I first traveled to Alaska in the summertime – as most individuals do. I fell in love with the folks and the panorama – I personally suppose it’s America’s most stunning state and persistently falls in my high 5 locations to go to in the whole world. I used to be all the time intrigued about how folks lived there within the winter and what they did – a lot in order that I did my first Alaska winter journey in 2018.
That’s once I actually fell in love with Alaska within the winter.
Since then I’ve been again 2 extra occasions and it will get higher every time! As I’ve shared my adventures there, I persistently get requested by readers to arrange an Alaska winter tour.
I’ve lastly discovered an organization that I needed to work with, Salmonberry Excursions, that matches my journey mentality and will assist me put a custom-made tour collectively! This Alaska winter tour consists of the perfect and most original winter experiences Alaska has to supply!
Why Alaska within the Winter?
Most individuals don’t take into consideration going to Alaska in February. In any case, it’s the coldest, snowiest, and most distant vacation spot in the USA. However I’m not most individuals. I prefer to journey to the distant corners of our globe as a result of that’s the place you discover essentially the most epic experiences and environments.
Whereas most individuals are dreaming of seashores to flee winter in February, I dream of the northern lights, sled canine, sizzling chocolate, and snowcapped mountains. Winter in Alaska is while you discover the true Alaskans, the full-timers and heartiest of locals. You’ll have the prospect to satisfy them and spend time with this hearty bunch while you journey with me.
Ottsworld Alaska Winter Wonderland Tour
For those who’ve ever dreamed of experiencing the northern lights, mushing your individual workforce of Alaskan Huskies, seeing North America’s tallest peak coated in snow, climbing on a glacier, and studying easy methods to play the winter sport of curling – then skip the seaside this winter and begin knocking issues off your bucket listing with my Ottsworld Alaska Winter Tour February 2023.
What makes this ‘Ottsworld’ worthy? I have to confess – that I’m type of a journey snob. I don’t love to do the ‘anticipated’ or see the standard sights; I like to hunt out the bizarre, and fewer traveled (which is why I like to go to Alaska within the winter!). I’ve labored collectively very carefully with Salmonberry Excursions to place collectively an itinerary that impresses even me!
Right here’s what you may anticipate:
Alaska Journey Highlights February 11 – 17, 2022
Aurora Viewing
The northern lights are so prolific within the Fairbanks area and the Arctic that guests who keep a minimal of three nights and are actively out throughout the late night hours improve their probability of seeing the aurora to greater than 80 %!
And that’s precisely why we’ll have 3 nights of aurora chasing in Fairbanks to start out off the journey! Plus – there are good probabilities we’ll see the lights in Denali, Talkeetna, and by the Matanuska Glacier.
You’ll be able to learn extra about why Fairbanks and Alaska are the proper locations for Aurora viewing right here.
On one of many nights, we may even get particular northern lights images instruction for these all in favour of studying easy methods to {photograph} the northern lights.
Glacier Trekking
One other bucket listing merchandise for a lot of – there’s nothing like standing in entrance of, and on a glacier. The scale and energy of this magnificent pure surprise are humbling. We’ll spend a complete afternoon climbing on and studying concerning the Matanuska Glacier.
Study to Curl
We’ve all seen it throughout the winter Olympics – the unusual and overseas sport of curling. I’m all the time intrigued by issues which might be particular to a area – and the game of curling is certainly particular to the far north. You’ll have an opportunity to not solely be taught concerning the sport – however you’ll additionally get to strive it your self! It might look easy on TV – however you’ll be stunned at how difficult – and FUN – it’s! We’ll head to the Fairbanks curling heart, meet native curlers, and get hands-on on this distinctive sport!
Winter Journey Experiences: Dogsledding, Snowshoeing, Snowmobiling
Not solely will you find out about essentially the most iconic winter Alaska alternative – canine mushing – however you’ll get to mush your individual workforce of canine by way of the forest! Anybody can sit in a sled and journey – however you’ll have the prospect to ‘bark’ out instructions and lead the workforce your self as you be taught to mush with canine who race within the Iditarod!
