”Oh, you don’t want to go there during winter!” “It’s way too cold, isn’t it?” “Is there even any daylight?”

You might be thinking those same thoughts, but have you ever heard about all the fantastic reasons you should visit Alaska during winter? It’s likely that you haven’t since Alaska isn’t necessarily a winter travel hot spot. But, it should be! If you’re wondering why you should visit Alaska during winter check out the reasons below, and start planning your Alaska winter vacation today!

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Moose during winter near Eureka, Alaska. — Moose trotting around on a frosty winter day.

How long is winter in Alaska?

The length of winter in Alaska varies year to year and place to place. Since we’re the largest state (and pretty proud of it!) you can have very different winter experiences based on what region you’re in. For example, in Utqiagvik there is no daylight for a large portion of winter and it’s bitterly cold. If you visit Valdez, you’ll have a bit more daylight but also encounter the largest accumulation of snow.

The short answer, though, is that most of us who have grown up here spent Halloween trick-or-treating in snowsuits and things start feeling springy by April, so basically you can consider the end of October though April to feel wintery.

Will there be enough daylight to enjoy Alaska during winter?

Yes! Although it’s brief in most places (and nonexistent in some) there are still ways to enjoy an Alaskan winter with minimal daylight. The best ways to do this are to plan activities around daylight hours if possible, and invest in a good headlamp! It might sound crazy, but it’s worth it to enjoy winter and get outdoors!

What do I need to wear to stay warm on my Alaska vacation?

Great question! I’ve got some detailed posts you can check out to see exactly what you’ll need to to stay warm and enjoy your trip to the fullest. Here you can find out how to layer for winter weather and the best winter boots to have for your trip that will keep you warm and toasty for all the winter activities.

Early winter walk with our chocolate lab. — Using **HotHands** and layers to stay warm during early winter.

Why should I visit Alaska during winter?

Winter is my second favorite season in Alaska, right behind our (very short) fall, and for very good reasons. The activities, less crowds, the peace, the snow, and more are some of the many reasons I love it so much. But, I know you all came here to find specific reasons to visit Alaska during winter, so I’ll go into detail below, and hopefully I can convince you to visit the beautiful 49th State during one of my favorite times.

Celebrations

When the cabin fever starts to kick in, we start to party! But really, celebrations across Alaska during the winter are great ways for us all to put the winter blues in the backseat and enjoy all that the season has to offer. Fur Rondy in Anchorage is one of the most popular ones, along with the World Ice Art Championships in Fairbanks, but there are many other local celebrations for winter solstice, Christmas, New Years, and more.

Iditarod start in Willow, Alaska. — Join in on the fun at the official Iditarod start.

Activities

Oh what fun it is to do winter activities! You can check out my detailed winter bucket list here, but some winter activities I’d definitely recommend trying on your visit to Alaska would be ice fishing, skiing, sledding, and snowmachining. There are places that do guided tours and rentals for those options, and as for sledding you can always pick up an inexpensive sled or even use a large trash bag as a sled to enjoy the snow!

Ice fishing with our Eskimo tent on the Kenai Peninsula. — Getting ready to spend the evening ice fishing.

Northern Lights

You know how I mentioned the lack of daylight earlier in this post? Well, with that comes something incredibly beautiful: the northern lights. The northern lights, also known as the aurora borealis, is a spectacular sight to see. The variety of colors and intensity makes it the most epic natural light show you’ll ever see. Fairbanks is a popular hot spot to see this, and there are even tours that will help you find the best spots and times to see this beautiful phenomenon.

Hot Springs

Speaking of Fairbanks, what’s better than soaking in some warm water on a frigid day? Head to Chena Hot Springs and experience natural hot springs after a night of aurora watching. You can’t do that just anywhere!

Scenery

Alaska is beautiful year around, but winter really brings out a different kind of beauty. Seeing scenery covered in snow and frost makes you feel like you’re in a winter wonderland straight out of a Christmas movie. Watching snow fall, seeing the frost on the trees, watching moose trek through deep snow, and coming back to a warm cup of hot chocolate are memories you won’t forget.

Frost on the trees during a blue sky day on the Kenai Peninsula. — A bluebird day with beautifully frosted trees.

No Crowds

It. Gets. Crazy. During summers in Alaska. Everyone converges on the Last Frontier to see the midnight sun and all the adventures of summer in Alaska, checking things of their Alaska summer bucket list one by one. I can’t blame them. Summer in Alaska is beautiful, but the busyness of it all makes it a little chaotic sometimes, and I really prefer the peace of winter.

