Winter in Alaska is cold; that is a fact! But that does not mean you should not visit the last frontier during winter. Anchorage is the biggest city in the state and is a true winter wonderland, with dozens of activities to keep you busy throughout the short day (Anchorage gets an average of under 6 hours of sunlight in January).  

Best of all, you will avoid the crowds that take over every attraction during the summer. 

Before we start listing all the fun places and activities you can do in Anchorage during the winter, let's tackle the most pressing question: How cold will it get? According to the Weather Channel, the average temperature in January is 13 degrees Fahrenheit or -11 Celsius. If you decide to go in March for the Iditarod, the temperature will be about 21 degrees.  

However, you can always warm up over delicious food, local craft beer, or hot chocolate after your busy day. 

These extreme temperatures call for winter clothing, including a winter jacket, a hat, mittens, and, ideally, snow pants, especially if you are going to partake in any winter sports. 

Getting To Anchorage in the Winter

You are lucky since Anchorage is home to the Ted Stevens International Airport, the busiest airport in the state. Although some flights to US cities and international destinations operate seasonally during the summer, you can still get nonstop flights from major US hubs in the lower 48 to Anchorage during the winter.  

Winter Events in Anchorage

Home to world-class events like the Fur Rondy, The Iditarod, and the Native Youth Olympics, there is always something going on in Anchorage during the winter. 

The Fur Rendezvous AKA Fur Rondy (Last Week of February to 1st Week of March)

In 1935, Vern Johnson, an Anchorage local, established a 3-day winter festival to lighten people's moods in the middle of the winter. And boy, was it a success! Nearly the entire population of Anchorage showed up.

The current version of the Fur Rondy spans two weekends in late February. Events happen throughout the city, including snow sports, cultural gatherings, and other fun traditions. In the past few years, we've seen a display of giant snow sculptures, a Native Arts Market, the legendary blanket toss, or the running of the reindeer or outrunning reindeer down the streets of Anchorage. It sounds like fun! 

 The Iditarod

The legendary Iditarod Trail Sled Dog race is the best-known sporting event in Alaska. In this famous race, mushers, and their sled dogs from around the world race the 938 miles from Anchorage to the city of Nome in western Alaska. Fun fact: dog mushing is Alaska’s state sport! 

The Iditarod's ceremonial start takes place in downtown Anchorage at Fourth Avenue and D Street in the Anchorage Mushing district on the first Saturday in March. So, if you find yourself in Anchorage during this time of the year, you will want to attend this state-wide celebration!

View the Northern Lights

If you ask most people why they would go to Alaska in the winter, they will likely say, "to view the northern lights. And they are not wrong! With as little as 5.5 hours of daylight during the winter solstice (December 21), there are plenty of opportunities to see the aurora borealis, AKA northern lights. And you came to the right place; Anchorage is a great spot to view this beautiful natural phenomenon.  

If you are serious about the northern lights, we recommend you travel to Anchorage between September and April, and if you are staying in a hotel, ask them if they have a northern lights wake-up call, so don't miss this fantastic show. To learn more about the aurora borealis, read this article we wrote on when and where to see them. 

Winter Sports

Anchorage has snow and hills! The perfect combination for going downhill skiing. If you want to try downhill skiing, your best bet is to go to the world-famous Alyeska Resort in Girdwood, 40 miles south of Anchorage. 

Are you looking for Nordic/cross-country skiing? Luckily you do not have to go very far since Anchorage has over 100 miles of trails within the Anchorage municipality. We recommend Kincaid Park, its 40 miles of trails, and the Tony Knowles Coastal trail that takes you from downtown Anchorage to Kincaid Park. During the summer, these are great places for hiking and biking, but during the winter, they are the perfect place to go cross-country skiing. To download maps and learn more about these and other trails, check out the Nordic Skiing Association of Anchorage website. 

Ice Fishing

You can't come to Alaska in the winter and not partake in this age-old Alaskan tradition. Several of our partners offer day trips where you will learn everything about ice fishing, even if you are new to the sport. Although there are no guarantees you'll catch something; you'll have a lot of fun. As Adam Cuthriell, an ice fishing guide at Fish Hound Expeditions, says, "Everybody turns into a 7-year-old when they're fishing."

Just remember to dress warmly! Sitting in the middle of a frozen lake (even in a tent) can get very cold! 

Dog Sledding

We don't expect you to run the Iditarod, but dog sledding is the quintessential Alaska adventure and something you should try at least once. If you are visiting Anchorage from October to March, we recommend you try this once-in-a-lifetime experience. If you are lucky, you will work with a local musher and dogs who have raced the Iditarod! You'll experience the thrill of going down the same trails and hills where professional mushers and their dogs train for the race. We recommend you book your dog sledding tours early as dog tours during the Iditarod sell out months in advance, especially if you are looking to go on the first of March.  

As you can see, Anchorage is much more than snow and ice in the winter. There are plenty of fun activities to do in the city and out in the wilderness; best of all, we can help you plan your trip. We are locals that are passionate about Alaska, and we’d love to answer any Alaska-related questions, feel free to give us a call anytime to chat with us 1 on 1. 

We hope to see you soon!