Winter Adventure Travel Highlights in Alaska
Winter Alaskan Activities Include Ice Climbing, Dogsledding, Skiing
Sep 27, 2009
What sane person would choose to spend a winter vacation in Alaska? For lovers of winter, the great White North offers a range of excellent adventures and a long list of icy things to do.
Winter Weather in Alaska
It turns out that early and late winter in many parts of Alaska, especially near Anchorage and the Coast, is not a deep freeze. Nippy, yes, but temperatures around Anchorage are often roughly comparable to those in New England or the northern Rockies. (Fairbanks, the Arctic Circle, and points north, however, are indeed frigid, with temperatures of minus 30 and minus 40 not uncommon.) And to demolish another myth: all of Alaska is not locked in endless night throughout the winter. Indeed, by February and March, there's plenty of daylight, even up around the Arctic Circle.
Winter Activities in Alaska
Dogsledding: Alaska's biggest winter event is the annual Iditarod, the long-distance dogsled race that crosses 1150 miles of late-winter wilderness. Watch the ceremonial start in Anchorage, or arrange for an introduction to dogsledding. Lessons and tour packages are available ranging from a half-day excursion to a week-long immersion.
Viewing the Aurora Borealis: One of Alaska's most exciting winter activities takes place in the middle of almost any clear night. Watching the Aurora Borealis (the Northern Lights) dance across the night sky is unforgettable. Sightings are frequent for travelers to Fairbanks, and are even more reliable up around the Arctic Circle. The tiny town town of Bettles has an airstrip, a lodge, and even a northern lights viewing cabin on a lake.
Cross Country Skiing and Snowshoeing: Float or glide across the Alaska backcountry. One of Alaska's classic landscapes is Denali National Park, which seems somehow even grander in winter. The highest point in North America towers over miles of untrammeled wilderness.
Ice Climbing: Ever wonder what it feels like to hang off of a frozen water fall, suspended by only a pick of metal cutting into the ice? Ascending Path, a guide service based in Girdwood, offers day-long beginner excursions at several sites near Anchorage and Alyeska.
Down-hill Skiing: Alaska's premiere ski area is Alyeska, also in Girdwood, just a short drive from Anchorage. The ski area offers 2,500 feet of vertical rise, more than 1,000 acres of skiable terrain, including an extensive network of black-diamond and double-black diamond trails, and more than 1,000 inches of annual snowfall.
Heli-skiing: Heli-skiing is available in Alyeska, as well as in Valdez, on the coast. Aspiring heli-skiers should be at least strong intermediates who are comfortable in powder. Alyeska also has snow-cat skiing, so even if the weather prevents choppers from flying, skiers can still reach the backcountry.
Ice Carving: The Annual World Ice Art Championships take place in early March in Fairbanks. Ice sculptors come from all over the world, from predictable countries such as Russia and surprises such as Monaco. Tourists can sign on to participate in a non-competitive exhibition division, but should reserve in advance, as participating requires a time commitment, as well as training in handling the tools, which include clothing irons, chisels, and chain saws! Spectators should view Fairbanks's Ice Park at night, when colored lights turn it into a magical fairyland .
Ice Fishing. Fishing for Arctic char and rainbow and silver trout is a popular winter activity. Newcomers to the sport should hire a guide, who will have a gas-powered auger (essential for cutting through several feet of ice). The guide will also know exactly how deep to place the fishing lures so that the fish practically jump out of the lake. Bring a hibachi, fire it up, and enjoy hot drinks and fresh-cooked fish that go fro lake to plate in minutes.
Staying Warm in an Alaska Winter
Staying warm and warding off hypothermia are constant concerns in winter in Alaska. Here are some tips:
- A big Insulated over jacket is necessary for activities that involve minimum physical exercise, such as watching the Iditarod, Northern Lights viewing, seeing or participating in the Ice Art Competition, or dogsledding (where the musher doesn't move around too much, but is exposed to constant wind).
- Lots of Layers. No matter what the activity, lots of layers of insulating clothing are required. Avoid cotton. Wood, microfleece, and down are all good choices.
- Chemical Hand and Foot Warmers last for several hours.
- Balaclava and a Hat. The balaclava protects the neck and face. The hat adds an extra layer. Bring both.
- Bunny Boots. Alaska's "Bunny boots" might look ridiculous and out of date, but these white rubber military boots have kept Alaskans' feet warm for more than half a century. They are the coziest thing going,
For adventure-minded people who have the right gear and an enthusiasm for all things cold and icy, a winter trip to Alaska can be the adventure of a lifetime.
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