Information About Winter in Alaska

Scenery like this is a major appeal to winters in Alaska.

Alaska is one of the U.S. states known for its extreme weather, particularly during the winter season. However, everyday life doesn't stop for residents, nor the tourists who want to test their will in the frozen temperatures. Before you travel to the state during the winter, it's a good idea to get acquainted with the area you'll be staying at, it's emergency procedures, and of course, entertainment venues.

Temperatures

The coldest record for Alaska, which is also the coldest in the United States, was in the Northern town of Prospect Creek in 1971, where temperatures reached -80 degrees Fahrenheit. In Anchorage, average highs in January are about 25 degrees Fahrenheit. Annual average highs in Alaska have warmed 3.5 degrees Fahrenheit since 1949, as recorded in 2005, with winter temperatures rising an average of 5 to 6 degrees Fahrenheit.

Daylight

Not all of Alaska is in complete darkness throughout the winter. Barrow, one of the northernmost stations, does in fact have a two-month winter period in which the sun doesn't rise. After the sun sets there at around 12:50 p.m. on November 18, it doesn't rise again until about 11:51 a.m. on January 24. However, areas south of the Arctic Circle have some amount of sunlight at least part of the day, followed by a period of twilight before it gets completely dark again. It's the long dawn and dusk periods that seem to shorten daytime.

Activities

Although winter is not the most popular time for tourists in the state, it is actually host to a bevy of activities. Winter sports are especially important, including skiing, ice skating, hockey, snowboarding, ice fishing and snowshoeing. In late winter, you can watch the famed Iditarod Race, a dog sledding competition where participants cross more than 1,150 miles of terrain; this competition falls on the first Saturday in March.

Sightseeing

If you're in Fairbanks, you may want to check out Chena Hot Springs Resort, where you can relax in the hot springs or take a dog sled ride. In Anchorage you can schedule guided trips to see bears, go fishing, or see mountains and glaciers from the air. Sightseeing excursions of glaciers and the Northern Lights, or Aurora Borealis, are also popular.

Travel

Because of the size of the state, planes can be an optimal way to get around between cities, and is sometimes the only choice. Jet service is available for travel between some of the major cities and areas, and bush planes can help you reach more remote spots. Perhaps surprisingly, you can also get around by boat throughout many of the areas even in the winter, and ferries are a popular transit service. Cars, trains and motorhomes are also available.

References

• Alaska Wildland: Winter in Alaska
• Alaska: Weather
• Alaska Trekker: Temperatures
• Iditarod
• Travel Alaska: Winter Sightseeing