This seven-day itinerary highlights the best of Fairbanks festivals and winter events, combined with the adventures of 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., Day 3: Fairbanks, Head back to Fairbanks to experience the area’s booming arts and culture scene at the Festival of Native Arts . This annual event, held at the University of Alaska Fairbanks in late February, features art and performances by representatives of, Alaska Native cultures, from across the state. The, Museum of the North, , also on campus, features both contemporary and classic Alaska art along with natural history artifacts in one of Alaska’s finest collections., 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 the excitement of the Open North American Sled Dog Championships, dog-powered sprint races that take place in downtown Fairbanks in late March, or visit a local musher for a kennel tour. Local art galleries showcase the work of creative locals and Alaska Native artisans. Want to stretch your legs? Fairbanks boasts an extensive network of lighted, groomed Nordic ski trails…, Denali National Park and Preserve, :, , From Fairbanks, drive a rental car to Denali National Park, just 120 miles to the south. Visit the winter visitor center for wildlife viewing information and to borrow a set of snowshoes. The park offers ranger-led snowshoe walks most winter weekends, depending on weather. Arrange to spend the night in, Healy, , the closest community to the park, then drive back to Fairbanks the next day.
Type: Editorial
Andrea Kuuipo Leydon was born and raised in Anchorage . She is an Alaska travel and adventure blogger and shares her adventures to inspire people to get outside and explore Alaska. Andrea grew up fishing for salmon on the Kenai River and snowboarding at Hilltop Ski Area. Naturally, she fell in love with the outdoors at an early age, but her passion for big adventure came as an adult. , Whittier is one of the most unique places to visit in Prince William Sound . It’s small and secluded yet surrounded by an insane number of glaciers and big, beautiful mountains — the kind that plunge into the sea! Getting to this seaside town by car includes a drive through the longest combined vehicle-railroad tunnel in North America! The Anton Anderson Memorial Tunnel is 2.5 miles long and it…, Portage Pass, Portage Pass is the most popular hike in Whittier, and for good reason. The trail is only four miles roundtrip and ends at the shores of Portage Lake. Portage Glacier can be seen once you reach the top of the pass, and it really is breathtaking. I like to hike all the way down to the lake because the views of the glacier are way better and sometimes, I’ll find miniature icebergs floating near the…, Berry Picking, August is berry picking season in Alaska. Horsetail Falls Trail is usually abundant with blueberries during this time! I like to follow the wooden boardwalk through the enchanting spruce and alder forest and fill my container with fresh, plump blueberries. There are bears in this area, so I always carry bear spray. Horsetail Falls Trail ends at a waterfall dropping down a sheer rock face. However…, Glacier Viewing, For an adventure on the water, I like to take a glacier cruise around Prince William Sound with Phillips Cruises & Tours . Prince William Sound has more than 145 glaciers and my favorite glacier to see is Blackstone Glacier, which is found in Blackstone Bay. I always recommend this trip to birders because you get to see thousands of kittiwakes fishing in the area. There are also chances to…, Harbor Eats, After a full day of adventuring, I love walking around the Whittier Harbor in search of a bite to eat and a cold beer. Varly's Swiftwater Seafood Café has delicious crab cakes and clam chowder! I love being here on a bluebird day so I can grab a drink and a bowl of chowder and find a place to sit outside and bask in the midnight sun. Learn more about Whittier >> Sightseeing on the Whittie…
Type: Editorial
Jin Chen's love for travel started when her mom used vacations as incentives for good grades in middle school. When she was 17 years old, she was given a credit card to plan a trip for one month for the entire family. That is still everyone’s favorite trip to this day. Today, she helps businesses grow their revenue by day and invented a travel gadget called the Planeket on the side. Planeket is a…, Here are five things you can’t miss doing using Anchorage as your basecamp. Having traveled 21 countries independently in the past decade, I am always happy to come home to Alaska. It is truly a one-of-a-kind place in the world. I am often asked “where would you live if you can pick anywhere in the world?” and honestly, Alaska is exactly where I want to be., Portage PASS Trail, It doesn’t matter how many times I drive through the Whitter tunnel, it’s still a cool experience. It was exciting the first few times, then it became a meditation drive for me. The Portage Pass Trail is a fast ascent trail (I call it the most “cost-benefit” trail in Alaska). Within an hour of hiking, you will get above 800 feet in elevation and have a view of the Whittier harbor on one side and…, Winter Northern Lights Viewing, For eight months of the year (mid-August to end of April), chances of seeing the northern lights in the Anchorage area is very high. (We can’t see it in the summer months because the daylight is longer.) Be sure to check these two sources for the best odds of seeing this magical light display: University of Alaska Fairbanks Geophysical Institute’s world-class forecast , and the weather report.