How to plan the ultimate Alaska winter vacation

There’s something so magical about winter in Alaska – a thick blanket of snow covering the landscape glistening in the low sunlight, the ethereal northern lights dancing overhead, the silence of snowfall, and the comforting respite of lounging or relaxing in front of a warm fire. A hot drink after a day of outdoor adventures. If you haven’t planned to visit Alaska in the winter, consider this your invitation. Read on to learn how to plan the ultimate winter vacation in Alaska.

Activities

While the days are shorter than the endless daylight of summer’s midnight sun, there’s no shortage of things to do in Alaska in the winter—and you’ll find tours and activities unavailable to summer visitors. Outdoor recreation enthusiasts will enjoy endless options for winter recreation opportunities to capture the heart: downhill and cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, fat tire biking and ice skating are enjoyed by visitors and locals alike on Alaskan winter days. Outfitters throughout the state are available to rent the gear you need to hit the trails and are more than happy to share recommendations on where to go.

Guided tours are another great way to experience some of Alaska’s favorite winter sports and activities. Hop on a dog sled to experience the power of the state’s amazing canine athletes, join a snowmobile tour (called a snow machine by locals) to explore the wintry backcountry landscape, or join a guided ice fishing trip complete with warm cabins to keep you cozy. For a unique and relaxing hot and cold experience, consider a jump in the pool—the thermal pools at Chena Hot Springs outside Fairbanks, that is, or the network of hot and cold pools nestled among the trees at the Aleska Nordic Spa. Girdwood.

A view of the northern lights

Visitors from all over the world travel to Alaska to see the spectacular northern lights, also known as the Aurora Borealis. Alaska is one of the best places on earth to see this otherworldly dance band in the green, yellow, red and purple of the night sky. The northern lights can be seen from August to April, and while they can be seen throughout the state, your best chance to see them is in the interior and arctic areas under the auroral oval, from communities such as Fairbanks, Coldfoot, Wiseman and Nome.

The DIY crowd can certainly find the lights themselves by tracking aurora forecasts like the statewide aurora forecast and the Fairbanks Aurora Tracker. However, for a better chance of seeing the northern lights, join a Northern Lights viewing tour. Mainly inland, guided tours in the south central and arctic regions take you away from the city lights to some of the northern lights viewing spots, with some tours specifically focused on northern lights photography. Better yet, stay a few nights at special accommodations like lodges, cottages, and igloos that are specially designed for northern lights viewing for a more relaxed way to maximize your aurora viewing. These accommodations can be located away from light pollution and include features such as aurora wake-up calls, floor-to-ceiling windows, heated viewing areas, and outdoor viewing platforms. And remember – if you hear the locals say “the lights are off” – that’s a good thing.

Winter festivals

Some of Alaska’s top festivals and events can be found in the winter months. Plan your trip around one of these events to take in Alaska’s fascinating culture, arts and history. To see world-class ice sculptures, plan a trip to Fairbanks in mid-February or March to see the World Ice Art Championships. This event is one of the largest ice art competitions in the world and attracts talented international ice sculptors, featuring stunning ice sculptures with colorful lights and an interactive ice playground. There’s also the Fairbanks Native Arts Festival in March, which celebrates Alaska Native culture through traditional dance, music and arts.

Anchorage’s premier winter event is the Fur Rendezvous, nicknamed the “Fur Rendezvous.” This February 12-day festival celebrates Alaska’s pioneering spirit and has been running since 1935. Fur Rondi features a Rondi carnival, ice sculptures, world championship sled dog races, zany outdoor races, reindeer runs and much more.

Immediately following the Fur Ronde begins the famous Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race, where mushers and dog teams compete over 1,000 miles from Willow to Nome. On the first weekend in March, you can start the race in Anchorage, where thousands of spectators from downtown Anchorage and other areas cheer on dog athletes and teams on the streets of the city. Head north to Willow City the next day to see the official start of the race, and a week later you can cheer on the groomsmen at the finish line in Nome.

Planning tips

• December 21 is the shortest day of the year. Fairbanks gets 3 hours and 45 minutes of daylight, Anchorage gets 4 ½ hours, and Juneau gets 6 ½ hours. Some communities in the Arctic region do not receive daylight for more than two months in winter. Long and dark nights are ideal for the northern lights, and every day after winter we start to get daylight. If you want to maximize your winter daylight hours, consider planning your trip from February-April.
• Pack plenty of warm layers, including hats, gloves, insulated boots, snow pants, and a warm jacket. Some winter tours, such as snowmobile tours, provide additional cold weather gear to keep you warm on the trail.
• If viewing the Northern Lights is your priority, give yourself a window of several days to search for the lights or join a tour. Aurora movement and weather conditions change so be sure to allow extra time to maximize your viewing opportunities.
• You’ll find smaller crowds, lower prices and more accommodation and activities during the winter months. However, it’s a good idea to book early to ensure your spot – especially if you’re traveling during the holidays or a winter festival.