Fairbanks Articles (Tagged)

A fantastic display of beautiful ice art and a fun-filled ice park for kids awaits visitors to the annual World Ice Art Championships in Fairbanks, Alaska. Every February and March the world’s best ice artists travel to Fairbanks to practice their art on the famous “arctic diamond” ice of Fairbanks.

The Northern Lights are a breathtaking magical display of light and color—truly one of nature’s wonders. The Northern Lights are the common name of the Aurora Borealis, named after the Roman goddess of the dawn, Aurora, and the Greek name for north wind, Boreas. The Aurora is a natural electromagnetic phenomenon.

The Aurora is most visible in the clear night sky, so the best viewing times in Alaska are from late August to April when the nights are longer. The Aurora is usually best viewed in northern locations, but can regularly be viewed in Anchorage all across Alaska. Actually, the farther south the Aurora occurs, the brighter and more active it is.

Chena Hot Springs Resort near Fairbanks features an outdoor hot springs lake, Ice Museum, Renewable Energy Center, and activity center. Summer activities include airplane tours, horseback riding, ATV 4-wheelers, hiking, biking, and rafting. Winter activities include dog sled rides, snowmachine rides, horse sleigh rides. Aurora viewing is best from September-March. The Ice Museum is open year-round and features beautiful ice sculptures of renowned ice artists, as well as an Ice Bar serving Appletini martini drinks. The Renewable Energy Center showcases research facilities where new technologies are developed with partners such as the University of Alaska Fairbanks and United Technologies Corporation (UTC). The Renewable Energy Center includes the next-generation geothermal energy powerplant and the greenhouse facility.

The Yukon Quest is a an epic dog sled race across the frozen wilderness of Alaska and the Yukon in the freezing depth of winter. Fifty of the world’s top mushers and their dog teams race across 1,000 miles (1,600 km) in this international dog sled race between Fairbanks, Alaska and Whitehorse in the Yukon terriroty of Canada. The Yukon Quest upholds the frontier spirit of the goldrush days. Mushers carry mandatory equipment, food and supplies at all times. Visitors can view the race in Fairbanks and Chena Hot Springs.

The beautiful Northern Lights are truly a sight to see, an active show of lights (and magic!). The Aurora Borealis is visible about 243 nights a year in Fairbanks, Alaska. This is one of the main reasons why Fairbanks should be called the Aurora Capital of the World.

The midnight sun makes the days long in the summer, so the best time to view the aurora is from late August to April. Visitors who stay 4 nights have over a 90% chance to see the aurora. Winter is a great time to visit, because of the long nights and exciting events in Fairbanks such as the World Ice Art Championships and the Yukon Quest International Dog Sled Race.

Aurora Borealis activity in the Fairbanks area is incredible. The Northern Lights are visible about 243 nights a year in and around Fairbanks. Visitors come from around the world to view the beautiful aurora in Fairbanks, the Aurora Capital of the World. Learn about the best times and places for aurora viewing in the Fairbanks area including Cleary Summit and Chena Hot Springs.

Best Place. Aurora viewing is best done away from city lights. Hilltops are best, but not required. Aurora viewing is very popular at Cleary Summit, about 19 miles from Fairbanks. There are several lodges good for aurora viewing.