Most individuals suppose that Denali Nationwide Park is barely open in the summertime, however it’s truly open 12 months spherical! Winter is a good time to go to Denali Nationwide Park because the crowds have all left, and also you’ll discover that you’ve the place to your self! We’ll be going there to get iconic views of Denali whereas snowshoeing across the park.
You’ll even have the chance to journey across the Alaska wilderness like a neighborhood – on a snow machine! We name them snowmobiles, however if you wish to slot in whereas touring in Alaska – you higher name it a snow machine!
Native Taste
All through all of those experiences, you’ll meet and spend time with locals who will educate you in all issues Alaska winter. Alaska could also be technically part of the US, however I all the time suppose it appears like one other nation as a result of the tradition is so completely different than the decrease 48.
Dates of Tour
February 11 – 17, 2023. We begin in Fairbanks and finish in Anchorage which provides you with an enormous take a look at the state. You may as well simply prolong your journey on both finish and spend extra time in a selected space or I’m joyful to counsel further actions. Salmonberry has numerous further day excursions and nice issues to do across the space too.
Starting/Ending Level
Fly into Fairbanks (FAI) on February 11, 2023
Fly out of Anchorage (ANC) on February 17, 2023 Afternoon
Area is Restricted
NOTE!! It is a small group tour with a max of 10 folks. We should refill the tour for it to run. So as soon as you set down a deposit, it can maintain your spot. We don’t counsel you get airfare but till we are able to verify a full journey.
What’s Included
- All lodging
- All Transportation
- Virtually all meals (7 Breakfasts, 5 Lunches, 6 Dinners) No alcohol is included aside from at Denali Brewing Firm
- All listed excursions (3 aurora viewing excursions, snowshoeing, ice sculpture tour, curling lesson, canine mushing, and glacier hike.
- Entry to a full gallery of pictures (shot by me!) of the whole journey, which you should use for private functions.
What’s Not Included
- Airfare
- 1 Dinner and 1 Lunch
- Alcoholic drinks
- Flightseeing in Talkeetna (non-compulsory exercise)
- Snowmobiling at Sheep Mountain Lodge (non-compulsory exercise)
- Muskox Farm Go to (if time permits)
- Ideas for guides
- Journey Insurance coverage
Value – $3,799 USD
Cancellation Coverage
Salmonberry cancellation coverage: A 50% deposit is required to start out the reserving course of. The remaining stability is processed 60 days previous to journey. Cancellations should be made by way of e-mail. If canceled exterior 60 days, a $100 per individual payment applies. 60-31 days there’s a 10% processing penalty, 90% refund is supplied. Inside 30 days, the journey bundle is non-refundable.
I strongly counsel you get journey insurance coverage for any of your travels. Right here’s extra information on journey insurance coverage. I exploit Allianz Journey Insurance coverage for my very own private travels.
Tips on how to Guide This Tour
It is a customized tour I’ve organized with Salmonberry Excursions. So as to reserve your spot you’ll must put down a deposit – 50% of the entire journey price – $1,899.50. Please observe these steps:
Contact Salmonberry excursions:
E mail: [email protected]
Telephone: 866.681.0209
Ask for Glenda and inform her you’d prefer to put a deposit on the Ottsworld Customized Tour operating February 11, 2023. Simple!
Who Ought to Take into account This Tour?
- Individuals who prefer to discover lesser-known locations, and be adventurous and lively.
- People who find themselves versatile. Try to be keen to exhibit flexibility, as itineraries could change attributable to climate, and the aurora could not come out – and it helps when you have a ‘keen to strive new issues’ perspective.
- Individuals who get pleasure from chilly climate actions and being open air.
- Individuals who can hike at the very least 3 miles.
- People who find themselves comfortable with staying up late to view the northern lights. Typically we don’t exit for viewing till 10 PM and get again to the lodge at 2 AM. However don’t fear – we offer you time to sleep within the subsequent morning with late begins the following day.
