Fairbanks Alaska Travel Guide: Experience Fairbanks Alaska Like Never Before
Fairbanks Alaska has some of the most impressive sites to satisfy your adventure craving. It is wild, rugged, stark, mysterious, and breathtakingly beautiful.
The majestic mountains, magnificent glaciers, and abundant wildlife will entice you and refuse to let you go from its icy grip. Add to that spectacular adventures and activities such as hiking, glacier cruising, fishing, dog sledding, whale watching, kayaking, and zipping. It doesn’t get any better than this if you’re looking for a digital detox experience.
In this blog, I’m sharing absolutely everything about my recent trip to this magnificent last frontier.
Day 1 - Snowmobiling
It was our 1st full day in Fairbanks, the weather was cold, but that didn’t stop us from going on a snowmobiling adventure. We booked a one-hour tour with Alaska Fishing and Rafting Adventures and drove to their Winter Tour Office for a fun driven afternoon. Upon arrival, we met our guide and the immediate task was to finish our paperwork and then to get dressed in all of the warm winter gear they had prepared for us. I was afraid of the cold as I had my children with me, but the guides provided us with snow pants, boots, helmets, defrostable visors and heated handlebars on the snowmobiles which made the ride very comfortable.
It is important to note that drivers need to be at least 14 and anyone over the age of 4 can be a passenger. Initially, we thought that a one-hour tour would be too short given the excitement we had, but it turned out to be just right. As we cruised through the trails, the scenery was just mesmerizing; it was more like witnessing heaven on earth. We would stop multiple times in the middle of the trail to admire the beautiful snowy landscapes and trees.
Ice fishing
After snowmobiling, it was time for ice fishing, which we booked with the same company, Alaska Fishing and Rafting Adventures. Ice fishing in cold regions differs from that in hotter regions; here, it involves drilling a large hole through the ice, widening it with a chisel, and then setting the line to see if you can catch anything in that spot. It’s also important to dress in layers before you go ice fishing.
The ideal months for ice fishing in Alaska range from late November through March. As you plan your ice fishing trip, you’ll want to read up on gears, techniques, and fishing license regulations.
During our three hour ice fishing experience, Phil caught a large rainbow trout (about 6-8 inches) in the first five minutes but we didn’t catch anymore after that. Our guide Cody explained to us how he had had two classmates in his elementary school classes, before going outside to grill our rainbow trout. It was delicious!
Day 2 - Dog sledding
On day 2, we started with the most sought after winter adventure in Alaska, Dog sledding, also known as dog mushing. When people visit Fairbanks in the winter, they usually come for two reasons: to see the northern lights, also known as the aurora borealis, and for dog sledding. There are a plethora of other enjoyable activities, but these are without a doubt at the top of anyone’s list. Paws for Adventure allowed us the opportunity to experience Alaskan scenery in a cared for and safe environment. When we arrived, we were greeted and given warm clothing to ensure that we remained warm throughout our experience. We were escorted to meet some of the dogs, and they were all friendly and adorable. Just in case if you haven’t heard about dog mushing before, here’s a quick note on how important of a part this is to the Alaskan community.
For over a thousand years, dogs have been used to pull sleds through arctic climates. There is archaeological evidence dating back to 1000 AD that shows Inuit communities used dog sleds. Many towns in Alaska are still inaccessible by road, but prior to the advent of air travel, Alaskans relied on dog sleds to deliver supplies to remote towns in the winter. The Siberian Husky and the Alaskan Malamute are two of the most common sled dogs used.
The excitement was building as we stepped into the kennel, like a cork about to burst out of champagne. The dogs understood that new people in the kennel meant more opportunities to run, which is the best thing in the world for an Alaska sled dog. Speeding through the Alaskan forest on a sled pulled by some of the state’s most powerful creatures, the thrill we experienced was unlike any other.
North Pole and Santa Claus house
Our next stop was the best surprise to my children; it was to their favorite person’s house, Santa Clause. Located in a tiny town known as North Pole, near Alaska’s second largest city Fairbanks, you can celebrate Christmas everyday here.
The North Pole is every Christmas fan’s dream to visit. Streets are decorated with candy canes and mistletoe. On 101 St Nicholas Drive is where the house and the world’s largest statue of Santa Claus are located.
