock, like these from Darn Tough , will do. My number one Alaska winter packing tip is to pack an excessive number of socks . Dry socks are key to cozy, warm feet. Be sure to swap them out every time you take off your boots!

Other need-to-have Alaska winter clothing

Pajamas – Alaska winters lend themselves to excellent sleeping, so pack your coziest pair of pjs !

Slip-on shoes – You’re not going to want to put on your winter boots every time you need shoes in Alaska. A pair of house shoes like Haflinger clogs would have been perfect for making the trek from our room to the on-site restaurant.

Slip on pants – I really wish I’d had this pair of KUHL joggers when I went to Alaska. They would have been great for wearing around the resort, especially when we headed to the pool area.

Swimsuit – Swimsuits probably aren’t top of mind when packing for an Alaska winter trip, but don’t forget them if you’re headed to a hot springs like the one at Chena Hot Springs Resort!

Alaska Winter Gear List

If you’re visiting Alaska in winter, chances are you’re staying at a resort that can outfit you with the majority of specialized winter you’ll need – aka, there’s no reason to pack a toboggan.

However, if you’re pretty experienced in all things winter, you probably have some strong winter gear preferences. I know I do! There’s definitely plenty of winter gear I’d pack for my next Alaska trip.

Essential Alaska Winter Gear To Pack

Travel Games

Ice skates – I’ve been skating since I was a toddler, so most (all?) rental ice skates drive me crazy. They’re often extremely dull, with messed up laces and poor ankle support. Had I realized that Chena Hot Springs Resort lets their duck pond freeze over into a skating rink, I definitely would have packed my own, much loved and perfectly fitting pair of hockey skates rather than use their rental skates.

Snowshoes – If you have a fairly small pair of snowshoes that you like, I’d consider throwing those in your suitcase as well. When you have gear you’re familiar with, you can get on with the act of adventuring that much more quickly.

Ice cleats – I didn’t need these for my trip and didn’t pack them, but depending on your Alaska itinerary, you may want extra traction for your boots. I imagine if you’re planning to hike around a glacier ice cleats would be indispensable!

A good book – Most places you’ll visit in Alaska aren’t far enough north to experience endless night, but there’s no denying that the four hours of daylight in Fairbanks around the winter solstice go by quickly. A good book is essential for whiling away those long winter evenings.

Board games or cards – In the same vein, you won’t go amiss packing some games to keep you and your travel companions entertained. Some of my favorite travel games include Phase 10 and Five Crowns . A winter trip to Alaska is also a great time to embrace the northern tradition of cribbage with these fun travel cribbage boards .

Snacks – If you’re planning to do any hiking or snowshoeing during your time in Alaska, definitely pack some individually packaged, easy to transport snacks like CLIF bars or almonds. I always like to have at least 500 calories on my person whenever I go winter hiking . . . just in case.

2x Water bottle – You might not think about getting dehydrated in the winter, but I always like to be extra careful during the harshest season and bring an excessive amount of water to hedge against worst case scenarios. A fun trick I just recently learned is to store your water bottle upside in your backpack on winter hikes. Because water freezes from bottom up, you can just flip it over to get a drink of water even if it starts to freeze.

Backpack – Remember that you’re going to want a backpack for any hiking or snowshoeing adventures, so it’s a smart idea to use your favorite outdoor backpack as your carry-on.

Tripod – This is a piece of travel gear that you can usually do without, but if a pivotal part of your Alaska experience is trying to see the northern lights, you’ll want a tripod to help you capture stunning Aurora Borealis images.

Two ways to start a fire: matches, lighter, and/or flin t – This might seem a little extreme, but we’ve all read Jack London’s short story “To Start A Fire” amiright?! No way am I going to Alaska without a way to start a fire, even if I have no intention of ever getting more than a couple miles  from the resort.

Small first-aid kit – I can’t undersell this enough. It’s really just a couple band-aids and some expired antiseptic cream. Yet, I pack it on every gosh dang trip. 

