Alaska tour news & travel advisory  

Winter Tours

Northern Lights, Dog Sledding, Skiing, Iditarod, Snowmobiling, Snowshoeing

Winter in Alaska is prime time for Alaskans, and the time of year we enjoy our favorite outdoor sports and activities. As Alaska’s natural surroundings become even more dramatic in the winter, new opportunities for viewing aurora borealis (the northern lights), dog sledding, ice fishing, ice climbing, snowboarding, snowshoeing, skiing, and more open up new territory for all Alaska visitors.

Alaska’s most popular winter visitor experiences include northern lights viewing and dog mushing, but there is plenty more to see and do. The Interior and Far North regions sit below what is known as the “auroral oval,” a crown of charged particles that rings the earth’s northernmost latitudes and leads to intense northern light displays. Northern lights viewing tours combine viewing from backcountry cabins or other ideal locations with activities like soaking in hot springs, romantic dinners, dog mushing, skiing, snowmobiling, and more.

Alaska dog sledding or mushing tours can range from an hour to several days, giving guests hands-on experience as well as information about the care and feeding of sled dogs. Several dog mushing tours are oriented around the state’s biggest sporting event – the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race – including one that follows the 1,049-mile race from the start in Anchorage to the finish in Nome. Other winter activities include visiting museums and cultural facilities, snowmobiling, Alpine and Nordic skiing, snowshoeing, and winter rail tours.

Alaska’s main winter cities are Anchorage and Fairbanks, with dozens of tours and activities for visitors. Girdwood and Alyeska Resort ski areas are located south of Anchorage along Turnagain Arm. From Fairbanks, winter tours are available to the Far North by air, by road on the Dalton Highway, or a combination of the two. The Alaska Railroad’s winter trains run from Anchorage to Fairbanks and back, with a stop in Talkeetna along the way. Many hotels offer guests a northern lights wake-up call so you don’t miss the magic, which often peaks after midnight.

Come experience the real Alaska on an Alaska winter vacation or tour with us!

 

Choose from 35 vacations in Alaska related to Winter Tours

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Borealis Basecamp and Northern Lights Tour

Book now for fall and winter 2023/24! Just outside of Fairbanks, Borealis Basecamp offers a new and unique way to see the Northern Lights. The fiberglass domes at Borealis Basecamp have clear, curved windows that stretch 16 feet across... Browse tour

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a person viewing green aurora through a fiberglass dome

Alaska Dreams Winter Tour

Start your adventure with a glacier trek from Anchorage, then continue your journey north to Fairbanks with the Alaska Railroad. Finally, conclude your trip with a stay at the exclusive Borealis Basecamp, where you can watch for the northern... Browse tour

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Spring Wildlife Cruise in Resurrection Bay

On this Seward day tour and whale-watching cruise in the Spring, witness the incredible annual migration of California Gray Whales, traveling over 5,000 miles from Baja California to the nutrient-rich waters of Alaska’s Bering Sea. This 4-hour Alaska wildlife... Browse tour

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green aurora over a boreal forest in winter

Fairbanks Northern Lights Viewing

Spend three nights in Fairbanks exploring the history and culture of this modern northern city, including the opportunity to view the spectacular northern lights, a sight the area is known for around the world. The day starts with a... Browse tour

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Fairbanks Northern Lights Viewing Tour

Enjoy an evening looking for the Northern Lights in one of the best aurora-viewing locations near Fairbanks, Alaska. You will be transferred 30-45 minutes from your hotel to a prime Northern Lights viewing spot away from the city’s lights.... Browse tour

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green aurora over a hill with snow and spruce trees

Chena Hot Springs and Northern Lights

Chena Hot Springs Resort offers an outdoor hot springs rock lake and an indoor pool, perfect for relaxing. Admission to the pools is included. The resort also offers guests a restaurant and is home to the Aurora Ice Museum,... Browse tour

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Glacier & Wildlife Flightseeing Tour

Enjoy a day tour from Anchorage with flightseeing from Lake Hood over the majestic Chugach State Park! You will soar above the expansive Knik or Triumvirate Glacier on your flight, rimmed with spectacular hanging ice formations. With a birdseye... Browse tour

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Discover Denali Flightseeing

This scenic flight from Anchorage to Denali National Park takes you within six miles of the 20,320 ft—Denali summit, North America’s tallest mountain. Fly by float plane, ski plane, or even traditional small wheel plane (winter only) from Anchorage’s... Browse tour

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Fairbanks Highlights Tour in Fall and Winter

This guided “Fairbanks Highlights” day tour during the fall and winter seasons in Alaska showcases all the best seasonal spotlights of Fairbanks.  You will stop at the Trans Alaska Pipeline, where your guide will explain the astonishing engineering of... Browse tour

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people walking on a valley glacier

Matanuska Glacier Hiking Out of Anchorage

Depart Anchorage by van for an Alaska glacier adventure beginning with a narrated 100-mile drive north through the scenic Matanuska Susitna Valley on your way to Matanuska Glacier. Photo stops will be made along the way to capture the... Browse tour

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Iditarod Race Official Start Tour

