Unveiling the Hidden Charms of this Thriving State in Winter

During the quieter winter months, Alaska offers a unique appeal that surpasses the opportunity to witness the mesmerizing northern lights, despite its well-known reputation for summertime wildlife adventures and bustling cruising season. Lexi Qassuq Trainer, a resident of Eagle River near Anchorage and a member of Chevak Native Village, highlights one captivating aspect - the absence of pitch-black darkness often experienced in other places during winter. The presence of snow on the ground in Alaska reflects light, creating a beautiful continuous blue glow throughout the entire winter season.

For tourists, these winter activities can range from thrilling adventures to more relaxed options, such as ice skating on a frozen glacier lake accessed by a helicopter and guiding your own sled dog team, or finding serenity while practicing yoga beneath the mesmerizing northern lights, or even indulging in a rejuvenating hydrotherapy circuit at a spa inspired by Nordic traditions.

Interest from travelers curious to experience Alaska in winter is growing, says Diane Nigg of Adventures for Alaskans, a Virtuoso-affiliated travel agency.

EJA675 View over the historical center of Granada, Nicaragua

Nicolas De Corte/Alamy Stock Photo

Lonely Planet's top destinations for 2024 include Alaska, which has become more accessible with improved air service. There are now numerous nonstop flights to Alaska, making it easier for travelers to reach. Among the nonstop routes are those from cities such as Dallas and Minneapolis into Anchorage, offered by American and Delta airlines.

According to her, flights to Alaska are significantly cheaper in the winter (excluding holidays) compared to the summer. Additionally, she claims that when compared to popular winter destinations in Scandinavia, Alaska is a more affordable option overall.

She further explains that within a short driving distance from Anchorage, visitors can engage in various activities such as skiing, dog sledding, Northern Lights viewing, ice fishing, and flightseeing. In contrast to Scandinavia, she emphasizes that in Alaska, one can experience a more extensive range of activities at a lower cost.

Read further for more incredible ways to discover Alaska this winter.

Alaska visitors can learn to mush their own team of huskies on a dog-sledding expedition.

Cody Strathe

Dog-mushing trips near Denali

Guests can experience the thrill of mushing their own team of Alaskan huskies through the beautiful tundra on multiday tours with Squid Acres Kennel Sled Dog Tours near Denali National Park. The outfitter provides top-notch extreme cold weather clothing and gear, including sleeping bags that can withstand temperatures as low as minus 40 degrees Fahrenheit (minus 40 Celsius). Accommodations consist of cozy wood-stove-heated tents at scenic campsites, where guests can even venture out at night to catch a glimpse of the mesmerizing aurora borealis.

According to Deborah Colby of Missoula, Montana, who participated in a memorable seven-day trip in March 2023, being on the back of a dogsled, watching the dogs effortlessly maneuver through the trail, is a truly captivating experience that allows one to embrace the present moment and evoke a range of emotions and exhilaration. Additionally, the tours also offer overnight stays with added luxury at the Susitna Adventure Lodge.

Mingling with Iditarod mushers

The 11-day, late-February Iditarod & Aurora Adventure with tour operator John Halls Alaska is a trip of a lifetime through a state like no other.

The adventure begins with attendees of the Iditarod Mushers Banquet in Anchorage, where they have the opportunity to meet the brave mushers as they prepare for the incredible sled dog race spanning over 1,000 miles (1,600 kilometers).

Throughout this remarkable bus tour, participants will have the chance to experience various exciting activities. These include taking a flight to a remote village along the course to witness the teams at an Iditarod checkpoint, engaging in a photography lesson guided by a professional northern lights photographer, indulging in the breathtaking experience of glacier flightseeing, trying their hand at dog sledding, and even getting the opportunity to try their hand at the captivating sport of curling during the World Ice Art Championships in Fairbanks.