Headlamp and/or flashlight – When you’re going to a place that’s dark 20 hours a day, it’s a good idea to bring your own light sources. A headlamp would have been especially nice when we went sledding while waiting (fruitlessly) for the northern lights to show.

Navigation aid that works without cell service: paper map, GPS, and or Gaia app – I notoriously find the small trail maps that resorts give out very confusing. If I’d had my Gaia app during our Alaska trip, I probably could have saved us some treks up mountains and avoided making a couple seriously wrong turns.

Battery pack – Cold weather zaps your phone’s battery like nothing else, so keep a battery pack handy to avoid your phone doing the dreaded “winter dip” where it goes from 30% battery to dead in about 10 minutes.

Printable Alaska Winter Packing List

Click below for your printable PDF Alaska winter packing list .

Wrap-up: Alaska Winter Packing List

While packing for an Alaska winter trip can be challenging, it’s well worth taking the time to get it right. -40F is no joke; you want to make sure you have the clothing that can truly handle an Alaska winter. I hope this post helped you sort out the confusion of the various layers and gear needed for your Alaska trip.

Just print out my packing list above and follow it along as you pack to ensure you have all the Alaska winter clothing and gear essentials. Then prepare for an unforgettable adventure in Alaska’s winter wonderland!

If you enjoyed this Alaska packing list for winter, check out my other Alaska winter posts!

  Ada is a travel writer based in northern Minnesota. She’s spent two decades as a freelance writer. She’s lived in three countries and has visited all 50 states. In addition to traveling the world, she runs a Boundary Waters outfitters and helps people plan canoe trips and other outdoor adventures in northeastern Minnesota.

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How to see the northern lights in alaska in 2024.

If seeing the northern lights in Alaska is on your bucket list, this is the year to do it.

How to See the Northern Lights in Alaska

Chris McLennan | Courtesy of State of Alaska

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration says solar activity is intensifying and will peak (at a higher level than previously thought) in 2024. This means travelers will have more opportunities to see the northern lights around the world .

If you're considering a trip to Alaska to witness this atmospheric phenomenon, read on to discover the best months to visit as well as a variety of viewing options.

The best time to see the northern lights in Alaska

Where to see the northern lights in alaska, northern lights alaska cruises.

• Alaska northern lights tours

Courtesy of Travel Alaska

According to the Alaska Travel Industry Association, the best time to see the northern lights is typically from Aug. 21 to April 21 , also known as the Aurora Season. While the aurora can appear at any time of night, 10 p.m. to 2 a.m. are the prime viewing hours.

The winter solstice – which is the shortest day of the year, typically falling between Dec. 20 and 23 – is a particularly good time to be in Alaska for the northern lights. This day affords less daylight and more time to spot the aurora. In parts of Alaska, the amount of daylight during the winter solstice can range from around six hours in Anchorage to less than four further north in Fairbanks. Up in remote Utqiagvik (formerly called Barrow), about 320 miles north of the Arctic Circle, there are roughly 67 days of darkness from Nov. 18 to Jan. 23, resulting in even more opportunities to spot the northern lights.

Of course, 2024 is expected to be a little different. Scientists say solar activity will reach its peak from January to October, expanding the typical time frame for spotting the aurora. Ahead of and during your visit, experts recommend utilizing these forecasting resources:

• Aurora Tracker: Whether you're a beginner or an experienced aurora chaser, you'll appreciate Explore Fairbanks' real-time Aurora Tracker . This online reference shows up-to-the-minute information on the temperature, weather and likelihood of catching the northern lights in Fairbanks. Much of the data comes from one of the world's foremost aurora research centers, the Geophysical Institute at the University of Alaska–Fairbanks . To further assist in your search, you can also download the My Aurora Forecast & Alerts app on your smartphone.
• Aurora Forecast: For other parts of the state, the Geophysical Institute website's Aurora Forecast has daily forecasts of geomagnetic activity up to three days in advance and taken at three-hour intervals. There's also a summation on the webpage of whether the aurora will be active – or not – and where you'll find the best visibility in Alaska.

