Alaska Winter Tour Ottsworld

Please observe – this tour is presently full. When you’d wish to be placed on the waitlist – simply e-mail me at [email protected]

I first traveled to Alaska in the summertime – as most individuals do. I fell in love with the folks and the panorama – I personally assume it’s America’s most lovely state and constantly falls in my prime 5 locations to go to in all the world. I used to be all the time intrigued about how folks lived there within the winter and what they did – a lot in order that I did my first Alaska winter journey in 2018.

That’s after I actually fell in love with Alaska within the winter.

Since then, I’ve been again three extra occasions and it will get higher every time! As I’ve shared my adventures there, I constantly get requested by readers to arrange an Alaska winter tour.

I’ve lastly discovered an organization that I needed to work with, Salmonberry Excursions, that matches my journey mentality and will assist me put a personalized tour collectively! This Alaska winter tour consists of the most effective and most original winter experiences Alaska has to supply!

Why Alaska within the Winter?

Most individuals don’t take into consideration going to Alaska in February.  In any case, it’s the coldest, snowiest, and most distant vacation spot in the USA.  However I’m not like most individuals.  I wish to journey to the distant corners of our globe as a result of that’s the place you discover essentially the most epic experiences and environments. 

Whereas most individuals dream of seashores to flee winter in February, I dream of the northern lights, sled canine, scorching chocolate, and snow-capped mountains. Winter in Alaska is once you discover the actual Alaskans, the full-timers, and the heartiest of locals. You’ll have the prospect to satisfy them and spend time with this hearty bunch once you journey with me.

Aurora Viewing – Why Go in 2025

The northern lights are so prolific within the Fairbanks area and the Arctic that guests who keep a minimal of three nights and are actively out in the course of the late night hours improve their likelihood of seeing the aurora to greater than 80 %! And that’s precisely why we’ll have 3 nights of aurora chasing in Fairbanks to begin off the journey! Plus – there are good possibilities we’ll see the lights in Talkeetna and Glacier View.

As well as, scientists have forecasted the subsequent peak of photo voltaic exercise (the photo voltaic most) will likely be reached in July 2025. As we method the photo voltaic most, we’ll begin to see extra intense and extra frequent aurora. So this even will increase our possibilities additional to see some spectacular aurora shows.

On one of many nights, we may even get particular northern lights pictures directions for these thinking about studying learn how to {photograph} the northern lights.

You may learn extra about why Fairbanks and Alaska are the proper locations for Aurora viewing

Overview, Dates, and Prices

Please observe – this tour is presently full. When you’d wish to be placed on the waitlist – simply e-mail me at [email protected]

 When you’ve ever dreamed of experiencing the northern lights, mushing your personal workforce of Alaskan Huskies, seeing North America’s tallest peak lined in snow, mountaineering on a glacier, and studying learn how to play the winter sport of curling – then skip the seaside this winter and begin knocking issues off your bucket checklist with my Ottsworld Alaska Winter Tour February 2025!

The tour is an ideal mixture of journey and aurora viewing all whereas getting the chance to satisfy native Alaskans and learn the way they dwell (and thrive) within the harsh atmosphere.

Alaska Winter Tour Highlights

I’ve put collectively all of my favourite winter experiences into this tour. You’ll be immersed into the Alaskan tradition and revel in winter to the fullest!

• Aurora Viewing 3 nights in Fairbanks the place you’ll be able to wait within the consolation of cabins
• Snowshoeing in Fairbanks with a naturalist
• Discover ways to curl on the native Fairbanks Curling Membership
• Drive to the Denali Winter Customer Middle
• Go to a Canine Kennel and be taught all about mushing in Denali
• Go to breweries, museums, and extra in Talkeetna (non-compulsory flightseeing)
• Go to an Iditarod Champion kennel and learn to mush your personal workforce of canine
• Hike on the Matanuska Glacier
• Keep in cozy winter cabins (non-compulsory snowmobiling)
• Have our private native information and aurora skilled all through all the journey

We begin in Fairbanks and finish in Anchorage, which provides you with an unlimited have a look at the state. See for your self!

