Aurora & Alaska Adventure Winter Tour
February 15-22, 2025
Max: 10
Moderate
Overview
The northern lights are so prolific in the Fairbanks region and the Arctic that visitors who stay at least three nights and are actively out during the late evening hours increase their chance of seeing the aurora to more than 80 percent! And that’s exactly why we’ll have three nights of aurora chasing in Fairbanks to start off the trip! Plus – there are good chances we’ll see the lights in Talkeetna and Glacier View.
Itinerary
Get checked in, and get ready for our first group dinner. After dinner depart for a popular Northern Lights viewing location outside Fairbanks. This evening excursion includes a heated indoor rest area, snacks, Cup Noodles, and hot drinks to enjoy.
Explore downtown Fairbanks on your own. Then take a snowshoe walk where you will explore the boreal forest, moving through birch and spruce trees and seeing iconic Alaskan dwarf spruce.
After dinner head out for more aurora chasing! We’ll go to a different location outside of Fairbanks to scan the skies for the brilliant northern lights. Once again a a heated indoor rest area, snacks, Cup Noodles, and hot drinks are provided.
Head to the Fairbanks curling center, meet local curlers, and get hands-on in this unique sport!
Experience an exclusive evening with local Alaskans – Frank and Miriam. Your hosts and their canine companions open their home to you 25 miles from Fairbanks and the city lights. Enjoy the silence and remoteness, and get a good glimpse of off-grid living. No matter if you sit in front of the huge panoramic windows from the comfort of the cabin or head outside to search for the aurora, this will be a special evening.
Head south to enjoy the stunning landscape and views of Denali. Stop at Moondog Kennel – home to the friendliest group of working sled dogs around! Enjoy a sled dog meet and greet as you learn about the importance of freighting dogs and the history of the Denali area.
If time permits, we’ll also stop at the Denali National Park Visitor Center and talk to the ranger about wintertime in the national park.
Arrive in the small town of Talkeetna and get cozy in your cabin! Look for northern lights down by the river – a short walk from the cabins.
Explore Talkeetna and it’s unique personality! Visit the home of an Iditarod champion and tour his kennel of active sled dogs. Highlights include the hook-up, sled driving demo, and a six-mile mush. This time, you won’t simply be riding – you will be mushing your own team of dogs!
After your ride, tour the homestead and kennel operations. Finish this unique experience back at headquarters, where you meet other members of the professional mushing team and warm up with cookies and hot drinks.
If weather permits, there will be a chance to go on a flightseeing tour of Denali! This is an optional activity and aproximately $375 per person should be budgeted.
Drive further south to the Glenn Highway to view glaciers, mountains, and wildlife. Arrive at Sheep Mountain Lodge where you’ll get to stay in a cozy cabin with incredible mountain views.
Snowshoe on their trails, or even do an optional snowmobile tour.
Explore Matanuska Glacier’s moraine and glacial blue meltwater pools and awe-inspiring formations. Spend 2 hours trekking with our glacier guides by your side. Stop at a local lodge for lunch and a beautiful view to round out the experience.
Take an optional snowmobile tour at Sheep Mountain Lodge that afternoon.
Arrive in Anchorage in time to explore the city a bit, and maybe even see a moose wandering around (we did last time!). Enjoy a going away lunch and then bid farewell.
Details
What’s Included
- All lodging
- All transportation
- All meals – alcohol is not included but can be purchased on your own
- All listed excursions (3 aurora viewing tours, snowshoeing, curling lesson, two kennel visits, dog mushing, and glacier hike.)
- Access to a full gallery of photos (shot by me!) of the entire trip, which you can use for personal purposes.
What’s Not Included
- Airfare
- Alcoholic beverages
- Flightseeing in Talkeetna (optional activity)
- Snowmobiling at Sheep Mountain Lodge (optional activity)
- Muskox Farm visit (if time permits)
- Tips for guides
- Travel Insurance is strongly recommended. I use and recommend Allianz Travel Insurance. More info here.
Booking
This tour is currently full for 2025. You can join the waitlist.
- Send me an email at [email protected] letting me know about your interest. We will set up a call to discuss any questions you have. This will be on a first-come, first-served basis – there are only nine spots available on this tour.
- I will then put you in touch with Glenda from Salmonberry, where you can book your $250 deposit per person with her and secure your spot for this custom Ottsworld tour.
- 10 people are required for the tour to run. Please wait to purchase airfare until we can confirm ten guests.
Cancellation Policy and Fees
- A $250 initial commitment deposit is required to hold your spot. If the trip doesn’t get confirmed with 10 people, your $250 hold will be refunded, or you can use it towards another Salmonberry tour.
- Once the tour is confirmed with ten people signed up, the full deposit (50% of the trip cost less the $250 already paid) will be due and non-refundable after October 1, 2024.
- The final payment is due December 1, 2024.
- You can cancel up to October 1, 2024, and be refunded your deposit. After October 1, 2024, trip costs spent to date are non-refundable.
Extras
Optional flightseeing tour of Denali – approximately $375 per person, weather permitting
Sheep Mountain Lodge – optional snowmobiling tours
Extend your trip on either end and spend more time in a specific area – I’m happy to suggest additional activities. Salmonberry has a number of additional day tours and great things to do around the area, too.
The 2025 Iditarod is starting shortly after our tour concludes. This is a great opportunity to stay and experience Alaska’s highlight of winter – the start of the Iditarod in Anchorage! Salmonberry offers special staring line experiences.
You can also choose to ride the Alaska Railroad Aurora Winter Train back to Fairbanks if you’d like a different perspective of the snowy landscape!
Continue the adventure in Anchorage! Here are my favorite things to do in Anchorage in the winter.
Reviews
February 15-22, 2025
$4,724 Double
$250 Deposit
Can’t make this tour, but still want to go?
Read More About This Destination
Ottsworld Aurora & Alaska Adventure Winter Tour 2025
How to Photograph the Northern Lights and Keep Warm Doing It
Insider Tips for Experiencing Fairbanks Northern Lights
29 Things to Do in Fairbanks Alaska Summer and Winter
Winter Packing List: How To Avoid Freezing To Death
Alaska Sled Dogs and the Ultimate Denali Dogsled Expedition
24 Things to Do in Anchorage in Winter or Summer
Traveling to Alaska During COVID19: Why You should consider a Trip to Alaska this summer
Things to Do in Talkeetna Alaska Gateway to Denali National Park
Still Have Questions?
Contact Sherry about OttsWorld Tours