3-Days in Fairbanks, Alaska: An Active Winter Adventure

Yes, you can enjoy Alaska in the winter. I’m going to show you how to get the most out of a three-day trip and take on some unique experiences. Let’s not waste any time and jump right into our first adventure. We’ll get this trip started off with a bang! Did you ever think about meeting reindeer and walking with them through a boreal forest? Today you’ll get the opportunity. It’s magical. Learn about reindeer and hike through the taiga with them as they frolic and roam beside you. It’s not your typical everyday experience, so enjoy your time with the majestic creatures and watch in awe as they show off their fast running speeds and ability to munch on lichens.

During the winter, you’ll need to work with limited daylight, so stop for a quick bite or snacks at the Cookie Jar Restaurant and then make the hour-and-a-half drive to a natural hot spring. The trek will be worthwhile as it’s a beautiful drive and the reward is relaxing in an outdoor rock hot springs lake. If you have some extra time, take a tour of the on-site ice museum. If you're ready for a hearty dinner, you can eat onsite at the Chena Hot Springs restaurant before heading back to your accommodations.

GOOD TO KNOW:

• Hot springs natural lake is for 18+ only. Children are welcome in the hot tubs and indoor heated pool.

This will be a long day, but hopefully you’ll get to check off several items on your bucket list. Fly from Fairbanks to Coldfoot (above the Arctic Circle). You’ll be charmed by the small airport and the fact that the pilot calls you by name to follow him or her to your plane. Our plane carried five passengers and several boxes of food for nearby villages. The take-off and landing are exhilarating and it’s enjoyable to peer down at the spectacular scenery from above for about an hour as you make your way over the mountain tops, rivers and glaciers. A guide will greet you as you arrive in Coldfoot. Have lunch at a remote truck stop and then hop in a tour van to travel down the Dalton Highway (Ice Road Truckers highway) viewing sites along the way. Cross the Arctic Circle and receive a certificate to make it official. The last stop is a cabin outside of the city where you will hopefully get the opportunity to view the unbelievable phenomena of the northern lights. Watch in awe as the colorful lights dance through the dark night skies.

GOOD TO KNOW:

Coldfoot and Dalton Highway

• If you require or desire specific food, please plan on making arrangements to bring it with you as food options and choices are limited.

• Tours are highly recommended. The road is not available for rental cars or self-driving.

• The weather can affect flights to Coldfoot. As the weather is unpredictable, be prepared to switch up your activities from day-to-day, if needed.

Start the day off with a hearty breakfast at the Little Owl Café. Grab a few snacks and water to take with you on the hike. Take a two-and-a-half hour scenic drive along Richardson Highway and enjoy the majestic beauty of the Delta Range. Prepare for a 2.6 mile roundtrip hike to an ice cave. The area is stunning and you’ll probably want to stop several times along the trail to take in all the beauty. The excitement of seeing the giant cave opening in the distance will propel you forward for that last quarter mile. Before you know it you’ll be standing at the face of an expansive ice cave, igniting your curiosity about the wonders of nature. Take some time to explore and make the trek back to your car.

Christmas lovers rejoice! There’s a place made just for you… the town of the North Pole. Your Christmas spirit will run wild while you’re admiring all the trinkets and America’s largest Santa Claus statue as you make a stop in this quirky town on your back to Fairbanks. The can't-miss Christmas-themed gift shop is the main attraction in town. If you've worked up an appetite from the hike, you can grab crepes at the North Pole Crepery for a casual meal. Or, wait until you get back into town and gussied up to have a more formal meal at the Pump House.

GOOD TO KNOW:

• For the ice cave hike, it’s best to bring some crampons for your shoes to help with footing on snow and ice. These can be purchased at several local stores if you don’t want to pack them.

• Use caution when going inside or near any ice cave. Always err on the side of safety. Nature is unpredictable and cave-ins are possible. If you’re unsure, hire an experienced guide.