Don’t get me wrong though, there are some times and places where it gets crowded during winter. Alyeska Resort is busy with skiers and snowboarders, any good snowmachine spot is packed after a fresh snowfall, and the Iditarod start gets busy with visitors and locals alike. But, during winter you’ll find there are a lot less crowds and it’s a more relaxed time to visit.

See the Real Alaska

I don’t think you can really have the full Alaskan experience without visiting during winter. Local’s are out and about doing tons of recreational activities after a busy summer, everyone is half frozen but out enjoying life, and it’s just a whole different feeling than the hustle and bustle of any other season here. Visiting Alaska during winter is not for the faint of heart, but it will fill your heart and you’ll make amazing memories during your winter visit to the Last Frontier.

An icy winter walk on the beach in Kenai, Alaska. — Beach days look a little different in the winter.

If you have questions about visiting Alaska during winter, or how best to build your winter travel itinerary, feel free to leave a comment below, sign up for the Everyday Alaska newsletter, or send me an email. You can also join the Everyday Alaska Travel Tips, Information, and Advice group, and/or our New to Alaska Tips, Information, and Advice group to ask any questions you may have. I’m happy to help you get the most out of your time in our beautiful Last Frontier, and I hope you enjoy Alaska as much as we do!

Getting stuck in a blizzard or having your car break down in below-freezing temps is never fun, and its even worse when you’re not prepared for it. You’re cold, hungry, worried, tired, and nothing you have with you can solve any of those problems. All it takes, though, is a little preparation and this list of winter essentials to help you along.

What You’ll Need

Shelter

You already have that since you’re in a vehicle, so no need to worry there!

Warmth

Clothing

You need to be warm and stay warm, which is a little hard when its freezing out, but much easier if you have the right clothes. Luckily, I’ve made a comprehensive list of the best winter gear and how to layer for winter, plus a list of my five favorite winter boots. These two lists will help you determine what you need to pack in your emergency bag, such as hats, warm socks, base layers, gloves, mittens, snow pants, and more.

Snowy road in Alaska with our winter vehicle essentials — A slightly snowy road trip through Alaska.

Now, I’m not saying you need to be wearing all of this while you’re on the road, but just use common sense (you’re smart people, so I really don’t need to worry about this), and don’t wear shorty shorts and heels out when its snowing. Also, make sure these items are easily accessible for if and when you need them.

Blankets

This wool blanket is easy to pack and keep in your vehicle. It’s great to have the wool to keep you warm and dry, and an added bonus is that it’s made in America! If a wool blanket isn’t what you want to go with, you can always keep emergency blankets with you on the road.

Hand Warmers

If you get cold and just can’t warm up, or if you just need to be a little warmer, HotHands are a lifesaver! It’s great to keep some of these in your vehicle, and even use them when camping or doing other outdoor activities.

Hunger and Thirst

There’s a good chance if your vehicle breaks down or if you’re stuck in a snow storm it might be awhile before you’re able to get some food. It’s good to have some protein bars or other filling snacks in your vehicle to keep your energy up and your hunger down. As for thirst, it’s important to have some water bottles with you whenever you travel. If you leave them in there all the time, they’ll be frozen when you need them, so it good to bring some fresh water with you in bottles like this when you leave for your trip.

Turnigan Pass Alaska early winter drive with our winter vehicle essentials — A beautiful day for an early winter drive.

Safety

Communication

Even if you don’t have service all the time where you’re driving, it’s important to keep your phone charged incase of an emergency. So, make sure you always have a car charger with you incase you are in an area where you can call for help. Check out the Garmin inReach, too, if you want a communication device that will work wherever you take it. I have a complete review of the inReach here.

Visability

It’s always good to keep a flashlight with you for an emergency, and this one is the best one to get. It’s rechargeable and the battery is very long lasting. Flares are good to have with as well for safety and visibility.

Ice scraping Alaska — Scraping the frost off.

First Aid

Whether it’s winter, summer, or anywhere in between, it’s essential to have a first aid kit with you. You can help yourself and others in an emergency with just a few supplies included in this kit.

Where do I keep all of this?!

For all of the winter gear that you won’t be wearing on your trip, I suggest packing them in these bags. They’ll condense all of your gear, and are a great space-saver, especially if you have a smaller vehicle.

For all your other items, and to store the bags in, totes work great. Make sure these are in a secure, easily accessible place. These items may move around in an accident, so be sure they are well placed so they don’t move much and you are able to reach them without getting out of the vehicle.

I hope this helps you be more prepared for your winter trips. For addition information and lists, check out Alaska.org. Safe travels, friends!

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7 Reasons You Should Visit Alaska During Winter

How long is winter in Alaska?

Will there be enough daylight to enjoy Alaska during winter?

What do I need to wear to stay warm on my Alaska vacation?