- People who find themselves amenable to touring with others.
What’s going to the Climate Be Like?
You is perhaps stunned to search out out that the coastal areas in Alaska don’t get as chilly as you suppose – they hardly ever fall beneath 20F aside from the occasional storm. Up within the Arctic areas, they don’t get a lot snow as a result of it’s thought-about a desert.
Nevertheless, Alaska’s inside (Fairbanks) does get chilly and many snow. There chances are you’ll expertise temperatures dipping into the -20F and get a number of snow that may stick round all winter from October by way of March. All Alaskans know that you simply fight winter climate with the correct gear. When you’ve got the correct gear – you may get pleasure from Alaska winter – even in Fairbanks!
What Winter Gear Will You Have to Be Comfy?
I’ve written this put up about what to pack for Alaska within the winter so please check out it – this provides you with an concept of the gear to convey and possibly embody numerous stuff you hadn’t thought of!
You don’t must exit and buy a complete new winter wardrobe although for this journey. Salmonberry Excursions truly rents winter gear that’s Alaska robust and field-tested on their chilly climate excursions. At a price of $250 per individual you may lease this bundle for the whole tour:
● Kavik Talkeetna Down Parka with hood (sizes avail: Males’s S-2XL)
● Snow pants (sizes avail: S-3XL, males’s or girls’s)
● Full-hand heavy winter mittens, black
● Pack boot rated to -40F or higher (nearly any measurement accessible)
● Canvas 38” heavy-duty duffel with carrying strap
Detailed Day by Day Itinerary
Saturday, February eleventh – Fairbanks and Aurora Viewing
Included: Dinner
Welcome to the Golden Coronary heart Metropolis! Upon arrival in Fairbanks, take the lodge courtesy shuttle to succeed in our downtown lodging, When you’ve got rental gear, it is going to be ready for you on the lodge. Please strive in your rental gadgets this night, and tell us at dinner that every little thing suits okay.
We are going to dine collectively as a bunch tonight, and get to know one another. Our Salmonberry information might be there to go over the itinerary, be certain that everybody has the gear they want, and reply any questions you’ll have. Then after dinner, we head out on our first aurora viewing tour!
We aren’t losing any time – to see the aurora you need to be exterior – and the extra you might be out each evening – the extra possible that you simply’ll see it. We’ll head to a facility inside a preferred Northern Lights viewing location exterior Fairbanks. Your information will share the science behind the lights and their significance to Alaska Native cultures, in addition to the historical past of the realm and private tales of residing within the Nice Land. This night tour consists of round-trip transportation to our location, a heated indoor relaxation space, with snacks, Cup Noodles, and sizzling drinks to get pleasure from.
Sunday, February twelfth – Fairbanks Snowshoeing and Aurora Viewing
Included: Breakfast, Lunch
In the present day we are going to head out within the late morning to see a little bit of Fairbanks, get pleasure from lunch at a neighborhood eatery, and be taught concerning the uniquely northern exercise of snowshoeing! We are going to head to Leaf Out Snowshoeing for a snowshoe hike by way of the boreal forest simply exterior Fairbanks. We are going to begin and finish of their cozy little one-room cabin, the place you’re going to get to see what dry cabin residing is all about. As soon as everyone seems to be snug with their setup and clothes layers, we are going to head out onto the paths to find the treasures of the forest.
On our snowshoe stroll, you’ll discover the forest, shifting by way of birch and spruce timber, together with seeing iconic Alaskan dwarf spruce. We are going to stroll by way of a winter wonderland searching for animal tracks, studying about native plant makes use of, and the way vegetation and animals survive life within the chilly. It might be winter however there are nonetheless birds, mammals, and vegetation to be discovered!