Dates: February 15-22 2025

Price: Single Room = $5,454
Double Room per individual = $4724 – if you’re prepared to share – it is a tremendous deal!
Triple Room per individual = $4508 – as soon as once more, if three folks need to share!

All meals and experiences are included!

Itinerary at a Look

February 15 – arrive in Fairbanks, Alaska – night Aurora chasing.
February 16 – Snowshoeing and night Aurora tour.
February 17 – Intro to Curling and night Aurora tour and particular dinner with locals.
February 18: Drive Fairbanks to Talkeetna, take a canine sled experience, and tour the kennel. Cease on the Denali Customer Middle.
February 19 – Discover Talkeetna, tour an Iditarod Kennel, and mush your personal workforce of canine.
February 20 – Non-compulsory flightseeing round Denali, drive Talkeetna to Glacier View.
February 21 – Matanuska Glacier Hike, non-compulsory snowmobiling.
February 22 – Glacier View to Anchorage, discover Anchorage, night departure from Anchorage.

Starting/Ending Level

Fly into Fairbanks (FAI) on February 15, 2025
Fly out of Anchorage (ANC) on February 22, 2025 Afternoon

What’s Included

• All lodging
• All Transportation
• All meals – No alcohol is included however could be bought by yourself
• All listed excursions (3 aurora viewing excursions, snowshoeing, curling lesson, two kennel visits, canine mushing, and glacier hike.)
• Entry to a full gallery of pictures (shot by me!) of all the journey, which you should utilize for private functions.

What’s Not Included

• Airfare
• Alcoholic drinks
• Flightseeing in Talkeetna (non-compulsory exercise)
• Snowmobiling at Sheep Mountain Lodge (non-compulsory exercise)
• Muskox Farm Go to (if time permits)
• Suggestions for guides
• Journey Insurance coverage

I strongly counsel you get journey insurance coverage for any of your travels. Right here’s extra information on journey insurance coverage. I take advantage of Allianz Journey Insurance coverage for my very own private travels and have all the time been proud of their service. I extremely counsel the Annual plan they provide!

How one can Ebook This Tour

Please observe – this tour is presently full. When you’d wish to be placed on the waitlist – simply e-mail me at [email protected]

I’d like to speak to you first to reply any of your questions previous to your reserving. Subsequently, observe these steps to e book:

1. Ship me an e-mail at [email protected] letting me learn about your curiosity. We’ll arrange a name to debate any questions you may have. This will likely be on a first-come, first-served foundation – there are solely 9 spots accessible on this tour.
2. I’ll then put you in contact with Glenda from Salmonberry, the place you’ll be able to e book your $250 deposit per individual together with her and safe your spot for this practice Ottsworld tour.
3. 10 persons are required for the tour to run. Please wait to buy airfare till we are able to affirm ten friends.

Cancellation Coverage and Charges

• A $250 preliminary dedication deposit is required to carry your spot. If the journey doesn’t get confirmed with 10 folks, then your $250 maintain will likely be refunded, or you should utilize it in direction of one other Salmonberry tour.
• As soon as the tour is confirmed with ten folks signed up, the complete deposit (50% of the journey price much less the $250 already paid) will likely be due and non-refundable after October 1, 2024.
• The ultimate fee is due December 1, 2024.
• You may cancel as much as October 1, 2024, and be refunded your deposit. After October 1, 2024, journey prices spent to this point are non-refundable.

I like to recommend getting Allianz Journey Insurance coverage to cowl your journey prices in case of cancellation or emergency. Get a quote now.

Detailed Itinerary for Winter Alaska Tour 2025

Day 1 Fairbanks

Arrive in Fairbanks, get checked in, and prepare for our first group dinner. After dinner, we depart for a preferred Northern Lights viewing location outdoors Fairbanks. Your native Alaska information will share the science behind the lights and their significance to Alaska Native cultures, in addition to the historical past of the world and private tales of residing within the Nice Land. This night tour features a heated indoor relaxation space, snacks, Cup Noodles, and scorching drinks to take pleasure in.

