While spring break in Alaska may not include lounging on a beach to soak up the sun, how about lounging in a hot springs after a day of snowy adventures while soaking up the northern lights ? The daylight increases rapidly in the spring and with that comes more time to take advantage of springtime fun in Alaska. This special and somewhat under-the-radar time to visit the 49th state offers…, Daylight & Weather, Gone are the darker days of winter by early March, when Alaska gets over 10 hours of daylight and gains anywhere from 4 to 20 minutes of daylight each day through the spring (depending on where you are in the state). Late spring marks the official start of midnight sun season: by the end of May we see nearly 18 hours of daylight in Juneau , 19 hours in Anchorage , over 20 hours in Fairbanks , and…, Things to do in Alaska in Spring, Activities, With snow on the ground for much of Alaska through late spring, this time of year offers the sweet spot for winter outdoor activities with the sun high in the sky and warmer temperatures. Skiing (downhill and cross country), snowshoeing, fat tire biking, and other snow sports along with winter tours like dog sledding and snowmachining are made even more brilliant with spring sunshine bouncing…, Wellness Experiences, After all that activity you may be ready to kick up your feet and relax – and what’s spring break without a little R&R? Two of the best spots for soaking away what ails you are the Alyeska Nordic Spa in Girdwood and Chena Hot Springs outside of Fairbanks . The indoor/outdoor relaxation experience at the new Alyeska Nordic Spa features hot, warm, and cold pools along with saunas, steam rooms,…, Birding & Wildlife Viewing, Spring in Alaska offers some unique wildlife viewing experiences that you won’t find any other time of year. Millions of birds, including over 250 different species, and tens of thousands of whales make their incredible journeys to Alaska on their annual spring migrations. Some of the top destinations for spring birding include Juneau , Wrangell , Fairbanks , Homer , and Cordova . Birding…, Spring Festivals & Events, In addition to birding festivals , Alaska hosts spring festivals and events that highlight Alaska culture, tradition, and history, including one of the most famous of them all: the Iditarod Sled Dog Race . This exciting endurance race kicks off with a ceremonial start in downtown Anchorage the first Saturday in March and an official start the next day in Willow . Learn more about how you can…, Early Season Cruises, Cruise season in Alaska is starting earlier than ever, with most cruise lines launching their first departures in the spring. UnCruise Adventures kicks off the season with their first sailings in early April. They will also be launching Alaska’s first-ever winter cruise starting in February 2024 that will highlight winter sports and northern lights viewing. Princess, Royal Caribbean, Holland…, Other Perks for Spring Travel, It’s not just the diverse activities that should draw you to Alaska in the spring. Tours and activities are often cheaper this time of year and you’ll typically find better deals on airfare, accommodations , and cruises than during peak summer season. Visiting Alaska during shoulder season also has the added benefit of less crowds and more availability for hotels and activities. Now’s the time…
Type: Editorial
Backpacking and thru-hiking in Alaska doesn't mean you need to adventure far off the beaten path! Alaska has some incredible thru-hikes with routes and trails charted, so you can simply prepare and enjoy Alaska's beautiful backcountry on your own two feet. As with all multi-day hikes, be sure to check local weather updates, pack proper gear, carry bear spray, take wildlife precautions, and bring…, Resurrection Pass Trail, Kenai Peninsula, Distance:, 39 miles, one-way, Time:, 3-6 days, The Trail, Resurrection Pass Trail runs north to south and can be started from either trailhead: the north trailhead near Hope or the south trailhead near Cooper Landing . Climbing gradually from both directions, the trail features views of dense forests, rivers, and mountains at lower elevations and open alpine terrain above treeline, dotted with eight public use cabins along the way. Wildlife in the Kenai…, Where to Stay, There are campsites and public use cabins off the trail. If you’d like to reserve a cabin, they are available between May 1st and September 30th, but do so well in advance as cabins are typically booked ahead of time. Camping is simple as there are campsites dotting the trail, available on a first come, first serve basis. Though campsites are often available even at the last minute, in the worst…, Russian Lakes Trail, Cooper Landing, Distance:, 21 miles, one way, Time:, 2 days, The Trail, Located near Cooper