Welcome to Fairbanks!

The far-north latitude of this somewhat small community makes Fairbanks one of the best places on Earth to experience the magic of winter. Incredible ice sculptures are the talk of the town, charming and energetic sled dogs mush you along snow covered trails, and the night skies are oft alight with awe-inspiring aurora borealis. Adventure-filled winter days are spent enjoying ultimate outdoor activities like skiing, snowshoeing, ice fishing and snowmobiling followed by enchanted evenings under the northern lights. Journey above the Arctic Circle, visit Santa in North Pole, learn about local Alaska Native culture, stroll with reindeer or discover the warmth of an Alaska hot spring. Plan for a truly memorable winter expedition in this sparkling land of aurora, ice and snow.

Dena Athabascan Land Acknowledgement

We respectfully acknowledge the Dena people on whose traditional lands we reside on. We honor the Dena who have been the stewards of Interior lands and waters for centuries, the Elders who lived here before, the Dena people of today and future generations to come. We also recognize that Alaskan Native people would traditionally gather here and harvest Native foods.

Don’t Miss It!

Look for fireworks in December at the Winter Solstice Festival, celebrating the shortest day of the year, and on New Year’s Eve at the University of Alaska Fairbanks.

Winter Activities

November through March, a visit to Fairbanks is like a trip inside a snow globe. With a landscape covered in ice and snow, Fairbanks has the coolest outdoor activities around including ice skating, ice sculpting, hockey, curling, sledding and more!

Explore the surrounding forests by snowshoe, ski or snowboard with miles and miles of public use areas, world class crosscountry ski trails and nearby slopes for downhill fun.

Experience the rush of snowmobiling with a local guide. Snowmachines—as they are most often called in Alaska—are one of the easiest ways to get into the incredible snowy areas around Fairbanks. A guide can outfit you, show you the ropes and take you on an exciting yet accessible ride through the back country.

Ice fishing on frozen lakes is another popular winter pastime. Connect with a guide to help you drill into clear lake ice which can be up to four feet thick and drop your line to catch chinook or coho salmon, Arctic char, or rainbow trout. Some outfitters will prepare your freshly caught fish in a warm and comfy hut right on the spot.

Feel like taking a walk on the not-so-wild side? Reindeer make engaging and entertaining companions to stroll alongside through the boreal forest. Get to know these whimsical, domesticated cousins of caribou and their history in Alaska and circumpolar regions.

What’s the Weather Like

The subarctic environment here is surprisingly agreeable with low humidity, little precipitation and almost no wind. Whether dashing through the snow or playing on the ice, be sure to check the weather report each day and dress accordingly. If you didn’t pack them for your trip, you can always stop by a local retailer or clothing rental outfitter to gear up with a few essentials:

3 Winter parka

3 Snow pants

3 Warm socks and boots

3 Scarf or face covering

3 Hat that covers your ears

3 Gloves or mittens

3 Long johns/ base layer

View the informative How to Dress for Winter in Fairbanks video at www.explorefairbanks.com/winter.

Average Daylight Hours

Average Snowfall and Temperature

Aurora Borealis

Aurora Season in Fairbanks spans nine months of the year and all four seasons—August 21 through April 21.The aurora borealis is active year-round but it is only during this time period that the midnight sun yields its heavenly canvas, allowing our northern nights to become dark enough to see this mesmerizing and aweinspiring phenomenon.

Why is aurora viewing so great here? There are multiple factors that make Fairbanks the ideal destination for spotting the northern lights, luring visitors from all over the world.

• Located directly under the Auroral Oval. This is a ring-shaped band that hovers in the atmosphere above the Arctic Circle where aurora activity is concentrated.

• Distance from coastal areas and low precipitation means less cloud cover and an increased number of clear night skies.

• Low light pollution thanks to a small population and longer nights for nine months of the year both contribute to darker skies, which make the aurora easier to see.

• Multiple diverse and accessible vantage points to look for or wait for the northern lights to appear in Fairbanks and the surrounding area.

All combined, your likelihood of seeing the aurora borealis in the Fairbanks area is pretty high. Stay for at least three nights and be out actively looking during the late-night hours and your chances of seeing the aurora are more than 90%.

Chasing the Aurora

The aurora may be visible from anywhere in town where you can see the northern sky but the show will be more vibrant a few miles out of town where it is darker. Explore aurora viewing areas in your own vehicle, join a tour for expert guidance or head to a specialized aurora viewing venue.

Some popular aurora viewing destinations include Murphy Dome in the hills west of town, Chena Lake Recreation Area just outside the city of North Pole and Chena River State Recreation Area along Chena Hot Springs Road. All feature public use areas perfect for stopping to view the aurora.

Head north of Fairbanks to Cleary Summit along the Steese Highway for glorious north-facing views. Up the Dalton Highway in the Brooks Range, Coldfoot features spectacular aurora viewing above the Arctic Circle. It is best to get there via tour as the area is remote, the road is mostly gravel and can be rough with very few services along the way.

To the south, Denali National Park and Preserve (Parks Highway) and Delta Junction (Richardson Highway) both offer aurora viewing amidst stunning mountain vistas of the Alaska Range.

Scan here for the Explore Fairbanks Aurora Tracker. Real-time aurora activity and three-day forecasts help you chase the northern lights using data from the Geophysical Institute at the University of Alaska Fairbanks—the leading aurora research institute.

Helpful Aurora Viewing Tips

• Be resolute and patient. The aurora is unpredictable and weather can change quickly so go looking even if the forecast is below average.

• Plan to stay up all night. The northern lights generally make their appearance between 10pm and 3am but are sometimes spotted in the early evening or early morning hours, too. Give yourself three to five nights in the Fairbanks region for the very best chance of seeing a dynamic aurora.

• If driving yourself, try to scout out viewing locations during daylight hours so you know what kind of road conditions to expect. In snowy conditions, all-wheel or 4-wheel drive vehicles are recommended.

• Safety first! Exercise caution when driving and do not stop on roadways. Look for pullouts or other areas to safely get off the road. Be aware that cell service can be irregular the further you get from town.

• Turn off your headlights while parked and turn off your camera flash to minimize light pollution but watch out for wildlife on or near roadways and parking lots.

For more information about the northern lights in Fairbanks including a map to these popular aurora viewing locations, stop by the Morris Thompson Cultural and Visitors Center and pick up the Aurora Viewing Map & Guide.

Don’t Miss It!

Throughout the season, catch sprint races at the Jeff Studdert Race Grounds, culminating with the Open North American Championship Sled Dog Race in March. In February, watch the start of the Yukon Quest Alaska, a series of races through Interior Alaska.