Those born in Alaska might argue that you’ll never become an official Alaskan if you weren’t born here originally. However, we beg to differ. So many people come to Alaska and fall so completely in love that they end up never leaving. To us, the ones that are passionate about the last frontier and all that it has to offer – those are the real Alaskans. But first, these 25 things are crucial to your induction. Good luck!

1. Make it through a winter.
Flickr - wonderlane
Step #1: you're not an Alaskan if you can't brave the storm.
2. Watch the start of the Iditarod.
Flickr - Visit Anchorage PR
This is history baby! And the dogs are pretty stinkin' cute too.
3. Eat a reindeer dog.
Flickr - kaythaney
A little MA's in May marks the official beginning of summer. Woot woot!
4. Run with the reindeer at Fur Rondy.
Flickr - Travis
Because if you don't know how to have fun and laugh at yourself, you'll never survive in Alaska.
5. Or visit with ‘Star’ the resident Park Strip reindeer.
Flickr - Travis
Only in Alaska folks!
6. Do the polar plunge.
Flickr - krstna
For a great cause like 'Special Olympics' or just jump in the freezing cold ocean and call yourself an extreme, rugged Alaskan!
7. Admit that it’s ‘snowmachining’ and NOT ‘snowmobiling.’
Flickr - Dan Logan
You ain't in the lower 48 anymore! Either shape up or ship out.
8. Experience termination dust.
Flickr - Alaska Meads
That "dun dun dun" feeling that winter is coming. It sure is beautiful!
9. Be a proud owner of Xtratuf’s.
Flickr - canopic
And preferably, wear them to actually fish and do water-related activities and not just to fit in. C'mon people, it's Alaska!
10. Ride in a plane with skis and land on an H2O runway.
Flickr - Steve Betts
With the majority of Alaska not accessible via road system, you better get used to this method of transportation!
11. Reel in a halibut that weighs as much as you.
Flickr - Jeremy Austin
If you're too young to pay rent, this is a 'reel' good way to pull your weight. Literally!
12. Hike on a glacier.
Flickr - Dave Bezaire
Bragging rights for life.

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13. Live, work and breathe the seasonal life. And survive.
Flickr - Jasperdo
Don't wake us up when September ends, let us sleep!
14. Experience what it’s like to lose your best fishing spot to a massive grizzly bear.
Flickr - Ian Collins
The struggle is really, really real. Hope you can outrun all of your buddies!
15. Try native food specialties like MukTuk.
Flickr - Alan Levine
Hey now, a little whale blubber never hurt anyone. Eat up.
16. Experience temps so extreme that you have to plug in your vehicle. Good luck driving on those roads without any lanes.
Flickr - James Brooks
Things just got real. Who even does this? Eeeek!
17. Strip down to your skivvy’s and pose in front of the UAF sign at 40 below.
Flickr - Mike Czyzewski
If you don't know what were talking about, you're clearly not an Alaskan.
18. Welcome an unexpected visitor into your yard.
Flickr - Rosie Rosenberger
Because you aren't going anywhere until they decide to let you out!
19. Visit the Santa’s workshop in the North Pole.
Flickr - Edward Alexander
Touristy, yes. But every kid in Alaska will have the time of their lives here. Adults, we know you will too. It's Santa!!!
20. Harvest your own wild game. Fill that freezer, baby!
Flickr - Travis
It doesn't get much more organic than enjoying the bounty of natural resources in your backyard!
21. Come to the realization that you’re a king, and you deserve to eat like one.
Flickr - Chris Kim
And don't let anyone tell you otherwise!
22. Experience what life is like in the bush.
Flickr - National Park Service Alaska Region
It's a very humbling experience to see such strong communities that truly know the meaning of survival, living off the land, cherishing traditions and putting family above all.
23. Get comfortable with seeing your friends and family every other two weeks, because you’re bound to know a few slopers.
Flickr - jweston_40
Sweet, sweet oil and gas industry. How we love you so!
24. Get an Alaska Airlines credit card and start saving up those miles.
Flickr - Eric Salard
You'll thank us when you're flying for free to Maui in the middle of the dark, cold winter.
25. See the Northern Lights dance above you!
Flickr - Paul Weeks
Alaskan bucket list = complete!

If any of those 25 items surprised you, you’ll definitely get a kick out of these 20 extremely weird things that only people in Alaska do. After you’ve lived in Alaska you’ll be able to completely understand these 22 things that Alaskans miss terribly when they leave home.

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