Landing , this is one of the thru-hikes closest to Anchorage . You’ll be able to see Russian River Falls, Lower Russian Lake, and Upper Russian Lake. Please note that this trail has regular bear activity, and much of the trail is overgrown (bring bear spray). It’s a popular destination not only for hikers, but for birding and photographers as well. If you’re up for an epic, 60…, Where to Stay, There are three public use cabins and seven campsites along the trail beginning at mile 5.7 and ending at mile 19.2. Cabins are usually booked well in advance by other hikers, so be sure to reserve early. Campsites are also hard to find in peak summer months but camping is permitted anywhere along the trail. Learn more about Russian Lakes Trail . Russian Lakes Trail in Alaska, Bomber Traverse, Hatcher Pass, Distance:, 32 miles, round trip, Time:, 3 to 5 days, The Trail, This hut-to-hut backpacking trail in Hatcher Pass is full of adventure. The trail is challenging, crossing boulder fields, glaciers, and scree slopes, so preparations must be made to accommodate varying terrain. Not all of the backpacking trail is established, so only those experienced enough to chart routes, cross glaciers, and hike challenging terrain should attempt the trail., Where to Stay, The trail is best hiked in July through September and huts are available to rent, but those who wish to stay must be a member of the Mountaineering Club of Alaska . Camping is also an option along the trail. Learn more about the Bomber Traverse . Mint Hut on the Bomber Traverse in Hatcher Pass, K’esugi Ridge Trail, Denali State Park, Distance:, 29 miles, one way, Time:, 3-4 days, The Trail, Located in Denali State Park , this alpine trail is best hiked in late June through September. The trail offers opportunities to view wildlife, lakes, and the rolling alpine ridgeline, but the real draw is the unparalleled view of Denali and the jagged peaks of the Alaska Range. To arrange travel to and from the trail, shuttle services are available from Anchorage and Fairbanks to the trail,…, Where to Stay, Be sure to pack your tent! Camping along the trail is the only option for this hike, with many campsites dotting the trail. Learn more about the K'esugi Ridge Trail. K'esugi Ridge Trail in Denali State Park, Alaska, Lost Lake Trail, Seward, Distance:, 16 miles, one way, Time:, 2 days, The Trail, This is one of the most scenic hikes in the state, full of lakes, mountain vistas, and alpine ridge views. It is also a popular mountain biking trail (northbound) and is best used June through September. The trail begins in a rainforest area, eventually elevating hikers above the treeline to witness the shimmering blue waters of Lost Lake, waterfalls, high meadows, and even glaciers. Wildlife…, Where to Stay, Campsites are available along the trail beginning at mile 3.68 through 7.3. Learn more about the Lost Lake Trail . Lost Lake Trail near Seward, Chilkoot Trail, Skagway, Distance: 33 miles, one way Time: 3-5 days, The Trail, Walk in the historical footsteps of the tens of thousands of Stampeders that hiked from Skagway to the Yukon during the Klondike Gold Rush in search of their fortune. Originally a Tlingit trade route, the route over Chilkoot Pass has a long history as an important route connecting the coastal region of the Inside Passage to Canada’s Yukon Territory. Today, the trail is part of the Klondike Gold…, Where to Stay, There are nine designated backcountry campgrounds along the way. Camping is only permitted at these sites and campgrounds must be booked in advance when reserving your permit . Campgrounds feature wooden platforms, pit toilets, food storage lockers, and some have warming cabins and on-site Park Rangers. Learn more about the Chilkoot Trail . Bridge on the way to historic Dyea near Skagway, In the Works – the Alaska Long Trail, While it’s still too early to plan your trip around the Alaska Long Trail , local non-profit Alaska Trails and the Long Trail Coalition are working to develop the ultimate Alaska thru-hike. The Alaska Long Trail will travel over 500 miles from Seward to Fairbanks with stops in gateway communities including Anchorage , Talkeetna , Cantwell , and Nenana for trail access and resupply stops. The…
Type: Editorial
Adventure and Alaska go hand in hand. Where else can you trek across a glacier, fly over the wilderness in a bush plane, watch a massive brown bear snag salmon from a waterfall, and explore millions of acres of parklands? Alaska's raw, beautiful, and unrelenting terrain teems with opportunities for adventure experiences unlike anything else in the world — and there's a trip to suit every ability…, zipline trip, , or speed through the forest or across a glacier behind a team of huskies on a dog sledding trip. And don’t forget the water sports : Alaska's many famous rivers, lakes, and protected coastal waters offer Alaska adventures that range from whitewater rafting (mild to wild), kayaking through icebergs in glacier-carved fjords, or snorkeling the near-coast waters. All that wild land makes Alaska the…