Tonight we’ll head out to Aurora Pointe! We’ll arrive at Aurora Pointe to discover a cozy hearth, domestically made snacks, and sizzling drinks. Keep cozy inside as guides will let you realize if/when the lights seem and also you’ll step exterior and stand in awe as you witness the unforgettable show of lovely, eerie colours shifting and reworking in opposition to the darkness above. After all, on some nights Mom Nature retains the aurora to herself. However you’ll have a number of hours to hope for the perfect. And even on nights when the lights don’t seem, testing constellations underneath an enormous Alaskan sky continues to be a magical expertise.
Monday, February 13 – Fairbanks Curling, Ice Artwork, and Aurora Pictures
Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Relaxation up this morning after two late nights, earlier than exploring downtown for lunch by yourself. After lunch, we be taught to curve! First developed in Scotland, this sport has turn into common over lots of of years, throughout the higher northern hemisphere. This afternoon we are going to go to one of many furthest north curling places on the planet, meet native curlers, and check out our hand at this enjoyable and addicting arctic sport.
This night, we have fun winter with a go to to the Ice Artwork Park and Worldwide Ice Artwork Exhibition! Get pleasure from interactive ice sculptures, enjoyment of a number of ice slides and look at worldwide ice artwork exhibitions.
Then we head out of city for an additional evening of aurora chasing! Get pleasure from an unique night with knowledgeable photographer all night with you to help with aurora borealis images. Your hosts, Frank and Miriam, and their canine companions open their residence to you 25 miles from Fairbanks and the town lights. Benefit from the silence and remoteness and get glimpse of off-grid residing. Irrespective of in case you sit in entrance of the large panoramic home windows from the consolation of the cabin or head exterior to seek for aurora. If the aurora is powerful sufficient, your images host will take skilled pictures of you underneath the aurora.
Tuesday, February 14 – Denali Nationwide Park Snowshoeing and Domes
Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
In the present day we’ll head south from Fairbanks to Denali Nationwide Park! Carry your entire issues and your information will load every little thing up and we’ll hit the winter freeway. Look ahead to moose, arctic fox, and eagles alongside the best way!
After we arrive in Denali, we’ll head out for a snowshoe hike, adopted by lunch and a go to to the Murie Science Heart. (notice: Murie Science Heart has been closed for 2 winters attributable to covid-19, however we’re optimistic that they are going to be open this winter)
Our lodgings for tonight are on the distinctive Denali Dome Dwelling, a 7,200 square-foot geodesic mattress and breakfast. The dome has large home windows, 6 frequent areas, and eight bedrooms with 8 personal baths. The Dome Dwelling native hosts, of their thirty third 12 months of service, will present a home-cooked dinner this night, and a full breakfast within the morning. And naturally, we’ll hold look ahead to aurora sightings that evening!
Wednesday, February 15 – Talkeetna Canine Sledding, Small City Life, and Brewery
Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
This morning we’ll head from Denali to Talkeetna, one other uniquely-Alaskan small city within the wilderness. Go to the homestead of Iditarod Champion Dallas Seavey in Talkeetna and tour his kennel of lively sled canine. The tour begins on the kennel headquarters overlooking the canine yard and snowy boreal forest you’ll mush by way of. Highlights embody the hook-up, sled driving demo, and a six-mile mush on the identical trails that Dallas trains along with his Iditarod workforce. Each two company will share a canine sled and canine workforce of Alaskan huskies in your mini-expedition! Or, for people who select to, journey with an skilled mushing information.
After your journey, be a part of us for a tour of the homestead, kennel operations, and time with the youthful husky puppies. Be sure you take loads of pictures with the longer term Iditarod champions earlier than they’re well-known! End this distinctive expertise again at kennel headquarters, assembly different members of the skilled mushing workforce and warming up with cookies and sizzling drinks.
This afternoon we are going to go to Denali Brewing at this distinctive location for lunch. Every visitor over 21 is handled to a flight of beers so you may pattern a couple of! For lunch, select amongst contemporary salads, distinctive pizzas, and comfortable soups.
We’ll keep in cozy cabins tonight and hold a glance out for aurora over this distant city!
