Hi adventure fam!
For those of you following along, many of you know I just got back from a bucket list trip to Alaska! But unlike a lot of the people who visit in the sunnier, warmer months I got the chance to experience the last frontier in the middle of winter! Why choose Alaska in the winter? Let me show you!
First off, there are some things you need to know if you consider visiting this state in the colder, harsher months of the year. Alaska is definitely a wild place with some rugged terrain, especially as you travel more north. The tradeoff for very rough, icy roads is the chance at seeing the elusive Aurora Borealis. For me, it was a no brainer and so completely worth it, but for all of you wanting to see Alaska this time of year, I definitely recommend some previous level of experience dealing with snow and ice, especially on the roads. Always use caution, practice avalanche safety if you are out exploring, and be ready for any and all weather conditions!
We had another unique opportunity to try out van life with River Wild Campervans. For those of you who know me well, you know that van life has been on my list for a while and let me tell you, it did not disappoint! I absolutely loved the flexibility and spontaneity it allows, as well as the simplicity and peace found with life on the road. The van was cozy and stayed warm even in winter thanks to its generator, and it was the perfect homebase for our winter adventure. Check them out hereand see my Instagram for more of what van life has to offer!
So what is there to do in Alaska in the winter time? Here are my top 5! And for details about the specific route that we drove, see the bottom of this blog!
1. See the Northern Lights
Alaska is one of the best places in the United States to see the northern lights. The climate, dark skies found in winter, and lack of light pollution all contribute to a higher chance of seeing this phenomenon. I will say, though, that it’s not a guarantee you will see them just because you go in winter! We stayed up to look for them all seven nights and only saw them once. It truly is luck of the draw. BUT to maximize your chances and for photography tips for the northern lights, click here.
2. Van Life
As I already mentioned, this was a huge draw for me. Alaska is notoriously busy in the summer months thanks to the many cruise ships that dock in its waters. Visiting this state in the winter allows you to explore without the threat of tourists everywhere you turn. But Alaska is HUGE! Unless you truly plan to simply fly into one city for one specific activity (like flying into Fairbanks just to look for the aurora), you will need a car to explore. Normal cars will NOT keep you warm in the cold winter, so opt for a heated van instead of a hotel.
3. The Iditarod
Alaska is home to The Last Great Race, aka the Iditarod. This dog sled race covers 1,000 miles of harsh terrain and the mushers who compete and finish this race are truly the best of the best. Every year, typically the first week of March, the Iditarod has its ceremonial start in Anchorage with lots of festivities and then the true restart the next day in Willow. People come out in droves to see the dogs run and it is an incredible atmosphere and way to really meet some of the Alaskan locals!
Surrounding the race there is a week long festival called the Fur Rondy. They have everything from a carnival, native crafts markets, the running of the reindeer (look it up, you won’t regret it), and more! Such a fun way to immerse into this incredible tradition and see the spirit of Alaska for yourself.
4. Snow Sports
Just because the ground is covered in snow doesn’t mean there aren’t plenty of outdoor activities to explore! Everywhere we went we saw people snowmobiling, snowshoeing, or sledding. A lot of companies also do flight tours this time of year as well. We did one around Denali with K2 aviation and it was an incredible experience. To see one of my favorite peaks from the air like that… amazing!
5. Visit a remote hot spring
A lot of people have asked me about my trip up to Chena Hot Springs. This naturally occurring spring lies about an hour and a half north of Fairbanks, Alaska and can only be reached by a very rough (and in the winter very icy) road. There is a resort you can stay at (definitely on the pricey side for a basic resort) or you can visit just for the hot springs. To me it was worth the trip and for all you northern lights seekers this is the perfect place!
So what route should you take? Depends on your goal! If you solely want to experience the aurora, I recommend flying into Fairbanks and solely exploring the towns/attractions there. But if you want to do everything on this list like we did, here is a simple itinerary for you!
*There is a lot of variability in drive time this time of year! I’m going to include what google told us it would take and how long it actually took us…
Day 1: Fly into Anchorage and drive to Tok as a stopping point as you head north (6.5-8 hours)
And look out for moose! Not kidding we saw 20+ on this drive.
Day 2: Tok to Fairbanks (3-4+ hours): Be sure to stop at the North Pole on your way! An adorable small town where everything screams Christmas! The light posts are shaped like candy canes, all street names are themed, and the Santa Clause House has any and every Christmas decoration/souvenir you could ever wish for.
Day 3: Fairbanks to Chena and stay at Chena Hot Springs (1.5-2.5 hours) And in Fairbanks, stop by Glacier Grind for coffee followed by Jason’s Donuts. Jason’s sells out almost daily, so hit this spot early!
Day 4: Chena to Denali (or stay north in Nenana for another shot at seeing the aurora) (4.5-6 hours), also beware that most stuff involving Denali National Park is closed this time of year.
Day 5: Head to Anchorage: explore downtown and/or experience the Iditarod!
Day 6: Either go south or back north to Talkeetna for a Denali flight tour!
***Leave room for adventure***
The best part of Alaska any time of year is how free of a place it is. Most of Alaska is public land, so with the van you don’t need a set plan. Drive around, take roads that look beautiful and you never know where you will end up! The night we saw the northern lights we had no plan of where we would be. But we found an incredible spot just south of Nenana and had the best night. Having flexibility and being open to the adventures you encounter is truly what makes Alaska special!
This is a very basic itinerary as it really does depend on you! In winter it is all about your desire for your trip and how much spontaneity you want to allow for. If you have any questions or want some help planning your trip, please send me a message below!
Alaska is a place I have absolutely fallen in love with this past year. Both in summer and winter this place is indescribable. It truly has stolen my heart and I hope that someday you all get to experience what makes this state so special every time of year.
Happy adventures, fam!
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