Dinner Included
In a single day Fairbanks

Day 2 Fairbanks

Sleep in and discover downtown Fairbanks by yourself. In the present day, we take a snowshoe stroll the place you’ll discover the boreal forest, transferring by birch and spruce bushes and seeing iconic Alaskan dwarf spruce. We’ll stroll by a winter wonderland in search of animal tracks, studying about native plant makes use of, and the way vegetation and animals survive life within the chilly. It might be winter, however there are nonetheless birds, mammals, and vegetation to be discovered! 

Tonight after dinner we head out for extra aurora chasing! We’ll go to a distinct location outdoors of Fairbanks to scan the skies for the sensible northern lights. As soon as once more a a heated indoor relaxation space, snacks, Cup Noodles, and scorching drinks are supplied.

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Included
In a single day Fairbanks

Day 3 Fairbanks

In the present day, we go deep into the native tradition of curling! We’ll head to the Fairbanks curling heart, meet native curlers, and get hands-on on this distinctive sport! It might look easy on TV – however you’ll be shocked at how difficult – and FUN – it’s! We’ll also have a pleasant group curling match to check out our new expertise!

Tonight, we now have a really particular deal with – we’ll take pleasure in an unique night with native Alaskans (Frank and Miriam) residing off the grid! Your hosts and their canine companions open their dwelling to you 25 miles from Fairbanks and the town lights. Benefit from the silence and remoteness, and get glimpse of off-grid residing. Regardless of for those who sit in entrance of the massive panoramic home windows from the consolation of the cabin or head outdoors to seek for the aurora, this will likely be a particular night. Frank is an expert photographer who will help with Aurora Borealis’s pictures. If the aurora is powerful sufficient, Frank will take skilled pictures of you underneath the aurora.

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner included
In a single day Fairbanks

Day 4 – Drive to Talkeetna by Denali

In the present day, we head south and benefit from the beautiful panorama and views of Denali (hopefully, if it’s clear!). Situated on the sting of Denali Nationwide Park and nestled in a small stand of spruce forest, we’ll cease at Moondog Kennel – dwelling to the friendliest group of working sled canine round! Hailing from conventional freighting genetics and straight associated to the Denali Park Kennel, Brian, and Courtney will share with you what life on the tundra is all about. Get pleasure from a sled canine meet and greet, and comfy up on the sofa with snacks and a bunch of retired canine as you be taught concerning the significance of freighting canine and the historical past of the Denali space. You’ll acquire a greater understanding of the lives of native mushers in inside Alaska.

If time permits, we’ll additionally cease on the Denali Nationwide Park Customer Middle and speak to the ranger about wintertime within the nationwide park.

Arrive within the small city of Talkeetna and get cozy in your cabin! Right here, we are able to additionally search for northern lights down by the river – a brief stroll from the cabins.

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner included
In a single day Talkeetna

Day 5 – Talkeetna

Discover Talkeetna and it’s distinctive character! Cease in at Nagley’s and meet Aurora – the feline mayor! Benefit from the museum and be taught all about climbing Denali and the historical past of the area. Benefit from the retailers alongside Most important Avenue.

In the present day we’ll go to the house of an Iditarod champion (he received final 12 months!), Dallas Seavey, and tour his kennel of energetic sled canine. The tour begins on the kennel headquarters overlooking the canine yard and snowy boreal forest you’ll mush by. Highlights embrace the hook-up, sled driving demo, and a six-mile mush on the identical trails that Dallas trains together with his Iditarod workforce. This time, you received’t merely be driving – you’ll be mushing your personal workforce of canine!

Every two friends will share a canine sled and a canine workforce of Alaskan huskies on your mini-expedition! For the primary half of your experience, you’ll information your workforce by the silent, snow-capped birch and spruce forest; the one sounds are paws pounding, the sled’s runners gliding throughout the snow, and the occasional excited bark. Many picture alternatives will likely be accessible as you go to duplicate Iditarod checkpoints and race to the end line underneath the burled arch!

