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.
What to Expect during Winter in Alaska
Your winter experience in Alaska can vary widely depending on which area of Alaska you're planning to visit. In the wintertime, most out of state visitors either make their way to Fairbanks or Anchorage. If you're planning to visit Fairbanks, you can expect much colder temperatures (often in the negatives, averaging around zero degrees), much windier days, and much longer nights with only 3-4 hours of daylight.
If you're planning to visit Anchorage, winters are a bit easier to navigate. Winter temperatures average around 25-30 degrees Fahrenheit, with about 5-6 hours of daylight each day. Depending on where in Alaska you want to visit, you might want to pack more or less layers. I recommend ordering items ahead of time and picking them up right at the REI Co-op Store here in Anchorage!
My Favorite Winter Tours in Alaska :
- Fairbanks Northern Lights Tour - Northern Lights & Arctic Circle Tour
Winter Items to Pack for Alaska
1. Patagonia Fleece
This cozy fleece is the perfect way to layer over a thermal or under a coat. I wear it in almost every season, and like to size up for an oversized fit, plus it's SO soft. This is the exact one I have, and their "men's" version. 2. Binoculars If you're planning to do any wildlife spotting during your visit, then binoculars are a must (especially if you don't have a zoom lens or giant camera). These are my personal favorite, they're not too spendy for binoculars, lightweight, and super clear. 3. Daypack When visiting Alaska, no matter which season, you'll need a daypack. Most people will be doing multiple day trips or tours during their stay, and you'll need a place to store extra layers, gear, snacks, and your water bottle. This Northface Jester is the perfect size to hold everything I need for my adventures! 4. Merino Wool Socks There are all kinds of winter socks online, but these are my go-to Merino Wool Socks. These are their "light weight" option - and I find that they keep my toes warm without keeping them too hot. If your feet run extra cold, I recommend their "mid weight" option. 5. Refillable Water Bottle Because of freezing winter temperatures, I recommend using a steel bottle instead of plastic. My go-to bottle is Yeti's 18 oz. Rambler - super durable! 6. Warm Beanie No matter where in Alaska you're visiting this winter, you'll need a warm hat or beanie. These waffle knit hats by Fjallraven are super cozy, stretchy, and washable. 7. Warm Balaclava or Scarf Lately I've been a fan of wearing a balaclava on my winter adventures here in Alaska because they cover my ears, neck, forehead and chin all in one and keep me super warm - I recommend them if you're planning to spend a few nights looking for the northern lights or if you have any other cold adventures. Otherwise, I would make sure to bring a scarf that can wrap around and keep you toasty! 8. Micro-Spikes If you're planning to do any hiking (or if you visit during an ice storm) you'll need some micro spikes to put onto the bottom of your shoes. Especially as you traverse parking lots and sidewalks, you can often find ice patches that won't be salted, so I recommend bringing some reliable spikes you can throw on whenever you need them. 9. Warm Gloves Just like the warm hat I listed above, you'll need the rest of your winter gear to stay warm in Alaska. The next few things on my list are generic winter items - like these gloves from North Face made from recycled materials that have tips made for touch pad use (like phones and tablets). I prefer thinner gloves so they don't get in the way, but if you have cold hands you might want a thicker pair like these. 10. Hand Warmers If you're like me and prefer thinner gloves, I recommend having some of these hand warmers on hand. You can take a pair on each adventure you go on, and ensure that you always have a toasty heat source that will (most likely) last the entire adventure! 11. Winter Jackets Winter jackets are a necessary staple in your packing list for Alaska. I personally love these Powderhound Insulated Jackets by REI Co-op. They have one for men and one for women, and they're perfect for layering and keeping the snow out. 12. Snow Pants I'll be honest, snow pants aren't necessarily a "necessity" for your packing list - but depending which activities you're hoping to do during your winter visit you might want them. Think dog sledding, hiking, ice fishing, etc. Just like the winter jackets above, these insulated Powderhounds are great for keeping out snow and layering over your other layers to stay warm. I love these bibs (size up to fit in other layers) and my husband loves these snow pants. 13. Thermal Base Layers If there's one thing you absolutely need on this list, it's a set of thermal base layers. Especially when I visit Fairbanks, I wear these under every outfit and they keep me SO warm! I've gone ahead and linked the women's top, women's bottoms, men's top, and men's bottoms so you can find whatever works best for you! 14. Winter Boots The last piece of winter gear you'll need is a trustworthy pair of winter boots. You'll want boots that are proofed for at least -25 degrees and preferably ones that are waterproof too. My husband Tyler loves these Keens, specifically for cold weather! 15. Trusty Tripod When visiting Alaska in the winter, most visitors are hoping to see the Northern Lights! If you want the best photos or videos of the night sky (and hopefully the northern lights too!) then you'll need a tripod. This tripod works great with your cell phone - and this tripod is great for cameras! 16. Polarized Sunglasses Even though there isn't too many hours of daylight in Alaska during the winter, when the sun is shining it is especially bright. With the sun reflecting off all the snow and ice, you'll definitely want to have a pair of polarized sunglasses on hand!
Watch My Favorite Winter Adventure in Alaska :
Other Alaska posts you might be interested in :
-> Alaska Summer Packing List -> Best Glaciers to Visit in Alaska -> Best Things to Do in Fairbanks
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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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