Day 3 - Castner Glacier
Castner Glacier is one of the most visited glaciers in the Delta Mountains of the Alaska Range. An ice cave deep in Alaska’s Interior, 144 scenic miles (232 km) from Fairbanks. We headed southeast out of Fairbanks on the Richardson Highway for a 2.5 hour drive. We drove past the North Pole where we spent most of our previous day at Santa Claus’ house and statue. Parking is available on both sides of the Castner Creek Bridge on the Richardson Highway, but it is preferable and safer to park in a large pull-off about 0.1 mile south of the bridge. The 2.6-mile round-trip hike to the Glacier is simple and nearly entirely flat. However, stay on the packed trail—if you deviate, you may find yourself in snow.
The glacier ice cave was enthralling, exquisite, and splendid. It was much bigger and more dynamic than we had anticipated. In the pictures they look very small, upon entering it felt like we were in a beautiful ice castle.
We explored the cave and ice formations for around 30 minutes. It was incredible to be able to see such beautiful ice crystals, especially while under a glacier. Feeling awestruck with the beauty of Castner Glacier, our next stop was to go to the World Ice Art Championships.
World Ice Art Championships
Every year in March, the World Ice Art Championships are held in Fairbanks, Alaska. Artists from around the world attend the event. They chisel and carve away at massive blocks of ice, creating amazing sculptures that can reach 30 feet and above in height.
The event takes place in a large open area filled with ice structures that form a family-friendly park. The competition is the main attraction for visitors. Carving usually takes place around the first week of March, after which prizes are awarded and sculptures remain on display for the rest of the month. If you go early in the month, you’ll see the teams at work, whereas later in the month, you’ll be able to view all of the finished works.
Day 4 - Borealis Basecamp
The Borealis Basecamp is about an hour’s drive from Fairbanks, Alaska. With no light pollution and very few people, Borealis Basecamp is one of the few places in the world that offers around 250 nights of swirling green, red, and purple lights each year. It’s like a winter haven nestled on a hill overlooking the White Mountains and Wickersham Dome.
You can stay in one of the several dome cabins, each having a clear section of the roof for an unobstructed view of the northern lights.
Everything in this place is designed to maximize the famous aurora borealis, or northern lights, while minimizing the frivolities of modern life.
They have 15 igloos on the property, all of which are insulated and equipped with high-efficiency heating and air conditioning units. This location was created with the primary goal of viewing the Northern Lights. Borealis Basecamp and the Northern Lights are also known as Aurora Borealis. All of the igloos have a see-through enclosure (essentially, a curved glass) on the front that provides an incredible view of the Northern Lights from the comfort of your own bed! The beds were very comfortable, and the bathroom and toilet were well-equipped.
Latitude 65
This was the only restaurant on the premises of Borealis. George Easter prepares all of the meals; you can follow him on Instagram to see his most recent creations. The food was delicious and we loved their cuisine.
After dinner, we spent our night at Aurora Borealis Lodge, a cozy lodge located 20 miles north of Fairbanks in the famed Cleary Summit area, known locally and internationally as one of the best places to view the northern lights in the world!
Day 5 - Chena Hot Springs
If you’re in Fairbanks, Alaska, and looking for something quiet and relaxing, a visit to the Chena Hot Springs may be just what you’re looking for to spice up your Alaska vacation. It is located in the quiet and vast Chena River State Recreation Area, a 60-minute drive from downtown Fairbanks.
You can stay overnight or enjoy the amazing Alaskan natural outdoor hot springs, indoor hot tubs, and swimming pool during your day visit.
If you are accompanied with children, then they’ll most likely spend their time in the swimming pool as the permissible age for entry inside the hots spring is 18 and above.
Visitors from all over the world come here to take a relaxing dip in the hot springs and to see the Northern Lights. Even a brief dip in the pool is unforgettable. Lights with shifting colors reflect on the lake through the fog and steam, making it feel especially mystical and surreal.
The Pool House & Hot Spring Day Pass costs $12 for children and $15 for adults (Ages 18-59). The fee for seniors is $13. Towel service costs $5.
Final Thoughts :
If you have the time, a visit to Anchorage, Fairbanks, and the like should absolutely be on your list, but keep in mind that Alaska is far too large to see in a week or two.
Here are some tips and suggestion if you plan to visit Alaska :
Best time to visit for viewing Northern Lights : November To April
Best time to soak in the hot springs: Year-round
Best time to visit for dog sledding: November to May