Courtesy of Aurora Villa

Below are the top destinations to consider when deciding where to see the northern lights in Alaska.

Fairbanks, known as the Golden Heart of Alaska, sits at 65 degrees north latitude, making it an excellent choice for aurora hunters, especially first-timers. It's easily accessible and offers plenty of accommodations , restaurants and other unique attractions . You can also be outside of Fairbanks within minutes to find excellent northern lights viewing locales.

Your chances of seeing the aurora display are excellent as the city sits where the activity of the polar lights is concentrated – under the ring-shaped zone known as the auroral oval. Local experts say that on clear evenings when the sky is very dark, you should be able to witness the skies light up on an average of four out of five nights in Fairbanks.

Where to stay:

• Aurora Villa : Located on the outskirts of Fairbanks, Aurora Villa offers luxurious guest rooms with floor-to-ceiling windows for viewing the northern lights in a cozy private space. The modern wooden cabin sits on 10 acres surrounded by forested hills, yet it's close enough to the city (less than 15 miles northeast) to explore all that Fairbanks has to offer.
• Pike's Waterfront Lodge : Located along the Chena River in Fairbanks, just minutes from Fairbanks International Airport, this property offers 180 rooms and 28 cabins for aurora-hunting adventurers. As a guest of the lodge, you can request that the front desk alert you when the northern lights appear – no matter the time of day or night. Pike's Waterfront Lodge also offers amenities to keep guests warm while viewing the light show outdoors.

Talkeetna sits about 115 miles north of Anchorage in south-central Alaska, at the base of Denali, the tallest mountain peak in North America. With its old clapboard buildings, log cabins and roadhouse dating back to 1917, this historic town offers a lot of outdoor fun beyond chasing the aurora. Main Street is filled with galleries, shops, restaurants and a brewery. The quirky village, once a former mining town, was the inspiration for the imaginary borough of Cicely in the TV show "Northern Exposure."

If you visit in December, check out the festivities at the monthlong Winterfest. This event features a parade of lights, a tree lighting ceremony and the Taste of Talkeetna food festival, plus entertaining events like the Bachelor Auction and the Wilderness Woman Competition.

When it's time to look up in the sky for the lights, local aurora hunters recommend heading out of town to Christiansen Lake or past the airport on Beaver Road. If you prefer to stay close by, look north into the sky toward Denali from Talkeetna Riverfront Park.

• Talkeetna Alaskan Lodge : Book a Mountain View room for views of Denali and the Alaskan Range. The cozy lodge offers multiple dining venues, including the award-winning Foraker Restaurant.
• Talkeetna Lakeside Cabins : These cabins provide peace and quiet on a private lake just 12 miles from Talkeetna.

Denali National Park

Denali National Park is another spectacular place to view the northern lights in Alaska – not to mention one of the top tourist attractions in the U.S. The National Park Service says almost everywhere within the park is free from city light pollution, so if the conditions are right (meaning that's it's clear and dark enough), you should be able to see the aurora borealis, especially when looking toward the northern horizon.

However, when wintertime rolls around – from September or October through April – it's more difficult to access parts of the park, even though it's open year-round. Keep in mind, too, that the lodges closest to the park are typically closed from mid-September to mid-May.

Where to stay: Located less than 15 miles from the Denali National Park entrance, the Aurora Denali Lodge offers year-round accommodations equipped with queen-sized beds, smart TVs and private bathrooms. Rates at the lodge include a continental breakfast, free Wi-Fi, free parking and complimentary hot drinks. What's more, the property says visitors can expect plenty of wildlife sightings, such as bears, moose, lynxes, owls and snowshoe hares, just outside your door.

