Your Ultimate Guide To Winter Attractions And Activities In Alaska
By Jackie Ann|Published October 13, 2023
×
Jackie Ann
Author
Louisiana native and LSU Alum (Geaux Tigers!), Jackie has lived in Louisiana for over three decades and currently lives in New Orleans. She's been writing for OnlyInYourState since 2016 and can often be found with a coffee at her side, dreaming of her next adventure.
Spending a winter vacation in Alaska is one of the most incredible adventures you can take. From the wackiest holiday traditions to charming small towns that go full-send on the holiday decorations, you’ll never run out of things to do in the winter in Alaska. We’ve compiled all of the best things to do in Alaska in winter to help you start planning your perfect itinerary. Whether you’re embarking on a solo adventure or you’ve got the entire family in tow, these Alaskan adventures will show you the true beauty of Alaska.
There’s always something to look forward to every winter in Alaska. Here are some of our favorite winter festivals in Alaska to help you plan your winter itinerary:
The charming town of Talkeetna goes all out during wintertime, starting with the Tree Decorating and Lighting Ceremony in the Village Park followed by a visit with Santa and a parade on the first Friday of December. The festival continues the next day (the first Saturday in December) with the famous Wilderness Woman Competition as well as the Bachelor Auction, both fundraising events that always draw a huge crowd. The tree lighting is free to attend, but you’ll want to get tickets to the competition through the Talkeetna Bachelor Society ahead of time. They typically go on sale in early November.
Colony Christmas in Palmer is one of the best winter festivals in Alaska. The three-day festival takes place December 8-10, 2023, and features a lengthy list of festive activities. Horse-drawn carriage rides, a parade of lights, fireworks, and several craft vendors will be celebrating all weekend long.
If you're spending your winter vacation in Fairbanks, be sure to swing by Pioneer Park. The park itself was built in 1967, and many of the century-old cabins were relocated here. Strolling through the park with the twinkling lights and a fresh coat of snow will easily put you in the holiday spirit.
Advertisement
Christmas Towns In Alaska
The winter months really bring a holiday spirit to Alaska during this time of year. Seeing these towns all decked out in holiday lights and blanketed with snow makes these towns a true winter wonderland worth exploring. Whether you decide to spend a day trip or enjoy a few days exploring, here are some of the best Christmas towns to check out when you visit Alaska.
Girdwood might just be the best town for winter activities in Alaska. It’s certainly the place to be for skiing, ice skating, dog sledding, and many other winter activities! Girdwood is about a 45-minute drive from Anchorage, and the drive over is one of the most scenic drives in the state. Alyeska Resort is the local ski resort here, and it’s one of the most popular ski resorts in Alaska.
Anchorage is one of the most popular cities in Alaska, not only because it’s probably where you’ll fly into, but also because it puts you in a great position should you want to head north or south for further explorations. The town dons millions of twinkling lights during the holidays, especially at attractions like the Botanical Garden and Town Square Park. If the weather takes a turn, you can always head over to the indoor playground to let the kids get out some energy. On the flip side, if the weather is nice, ice skating at Westchester Lagoon is one of the most quintessential Alaska winter activities you just can’t pass up.
A visit to North Pole in the winter is almost mandatory. After all, how often do you get to say you’ve been to the North Pole? OK, so maybe it isn’t the North Pole, but it sure does look like it! This enchanting small town is about 15 miles southeast of Fairbanks, and it’s everything you want in a Christmas town. Pay a visit to the Santa Claus House, feed the reindeer at Antler Academy, and take a selfie with the giant Santa statue while you’re there. North Pole’s decorations are a year-round attraction, but it definitely is one of the best family things to do in Alaska in winter.
Outdoor Activities
There are plenty of outdoor activities in Alaska to partake in during the wintertime. Whether you want to tackle some of the best winter trails in Alaska or stroll down some of the charming main streets, you’ll never run out of things to do outdoors in Alaska. Of course, there are plenty of adrenaline-inducing activities, too, like snowmobile tours, fat tire biking, ice climbing, and many other adventures to take your winter trip from good to great.
