Arctic Circle Adventure

This seven-day itinerary highlights the best of winter activities in Fairbanks, combined with dog sledding, a small plane flight, and unrivaled northern lights viewing above the Arctic Circle.

Day 1: Fairbanks

Winter is a busy season in Fairbanks, thanks to its combination of easy air access, winter festivals, and opportunities to see the northern lights. When you settle in to a cozy log cabin, B&B, or rustic lodge for the night, let the staff know you’d like a wake-up call if the northern lights are visible.

Day 2: Chena Hot Springs

Rent a winter-ready car in Fairbanks and enjoy a scenic, 60-mile drive through Chena River State Recreation Area to overnight at Chena Hot Springs. The nearby lodge offers many day tours, including dog sled rides, snowmobiling tours (or as it’s called in Alaska, "snowmachining"), and “snow coach” rides, along with a spectacular, year-round ice museum carved by two of the world’s best ice artists. Soak off the chill in the outdoor geothermal hot springs pool, and keep your eyes on the sky for sightings of the northern lights. Overnight at Chena Hot Springs Resort. 

Day 3: Fairbanks

Head back to Fairbanks in the morning. If you're visiting in mid-February through the end of March, make sure to visit the World Ice Art Championships, one of the largest ice art competitions in the world. This event attracts talented ice carvers from around the world who carve stunning ice sculptures lit up with colorful lights. Visitors can walk among the sculptures along the sculpture trail and play in the interactive ice playground. Also plan a visit to the Museum of the North, which features both contemporary and classic Alaska art along with natural history artifacts in one of Alaska’s finest collections. In the evening, enjoy a local brew at one of Fairbanks' local breweries and distilleries. 

Day 4: Fairbanks to Coldfoot

Join a local tour operator for a three-day, two-night adventure above the Arctic Circle to the tiny work camp of Coldfoot. On the flight north, you’ll cross the Arctic Circle and Yukon River. Spend the night in Coldfoot.

Day 5: Coldfoot

Gear up and head out to enjoy the stunning winter landscape of the high Arctic on a guided dog sled expedition. Keep an eye out for wildlife including arctic foxes, snowshoe hares, and caribou, plus the northern lights shining in the expansive Arctic sky. Because Coldfoot is located near the center of the “aurora oval” and has many clear nights, you have great odds of seeing spectacular aurora displays overhead. Spend another night in Coldfoot.

Day 6: Coldfoot to Fairbanks

Return to Fairbanks via a chauffeured drive on the Dalton Highway, the northernmost highway in the United States. Along the way, you’ll see the famed Trans-Alaska Pipeline and cross the frozen Yukon River. As you cross the Arctic Circle on the way south, you’ll stop for a ceremonial photo opportunity. Spend the night in Fairbanks.

Day 7: Fairbanks

Round out your trip with a local kennel tour and dog sled ride, or stretch your legs on the extensive network of lighted, groomed Nordic ski trails in the area. Find some souvenirs to take home with you at one of the local art galleries that showcase the work of creative locals and Alaska Native artisans.