Based in Anchorage for five nights, this Iditarod experience begins with the ceremonial start on snow-covered city streets, where you can have up-close viewing of this unique dog sledding event. The next day, travel to the community of Willow... Browse tour

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a yellow and blue passenger train traveling through a boreal forest in winter

Aurora Train Travel in Fall and Winter

This Aurora Train travel experience on the Alaska Railroad features some of Alaska’s best fall and winter activities in Anchorage and Fairbanks.  Begin your tour with a day trip from Anchorage on a guided tour on Turnagain Arm along... Browse tour

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Arctic Circle Winter Driving Adventure

On this winter day tour out of Fairbanks, drive up the Dalton Highway into Alaska’s Arctic. As you depart Fairbanks, you will pass gold mines and drive alongside the Trans-Alaska Pipeline. Walking on the Arctic tundra will give you... Browse tour

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Bettles Lodge Winter Adventure

Fly from Fairbanks across the tremendous interior region of Alaska, landing 35 miles across the Arctic Circle in the remote outpost of Bettles. The area surrounding Bettles boasts many clear sky nights and sits directly below the Aurora Band's... Browse tour

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Arctic Circle Winter Flightseeing Tour

Depart from Fairbanks for a day trip on a small plane, land across the Arctic Circle ceremoniously, and receive an official Arctic Circle certificate. Enjoy a walk on the treeless Arctic tundra, which will give you a sense of... Browse tour

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Ice Fishing Day Tour from Fairbanks

Today you will be picked up from your Fairbanks hotel for a full day of guided Alaska lake ice fishing.  Learn traditional Alaska Native skills and techniques for ice fishing from experienced ice fishing guides.  While catching fish in... Browse tour

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a person at night in winter taking a photo on a digital camera of the skyline of Anchorage, Alaska

Anchorage Winter Photo Safari

If you’re going to be in Anchorage this winter, a photography day tour is a fun experience for amateur to avid photographers alike to learn about Anchorage’s many attractions! This 4-hour sightseeing tour with your camera is a great... Browse tour

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an aerial tram labeled 'Alyeska Resort' over snowy mountains

Winter Turnagain Turnaround Day Tour

Take a small group Winter day tour from Anchorage on this guided bus tour along Cook Inlet’s Turnagain Arm, one of the most scenic drives in Alaska. Your driver will pick you up from your Anchorage hotel and take... Browse tour

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Fairbanks Winter Dog Sledding Tour

This Fairbanks tour is full of dog sledding adventure and fun. Experienced guides showcase their Alaska sled dogs and share insights into Alaska’s unique dog mushing lifestyle and popular winter sport. Then spend 1-hour on the trails! Learn dog... Browse tour

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Anchorage Dog Sledding Tour

This Anchorage day tour puts you in the Alaska dog sledding driving seat. After a scenic drive north to Talkeetna and dog mushing country, you will arrive at an Iditarod champion sled dog kennel and get an introduction to... Browse tour

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Northern Lights & Iditarod
a sled dog team in booties and jackets starts along a city street lined with spectators

Ultimate Alaska Winter Wonderland and Iditarod

This comprehensive Alaska winter travel experience begins with sightseeing in Fairbanks, including a great chance to see the northern lights. Departing from Fairbanks, travel by motorcoach to the historic town of Healy on the outskirts of Denali National Park.... Browse tour

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green aurora over a resort surrounded by snow and spruce trees

Alaska Winter Wonders Tour

Exploring Alaska in winter is easy and a great value. Start with a few nights at a luxurious hotel in the village of Girdwood, then travel aboard the Alaska Railroad Aurora Winter Train from Anchorage to Fairbanks. This unique... Browse tour

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a snowy boreal forest landscape, with the snow-capped mountain of Denali in the background

Winter Adventure to Denali

Travel to Denali National Park on a fall or winter adventure! This guided tour departs from Fairbanks and travels south through the Tanana Valley along the Parks Highway. Your guide will share areas of interest and stop at the... Browse tour

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Winter Helicopter Flightseeing with Glacier Landing

Enjoy an extended flightseeing adventure from Girdwood over the heavily glaciated Chugach Mountains. This popular one-hour helicopter tour explores Lake George Glacier, Lake George Valley, Whiteout Glacier, and Colony Glacier. As you fly through the Chugach State Park backcountry,... Browse tour

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Iditarod Starting Line Event

On this day tour from Anchorage, experience the official start of the world-famous Iditarod Sled Dog Race. Every year hundreds of people line the streets of Willow Lake just north of Anchorage for the start of this iconic dog... Browse tour

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green aurora over a highway with snow to the sides

Alaska Winter Driving Tour

Designed for independent travelers, this SUV (all-wheel) self-drive tour features a few days to explore Fairbanks and Chena Hot Springs. The Fairbanks area is among the best places to experience the amazing northern lights. At Chena Hot Springs, admission... Browse tour

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sled dogs mushing through a downtown city street

Winter Wonderland and Iditarod

All things Iditarod! Attend the Musher’s Banquet, visit a kennel, meet an Iditarod champion, and watch the ceremonial start and official start of the Last Great Race! Travel by van or coach from Anchorage: Tour Anchorage, the Anchorage Museum,... Browse tour

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