Winter wellness along the Kenai Peninsula

To endure Alaska's frigid climate, it is crucial to prioritize winter wellness. Located on the picturesque Kenai Peninsula, specifically along an inlet, Salted Roots in Seward offers a sublime retreat. Guests can indulge in two-night winter wellness packages that feature serene A-frame cabins nestled within a tranquil spruce forest. These rejuvenating packages encompass exclusive yoga sessions, soothing massages, and ample opportunities for sauna relaxation. Additionally, a neighboring property, Rusted Roots, is set to open its doors in January 2024, boasting beautifully renovated seaside cabins reminiscent of rustic charm.

Winter tours in Kenai Fjords National Park offer an opportunity to explore the breathtaking coastal fjords and glaciers. Enjoy winter sea kayaking on Resurrection Bay or join Adventure Sixty North for exciting snowmobiling and snowcat tours. Don't miss the chance to visit the glacier viewpoint at the parks Exit Glacier Nature Center.

Rink skating doesn't measure up to this scene.

Sage Dudick/Alaska Helicopter Tours

Landing by copter on a glacier lake for ice skating

Theres ice skating on a rink, and then theres ice skating between towering mounds of ice on a glacier lake youve touched down on in a helicopter.

New this winter, Alaska Helicopter Tours is launching an exciting Winter Heli Ice Skating adventure departing from Alaska Glacier Lodge, nestled in Palmer, just an hour's drive from Anchorage. This incredible experience encompasses a breathtaking flightseeing tour over the magnificent Chugach Range and the spectacular Knik Glacier. Our skilled pilot will carefully search for the perfect glacier lake to touch down on, allowing you to indulge in an unforgettable session of exhilarating ice skating that will redefine your expectations of indoor rinks forever. Additionally, our company also offers captivating winter heli snowshoeing tours to the renowned Knik Glacier.

Catching the Arctic Winter Games in the Mat-Su Valley

The Matanuska-Susitna Valley (Mat-Su Valley) is set to host the Arctic Winter Games in 2024. This event, taking place from March 10 to 16, will bring together around 2,000 young athletes from various regions in the Arctic, including Northern Europe's Sápmi region, Canada's Northwest Territories, Yukon, Nunavik, and Alaska. During the games, participants will compete in 20 different winter sports, including traditional Dene games like snowsnake and stick pull, as well as curling, hockey, and other popular winter activities.

Riding the rails aboard Alaska Railroad

The cultural gala at the event features captivating performances including yoiking, a traditional song form of the Sami people, Inuit throat singing, as well as rhythmic drumming and vibrant dancing from various parts of the circumpolar region.

During the winter months, the Alaska Railroad, a state-owned entity, serves as a crucial lifeline for those living off the grid in remote parts of Alaska. It also serves as a significant freight route for the state. In addition to these functions, the railroad offers a unique opportunity for tourists to enjoy wintertime sightseeing.

Operating from mid-September to mid-May, the Aurora Winter Train takes passengers on a 12-hour journey between Anchorage and Fairbanks. Along the way, there are designated stops, including Talkeetna, where travelers can opt for detours to partake in exciting winter activities such as dog sledding and flightseeing in Denali National Park.

Sleeping under the northern lights at Borealis Base Camp

Talkeetna is where the Hurricane Turn Train begins its journey, offering a breathtakingly picturesque route in the untouched wilderness of the Indian River Valley. Along this route, individuals who reside in isolated hunting and fishing cabins, living entirely off-the-grid, signal the train to pick them up for the return trip southward.

Scientists from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration predict that due to the exceptionally high solar activity in 2024 and 2025, there will be impressive northern lights displays. To enhance the chances of witnessing this fascinating phenomenon, visitors can opt to stay in the unique "igloos" or cube accommodations at Borealis Basecamp, situated just outside of Fairbanks. These transparent-roofed accommodations offer the possibility of experiencing the vibrant colors of the northern lights cascading down directly over the bed.

