Winter takes center stage in Fairbanks, Alaska, for five full months, offering an abundance of extraordinary things to do. Mush a team of huskies? check. Snowshoeing through a winter wonderland? check. Scan the sky for the aurora? check. The list continues. Fairbanks is like a journey in a snow globe, so finding spectacular outdoor winter experiences is as easy as one, two, three!
Fairbanks is one of the best places in the world to see the Northern Lights and this awe-inspiring activity is at the top of everyone's to do list. Witness the magic and be carried away by the enchanting light of the aurora borealis as you take part in a host of other spectacular winter activities.
Fairbanks has plenty of ways to interact with Saint Nick's furry friends, such as walking these majestic critters through the boreal forest or seeing them at various locations around Fairbanks. You can even pay to visit them at the nearby North Pole “where the Christmas spirit lives all year round”.
Drill into clear lake ice, which can be up to four feet thick, make the hole, drop your line and you're done! It's time for dinner! Your fishing guide will help you catch chinook or coho salmon, arctic char or rainbow trout. Some guides will even prepare your freshly caught fish for you in a warm and comfortable ice hut on the frozen lake.
Yes, you heard it right… go into a glacier. The Castner Glacier to be exact. Just a 2.5-hour pristine drive from Fairbanks, this amazing glacier cave will blow your mind. It requires a short walk and a bit of common sense ... but bragging rights are allowed.
Riding a snowmobile, or "snow machine," as it's most often called in Alaska, is one of the easiest ways to get to the spectacular snowy wilderness around Fairbanks. Ask a local guide to equip you, show you the tricks of the trade and experience the full-throttle rush for yourself.
In Fairbanks, ice art is not only remarkable, but also very common during the winter months, with sculptures found all over the city. Visitors can see incredible works of art emerge from huge blocks of ice as sculptors work with chainsaws and specialized ice carving tools. Ice art peaks in February and March with two major ice events featuring giant ice sculptures, ice mazes, ice slides and more.
Get off the beaten track and see amazing winter vistas with an invigorating snowshoe trip. Or hike the miles of world-class trails on a pair of cross-country skis. Enjoy the pristine wilderness and embrace the winter days, when the striking silver-blue sky is often embellished with alpenglow sunsets and sunrises, sundogs or sparkling snowflakes.
At the end of an adventurous day, enjoy an invigorating dip in a natural outdoor hot spring. At Chena Hot Springs Resort, you can enjoy the crisp winter air and the swirling Northern Lights above, while you freeze her in a wild and wondrous way. Let the healing, mineral-rich spring water relax your body and warm your soul.
The Arctic Circle and Denali National Park are two iconic destinations that are easily accessible from Fairbanks. The Arctic Circle is located 315 km north of Fairbanks and Denali 193 km to the south. Both majestic places can be reached via inspiring rides through extraordinary winter landscapes.
Alaska's sled dogs will defend the trail and capture your heart… and getting into the backcountry by accessing Alaska's state sport—dog mushing—has never been easier. With these four-legged athletes, you can book a 30-minute outing, a half-day mushing school, or a legendary journey. Dog mushing is an exciting and soulful way to connect with the pristine natural world of the area.