After your experience, be part of us for a tour of the homestead and kennel operations, in addition to time with the youthful husky puppies. Be sure to take loads of pictures with the long run Iditarod champions earlier than they’re well-known! End this distinctive expertise again at Kennedy headquarters, the place you meet different members of the skilled mushing workforce and heat up with cookies and scorching drinks.

If climate permits, there will likely be an opportunity to go on a flightseeing tour of Denali! That is an non-compulsory exercise and roughly $375 per individual needs to be budgeted. For these , we’ll verify climate for at this time and tomorrow for a attainable flight!

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner included
In a single day Talkeetna

Day 6 – Glacier View

Drive additional south to the Glenn Freeway – considered one of Alaska’s most dramatic drives and a private favourite of mine! You’ll drive by glaciers, mountains, and wildlife. Our vacation spot at this time is Sheep Mountain Lodge the place you’ll get to remain in a comfy cabin with unimaginable mountain views.

Right here, you’ll have choices to do snowshoeing on their trails and even do an non-compulsory snowmobile tour.

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner included
In a single day Glacier View

Day 7 – Matanuska Glacier

It’s a bucket checklist merchandise for a lot of – there’s nothing like standing in entrance of and on a glacier. The scale and energy of this magnificent pure surprise are humbling. We’ll spend an entire afternoon mountaineering and studying concerning the Matanuska Glacier.

In the present day, we discover Matanuska Glacier’s many unimaginable options, corresponding to moraine and glacial blue meltwater swimming pools, in Southcentral’s lovely Matanuska Valley. 1000’s of years outdated, this huge glacier is tucked up into the top of the Matanuska Valley. You’ll spend 2 hours trekking with our glacier guides by your aspect, studying how the Matanuska Glacier was born and the way it formed the panorama within the Matanuska Susitna Valley. Discover blue meltwater swimming pools and awe-inspiring formations.
We’ll present our helmets, a trekking pole (strolling stick), and microspikes that connect to your footwear.

Cease at an area lodge for lunch and a gorgeous view to spherical out the expertise.

Non-compulsory snowmobile tour at Sheep Mountain Lodge that afternoon.

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner included
In a single day Glacier View

Day 8 – Anchorage Departure

We’ll depart Glacier view behind and set our sights on Anchorage this morning. We should always get there in time to discover the town a bit, and perhaps even see a moose wandering round (we did final time!). We’ll take pleasure in a going away lunch after which bid farewell.

Departure flight needs to be booked for the afternoon at 4 PM or later.

Breakfast and lunch are included.

I strongly counsel you get journey insurance coverage for any of your travels. Right here’s extra information on journey insurance coverage. I take advantage of Allianz Journey Insurance coverage for my very own private travels.

Discover out the place to go in Alaska for fall colour

Who Ought to Take into account This Tour?

• Individuals who wish to discover lesser-known locations and be adventurous and energetic.
• People who find themselves versatile.  Try to be prepared to exhibit flexibility, as itineraries might change resulting from climate, and the aurora might not come out – it is best to have a ‘prepared to attempt new issues’ perspective.
• Individuals who take pleasure in chilly climate actions and being open air.
• Individuals who can hike at the least 3 miles.
• People who find themselves okay with staying up late to view the northern lights. Typically we don’t exit for viewing till 10 PM and get again to the lodge at 2 AM. However don’t fear – we offer you time to sleep within the subsequent morning with late begins the subsequent day.
• People who find themselves amenable to touring with others.

What’s going to the Climate Be Like?

You is likely to be shocked to seek out out that the coastal areas in Alaska don’t get as chilly as you assume – they not often fall under 20F aside from the occasional storm. Up within the Arctic areas, they don’t get a lot snow as a result of it’s thought of a desert.

Nonetheless, Alaska’s inside (Fairbanks) will get chilly, and there’s plenty of snow. There chances are you’ll expertise temperatures dipping into the -20F and get plenty of snow that can stick round all winter from October by March. All Alaskans know that you could fight winter climate with the suitable gear. You probably have the suitable gear – you’ll be able to take pleasure in Alaska winter – even in Fairbanks!

