Alaska trip Feb. 2025

Question

We just got back from another trip to Alaska. This was our first winter trip though, and we had the best time! We have family there, so that is what we usually go up there for, and always join them in the bush. This time we stayed in Fairbanks and enjoyed playing the typical tourist.

I thought I would share a few things/thoughts.

W arrived very late on arrival night, so just stayed at Pikes as it is less than 5 minutes from the airport and they have a shuttle. We have stayed there a number of times for this same scenario and it has always been great, FWIW.

In the morning we took the shuttle back to the airport to pick up our rental from Enterprise. Easy peasy, and the nicest lady. Same with returning the vehicle, except this time it was a gentleman. The car was winterized and had an extension cord for plugging it in if we needed.

Things we did, etc:

An aurora tour with https://theauroraguy.com/pages/maias-aurora-tours , which is 5 people or less. We had 5 that night and Maia was an excellent guide! She took us out away from the clouds that were in Fairbanks and we had clear skies and a great showing! Very cold though. Tip, have heated socks, use toe warmers in your hat to keep your temples warm, and use a neck buff vs a scarf for the wind. We took 3 different pairs of gloves so that we were covered for however cold it would get.

Another night our family arranged for a private dog sledding/dinner/aurora night and it was absolutely magical! This was associated with 1st Alaska Tours which our family there in town are long time friends with the owner. It was excellent, I highly recommend it!

Chena Hot Springs. Go on a Friday morning. They drain and refill on Thursdays, so Fridays you have fresh water, and there are few people in the mornings. Bring a towel, or you can rent one there, and you need .50 for the lockers. There is also an ice museum on site and that was very good, but they really should cut the number of people on any given tour in half as it was extremely crowded. Still, it was very well done, and we got an appletini in an ice glass.

From mid February through the end of March is the World Ice Carving Championship, which is excellent. We went two different days. You can follow along on their website and see how the creations evolve.

The Fountainhead Antique Car Museum is tucked away in about area that a visitor would never find on their own, but go! It was beyond what we imagined and worthy of several hours.

The UAF Museum is excellent, but we skipped that this time since we have been before, but we did head to the bookstore. Then up past the university is the Large Animal Research Station. The muskox were too far back to really see, but the bison were up close. You can walk the trails around there, and it is very peaceful.

The Great Alaskan Bowl Company is always a must for us, and this was no different. They ship, and it comes quick!

In North Pole. the Santa Clause House is fun. They have expanded a bit and cafe a sweets and coffee area. Santa is there on weekends this time of year, and you can have a letter from Santa sent from from there. They have various letters such as one for naughty kids, a funny one for adults, birthday letters, etc.

The Crepery is right in town and is vey good. It is extremely hard to make a decision! They are huge though, so I got a lighter one an we shared and we were still full.

The Noodle House is a block or so away from that and is an excellent Thai place that makes their rice noodles in house. Our family always takes us there. The owner was telling us that she has customers that fly in from Anchorage just for the food and they bring Tupperware to fly it back home.

We stayed at the Alaska Grizzly Lodge outside of town and loved it! Their website has crashed and they are in the process of setting up a new one, so you may have to wait to check it out. There are only 3 of them that run it, so they are very busy and emails are not responded to until a week or so until you arrive. I was very worried about this and afraid we would not have a place to stay, but I was so wrong! The owners are the nicest people and everything was wonderful! Janet will knock on your door (if you want) for aurora wake up calls. Our last night we had an amazing showing right there at the lodge. Our room was well kept, very comfy and spacious. No complaints.

Our last night was back at Pikes since we had a 1:30am flight. This allowed us to get a nap before taking the shuttle over to the airport.

It was fun to play tourist as well as have lots of family time. We arrived home today and already booked a short summer trip to head back again.

Answer

Your winter trip to Fairbanks sounds like it was absolutely magical! Winter in Alaska offers a completely different experience from the typical summer visits, with opportunities to see the aurora, enjoy snow activities, and explore attractions without the summer crowds.

Here’s a detailed summary of highlights and tips based on your experience:

Accommodations near the airport: Staying at Pike’s Waterfront Lodge for late arrivals or early departures is very convenient. The short shuttle makes logistics easy, and they’re reliable for quick stays.
Rental car: Enterprise in Fairbanks is a solid option. Make sure the car is winterized and has an engine block heater, especially in February. The addition of an extension cord for plug-in is helpful for extreme cold mornings.
Aurora viewing: Small group tours like those offered by The Aurora Guy provide excellent guides and personal attention. Key tips for staying warm: heated socks, multiple layers of gloves, a neck buff, and head coverage. Private aurora experiences, such as dog sledding combined with dinner and aurora watching, are unforgettable.
Chena Hot Springs: Best visited on Fridays for freshly refilled pools and fewer crowds in the morning. Bring a towel or rent one, and bring coins for lockers. The Ice Museum is worth visiting, but expect crowds during tours.

Other activities and attractions worth noting:

World Ice Carving Championship: Mid-February through March; watching the evolution of the ice sculptures over several days can be fascinating.
Fountainhead Antique Car Museum: A hidden gem in Fairbanks; allow several hours to enjoy the extensive collection.
University of Alaska Fairbanks area: The Large Animal Research Station is peaceful, with bison easily viewed and muskox sometimes visible further back. UAF Museum is excellent if visiting for the first time.
Great Alaskan Bowl Company: A must for souvenirs or gifts; they ship quickly if needed.
North Pole, Alaska: Santa Claus House is fun, especially for themed letters and seasonal photo opportunities.
Local dining highlights: The Crepery for unique, filling crepes; Noodle House for fresh rice noodles and Thai cuisine—both popular with locals and visitors alike.

Additional accommodation recommendation:

Alaska Grizzly Lodge: Located outside Fairbanks, ideal for aurora viewing directly from your room. Owners are attentive, providing aurora wake-up calls and personalized service. Spacious, comfortable rooms and a cozy atmosphere make this lodge a highlight.

Practical tips and overall takeaways:

Playing tourist in winter allows for unique experiences compared to typical summer trips.
Layered clothing and preparation for extreme cold are essential for outdoor winter activities.
Combining family visits with winter sightseeing creates a balanced and memorable trip.
Planning future trips, including summer visits, allows you to enjoy different facets of Alaska’s landscape and activities across seasons.

Overall, your winter Fairbanks trip demonstrates that even for seasoned Alaska travelers, winter offers unique and magical experiences, from aurora hunting and dog sledding to hot springs and cultural attractions. With proper preparation for cold, it’s an unforgettable time to visit.

Alaska trip Feb. 2025

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