Winter Activities in Alaska for Your Family
Are you planning a winter trip to Alaska for the whole family? Get inspired with our ideas for winter activities, preparing for your trip and how to make the most of playing in the snow! Alaska in the wintertime is beautiful and full of unique adventures you and your family are going to love.
Our Top Reason For Visiting Alaska in the Winter
You get to go on the most unique adventures of course!
Where else can you mush a team of sled dogs like a local, snowmobile out to a glacier, visit ice caves, see wildlife like moose & bald eagles, and also have a chance to spot the Northern Lights? Alaska offers once in a lifetime adventures that you’re only able to experience once the snow starts to fall!
Another bonus to visiting in winter; November-March is Alaska’s quieter season which means less tourists and good deals on lodging, car rentals. You’ll also find plane tickets are much more affordable than in the summer season.
Preparing Your Family For Winter in Alaska
Being prepared to adventure in colder temperatures will help you and your family enjoy your time in Alaska more. You’ll want to get some snow boots, snow pants, hats, gloves and a warm jacket if you don’t already own them. It gets quite chilly in the wintertime!
Temperatures to Expect
Temperatures in the Anchorage area tend to range from 10 degrees to 30 degrees during winter. It can get much colder even down to the negatives some nights, so being prepared for the cold is a must! Consider what adventures you are planning and how much time you’ll be spending outside. .
Some adventure experiences, like our snowmobile tours, outfit you head to toe in warm winter gear so that you don’t have to worry about being cold. If you plan on spending lots of time outside at night in search of the Northern Lights, you’ll want to keep an eye on the temperature and pack lots of layers.
What to Pack
Layers are your best friend when visiting Alaska. We recommend packing multiple layers, from base layers to a big warm jacket, so that you can stay cozy no matter your adventure. Wool or synthetic layers will be best at keeping you warm while you explore.
What you’ll want to pack for winter in Alaska:
- Wool or synthetic base layers
- A fleece or synthetic mid layer
- A warm puffy coat or wool jacket
- Beanies and/or earmuffs
- Gloves: Insulated mittens are best for warmth
- Scarves
- Waterproof layers
- Wool socks: Bring multiple pairs!
- Waterproof boots or insulated boots
- Hand warmers and toe warmers
Top Winter Adventures For the Whole Family
Go For a Heated UTV Ride to a Glacier with Alaska Backcountry Adventure Tours
Come along on one of our newest tours to explore the backcountry in comfort. Ride through the Knik Valley in a heated UTV to enjoy your journey out to the Knik Glacier! This tour is great for the whole family, especially those with younger kids.
Our brand new heated UTVs allow for you to enjoy the scenery while staying warm! Once we get to the glacier we’ll gear up in snowsuits and go explore. You can play the music of your choice wile riding along the trail!
You’ll get to enjoy the fun of riding along the trail, take in those beautiful mountain views, and explore the glacier! Enjoy the bright blue creek crossings and snow across the meadows. Be on the lookout for moose! When the glacier lake is frozen over you’ll get to walk around icebergs and search for unique ice formations. This is an experience you and your family will never forget!
Snowmobile With Alaska Backcountry Adventure Tours
A snowmobile tour with us is a great way to see Alaska in the winter! Whether you’ve been on a snowmobile before, or this is your first time, you are bound to have fun out on the trail. No experience is needed to ride with us and we provide all the gear that you need to stay warm and safe!
Choose between half and full day tours, riding out to the Knik Glacier, riding up in the mountains, or seeking out fields of powder. We have different adventures depending on what is right for your family!
Our Knik Glacier Snowmobile Tour is the perfect way to go for an adventure and see a glacier up close. Once the glacier lake freezes over, we can ride out across the lake to explore the icebergs frozen in place. It’s an experience like no other! You’ll also enjoy mountain views, wildlife sightings, and some hot chocolate along the way.
Our Boulder Creek Snowmobile Tour is for those who want mountain views and to search for fresh snow! Explore along the trail that our guides maintain, enjoy the dynamic terrain, ride through forests, and take in those beautiful mountain views.
Boulder Creek is one of our favorite local snowmobile trails. Enjoy the scenic drive to the trailhead to meet us and get geared up for your ride. After your tour, head into Glacier View to grab some food and see the Matanuska Glacier.
Take the Aurora Train
Take a ride on the Aurora Winter Train to visit Fairbanks. Depart from Anchorage on a 12 hour journey that will give you incredible views, and allow you to visit Talkeetna. Spot wildlife from your seat, have a chance to see Denali and the Alaska Range, and enjoy the time with your family where you don’t have to drive!
The views you’ll see out your window are unmatched as no road can get you there. You’ll want to find a comfy window seat!
Try Dogsledding
Dog sledding is a traditional and cultural means of transport in Alaska. For some, mushing is a vital part of life for transportation and hunting. For others, it has become a fun and exciting sport – I’m sure you’ve heard of the Iditarod!
Experience mushing for yourself at kennels like Alaskan Husky Adventures in Willow. You’ll meet Iditarod racing mushers, play with sled dog puppies, and mush a team of pups on your own sled.
The Iditarod officially starts in Willow each year with celebrations in Anchorage. Celebrate the Iditarod festivities with your family at Fur Rondy, an annual winter festival at the end of February. You can meet the mushers, learn more about dog sledding, and watch events like the world famous Outhouse Races!
Go Snow Tubing
Have you ever ridden an inflatable tube down a hill? It’s like sledding but better! Head to Arctic Valley for a fun tubing experience Thursdays through Sundays. You and your kids will love the pretty views, the ride up on the tow line, and the excitement of sledding back down!
Hike On a Glacier
Head over to Glacier View to walk on one of Alaska’s most accessible glaciers. The Matanuska Glacier is an awesome spot to take the whole family for an experience they’ll always remember. Hike on glacier ice, explore ice caves, and walk through ice slot canyons.
The blue of the glacier is just beautiful and it’s pretty cool to say that you’ve gotten to walk on a glacier. This adventure pairs well with our Boulder Creek snowmobile tour(link) for a full day of exploring!
View Wildlife at the Conservation Center
Head to the Conservation Center to see wildlife like Musk Ox, Moose, Wolves, and more! This wildlife center helps support conservation efforts of species, such as the Wood Bison, in Alaska and allows you to ensure you see iconic Alaskan animals. Learn about your favorite animals and enjoy walking around the park.
See the Northern Lights
Catching the Northern Lights is a bucket list experience. You might just get lucky enough to see them during your trip up to Alaska! Seeing the aurora dance overhead is incredible. It takes some planning, luck with the weather, and late nights to catch a show. You’ll be so happy when you do get the chance to spot them!
On dark, clear nights when the KP Index reaches a 4 or higher, check your view that faces North for a chance to see the aurora! The Aurora Forecast can help you see what the KP Index is, an indicator of solar storm activity that leads to the Northern Lights, and help you determine if it’s a good night to look for the lights. Facebook groups and the My Aurora app can also be helpful for catching the lights.
See You This Winter!
Alaska in the wintertime is such an incredible experience. We can’t wait for you and your family to see what it’s like and make so many memories! Plus, we would love to show you our backyard. Be sure to book your snowmobile or heated UTV tour so we can explore together!
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