Uncover 7 of the most effective locations to journey in winter for North People

What Winter Gear Will You Must Be Comfy?

I’ve written this publish about what to pack for Alaska within the winter so please check out it – this provides you with an concept of the gear to convey and doubtless embrace numerous belongings you hadn’t thought of! The secret’s layers and good boots.

I’ll present an in depth packing checklist and may seek the advice of with you indiviually on what gear you’ll want. As well as, we’ll have a couple of group calls previous to the tour to speak about packing and different logistics.

You don’t have to exit and buy an entire new winter wardrobe, although, for this journey – you’ll be able to truly lease gear from Alaska Outside Gear Rental.  They lease high quality gear that you could get delivered to your lodge in Fairbanks, and you may return to your lodge in Anchorage. They’ve gear packages to lease or particular person objects. See extra at Alaska Outside Gear Rental.

What do Folks Say About Ottsworld Excursions

“The Ottsworld Alaska Winter Tour is a bucket-list-checking good time! The Aurora viewing, canine sledding, snow shoeing, moose viewing, curling, and glacier mountaineering all occur at a cushty tempo in breathtaking places, blended in with among the greatest foods and drinks stops you’ll be able to think about.  Can’t say sufficient good issues – – – go!” – Heather

“I couldn’t have requested for a extra unimaginable technique to expertise Alaska for the very first time than with Sherry Ott. Sherry’s data of distinctive locations and superb folks made all of it come collectively into an incredible week!!  A small group of us have been in a position to expertise the off-beaten path and met essentially the most real, genuine folks prepared to share their lifestyle in Alaska. It’s onerous to place into phrases how this expertise made me really feel. I fell in love with Alaska….the place and its folks!  It was all so magical, from seeing the aurora borealis, to snowshoeing within the peaceable, spruce and birch forests, to mountaineering on a glacier, and really mushing canine and canine sledding!!  There was a peace there I had been in search of.  It was undoubtedly a visit I’ll bear in mind ceaselessly!!  I’m eternally grateful to Sherry for sharing her data of this place.  I look ahead to different journeys Sherry might share, as I do know they are going to be distinctive!!  ” – Debbie

“The winter Alaska journey with Sherry Ott was excessive in all respects, ie unimaginable guides, superb meals and off the charts surroundings.  The tour firm, Salmonberry is a firstclass operation.  This journey was neck and neck with the highest ones of my lifetime!” – George

Led by Salmonberry Excursions

What makes this ‘Ottsworld’ worthy? I need to confess – that I’m form of a journey snob. I don’t love to do the ‘anticipated’ or see the everyday sights; I like to hunt out the weird and fewer traveled (which is why I like to go to Alaska within the winter!). I’ve labored collectively very carefully with Salmonberry Excursions to place collectively an itinerary that impresses even me!

Salmonberry is an area Alaska firm, women-owned, and Alaska specialists! And better of all they’re small however mighty. I like supporting small, native operators after I journey – and I believe you’ll love them too. They solely rent guides who grew up in Alaska – no transplants – they’re specialists on the terrain, wildlife, and tradition of the state. They are going to be our information and driver as we discover the winter wonderland!

Extensions – Iditarod, Alaska prepare journey, and extra!

You may as well simply prolong your journey on both finish and spend extra time in a particular space or I’m completely happy to counsel extra actions. Salmonberry has numerous extra day excursions and nice issues to do across the space too.

The 2025 Iditarod is beginning shortly after our tour concludes on February twenty sixth! It is a nice alternative to remain and expertise Alaska’s spotlight of winter – the beginning of the Iditarod in Anchorage! Salmonberry presents particular staring line experiences.

You may as well select to experience the Alaska Railroad Aurora Winter Practice again to Fairbanks for those who’d like a distinct perspective of the snowy panorama!

Or perhaps you need to stick round Anchorage and proceed the journey! Listed below are my favourite issues to do in Anchorage within the winter.

Questions?

Be at liberty to contact me at [email protected] with any questions you may have about this tour, the experiences, what to pack, and so forth. I’m completely happy to reply something!

Pin it for later!

Associated