Winter Articles (Tagged)

Visitors should understand Alaska’s distinct seasons, weather, and climate and prepare the proper clothing to enjoy their visit to The Great Land.

Summer Season

This is the peak travel season in Alaska, from mid-May to Mid-September. The days are longest and the temperatures warmest. Some activities or accomodations may only be available during the summer. This season is ideal for outdoor activities. Visitors must plan ahead and book early to reserve hotels and tours. Sunsets are long, with spectacular colors. This is when Alaska is truly “The Land of the Midnight Sun”.

Snowshoe walks and hikes are a great way to get out into the great Alaska outdoors and enjoy the snow! Snowshoeing can be an easy stroll or a workout–it is up to you.
Visitors can rent snowshoes and learn how to wear and walk in them at many hotels and lodges in Alaska–visitors should confirm before booking. Many areas have marked trails you can follow.
Guided Snowshoe Tours
Snowshoe Tours with experienced professional guides are available. The guide will lead the group and ensure a safe and fun experience. This is a great way …

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.

Ski Juneau for a different Alaskan ski experience. Eaglecrest Ski Area is Juneau’s community-owned ski area. The views of Gastineau Channel are outstanding and the facilities are excellent, making for a unique ski experience.
Eaglecrest is located just 19 km from downtown Juneau on Douglas Island across the Gastineau Channel.
Eaglecrest has 2 chairlifts, a surface beginner lift, and over 258 hectares of skiable terrain. The area includes a lift-served Tubing Hill, 8 kilometers of groomed Nordic Trails, rentals, a professionally staffed Ski and Snowboard School, a day lodge, cafe, and souvenir …

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 Iditarod is known as the “Last Great Race on Earth” and is the premier international dog sled race, taking place in March of each year.

Winter is fun in Alaska, a winter wonderland graced by the mysterious Auroura Borealis. Places to see include Alyeska Ski Resort, Chena Hot Springs. Winter activities: ski, heli-ski, snowboard, snowmobile, dog sled tours, horse sleigh rides, and more.

For a unique ski getaway visit Alyeska Ski Resort, rated a Top 25 ski resort in the USA by Skiing Magazine in 2006. Mt. Alyeska boasts 2,000 feet of vertical terrain.