Type: Landing Page
Head off road and be prepared to play in the dirt on an Alaska ATV tour. These guided tours are especially popular in the Mat-Su Valley in Southcentral Alaska and in the wilderness areas outside Denali National Park & Preserve in Interior Alaska, getting you off the road system and into Alaska's backcountry. These open-air, all-terrain vehicles make short work of Alaska's rugged terrain,…
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Experiencing Alaska Native cultures is high on the list for many Alaska visitors — and with more than 10,000 years of human history — Alaska offers endless options for learning about our traditional lands, languages, and ways of being. Hear stories passed down from Elders and feel the heartbeat of drums used in traditional dancing. Watch a blanket toss at a whaling celebration, learn about totem…
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Alaska Native cultures are beautifully illustrated through the arts. Various Indigenous groups are known for their special talents and distinct styles of carving, beading, or weaving, or for their cultural dances, singing, and drumming. Visitors to Alaska can experience performances of traditional music and dance, and see numerous examples of both ancient and modern Alaska Native art in villages…, STORYTELLING, MUSIC, & DANCE, Storytelling has been a powerful part of various Alaska Native cultures for thousands of years. Gifted storytellers share myths and legends, fables, social customs, traditions, and family and tribal histories from generation to generation, teaching the young about their own culture. Celebrations of any kind usually involve music and dancing, often done in elaborate regalia and masks that help to…, WEAVING & BASKETRY, Basketry and weaving are ancient arts that are still flourishing today. The small, very finely woven baskets of the Unangax̂, Sugpiaq , and Yup’ik peoples are beautiful and functional works of art. They are traditionally made of rye grass, a resource found in abundance in the Aleutian Islands and Southwest Alaska. Traditionally, these baskets were used to hold food — and sometimes even water!…, BEADWORK, Many cultural groups in Alaska practice beadwork for their regalia, jewelry, and fine arts. Perhaps the best known is the intricate beadwork created by Athabascan artists in Interior and Southcentral Alaska who have created beautiful beaded clothing and moccasins, belts, jewelry, and other decorative objects for centuries. Traditionally, they used seeds, carved wooden beads, shells, and porcupine…, CARVING, Carving, as an art form, reflects the close ties that Alaska Native cultures maintain with the environment. The materials used come from the land, and the images usually represent animals, spirits, or places. Masks, used in ceremonies by all Alaska Native cultures, represent animals, people, birds, and fish. Carved in wood and bone, many masks are decorated with feathers, shells, and other…, FESTIVALS, Feasts and ceremonial gatherings have always been integral to Alaska Native cultures. These are often occasions of both social and economic importance to the community. Although certain practices are unique to specific cultural groups and regions, many ceremonial traditions are common to all Alaska Native communities. Typically, these gatherings involve dancing and singing, feasting, a gift…, HONORING ANIMAL SPIRITS, Community celebrations were — and still are — held to honor the spirits of animals killed in the hunt. Alaska Natives share a belief in the reincarnation of both people and animals. By honoring the animal spirits, they hope to ensure success in future hunting seasons. The Cup’ik traditionally held a “bladder festival” every year in November or early December. They believed that the spirit of the…, POTLATCHES, While associated primarily with Tlingit, Haida , and other peoples of the Northwest Coast, potlatches are held by many Alaska Native cultures. These large gatherings may be given for a variety of occasions — a memorial for a deceased relative, a naming ceremony for a child, the completion of a new house or of clan regalia, a wedding, or the creation of a totem pole. A potlatch might also be held…, GAMES, The World Eskimo-Indian Olympics (WEIO) Games began in 1961 as an attempt to revive traditions found in rural Alaska. These games celebrate physical skills Alaska Native people need to survive in the Arctic such as the Nalukataq (blanket toss), the scissors broad jump, the two-foot high kick, one hand reach, Alaska high kick, seal hop, ear pull, knee jump, and many more. Today, the games are a…, LOOK FOR THE SILVER HAND, Silver Hand Handcrafted items found in galleries and shops of Alaska Native artwork make very special gifts and are a wonderful way to remember your trip to Alaska. Be sure to look for the “Silver Hand” emblem when you shop: it’s a guarantee that the piece you want was made by an Alaska Native craftsperson or artist. The “Made in Alaska” symbol ensures that the piece was in fact crafted here, and…