Thursday, February 16 – Sheep Mountain and Scenic Glenn Freeway
Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
In the present day we’ll go away Talkeetna after breakfast. For many who wish to get nearer to Denali and see probably the most magnificent mountain ranges on the planet, there’s an choice to do flightseeing round Denali Nationwide Park.
OPTIONAL TOUR: Friends could select so as to add this Denali flight for our morning in Talkeetna.
This winter flight tour explores the south aspect of the Alaska Vary. Your pilot might be your information and customise the tour primarily based on every day climate situations as you enter the guts of the Alaska Vary. On this one-hour tour, company will discover limitless glaciers, large mountains, and the majesty of Denali itself as you fly by gorgeous snow-capped peaks and cascading icefalls.
Drive to Sheep Mountain. Head east over to Sheep Mountain, on the jaw-dropping scenic Glenn Freeway. That is my favourite drive in all of Alaska! This 3-4 hour drive might be stuffed with winter surroundings and mountain and glacier views.
Settle in on the distant Sheep Mountain cabins and we’ll hold an eye fixed out for lively aurora tonight!
Friday, February 17 – Glacier Mountain climbing, Snowmobiling
Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Take a hike on the Matanuska glacier, Alaska’s largest road-accessible glacier positioned two hours north of Anchorage. The Matanuska Glacier is a frozen 27-mile river of historic ice. 1000’s of years previous, this large glacier is tucked on the head of the Matanuska valley. You’ll spend two hours trekking the ice with our skilled guides, studying how the Matanuska Glacier was born and the way it formed the encompassing panorama.
This afternoon chances are you’ll select so as to add a snowmachine tour (non-compulsory) this afternoon, a helicopter tour, or head out for a hike by yourself or with a information. One other nice possibility is to chill out, play playing cards, and benefit from the surroundings!
We could have a delicious ‘goodbye’ dinner tonight on the cabins.
Saturday, February 18 – Departure from Anchorage
Included: Breakfast
This morning we’ll head again to Anchorage immediately for flights out. If time permits we’ll make some enjoyable stops exterior and in Anchorage. We suggest you guide your flight residence for 4 PM or later!
What do Folks Say About Ottsworld Excursions
“Undoubtedly a ten! I actually loved the truth that the tour was a ‘white glove supply’ experience- every little thing was so meticulously deliberate so we didn’t have to fret about transportation, meals, what we’re doing for the day, or if we’re attempting to an excessive amount of or not sufficient.”
“Undoubtedly met expectations and likewise uncovered me to issues I’m certain I’d not have thought-about if I used to be planning a visit.”
“This was a beautiful journey!!!!!! Once more thanks a lot! So appreciative of all of the pictures you took as effectively!!!! We look ahead to becoming a member of you on one other journey.”
Led by Salmonberry Excursions
I labored with Salmonberry Excursions to place this tour extremely custom-made and distinctive tour collectively. They’re a neighborhood Alaska firm, women-owned, and Alaska consultants! And better of all they’re small however mighty. I really like supporting small, native operators once I journey – and I feel you’ll love them too. They solely rent guides who grew up in Alaska – no transplants – they’re consultants on the terrain, wildlife, and tradition of the state. They are going to be our information and driver as we discover the winter wonderland!
Tips on how to Guide This Tour
It is a customized tour I’ve organized with Salmonberry Excursions. So as to reserve your spot you’ll must put down a deposit – 50% of the entire journey price – $1,899.50. Please observe these steps:
Contact Salmonberry excursions:
E mail: [email protected]
Telephone: 866.681.0209
Ask for Glenda and inform her you’d prefer to put a deposit on the Ottsworld Customized Tour operating February 11, 2023. Simple!
NOTE: It is a small group tour with a max of 10 folks. We should refill the tour for it to run. So as soon as you set down a deposit, it can maintain your spot. We don’t counsel you get airfare but till we are able to verify a full journey.
Questions?
Be happy to contact me at [email protected] with any questions you have got about this tour, the experiences, what to pack, and so forth. I’m joyful to reply something!
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