…, Helicopter Glacier Tour, I know this is not an activity people just get up and go, but if budget allows, both visitors and residents should all do it once! The view of flying over glacier blue walls and standing in front of crystal blue water are forever engraved in my memory. Make sure to choose an excursion that includes a glacier landing option. Hint, hint: this is an incredibly romantic proposal idea! Helicopter tour…, Day Trip to Katmai National Park & Preserve, Again, this is not something we just say, “let’s go.” Planning a day trip to this iconic national park takes advance planning and a decent budget. Katmai National Park ’s waterfalls are world-famous for watching brown bears catch salmon. This is as close as you will safely get to the wild, without being in the wild. Another once-in-a-lifetime experience!, Enjoy Tax-Free Shopping, Besides the shopping centers around Anchorage where you can find big brand names, I also enjoy shopping at local boutiques like Blush Boutique in downtown Anchorage. Even if the price is the same, you are saving tax dollars here in Anchorage! Learn more about Anchorage >>
Type: Editorial
Olivia Klupar is an Alaska entrepreneur. Born and raised in Skagway , Olivia grew up working in the family hospitality businesses and sharing her home with visitors. Passionate about all things Alaska, in 2014, Olivia and her brother, Greg, founded what is today called Voyij, Alaska’s online e-commerce destination for quality, local gifts and experiences from Alaska’s incredible small business…, I consider myself the luckiest person in the world to be able to call, Skagway, my home. Our town is small, four blocks wide by 23 blocks long and you can’t go anywhere without stopping to say "hi" to someone you know, whether at the post office, the hardware store, or just walking down the boardwalk. We live in a national park , with dozens of hikes within a five-minute walk out our front door. Tucked away in a valley with mountains on three sides and the Lynn Canal to the…, Day Hikes, On sunny summer days, there is nothing better than to get out of town and go for a hike. Skagway is a hiker’s paradise, with something for everyone. Upper Lake is a 1.5-2-hour uphill climb to a remote lake (bring a towel so you can jump in on a hot day!). My perfect afternoon is sunbathing by the lake, listening to the marmots on the nearby hillside, and going for a dip in the ice-cold lake. This…, Chilkoot Trail, The Chilkoot Trail is the most famous Skagway hike, a 33-mile, 3-to-5-day trip with a major highlight: an intense day climb up the “golden staircase” into the wide-open expanse of the Canadian Yukon. This trail is the historical trail 100,000 gold miners took to get to the gold fields of Dawson City, Canada, in what is today known as the Klondike Gold Rush of 1898. This hike starts in Skagway’s…, Spend time in Skagway, While Skagway may be small and isolated, we have events throughout the year that draw a fun crowd. If you are into cross country skiing, join us for the Buckwheat Ski Classic, held in March each year across the border at Log Cabin, a favorite local spot for snowshoeing, cross country, and backcountry skiing. Our solstice celebration and Fourth of July events are quite celebratory with Alaskans…, View the stars, One of the best parts about living in Skagway is that there is no light pollution so the sky on a clear night is miraculous. On dark, clear nights, I love grabbing a blanket and viewing the stars, with the Big Dipper right overhead and if we’re lucky, the Milky Way galaxy is also visible. In August, we get the Perseids meteor shower and by September, the, northern lights, can also be seen with its magical dancing display. Learn more about Skagway >>
Type: Editorial
As a born and raised Alaskan, Sarah spent her first 10 years in, Palmer, , where she learned to love the state and its wildlife residents. She can personally attest to trading mountains for corn fields is a tough ask for a wild Alaskan kid—but she and her brothers managed when the family translocated to Packer Nation (Wisconsin) right before third grade. Sarah decided then that her mission was to get back to Alaska and work with wildlife in any way that she possibly…, Armed with a degree in both wildlife and biology, and a minor in captive wildlife, Sarah's goal came to fruition when the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center took a chance on a fresh newbie in college during the summer of 2010. Sarah was able to achieve a full-time role in 2012 and never looked back, eventually landing in her current role as curator, overseeing the animal care department at the…, I currently reside in, Portage, , which is just down the highway from the local community of, Girdwood, , a wonderful ski town. Here are my top recommendations for the Girdwood/Portage area:, Visit the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center, of course , The Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center is located at Mile 79 of the Seward Highway, 45 minutes south of Anchorage and just 10 minutes south of Girdwood . Come explore the back yard with some of your favorite Alaska critters from a safe distance! Brown bears at the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center, Enjoy a cold one at the Girdwood Brewing Company, I am a fan of a cold beer on a hot day and I absolutely love that my local community has an awesome adult hangout that has locally crafted beer and can be enjoyed indoors and outdoors! If your visiting Girdwood and looking for some local flavor—hit these guys up!, Stay