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Some of Alaska's most spectacular scenery lives along the coast, where rocky beaches and misty rainforest alternate with craggy, steep-walled fjords carved out by ancient glaciers. Most glacier and wildlife cruises are day trips, weaving through icebergs and tracing the rugged coastline to view Alaska’s amazing marine wildlife., Whale Watching, Day cruises offer some of the best opportunities for Alaska whale watching. Species including humpback whales, orcas, gray whales, fin whales, and minke whales can be seen feeding and socializing in Alaska’s nutrient-rich waters. Their fascinating familial bonds and dynamic behaviors, including breaching, spy-hopping, spouting, and tail slapping, make whale watching a highlight of many visitors’…, Glaciers, Alaska’s glaciers are another highlight of day cruises in the state. Many cruises visit at least one glacier along the route, while some glacier-focused cruises view dozens of glaciers on a half-day tour. The experienced captains will navigate the boats to the end of glacially-carved fjords and bays to view the towering walls of ice. Once there, they will stop the vessel, and sometimes even turn…, Marine Wildlife, Not to be outshone by the larger marine mammals, Alaska’s waters are home to abundant marine wildlife that add excitement to day cruises. Steller sea lion colonies haul out on rocks and are an entertaining sight as they let bark loudly and dive into the water. Adorable sea otters can sometimes be seen linking arms and gathering in groups of over 100, called rafts of otters. Harbor seals haul out…, The Day-Cruise Experience, Most day cruise ships have warm, indoor cabins that you can retreat to if things get chilly or wet. But bad weather can mean good things for the views: believe it or not, a gray, drizzly day often makes for great whale watching, because the cool temperatures and limited sun bring the whales’ food closer to the surface. Clouds also make the stunning deep blues of glaciers more vibrant. The boat's…
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Alaska offers some of the most spectacular freshwater, saltwater, fly and even ice fishing in the world. It can be as easy as pulling off the side of the road and casting a line, or you can charter a boat or float plane to whisk you off to a secluded fishing spot. There are countless opportunities to reel in one of the more than 627 species that inhabit Alaska's waters, including a variety of…
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Alaska is serious fishing territory, so it's no surprise that you'll find plenty of day fishing trips that cater to fisherfolk of any stripe. Salmon and halibut are by far the most popular species to fish for, and many coastal communities host world-famous fishing derbies that award prizes to whoever catches the biggest fish. Some Alaska fishing charters even stay out overnight so that you can…, Saltwater Fishing in Alaska, Saltwater fishing (sometimes called “surf fishing”) takes place from a beach, boat, or pier. Saltwater fish are normally larger in size than freshwater fish but are more difficult to catch because of the current in the waters where they swim. With more coastline than the rest of the United States combined, there’s no shortage of saltwater fishing in Alaska. Depending on the season, you can catch…, Freshwater Fishing in alaska, Freshwater fishing refers to fishing in rivers, lakes, streams, and creeks. Different types of freshwater fishing include fly fishing, spin fishing, and ice fishing. Alaska's freshwater fishing is at its best from June to September, when the rivers ripple with five species of salmon returning to spawn, plus other species like Dolly Varden, Arctic char, and cutthroat and rainbow trout. Many of the…
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Alaska's landscape is so vast and varied, sometimes taking to the air is the only way to really grasp its grandeur. Flight tours — sometimes called flightseeing — send you aloft in small planes that hold anywhere from two to eight people, or helicopters that hold two to four. Each tour may have a specific goal—for example, flying up to a glacier on the flanks of mighty Denali, viewing wildlife,…
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