Scheduling a private horse sleigh ride through the Alaskan Winterland is one of the most romantic things to do in Alaska in winter. Of course, this is a kid-friendly activity too. The scenery along the trail is mesmerizing, and afterward, you can cozy up by the fire with a nice cup of hot chocolate. Sounds like the perfect evening, right?
Chugach State Park is one of the largest state parks in the United States, so you can bet you’ll never be bored in this natural paradise. The 495,000-acre park is conveniently located about 20 minutes from Anchorage and offers endless miles of hiking trails, waterfalls, glaciers, and lakes to explore.
Dog sledding (also known as dog mushing) is not just an activity in Alaska, it’s a way of life. If you want to feel like you’re in your own little personal Iditarod, then book a dog sledding tour. The whole family will love getting to meet the huskies, learn about the history of dog sledding, help harness the dogs, and then hit the trails!
After all of the animals go to bed, their illuminated clones light up The Alaska Zoo in Anchorage from November 24 to January 7. For the ultimate experience, visit the Alaska Zoo during the day to meet all of the animals and then come back in the evening to see everything sparkle. Zoo Lights is great for families with little ones, but we think it would also make for a lovely date-night idea!
Price: Free, but you can purchase a professional tour
Many travelers come to Alaska in the winter to have the chance to see the Northern Lights. The Aurora season in Alaska runs from August 21 to April 21, with 10 p.m. to 2 a.m. being the primetime hours. Keep in mind that it’s never a guarantee that you’ll see them, the conditions have to be just right, and a clear sky is key. The further north you are, the better your chances are, but the Northern Lights have been seen all across Alaska, including towns like Girdwood, Anchorage, and Talkeetna. I’ve chased the Aurora Borealis all around the Arctic Circle and my best advice is to be patient, have your camera ready, and bundle up!
Winter Getaways
There are so many wonderful places to stay in Alaska, that it’s hard to pick our favorite. These winter getaways in Alaska offer a little bit of something for everyone: a resort for a one-stop-shop destination getaway, a primitive yurt that’s especially charming during the winter season, and a couple of cabins that will feel like your home away from home.
12. Chena Hot Springs
Chena Hot Springs Resort, 17600 Chena Hot Springs Rd, Fairbanks, AK 99712, USA
Imagine being surrounded by Alaskan wilderness, soaking in a geothermal pool with the northern lights dancing above you. This could be you! Chena Hot Springs is about an hour away from Fairbanks, but it’s completely worth the extra effort to get here, and it makes sense to stay a night or two. The resort offers several different accommodations ranging from yurts to cabins and family suites, and plenty of outdoor activities to enjoy. Take your pick from snowmobiling, ice fishing, dog sledding, and many other family-friendly winter activities. Plus, you’ll get a chance to check out the Chena Ice Museum, the largest ice museum in the world.
This cozy A-frame rental in Valdez has two bedrooms and 1.5 baths, but the real star of the show in this rental is the view. The front deck gives you a 360-degree view of the mountains, and a great opportunity to catch the northern lights. The cabin has a full kitchen, but just in case the cook in the family is off-duty, you’re still within walking distance of the harbor and plenty of local restaurants.
This 16-foot yurt in Alaska is ideal for those wanting to explore Denali National Park, and you’ll have a splendid view of North America’s tallest mountain from your door. This is much more of a backcountry experience, complete with a wood stove for heat and an outhouse for when nature calls, so you’ll really be immersed in an Alaskan winter experience. Since it’s in such a remote area, it’s perfect for aurora viewing and checking out the local wildlife.
This newly-built Juneau vacation rental offers two bedrooms, one bathroom, and perhaps some of the best views in Alaska. Modern appliances and a full kitchen allow you to cook up a feast, and the floor-to-ceiling windows give you a front-row seat to watch the snowfall.
And there you have it! Now all you need is some top-notch winter gear, and you’re ready to tackle the Alaskan winter like a pro.
OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.
