It’s during our descent on board Air Alaska Flight 2808 when all usual thoughts of potential plane crashes vanish from my hyperactive mind. I’ve just seen what’s out the window: a spiky mountain range, draped in thick white stretches into the distance.
Beyond, signs of life come into view – grey buildings, skinny streetlights, bare trees. Everything is black or white – an ice desert, dormant for the cold months. Winter in Fairbanks– Alaska’s second biggest city is waiting for us.
Located in the Interior of the state, Fairbanks (compared to the rest of the United States) is a small place with big appeal.
Here are 4 things to do if you make the trek here in winter:
#1: Experience true isolation
Mount Aurora Lodge on Cleary Summit is around 45 minutes from town and an easy choice if you wanna really get into the wild. It’s a windy highway drive to the lodge, through snow plowed roads and icy forests. By the time we arrive, the sun is on its way down, just after 2pm, casting a pink hue around the sky and into the distance. The alpenglow reveals mountains upon mountains – it’s otherworldly – I can’t stop taking the same photo over and over again.
#2 Watch the Northern Lights:
One of the main reasons people travel to Fairbanks in winter is because it’s one of the best places on earth to see the Aurora Borealis. Read more on that here. As we’re on Cleary Summit, the temperature is warmer here than in town, and the nights are often clear, prime for Aurora viewing. Another reason to stay at the Mt Aurora Lodge is the ‘Aurora wake up service’, where the hosts wake you when the lights come out. At night, a red light around the lodge helps your eyes adjust. 
A L A S K A – can you believe this photo? It spins me out that this was us. I have so much to say about #Alaska, if you’re interested – check out the link in my bio. A photo posted by M I T Z I (@whosmitzi) on
Thanks to Deena for this amazing photo – taken just outside the lodge on Cleary Summit.
#3 Dog sledding
Alaska is home to the most famous dog sled race in the world- the Yukon Quest, so as crazy dog people, we waste no time in getting ourselves a dog sled ride. With the help of Deena, who calls Dan the driver to pick us up, we head to Paws for Adventure and come face to face with 56 pure bred Alaskan huskies. I’m in heaven!
Our sled ride is 30 minutes and our Musher, Kevin is so passionate about his team of Huskies. It’s fascinating watching him give commands and the dog’s instant response.
Our Dog Mushing Tour is 60 dollars for 30 minutes – well worth it if you love dogs!
#4 Touch the Artic Circle
Considering we were already 150 miles south of the artic circle, we figure we should just head up to the top of the world for a quick look-see. We arrange a day tour with Turtle Tours, who pick us up from the lodge. Our driver, Ray, is excellent company and regales us with facts of the Trans Alaska Pipe Line, which runs 800 miles from Prudhoe Bay to Valdez in the south. We drive the Dalton Highway and the famous Haul Road and once we reach the Artic Circle, stop for a photo and lunch.
It’s absolutely freezing at -26 degrees celsius and we have to make a fire in the snow (!) just to keep warm. I don’t stop shivering the entire time.
Special Mentions:
#5 See the Museum of the North
I’m not really a ‘stand around in a museum’ type of girl, but I found the museum fascinating. It costs 12 dollars to get in, and make sure you stop to take a photo of the Mountain Range as you walk in – it’s just spectacular.
#6 Have a bevvie at HooDoo Brewery
In the centre of town, Hoodoo Brewery serves up delicious craft beer. As a local’s fave it’s a great place to people watch and start off the night. Plus, when it’s cold out- beer always warms the soul, especially a Tasting Flight of six beers. Haha!
#7 Go down to the Midnite Mine
This place looks dodgy as hell, but it’s a whole lot of fun. Walk into this dive bar and you’ll find a bunker full of neon lights, a pool table and a dog that fetches dollar bills for tips.