Coldfoot Camp

Coldfoot Camp is situated above the Arctic Circle in the Brooks Mountain Range, near the Gates of the Arctic National Park and Preserve and the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. The remote wilderness destination is ideal for aurora viewing since it sits directly under the auroral oval. It's also the perfect locale for backcountry snowshoeing, wildlife viewing and dog mushing.

Where to stay: The Inn at Coldfoot Camp offers rustic accommodations located in trailers that once housed Alaskan pipeline workers. The rooms include two twin beds and a private bathroom and shower. Guests can dine at the on-site Trucker's Cafe, which offers breakfast and dinner buffets in the summer months and all-day a la carte dining in the winter. When you're ready for a cold one at the end of the day, check out the Frozen Foot Saloon and order an Alaska-brewed beer.

If you prefer camping and have your own gear , you can camp free of charge on the property during the summer months. Coldfoot Camp also hosts a selection of year-round Arctic adventures and excursions, including a trip to the nearby village of Wiseman for aurora viewing.

This remote wilderness retreat has just 13 full-time residents. Wiseman is located in Alaska's Brooks Range, about 15 miles north of Coldfoot Camp, 60 miles north of the Arctic Circle and 270 miles from Fairbanks. The community sits directly under the auroral oval, making it one of the best places in Alaska to view the northern lights. You can expect to see the spectacle in the sky in Wiseman about 250 nights a year, especially between late August and mid-April.

• Arctic Hive : Arctic Hive has the distinction of being the northernmost yoga studio in the U.S. A common fiberglass lodge allows guests to gather for cooking and meals, and meditation, educational gatherings and other activities are hosted in a geodesic dome. Arctic Hive also offers retreats that include northern lights viewing opportunities in February and March.
• Arctic Getaway : This bed-and-breakfast sits between the middle fork of the Koyukuk River and Wiseman Creek, offering three cabins. While here, you can learn what it's like to homestead in Alaska above the Arctic Circle and enjoy outdoor activities like dog sled rides across the vast wilderness, cross-country skiing , pack rafting and flightseeing by bush plane.
• Boreal Lodging : Reachable by vehicle, Boreal Lodging has several rental options, ranging from lodge rooms to larger cabins with living areas and kitchens.

Located in western Alaska overlooking the Norton Sound of the Bering Sea, Nome is the ending point for the more than 1,000-mile, 51-year-old Iditarod Trail Dog Sled Race in March. Once the most populated city in Alaska, Nome had almost 20,000 residents and an average of 1,000 new people arriving daily during the height of the gold rush in 1899. Nome is a little quieter now, with a population of less than 4,000 residents.

Where to stay: Some of the best spots for viewing the aurora are at the end of town, where the 52-room Aurora Inn & Suites is located. The hotel conveniently offers car rentals on-site.

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Situated on the banks of the Arctic Ocean, Utqiagvik is the northernmost city in the U.S. The town, formerly known as Barrow, changed its name in 2016 back to Utqiagvik, its traditional Inupiaq name. Utqiagvik is only accessible by plane: Alaska Airlines and other regional carriers offer service from both Anchorage and Fairbanks.

Where to stay: For accommodations, make reservations at a hotel named for its location – the Top of the World Hotel . The property's comfortable rooms offer views of the Arctic Ocean, and the on-site restaurant, Niggivikput (meaning "our place to eat"), serves traditional local dishes like reindeer soup. While you may be there for aurora hunting, don't miss the excellent wildlife-viewing opportunities: You may see polar bears, caribou, foxes, bearded seals, whales, walruses, migratory birds and the great snowy owl on the tundra.

Borealis Basecamp

One of the best glamping destinations in the U.S. , Borealis Basecamp is a remote 100-acre property that sits within a boreal forest 25 miles north of Fairbanks. The property features 20 individual igloos, resembling those you'd find at Arctic research stations and on polar expeditions, as well as five glass cubes. All accommodations allow guests to gaze up at the aurora and the starry night sky while snuggled up in bed. You'll also enjoy many amenities you'd find in a hotel, including full bathrooms with toiletries and a selection of coffee, hot cocoa and tea.