the night at Alyeska Resort, Alyeska Resort is not only wonderful for visiting and staycationing for a night away from home, but the hiking trails are top notch! I may not be the best, physically conditioned mountain climber there is…but the Moose Meadows are easygoing for me and the pups. Plus, if I want to challenge myself—tackling the North Face on Mount Alyeska is a great workout and is right there at the resort! Alyeska…, The Trail of Blue Ice and pit stopping at Explorer Pond, My dogs and I love to go for bike rides during the summer and this trail is located down Portage Valley Road . There's excellent campgrounds that connect to the trail and plenty of parking for day trip adventures, which makes for an easygoing trail that can be enjoyed by all members of the family. Plus, if you like to paddle, there are plenty of areas to pull over and enjoy some time on the calm…, Eats—let’s talk some grub!, The Saltwater Cafe in, Whittier, is a must! Seriously, the best shrimp and “fish and chips” around. Fresh shrimp and fish daily - these guys sure know how to make a gal happy, and you even get to drive through North America’s longest tunnel to get there! Plus, eating right on the dock and watching the boats is a fun time too. Learn more about the Portage Area and Girdwood >>
Type: Editorial
Trooper Anne Sears was featured in the National Geographic Channel series "Alaska State Troopers" while posted in Nome . She graduated from Juneau-Douglas High School in 1984 and later became an officer at the Juneau Police Department. She was hired by the Alaska State Troopers in 2001., I was born in, Nome, in 1966. My dad was with the Federal Aviation Administration so I lived all over the state of Alaska when I was growing up. My husband and I moved back to Nome in 2006 and enjoy the best of both urban and rural living. Nome is blessed first with an extremely friendly community. I thought it was just me — maybe folks thought I looked like my mom who is also from the Seward Peninsula — but other…, birder’s paradise, . One of the neatest sights I've encountered along the Teller Highway is when the Alaska cotton is "blooming" in late June through early July. It looks like the tundra is covered in snow. Gorgeous! The Council Highway heads east along the Norton Sound, then turns inland and ends at the old mining community of Council. There used to be power and telephones in Council but it's now a recreational…, 3. Get in a hot tub at Serpentine Hot Springs, About 90 air miles north of Nome is Serpentine Hot Springs , accessible only by plane or on foot in the summertime. Serpentine is located in the Bering Land Bridge National Preserve . In the winter you can ride a snowmobile into the preserve. Serpentine is the ultimate getaway. The National Park Service has built and maintained the facilities and made them extremely comfortable for an overnight…, charter a flight, into the preserve and I would say it's well worth the effort. 4. Husky Restaurant, Milanos and more My favorite place to eat is Husky Restaurant, a family owned business. Kim serves the best sushi in town as well as wonderful tempura. The service is fast and friendly and Kim has a steel-trap memory for what everyone likes to eat. My husband likes to go to Milanos for their pizza. He says it’s the…, Learn more about Nome >>
Type: Editorial
Bill Spear is a longtime Alaska resident and artist. His handcrafted enamel pins are sold all over the world and have been displayed in the Guggenheim Museum. Bill has also designed pins for the National Air and Space Society, The Nature Conservancy, and the Audubon Society., If you spend enough time in, Juneau, you will sometimes look up and a scene will be so beautiful and so emotionally moving that it will be burned into your memory forever. Well, that's how I remember an old-timer telling it to me in a bar in pre-oil Alaska anyway. And he was right. I have seen some of those scenes and they usually occur in the context of something you have just done that is very scary, exciting, or exhilarating in…, run, to the top of Mount Juneau on the Perseverance Trail . He starts running right out the door of the Baranof Hotel and summits and returns in about an hour and a half. It would take me most of a long day. However, why not just take a walk? On the same trail you can go up Basin Road and take the trail to the Ebner Falls, which is all pretty flat and very beautiful. You might see a mountain goat or, black bear on the sides of the mountain. You'll pass the old mining ruins. If you don't have that much time, why not just wander around some of the old neighborhoods and see what is at the top of all those stairs? If you want a real adventure, continue on the Perseverance Trail and take the sign for Granite Creek Basin, a spectacular box canyon. From there, you can then make your own trail to the…
Type: Editorial
Bob Stanford has been running charters to Kodiak’s remote locations for over 30 years. Stanford knows just about everyone on the island and where to go to find the best bear viewing, fishing, or whatever you are looking for. His experience and expertise in flying have resulted in hundreds of happy hunters and fishermen flying back with thousands of pounds of meat and fish every year., The beauty of, Kodiak, is addictive and enduring for those who participate. It’s called the “Emerald Island” for a reason. Kodiak’s beauty is unsurpassed. How could it not be when the, Kodiak Island, landfill was chosen as the most scenic in America? My time in Kodiak has exposed me to a diverse and influential group of people who have contributed professionally and culturally as leaders in their fields. Access to Kodiak Island is only available by air or boat. Kodiak is the home to one of the most highly trained and dedicated rescue forces in the world. The men and women of Coast Guard’s Air…
