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Alaska Winter Wonders Tour

Experience the magical time of winter in Alaska. Ski at Alyeska Resort, journey aboard the Alaska Railroad, and check out the Northern Lights.

Tour Code: 241CTA

Tour Overview

Our Alaska Winter Wonders getaway tour is for all winter season enthusiasts. From Anchorage, you’ll travel south to enjoy Alyeska Resort and popular Alaska winter outdoor activities while traveling through spectacular winter scenery on the Alaska Railroad. At the Alyeska Resort, located 40 miles south of Anchorage in Girdwood, you can enjoy excellent downhill skiing, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, or just relax in the spa. Then you’ll enjoy a scenic railroad ride northwards to Alaska’s Interior Region and Fairbanks from where you’ll travel onward to Chena Hot Springs Resort. The outdoor mineral hot springs at the resort, as well as the indoor hot tubs and pool, provide a relaxing environment after winter sports fun. Chena Hot Springs Resort also offers great Northern Lights “aurora borealis” viewing on clear winter nights!

What's Included
  • 8 nights accommodation
  • 3 days midsize car rental with unlimited miles
  • Train from Anchorage to Fairbanks
  • Roundtrip transfer between Fairbanks and Chena Hot Springs
  • 4-hour Aurora Viewing Expedition tour
  • Pool passes at the Chena Hot Springs Resort
  • Scheduled flight from Fairbanks to Anchorage
  • All taxes and fees
What's Not Included

Optional insurance for rental vehicle, additional driver fees, or gasoline. Meals, excursions, gratuities, and admission fees other than mentioned. Lift tickets or winter gear rental while at Hotel Alyeska.

 

Tour Itinerary

Day 1
Anchorage Arrival

Anchorage is Alaska’s largest city, nestled between the Chugach Mountains and Cook Inlet. Offering an abundance of shopping, cultural attractions, and gourmet restaurants, Anchorage provides an excellent start to your vacation. Depending on your arrival, you may have time to take part in an optional tour such as local photo tour (see Tour Add-Ons). Overnight in Anchorage.

Day 2
Anchorage to Girdwood

This morning pick up your rental car from the downtown rental office. You will then drive one of the most beautiful highway sections in Alaska, along Turnagain Arm to Girdwood. After checking in at the Hotel Alyeska, explore the area and try one of the many restaurants. In the evening, relax in the whirlpool or take the tram to enjoy a first class meal at the Seven Glaciers Restaurant. Overnight at Hotel Alyeska.

Day 3
Girdwood

Spend the day enjoying the diverse winter activities such as snow shoeing, cross-country skiing, or downhill skiing (snow conditions permitting; lift operations typically start early December). Alyeska receives an annual snowfall of 782 inches! The mountain is sure to please all with ungroomed double black diamond runs for the advanced skiers and riders, big mountain carving in wide mountain bowls for the intermediate, and well groomed trails for the beginner. In the evening, relax in the fitness center’s whirlpool or sauna, or schedule a session with the massage therapists. Overnight at Hotel Alyeska.

Day 4
Girdwood to Anchorage

The morning is at your leisure. After checking out of the Hotel Alyeska, you will drive back to Anchorage. Upon arrival in Anchorage, return your rental car. Or return to Anchorage early to participate in an optional Dog Sledding Excursion (see Tour Add-Ons). Overnight in Anchorage.

Day 5
Anchorage to Fairbanks

In the morning, take the hotel courtesy shuttle to the Anchorage train station. Here you will board the famous Alaska Railroad in the morning and travel through beautiful Alaska’s winter landscape to Fairbanks. During the train ride, enjoy spectacular views of the Alaska Range and possibly even Denali (weather permitting). You will arrive in Fairbanks in the evening and transfer to the hotel via hotel courtesy shuttle. Overnight in Fairbanks.

Day 6
Fairbanks to Chena Hot Springs Resort

This morning before your transfer to Chena Hot Springs, you have another chance to add an optional Dog Sledding Tour (see Tour Add-Ons). Transfer from your hotel in Fairbanks to Chena Hot Springs Resort at approximately noon. After a one-hour transfer, you will arrive at the resort. Spend the afternoon exploring the resort and soaking in the mineral hot springs. This evening enjoy a 4-hour aurora viewing tour on heated snow cats. Overnight at Chena Hot Springs Resort.

Day 7
Chena Hot Springs Resort

Today is at your leisure to enjoy the many activities offered by the resort, such as dog sledding and snowshoeing (see Tour Add-Ons). We also recommend a tour of the Aurora Ice Museum, where everything from the chairs to the chandeliers is hand carved from ice. Pool passes are included throughout your stay. Overnight at Chena Hot Springs Resort.

Day 8
Chena Hot Springs Resort to Anchorage

This morning you will transfer back to Fairbanks in time to catch your flight to Anchorage. Upon arrival in Anchorage, transfer to your hotel by courtesy shuttle. The rest of the day is free to explore Anchorage, Alaska’s largest city. Overnight in Anchorage.

Day 9
Anchorage Departure

Depending on your departure time, you might have free time for some souvenir shopping or additional excursions. Transfer by shuttle or on your own to the airport. Depart or start an additional program.

Tour Map

 

Dates & Rates

The tour begins on Tuesdays to accommodate the Alaska Railroad schedule. There are some additional Friday and Sunday departures available as well.


*Child prices are valid for children 11 years and younger, sharing a room with at least 2 full paying adults with the existing bedding. Maximum of 4 people per room.

Our Standard Program Includes:

2 and 3 star hotel accommodations.

The program will include a combination of hotels or motels that are considered moderate to standard tourist class. Please be aware not all hotels have shuttle services.

Standard train car seating on all rail services (reserved seats).

If you would like to book the standard program but with upgraded rail seating, the option and surcharge will be listed when you save to your cart.

Our Upgraded Program Includes:

* 3 and 4 star hotels (best available) wherever possible.

The program will include standard rooms at this category of hotel where possible. Alaska has very limited hotel choices in remote areas and small towns. The properties will typically offer a wider range of services such as a full-service restaurant, room service and perhaps a pool or spa facilities. Please be aware the upgraded accommodations in downtown Anchorage do not have hotel shuttle services. Many of the upgraded hotels also offer guaranteed view rooms for additional cost. If you would like a specific room type, in addition to the upgraded program, please ask us about availability and cost difference.

Deluxe dome train car seating between Anchorage, Denali and Fairbanks, or Anchorage and Seward.

All journeys between Anchorage and Whittier are in standard seating as deluxe dome cars are not available on that route.

 

Tour Add-ons

Browsing optional excursions for the Alaska Winter Wonders Tour:

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 Iditarod champion Dallas Seavey’s sled dog kennel and get an introduction into mushing your own team. Help harness the dogs before setting out on a 10 kilometer (6-mile)... Browse tour

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 way to discover and explore Anchorage in the winter. Meet in downtown Anchorage and hunt for... Browse tour

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 the unique mushing (dog sledding) lifestyle and this popular winter sport in Alaska. Then spend 1 hour on the trails! Learn dog calls and steering techniques from your guide as you travel on... Browse tour

Reluctantly, our family returned from our trip to Alaska last Sunday.  We had a marvelous time all along the way!  Even though we kept up a steady pace from train to excursion to hotel to excursion to train, you had planned everything perfectly so that our connections all worked out very well.... Read more  

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