Choose from a variety of packages that include accommodations and activities like dog-sledding, UTV tours, helicopter sightseeing experiences and more.

Getty Images

One of the best times to cruise to Alaska is during the aurora season. Aurora season sailings to Alaska are available with the following cruise lines this year.

If you're interested in excursions for aurora viewing, look for a line that offers cruisetours, such as Holland America. These tours offer the best of both worlds, giving you time on land and at sea to view the dancing night sky. Holland America's cruisetours range from overnight stays just 2 miles from Denali National Park at the McKinley Chalet Resort to a domed luxury train ride through Alaska's backcountry on the McKinley Explorer. On a Tundra Wilderness Tour in Denali, look for Alaska's "Big Five": grizzly bears, moose, caribou, Dall sheep and wolves. Just keep in mind that none of the above cruise lines can guarantee you'll see the northern lights during your journey.

The best northern lights tours in Alaska

Jody Overstreet | Courtesy of State of Alaska

If you want to experience the aurora borealis by joining a tour group, you'll find a variety of options led by expert guides and granting you easier access to many of the state's remote destinations, often with other activities included. (Just be aware that, on any tour or excursion, there's no way to guarantee that the aurora will be visible.) These are some of the best northern lights tours in Alaska:

Arctic Dog Adventure Co.: Aurora Overnight Tour

Dog-sledding is one of the top winter activities in Alaska, and you can choose to do it by day or night. If you want to experience an Alaska dog-sledding adventure while chasing the aurora, book a once-in-a-lifetime experience with Arctic Dog's Aurora Overnight Tour. Highlights of this two-day, one-night excursion – which starts in Fairbanks – are dog mushing your own sled team and glamping in a heated tent under an aurora-filled sky. Other features of the tour include cold weather gear, a photography lesson and Alaska-inspired meals.

Alaska Wildlife Guide: Northern Lights & Murphy Dome Tour

Located around 20 miles northwest of the city, Murphy Dome is regarded as one of the best places to watch the northern lights in Fairbanks at nearly 3,000 feet above sea level. This location, once home to Murphy Dome Air Force Station with as many as 250 personnel stationed at the base, now houses a long-range radar station that detects military air threats from overseas.

Alaska Wildlife Guide leads 5.5-hour northern lights tours to Murphy Dome, typically from late August to early April – you can check with the company for day-to-day tour availability. Excursion prices include round-trip transportation from Fairbanks, 360-degree views of the north-facing sky, hot beverages and bottled water – in addition to (hopefully) hours of memorable aurora viewing.

Alaska Wildlife Guide: Northern Lights & Arctic Circle Tour

This full-day (14-hour) excursion, also offered by Alaska Wildlife Guide, begins in Fairbanks and crosses the Arctic Circle into Alaska's vast and remote wilderness. The tour includes a drive along the more than 800-mile Trans-Alaskan Pipeline and a half-mile walk along the loop at Finger Mountain with views overlooking the Kanuti Flats (depending on the season). Your guide will also stop along the riverbank after crossing the Yukon River Bridge.

During the tour, you'll learn about the history of the pipeline and hear narratives around the other included stops. A snack and warm beverage are included; then, if conditions are just right, you'll have the chance to see the brilliant light show dance across the dark, clear skies before you arrive back in Fairbanks at dawn.

Alaska Journey Tours: Northern Lights (Aurora) Chasing Tour

Get picked up at your Fairbanks hotel (or meet at the Hyatt Place Fairbanks) for this three-hour northern lights tour in a heated SUV. Guides take photos of tourgoers as well as their own photos of the night sky, which are later shared with the group. Recent travelers praise this tour, and appreciate that the guides are always determined to give them the best northern lights viewing experience.

