Alaska In Winter
Activities in Fairbanks
Arctic Circle Winter Drive (https://www.viator.com/tours/Fairbanks/Arctic-Circle-Winter-Drive/d5269-28440P3): This tour is really long (around 16 hours), they offer various other types of tours too, including one where you can spend the night with them for Aurora viewing. They will make a few stops to see the Dalton Highway sign, Arctic Circle Trading Post, Enchanted Forest, Arctic Circle Sign and Yukon River Camp for lunch & dinner.
Chena Hot Springs Resort (https://chenahotsprings.com): You can buy a day pass to enjoy the Hot Spring for as long as you want. You need to buy a separate ticket to visit the Aurora Ice Museum, they only offer guided tours at certain times. The minimum age to use the Hot Spring is 18 years. Children under 18 years can use indoor spa and heated pool. This resort is a 1hr 30mins drive from Fairbanks. Many people spend the night in the resort but we drove back to our hotel. The road to Chena Hot Spring from Fairbanks has several pullouts and is one of the popular roads to spot wildlife, aurora and hiking. There is no gas station at Chena Hot Spring Resort area and the nearest one is 40 mins away (Pleasant valley which is towards Fairbanks) and closes at 8PM.
Snowmobiling (https://rodsalaskanguideservice.com): You need to have a Driver's License to be a driver but anyone can be a passenger (minimum age 5 years). This is near the city of North Pole (close to Fairbanks). They have a massive Christmas shop which is open all year called Santa Claus House (https://www.santaclaushouse.com/visit.asp) which is fun stop.
Dog mushing tour (https://www.pawsforadventure.com): They offer tours of various lengths, our tour was 30 mins long.
Castner Glacier Ice Cave hike (https://www.blm.gov/visit/castner-glacier-trail): This hike was around 3 miles roundtrip and it should only be done when the ground is completely frozen and there is daylight. The trail is unmarked, just need to follow the footsteps left by people who visited before you. Follow the weather closely before getting on the trail. This valley is infamous for high wind and blowing snow because there are no trees. Prepare for such weather conditions and plan for a morning hike so that you’re back before dark. When you arrive at the trailhead which is a large plowed parking space, observe the weather and hikers activity before committing to the hike. There are different routes leading to the glacial cave for winter and summer access. Follow the packed trail and don’t go off the trail if hiking without a guide. The trail passes over castner creek which would be frozen in winter and you may risk falling through frozen ice if the ice underneath is not strong enough.
Activities in Anchorage
Matanuska Glacier guided tour (https://glacier-tours.com): It is 2 hours away from Anchorage, so pick a tour time suitable for you. The entire hike is 2-3 hours long. It might not be suitable for children below a certain age, so check with them before booking.Scenic drive 1: You can drive to the scenic town of Talkeetna and visit Denali Brewpub, the food and vibe were great.Scenic drive 2: Beluga Point and Wind Surfboard Overlook.
Alyeska Ski Resort (https://www.alyeskaresort.com): You can either go skiing or take the Alyeska Aerial Tram to the top of the mountain. They have restaurants so you can spend some time enjoying drinks + view.
Aurora Viewing & More
The chance of seeing Aurora is greater from Fairbanks than Anchorage since Fairbanks is further up north. There is no guarantee of when Aurora can be seen. Try to drive at least 20 - 30 mins outside the city on a non-cloudy day and invest an entire night if possible. Stay in your car with food, water, blanket, lights and keep checking the sky until sunrise. Few good spots for Aurora viewing (https://www.explorefairbanks.com/blog/post/local-northern-lights-viewing/). We saw the aurora Cleary Summit Aurora Viewing Area and Murphy Dome.
There is an excellent Indian restaurant in Fairbanks: Hari Om Cuisine Of India. It is the Northernmost Indian restaurant in North America
You can do small hikes around Fairbanks, we did one in Twin Bears Camp in Fairbanks which was a 1 mile round trip.
Driving & Safety
Always rent an All Wheel Drive or 4WD vehicle. That’s non-negotiable!!
Regular rental car companies don’t let cars on Dalton highway. Only three rental agencies from Fairbanks allow cars on Dalton Highway. I would strongly insist not to push this boundary as weather and driving circumstances could instantly change on Dalton Highway and people often find themselves stranded. Not to forget that the portion of this highway is partly gravel, cell phone reception is lost an hour before you hit the Dalton Highway and Elliot Highway junction. The rental companies who rent out cars to take on Dalton Highway are equipped with spare tires, CB radios and maybe satellite phones too (not sure). This highway is mostly used by truckers and all vehicles use CB radio to communicate for passing and exchanging information about road and weather conditions.
Never let your gas go beyond half tank. Fill it up at every opportunity you get if you’re close to half tank. Same goes with using toilet facilities.
In winter it’s a wise idea to buy a shovel from Walmart or similar stores. You can always return it if not used or leave it in the vehicle for future renters. There could be numerous occasions where you could get stuck while chasing aurora in the dark especially if you’re not accustomed with the area.
There’s only one weather forecasting station in Fairbanks. All weather forecasts for nearby locations (20-30mile+ radius) and beyond are approximate and you should be ready to play by ear.
While driving use pullouts to let faster drivers pass to ensure safety of everyone on the road. If there are no pullouts, slow down and use hand signals to let them pass. Don’t get provoked to go faster than you’re comfortable or else you could end up in Moose’s den.
Based on the month you’re visiting, it’s a good idea to rent bear sprays. $5-$7 per day and it’s worth it if you find yourself in some unwanted company while hiking.
