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Fairbanks is well known for its summers, when the sun graces the sky for almost 24 hours a day and temperatures soar into the 90° F range. For many residents, however, winter is the season they enjoy the most. Spend some time on a starry winter night under the spell of the aurora borealis, and you'll soon see why.
Fairbanks' clear winter nights provide the perfect backdrop for this celestial phenomena. Ancient Eskimos believed they saw the souls of their ancestors in these shimmering bands of light. Turn of the century gold prospectors thought the colors rose from the mother lode. Spiritual, haunting, and unpredictable, the lights inspire lasting Alaskan memories.
Fairbanks is one of the best places on earth to view the aurora. In fact, researchers at the University of Alaska Fairbanks issue a weekly aurora forecast, predicting when and where auroral displays will be most visible. The lights are visible throughout the area, but more remote sites such as Mt. Aurora/Skiland, Chatanika Gold Camp, The Resort at Chena Hot Springs and Circle Hot Springs Resort have particularly good reputations for viewing. The hot springs also offer a relaxing dip in a naturally heated pool.
If you're looking for the real Alaska, you'll find it in Fairbanks. Most people in the Interior are active participants in some kind of winter sports or celebrations. Here you can be challenged by miles of Nordic and alpine skiing, test your luck at ice fishing, take to the wilderness on a snowmachine, or soar through the sky in a hot air balloon. Experience Alaska's cultural side at the Festival of Native Arts, held March 2-4, 2000, with dance demonstrations, craft exhibits and sales by Native people from all over Alaska. Those searching for the ultimate adrenaline rush participate in the Arctic Man Ski and Snow-Go Classic on April 7-9, 2000. Only the truly courageous or crazy participate in this event, featuring a skier and snowmachiner racing as a team at breakneck speed.
If you're looking for a holiday winter wonderland, we're it. Fairbanks is only 13 miles away from North Pole, where it's Christmas year-round. Come in December and witness North Pole's holiday Candle Lighting Ceremony (Dec. 5, 1999 and Dec. 3, 2000) and stop by the Santa Claus House to see St. Nick. Visit on the shortest day of the year, with only 4 hours of daylight, and celebrate Winter Solstice in downtown Fairbanks with iceskating, sleigh rides, carolers and more. The winter solstice marks a return to light, when Fairbanks begins to gain daylight at the rate of 6 or 7 minutes a day, until we reach summer and 24 hours of daylight.
The queen of northern sports, dog mushing, claims Fairbanks as its capital. You can break trail with your own team or catch a local musher for a ride. Those interested in racing enjoy the Yukon Quest. This grueling 1000-mile sled dog race between Whitehorse, Canada and Fairbanks begins in each city on alternating years. The 2000 race will begin on Feb. 12 in downtown Fairbanks and finish in Whitehorse approximately 10-14 days later.
Race enthusiasts will also be thrilled by the Open North American Sled Dog Championships, held in Fairbanks March 17-19. Called the Granddaddy of Sprint Racing, this three-day event starts and ends in downtown Fairbanks. Another popular sprint race, the Limited North American Sled Dog Championships, will be held in 1999 from March 10-12.
Winter doesn't go completely to the dogs. It also goes to praying mantises, dragons, mermaids,
wizards, and other exotic creations. Puzzled You won't be when you see the variety of sculptures carved out of blocks of ice during the 2000 World Ice Art Championships, which takes place March 1-12. Sculptors from around the world participate in the annual event. Fairbanks has achieved recognition for having the best--not to mention the most--ice in the world, and was the site of the U.S. Olympic Ice Sculpting Trials for the 1998 Winter Olympics in Japan. Visitors can watch the artists work and view the unique sculptures at the Ice Park located near the center of town.
If you like to participate in sports, Fairbanks has miles upon miles of beautiful cross country ski trails including those at Birch Hill Recreation Area, the University, Salcha Ski Trails, Chena Lakes Recreation Area and Pearl Creek Community Park. Or go out one of the highways exploring and discover some trails on your own. There are three nearby downhill ski areas all within a 1/2 hour drive of town. Moose Mountain has 23 runs open in 1998 along with their base lodge, warm-up hut and rental shop. There is ski and snowboard rental and instruction. Mt. Aurora/Skiland offers 25 runs and also has rentals and lessons. There is a day lodge that has a snack bar with windows overlooking the slopes. Birch Hill/Ft. Wainwright has six runs, along with a chairlift and tow rope open. Rental equipment is also available.
Snowmachining along winter trails is a great way to see views of Alaska that are not available from the road system. Snow-RV, Inc. rents snowmachines at Chatanika Lodge. The Lodge has several pea runs or snowmachine trail rides on weekends throughout the winter. Locals and visitors both enjoy the 66-mile run along little-known trails with stops to warm-up and eat throughout Goldstream Valley. Chena Hot Springs Resort has guided rides available for up to four hours. Arctic 7 Rentals also rent machines by the hour or day for those who want to strike out on their own. For the adventure-seekers, Arctic Village Tours has snowmachine expeditions starting from Arctic Village.
Other popular year-round attractions are the University of Alaska Museum (one of the top 10 visitor attractions in the state), the Alaska Public Lands Information Center, the University's Large Animal Research Station for reindeer and musk ox viewing, and the Trans-Alaska oil pipeline.
Fairbanks definitely doesn't shut down during the winter months. If you're looking for a winter wonderland destination that captures the essence of the Last Frontier, Fairbanks is the place to go.
For more information of for a free copy of the Fairbanks Visitors Guide, call 1-800-327-5774 or write to the Fairbanks Convention & Visitors Bureau, 550 1st Avenue, Fairbanks, AK 99701. Internet users can contact the Bureau at info@explorefairbanks.com or visit the FCVB web site at www.explorefairbanks.com.
Copyright © Fairbanks Convention and Visitors Bureau. Used here with permission.
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