Alaska Tours: Bettles Lodge Winter Adventure

Hosted by Alaska Tours, the Bettles Lodge Winter Adventure is available January to March and August to December. This excursion includes two, three or four nights at this wilderness lodge about 35 miles north of the Arctic Circle. During the winter days, enjoy outdoor Arctic sports such as snowshoeing and cross-country skiing or stay warm indoors chatting with other guests at the Aurora Lodge. In the evenings, you can bundle up and head outside at one of the best places in Alaska to see the spectacle in the sky.

Prices include round-trip airfare between Fairbanks and Bettles, accommodations at the lodge, meals, a village tour and complimentary use of the Arctic gear (in season).

Alaska Photo Treks: Anchorage Aurora Quest

Alaska Photo Treks offers one of the best ways to see the northern lights in Anchorage – and you'll even learn how best to photograph the aurora, which can be a challenge to capture digitally or on film. This experience, the Anchorage Aurora Quest, is available nightly (when conditions are right), typically from mid-August to mid-April. The approximately six-hour guided tour with a professional photographer explains the science behind the northern lights and provides photo tips for budding aurora photographers in a small-group format. Tourgoers are picked up from their hotel by the guide at about 10 p.m. and return around 4 a.m., though that time can vary based on the aurora forecast.

On the Alaska Photo Treks website, you'll find a list of recommended camera equipment to bring. If you're using a smartphone, the tour group suggests downloading an aurora app and bringing a tripod. The company also advises that you'll be outdoors for about two hours, so you need to dress appropriately for the weather. For the best aurora viewing, the guides usually travel between one to three locations within a 70-mile radius of Anchorage. If you're in town for an extended stay, Alaska Photo Treks also offers a four-day pass for even more nocturnal viewing of the auroral activity.

Alaska Tours: Chena Hot Springs and Northern Lights

Chena Hot Springs Resort is known for its therapeutic waters and aurora-viewing opportunities. If you prefer to head out with a guide rather than on your own, book the Chena Hot Springs and Northern Lights tour with Alaska Tours. This package includes a four- to five-hour Aurora Expedition tour, four nights of accommodations, and access to resort amenities including cross-country skiing and snow machine tours.

Alaska Wildlife Guide: Northern Lights and Chena Hot Springs

Day trips are also an option for those who'd like to enjoy the resort amenities and a chance at seeing the northern lights from Chena Hot Springs. This tour offered by Alaska Wildlife Guide includes admission to the hot springs and Aurora Ice Museum as well as pickup from local hotels. Recent travelers say the tour guides are top-notch.

John Hall's Alaska: Alaska's Winter Wonders

For an extended land tour to chase the aurora – and experience Alaska's magical winter wonderland – book this bucket list eight-day adventure with John Hall's Alaska. The company's Alaska's Winter Wonders tour is offered in February and March; it features up to seven nights of northern lights viewing, as well as adventure-filled days with skiing, snowmobiling and snowshoeing. You'll also take an awe-inspiring flightseeing bush plane ride over Denali National Park, which includes a fly-by of the Foraker, Silverthorne, Hunter and Moose's Tooth peaks before landing on the Great Gorge of Ruth Glacier – the deepest in the world.

If that's not enough adventure, test your skills at dog mushing and curling or take an aerial tram ride. Travelers can also check out the local breweries or just sit back, relax and enjoy the spectacular views. Additional highlights include spending two evenings under the dancing night sky in one of the domed igloos at Borealis Basecamp, as well as aurora borealis photography lessons.

All-inclusive pricing covers accommodations, meals, luxury land and small plane transportation, fully guided service, gratuities, and baggage handling – plus a black subzero jacket to keep you warm during your Alaska adventure.

Why Trust U.S. News Travel

Gwen Pratesi is an avid travel adventurer who fell in love with Alaska on her first visit to the state many years ago. She's returned several times on land trips and by ship for year-round outdoor adventure and to chase the northern lights in one of the best places on the planet to view them. She writes about the travel and culinary industries for a variety of major publications.