Amidst the secluded beauty of a boreal forest, the property is unveiling a fresh addition this coming spring: the Cube Suite. Designed to comfortably accommodate a family of five, this suite boasts an exclusive private sauna. Although the property is fully booked for direct reservations during the winter, securing your stay is still possible by arranging a tour through esteemed operators like John Halls Alaska or Alaska Railroad.

Yoga at Arctic Hive comes with magical views.

ArcticHive.com

Staying off-the-grid under the Auroral Oval

Off-the-grid outfitter Arctic Hive is even farther north from Fairbanks under the Auroral Oval deep in Alaskas Brooks Range (called the Himalayas of the Arctic).

"Winter is the peak season for us, even though we are situated 63 miles north of the Arctic Circle in the secluded Brooks Mountain Range," shares Mollie Busby, the co-owner of the property. Mollie and her husband, Sean, offer four- to five-night retreats, where guests embark on a journey starting from Fairbanks. They travel by van along the Dalton Highway and then hike to reach the cozy cabins. These cabins are warmed by traditional Swedish oil drip stoves and offer shared bathroom facilities resembling outhouses."

Luxury experiences offered here are truly unique. From practicing yoga beneath the dazzling northern lights inside a geodesic dome, which is acclaimed as Alaska's northernmost yoga studio, to snowshoeing through powdered landscapes with the assistance of sled dogs harnessed to hikers using a skijoring harness.

According to Busby, one of the participants, "We frequently pause to admire the breathtaking views, hydrate, and show affection to the dogs. It's an exhilarating experience." This winter, they are offering special packages such as a winter solstice yoga retreat exclusively for women in December, as well as five-day rewilding retreats in February and March.

Cruising to ski fjord landscapes around Prince William Sound

Venture beyond chairlifts and dive into the exhilarating backcountry terrain of Prince William Sound along Alaska's southern coast. Satiate your thirst for adventure with thrilling small boat cruises catered specifically to skiers. Experience the adrenaline rush aboard either the 58-foot M/V Babkin or the 42-foot fishing vessel, Alexandra.

Remarkable Adventures offers exceptional five-day (and longer) excursions from late February through May, led by experienced captains who navigate the stunning mountainous islands and fjords. During the trip, guests have the opportunity to stay on board the boat, while also indulging in activities such as fishing, kayaking, and marveling at breathtaking glaciers.

Alyeska Resort offers this setup in the way of après-ski bliss.

Courtesy Alyeska Resort

Heli-skiing heaven

Alyeska Resort in Girdwood, the largest ski resort in the state, is conveniently located just a 45-minute drive east of Anchorage. It distinguishes itself as the only ski resort in North America that offers breathtaking views of mountains, glaciers, and the ocean. This destination is renowned among expert skiers and snowboarders for its challenging and exhilarating slopes. Additionally, Alyeska Resort provides opportunities for heli-skiing, cat-skiing, and even offers a selection of beginner and intermediate runs amidst the majestic Chugach Mountains. With an impressive annual snowfall of over 640 inches, this resort promises unrivaled winter experiences. To unwind after an adventurous day on the Chugach terrain, Alyeska Nordic Spa awaits weary skiers. Guests can indulge in the rejuvenating hot and cold hydrotherapy pools, savor the soothing heat of saunas, or luxuriate in the steam rooms. This impressive wellness facility spans over 50,000 square feet and caters exclusively to adults, offering an exquisite indoor-outdoor setting.

During the winter ski season, from February through April, guests at the exclusive Tordrillo Mountain Lodge can indulge in a truly luxurious experience. Located 60 miles northwest of Anchorage and accessible only by fly-in, this exquisite property accommodates a maximum of 20 guests.

Embarking on a seven-night heli-ski adventure in the magnificent Tordrillo Mountains, visitors are treated to breathtaking slopeside views, including the awe-inspiring volcanic summits and even the majestic Denali itself. The lodge offers an array of exceptional amenities, such as a cedar sauna, a lakeside copper hot tub, and an impressive house wine cellar boasting a collection of 500 exquisite bottles to peruse.