My Essential Alaska Travel Resources :
There are plenty of travel companies out there, but these are my favorite websites and resources for planning an unforgettable trip to Alaska. This post may contain affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. For flights, I recommend using Hopper to compare the cheapest dates to travel to Alaska. Car rentals, arguably the best way to see Alaska, are best through Discover Cars! I always use Expedia's easy-to-use platform to compare the best rates. To keep cell service if you're traveling internationally, I use Airalo’s easy to purchase eSIM’s (no installation required), and NordVPN to stay safe while connecting to different wifi. For fun things to do, I recommend Viator or Get Your Guide to find the best tours in the area. Just in case, Safetywing is the insurance I always use for travel insurance. Lastly, my Alaska packing list for your travels to the Last Frontier.
Winter in Anchorage Alaska - Where to Stay
If you're visiting Anchorage in the winter and looking for an amazing place to stay, I highly recommend checking out this new Airbnb that has a hot tub! It's great for big groups, has a great central location in town, has an immaculate interior, and even has large windows facing North in the primary bedroom. My husband and I stayed here on a recent staycation, and although the exterior may look basic, the inside is nothing but. They have parking onsite, and super fast wifi!
Winter Activities in Anchorage
1. Skiing & Snowboarding
Within just one hour of Anchorage there's 4 different ski areas & resorts - plus of course all the back country areas & cross country skiing trails. If you're looking to head into the backcountry I highly encourage you to take an avalanche course in preparation, and some of the most popular areas to go is in the Hatcher Pass or Flattop Mountain areas. For cross country skiing I recommend heading to Kincaid Park (click here for a map), where they have over 37 miles of a groomed trail system. If you're more comfortable at a resort, then there's Arctic Valley & Hilltop Ski Areas in town, Alyeska Resort in Girdwood, and Skeetawk in Hatcher Pass near Palmer.
2. Winter Wellness
Visit any Arctic or Nordic cultures and you'll quickly realize that saunas, hot tubs, and cold plunges are an essential part of a winter wellness routine. If you stay at Wild About Anchorage, you'll have your own private hot tub - otherwise you can visit some local wellness centers like The Wellness Lounge or Alyeska Nordic Resort & Spa in Girdwood.
3. Cold Weather Hikes
You might consider hiking as a no-brainer in the summer, but there's plenty of local hikes that are easy to enjoy in the winter too! Some of my favorite winter hikes (that are fairly short) in the area are Reflections Lake, Barbara Falls/South Fork Falls, Eklutna Lake, Potters Marsh and Thunderbird Falls. Just make sure to dress warm and have plenty of layers!
4. Wild Ice Skating
A popular winter activity in the area is to try wild ice skating! Before you try it yourself, it's essential to know the ice depth & if you're not sure I recommend only going out if there are many other locals enjoying the ice themselves. There are plenty of places to try wild ice skating, but they can all freeze at different times in the winter. I recommend checking out Potters Marsh, Eklutna Lake, Portage Lake, or even heading out to some of the alpine lakes near Hatcher Pass. 
5. Local Museums
If you're not too keen on spending time outside in the winter, then I recommend checking out some of the local museums in Anchorage! There's the Alaska Aviation Museum ($18 per adult), the Anchorage Museum ($25 per adult), and the Alaska Native Heritage Center ($10 per adult).
6. Brighter Winter Nights
Every winter the Alaska Botanical Garden hosts their Brighter Winter Nights - a unique display of holiday lights! For $10 per adult, you can walk the 1/2 mile trail, try kick-sledding, cozy up with some hot chocolate, and enjoy the beautiful light displays! 
7. Northern Lights Chasing
Probably the most obvious thing to do in Alaska during the winter months is to head out at night and keep your fingers crossed for some Northern Lights! The aurora can be a bit tricky to see from inside Anchorage with the city's light pollution, but if it's a strong show you'll still see it fairly clearly! In my opinion, the best places to see the Northern Lights from the Anchorage area is at the Kincaid Park Beach, at Point Woronzof, or from Flattop Mountain. 
8. Winter Tours
One of the best ways to experience Alaska in the winter is to head out on a guided adventure tour! You can choose from fully enclosed & heated UTVs, snowmobiles, or even try your luck at ice climbing. No matter what you choose, you'll likely have to head a short ways outside of Anchorage, but they'll be well worth the drive.
9. Local Winter Festivals
Local's love to make the most of the long winters here, meaning there's plenty of unique winter festivals to enjoy if you time your visit right! If you're really looking to experience something unique I recommend visiting for the Fur Rondy Festival - a two week event beginning in mid February that includes the start of the Iditarod, the special Running of the Reindeer, and local customs like the blanket throw! If you're not sure where to start, look here for my favorite events during Fur Rondy!
Watch my Winter Anchorage Adventures here!
Other Alaska blog posts you might be interested in :
-> 24 Hour Itinerary for Anchorage -> Best Places to Eat in Downtown Anchorage -> A Guide to the Anchorage Trolley
Pin this Winter Anchorage Guide for Later!
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Hi, I'm Deborah! In 2021 my husband Tyler convinced me to move to Alaska. After living here for a year (then leaving to take a year long world trip) we realized there was no place we loved more. So now we're back - and I'm here to share all my best tips and hidden gems to make Your Alaskan Adventures the best they can be. \\\ My blog is free to read, but some links may be affiliates. This means I may earn a small commission if you make a purchase — at no extra cost to you. Learn more here. \\\ |
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