You might also be interested in:

• The Top Packable Jackets
• The Top Things to Do in Alaska
• How to See the Northern Lights in Iceland
• The Best Travel Insurance Companies

Tags: Travel , Alaska Vacations , Vacation Ideas

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The Best And Worst Things About Taking An Alaskan Cruise Depending On The Season

A laska is one of the most wild and wonderful places to visit in the United States. It's the largest state in the nation and contains over 57 million acres of designated wilderness — which is 54% of the wilderness in the entire country. Within Alaska, you'll find more than 3 million lakes and 3,000 rivers. It's often referred to as "America's Last Frontier" as so much of it remains unspoiled and unexplored. It's the perfect destination for nature lovers, adventurers, and those who dream of traveling off the beaten path to lands untouched by the modern world.

Navigating Alaska's rugged landscape can be extremely challenging and even dangerous unless you're an experienced outdoor adventurer. Avalanches, bears, and extreme conditions are just a few of the risks travelers face when traveling through Alaska.

Most tourists who visit the gorgeous region choose to embark on an Alaskan cruise, which is a safe and convenient way to experience the natural beauty. According to the state's Resource Development Council , more than half of tourists who travel to Alaska arrive via a cruise ship. Cruising allows you to get up close and personal with remote glaciers, marine life, and so much more. Summer is certainly the busiest season for Alaskan cruises, but each season offers its own special magic (and some potential drawbacks).

Read more: 50 Of The Most Mesmerizing Places On Earth

Cruising Alaska In The Spring And Summer Offers Ideal Weather (Along With Crowds)

Alaska has more than 6,000 miles of coastline, meaning there's plenty of epic views to enjoy right from the deck of your cruise ship. Summer is certainly the most popular season for Alaskan cruises. During the summer months, you can experience the magical midnight sun due to Alaska's proximity to the North Pole. The light outdoors will resemble twilight throughout the beautiful summer nights, which is a fascinating phenomenon for visitors that offers even more time to enjoy the sights and spot wildlife. Keep an eye out for bears , seals, and dolphins. The weather is enough of a reason to consider visiting Alaska during the high tourist season . Summer temperatures are pleasant and usually hover between 60 and 70 degrees Fahrenheit with plenty of sunshine. Furthermore, the towns and villages along your cruise route will be lively and full of activities to enjoy.

The spring months are also incredible times to visit. Whales usually begin to arrive back in Alaskan waters as early as April. Humpback whales congregate in various areas along the coast in May, while the best time to see Orcas is between May and June. Spring is also an excellent time to spot moose. Wildflowers begin to bloom as the earth awakens. 

Of course, with summer and spring being ideal months for an Alaskan cruise, you can also expect the crowds and prices to match. Keep in mind, though, that cruises and land tours are often more affordable during the shoulder season. Book earlier in the spring to save some money.

Autumn And Winter Are Great For Wildlife And Northern Lights Viewing (But The Weather Is No Joke)

Temperatures begin to drop in Alaska as early as August and September, but Autumn is still a lovely time to embark on an Alaskan cruise. Wildlife is still abundant, and it's the perfect time to witness the salmon spawning in streams and rivers. Humpback whales are active in September, and you'll likely see Caribou on their way to winter pastures. Similar to the spring shoulder season, prices on cruises and activities in Alaska are less expensive in the early fall.

September through April are the best times to visit Alaska for stunning views of the northern lights,  a sight that sits on the top of many travelers' bucket lists. In honor of the breathtaking natural phenomenon, Autumn and winter in Alaska are known as the Aurora Season.

The biggest drawback to cruising during this time is the cold itself. In fact, most Alaskan cruises don't operate after October due to the frigid winter temperatures. But if you're searching for the ultimate way to experience Alaska's winter wonderland, UnCruise offers a unique winter option in February and March. It's an excellent option for winter sports enthusiasts as it makes plenty of stops for skiing and snowboarding excursions. Snowshoeing and ice skating excursions on shore are also offered, as well as excellent chances of catching glimpses of the stunning Aurora Borealis.

