Snowy Winter Fun: ALASKA!

What do the words, “Alaskan Vacation”, bring to mind?

...cruiseships, grizzlies fishing for salmon, herds of caribou grazing on the grassy plains of Denali…

But what about Alaska in Winter?

The best time to experience Alaska’s wondrous Aurora Borealis – or Northern Lights, it is also the time when this northernmost state comes to life. You won’t be stuck in darkness – in fact, there’re 6-13 hours of daylight each day (depending on your location in this huge state).And it’s not a frozen wasteland - temperatures average around 20* (especially around the coast).

In fact, it is in Winter that Alaska shows its true spirit!

Here’s some special things that Alaska offers, only in winter:

ü Dogsled overnights. Only on the snowy terrain of winter can you actually embark on a dog sled trip out into the wilderness. You’ll learn to mush the dogs, take in jaw-dropping scenery, experience the awe of the snow-cloaked deep woods (and the best views for the Aurora)… all in the safe and wilderness-saavy hands of a guide! They’ll even outfit you in special gear, tuck you into an inflatable, fully-heated tent, and cook your dinner on the campfire, right before your eyes. Meet one of the best guides: Kathy Lenniger, of Sled Dog Adventures! (read more about Kathy on the sidebar!)

ü Winter carnivals! The Fur Rendezvous, or RONDY, in Anchorage in February, hosts everything from trapping to dog sledding to arts and snow sculptures, family skates and snowtrick exhibitions, basketball and soccer (and showshoe softball), trains, parades, and even fireworks!

ü Check out the world-famous IDITAROD!

Called the “Last Great Race on Earth”, this 1150-mile sled dog race leaves Anchorage each March, and heads out to Nome on the western Bering Sea. The dogs race for 10-17 days… but the party lasts even longer! Here it is:

ü All things ICE - Ice sculpturing, ice bars, ice festivals! The King of all festivals is the World Ice Art Championship, held each winter in Fairbanks! Sculptors from all over the world create incredible designs (a process with chainsaws, chisels, and ladders, all of which you can watch!), then there is a magical lighting ceremony! The resulting Ice Park stay open all March, so grab a hot chocolate and go for a snowy stroll.

ü Ride the Polar Express! Train adventure is one of my all-time favorite things to do! Alaskan Railroad offers a special winter trip between Anchorage and Fairbanks, with a whistle-stop in Denali Park. It only runs on weekends, so book your trip in advance!

ü All kinds of skiing, snowboarding, and skating! In the mountain town of Girdwood, just 40 miles south of Anchorage, you can stay at the Alyeska Lodge and do all kinds of mountain sports! (of course... the trails are lit up for “night” skiing)

ü Snowshoe or hike! Anchorage has a 120 mile trail system. Here’s a map:

ü See Mt McKinley from the air!

You may not want to climb this 20,000 foot peak in winter, but you can be just as awed from the window of a prop-plane, and for convenience, many of the flight-seeing excursions depart right from Anchorage!

ü Soak in the Hot Springs! Not exclusive to winter, but certainly all the more enticing, the hot springs above Anchorage have natural rock pools, where the heat soaks deeply into your bones as you marvel at the snowbanks and frosty trees in this steam-filled wonderland.

ü Snowmachine! We call it “snowmobiling”, but up in Alaska, they call them snowmachines, and they are a practical way-of-life, not just a recreational toy. They can take you out to remote lodges, on a short park trail, or down the street to the grocery!

ü Experience Alaska’s Native Culture! At the Native Heritage Center in NE Anchorage, you can see dancing, films, and a host of exhibits. It’s harder to coordinate a visit here in the winter – its open only on Saturdays and for special monthly events! – but its worth the effort to schedule! Among other special events, they have Indigenous World Film Fests, Playwright projects, Art workshops, drumming, and more. Check it out: http://www.alaskanative.net/en/main_nav/about_us/

ü Go to a professional hockey game! The Alaska Aces are your team!

ü H2Oasis Indoor Waterpark! Open most evenings and all day on weekends, this place is a hit! They have pools and whirlpools, and even a Riverwalk – it’s a lazy river with current!

ü Go rustic! Stay in a yurt on the river! The Eagle River Nature Center is rustic – no joking! You hike to it by a short trail- or by walking along the frozen river- and must bring all your own provisions, but it comes with beds, a woodstove, a huge stack of firewood, bear-proof storage and an outdoor latrine!

ü Marvel at the Northern Lights! This is no staged light show, so you can see them anyplace, anytime, but statistics show that you have an excellent chance of viewing them if you stay for 3 nights or more! Wilderness locations, free of light pollution, are the best venues! For a novel – and comfortable - way to view the Aurora, try the SnowCoaches, up at Chena Hot Springs Resort. They depart each night at 10 pm and chug ½ hour uphill to a perfect vantage point… you have til 2 am to take in the spectacle!