Alaska is America’s winter wonderland! People from across the globe come and visit Alaska for fun and adventure. Here are some ideas to put on your winter bucket list this season and to join in on the fun!
1. Northern Lights Viewing - there truly is nothing more jaw-dropping than viewing the northern lights. Luckily for us, Anchorage is the best base location to be able to chase the aurora. There are Anchorage guides available who have the expertise and eye for this magical experience. The aurora could be seen as soon as the sun goes down however, the best aurora hours for it are often near midnight and each night varies at viewing accessibility. This makes it for a fun activity that can last all winter long! Some of the best spots for viewing are Glen Alps, Point Woronzof, Eklutna Tailrace, and Knik River Valley, Girdwood and the Eagle River Nature Center.
2. Dog Sledding - Alaska’s sport that travelers love! The scenic Alaskan snow-packed trails while being pulled by speedy huskies make for a very fun winter activity for the family. Some mushers open their homes and kennels to visits to pet puppies, go dog sledding, teach the history of dog sledding and the ability to learn what it takes to make a team of your own!
3. Ice Skating - Alaska is home to lots of natural ice rinks! There are great places to go for all types of skaters. Westchester Lagoon is a great place to go ice skating as a social event with friends and family that even offer warming barrels in between the skating sessions. Lover of hockey? Bring your puck and sticks to the outside ice at Mulchany, Delany or Tikishla parks. Or perhaps, you are more of a speed-skater. Luckily for you, Anchorage is one of very few outdoor full-sized speed skating tracks in all of the United States! You can find this 400-meter speed skating oval at Cuddy Family Park in midtown Anchorage.
4. Skiing - Alaska and skiing go hand-in-hand! Both downhill and cross-country skiing is available here, so grab your gear and get out there! Alyeska Resort is the biggest ski resort in Alaska which is located in the town of Girdwood, about 40 miles from Anchorage. There you will find 1,610 skiable acres, 76 designated trails and LOTS of snow! Other notable community hills are at Arctic Valley and Hilltop that are great for beginners. If you are into cross-country skiing, Anchorage offers a great Nordic skiing community as well. Over 100 miles of trails are available to the public and are free thanks to the Nordic skiing Association of Anchorage.
5. Flightseeing - flying over our beautiful state is just about the best way to capture all of its beauty. Flying over the incredible landscapes, you can see have a private look at some of Alaska’s famous glaciers and a close up look at Alaskan wildlife. Get a birds-eye view of Denali, over the Prince William Sound or even through the Chugach Mountains! Wherever you decide to explore, you will be amazed at how beautiful our Earth can be and will gain you a new perspective!
6. Ice Fishing - lurking below our frozen lakes and ponds are some species of fish like trout, pike or landlocked salmon. This is a great bucket list item to add to your list if you have never gone before and if you sign up to go with a guide, you’ll guarantee yourself a day of fun, comfortable and hopefully successful ice fishing! Getting expert advice and help is the safest way to go about it if you are new to the sport.