Type: Editorial
Four-time Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race winner Dallas Seavey has been training for the race practically his entire life. His grandfather, Dan Seavey, is a veteran Iditarod musher who competed in the first Iditarod race in 1973 and three other races after that. Dallas’ father, Mitch Seavey, is a longtime competitor and took first place both in 2004, 2013, and 2017. Dallas is the youngest musher to…, Willow, , about an hour’s drive north of, Anchorage, , but he still considers Seward to be his home., Seward, is a small fishing town with a history that would make a city the size of Los Angeles proud. It's not just breathtakingly beautiful with its backdrop of glaciers and snow-peaked mountains. It is also the perfect destination for families with children, outdoor enthusiasts,, fishing enthusiasts, , and anyone interested in, Alaska’s wildlife, on land and sea. Seward is surrounded by the mountains of, Kenai Fjords National Park, and sits on the shores of Resurrection Bay. Visitors can choose from numerous hikes up scenic mountains,, sea kayaking, ,, fishing charters, ,, wildlife and glacier-viewing cruises, , shopping, dining,, dog mushing, , and many other recreational activities. Most of my time is spent with my family — human and canine — but there’s always time for other kinds of fun and these are some of my favorite things to do when I am back at my hometown. 1. Family-friendly hiking I like to take my daughter out to Tonsina Point on the, Caines Head trail, ; it's a fun walk that is easy to do with children. My grandfather would take us there fishing when we were kids, and it's still one of my favorite places. The bridge and beach at Tonsina Point are good spots for, seeing wildlife, and there are a lot of salmonberries to pick. The trail continues 3 miles past Tonsina Point but it is important to check the tide times if continuing on to Caines Head. Views from Caines Head State Park 2. Peking Restaurant Our family's favorite place to eat in Seward is Peking Restaurant. Mimi and Jon are longtime Seward residents. The food is good, and the people are awesome! 3. Swimming in…
Type: Editorial
Dana Stabenow was born in, Anchorage, , raised on a 75-foot fish tender in the Gulf of Alaska, and now lives in Homer . She is the author of numerous mystery, suspense/thriller, and science fiction novels, including the Kate Shugak mystery series. The 22nd book in the Kate Shugak series was published in early 2020. , Homer, is small, it's quiet, and it's just across the bay from Seldovia , where I grew up. It is heart-stoppingly, gob-smackingly beautiful. Through my windows I can see the lower Cook Inlet from Kachemak, to Kamishak bays and four active volcanoes. Friends show up on my doorstep with fresh-caught, salmon, and halibut, and when I'm really lucky, a moose tongue. I am wealthy beyond dreams of avarice just to live here. I write in my office at home and my friend Don keeps threatening to sneak over here late at night and paint all my windows black, because he doesn't see how I can get any work done with that view to distract me. But being a writer in Homer is like being a writer anywhere else in the…, Favorite Place to Find Books, My favorite bookstore is The Homer Bookstore, hands down. It's one of those wonderful little small town general interest bookstores. It's sort of like "Cheers," where everybody knows your name, only at the Homer Bookstore everybody also knows what you like to read and can recommend books they know you'll like. There is an entire bookshelf devoted to staff picks, with shelf talkers to tell you why…, Favorite Place to Read Them, I love taking a book and lunch down to the beach, building a fire and sitting down with my back to a driftwood log. I love the sound the rocks make when the surf throws them up on shore. I love looking up from my book to see the, halibut charters, going out to fish and coming home again. Beach views in Homer, Local Culture, There is something in the Homer culture that encourages excellence in music and also invites superb musicians of every stripe to perform here. One of the guys who built my bookshelves is a guitar player who has appeared on Mountain Stage. I saw a young Irish band called Slide at the Homer Theater that was phenomenal. I've never heard better, not even in Ireland. And the theater even figured out a…, Local Eats, Two Sisters Bakery has great sweet and savory breakfast pastries. Sometimes on Saturday mornings I'll call as soon as I get up to ask them to save me a cinnamon roll with no frosting. And then I can go walk it off on Bishop's Beach, as access is just seconds down the road. I cook so I don't eat out a lot, but if I have company I'll always take them out at least once to Land's End for good bar…, Getting Outside, For an adventure that doesn’t involve a boat, I’d recommend the Diamond Creek Trail . It ends on the beach and at low tide you can walk all the way to Anchor Point (or back to Homer) if you want to. For an adventure that involves a boat, my favorite always and ever is to go across the bay to, Seldovia, , where I'll walk to the Outside Beach. For an outing that involves an airplane, I like going, bear watching, with Gary Porter (a friend from childhood) at Bald Mountain Air. Learn more about Homer >>
Type: Editorial