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Winter Storm Warnings for 3 States As Blowing Snow To Strike

Residents in parts of Alaska, Montana, and Colorado, have been warned to brace for a fierce storm set to slash visibility as high winds whip up heavy snowfall that could make travel "impossible."

A "winter weather advisory" was issued for much of Alaska on Monday, but National Weather Service (NWS) experts have now changed their alerts to the more serious "winter storm warning" for some parts.

That means that "severe winter weather conditions are expected or occurring. This will "make travel very difficult or impossible," forecasters warned. Meanwhile, some areas in Colorado are set to see snow accumulations of up to 18 inches in some areas, and mountainous areas of Montana have been hit with an "avalanche danger" notice.

The news comes just weeks after Alaska saw a fierce snowstorm that cut visibility to just half a mile in some areas, when up to six inches of snow fell and winds hit up to 55 miles per hour across the north. The latest winter storm warning was issued by NWS Fairbanks, and the warning will remain in effect until midnight on Tuesday. Forecasters warned of snow accumulations of up to 10 inches, with winds gusting as high as 50 miles per hour. Visibility will be just "one quarter mile or less at times," the agency said.

The warning covers the Southern Seward Peninsula Coast, the Interior Seward Peninsula, and Noatak Valley.

A similar warning was in place for Diomede and Bering Strait Coast, although that is set to expire at 6:00 a.m. on Tuesday. Snow accumulation was likely to be between 3 to 5 inches there, according to the predictions.

While a further warning was put in place until noon for the Western Arctic Coast, including Point Hope, Point Lay, and Cape Lisburne. "The heaviest snow, strongest winds and lowest visibility are expected near Point Hope," according to the NWS.

The NWS Fairbanks office has been updating the alerts on social media site X (formerly Twitter ).

Winter Storm Warnings are currently in effect for heavy snow and blowing snow reducing visibility to 1/4 mi, as shaded in pink. Winter Weather Advisories for the blue shaded areas for snow and blowing snow reducing visibility to 1/2 mile or less are also in effect. #akwx pic.twitter.com/JLVY67CAoK — NWS Fairbanks (@NWSFairbanks) April 15, 2024

The warning in place for Colorado will remain in effect until 3:00 p.m. on Tuesday for the Rocky Mountain National Park and the Medicine Bow Range, as well as the Mountains of Summit County, the Mosquito Range, and the Indian Peaks.

The agency warned residents and drivers: "Heavy snow expected. Total snow accumulations between 8 and 18 inches, heaviest over the northern Front Range mountains. Winds gusting as high as 60 mph, strongest across the Front Range mountains." The forecasters added that drivers will need to take extra care, saying: "Roads will likely become slick and hazardous, with reduced visibility in blowing snow at times."

The warning for Montana covers the Pryor/Northern Bighorn Mountains, so those living near the mountain range across the state line in Wyoming will also need to take note. The warning will remain in place from 6:00 p.m. Tuesday until 6:00 p.m. Thursday. The warning stated: "Heavy snow expected. Total snow accumulations between 10 and 20 inches. Winds gusting as high as 40 mph creating significant blowing snow."

And forecasters warned of the potential dangers, writing: "Heavy wet snow and gusty winds may cause tree and power line damage resulting in power outages. Recreation in the high country will be impacted by heavy accumulating snow and near whiteout conditions at times. Travel could be very difficult to impossible on Highway 14 over the Bighorn mountains.

Read more: Emergency Funds: How to Build One and Where to Keep It

"Expect avalanche danger to increase. If you are heading to the high country be prepared for dangerous winter conditions. Be sure to let someone know your plans in case you become stranded."

Residents across the affected states should monitor their local news channels for the most up-to-date weather alerts.

• Weather alerts issued as drivers warned of snow in 5 states
• Winter storm is about to hit a cracked dam
• California snowpack makes unprecedented comeback

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