Alaska Travel Diary 💙 Fairbanks & Anchorage

Day 1: Arrive in Fairbanks, First Northern Lights Experience Arrived from SFO via Seattle — stepped out into -20°C❄️. Stayed at Pike’s Waterfront Lodge on the edge of town, where light pollution is minimal. Though cloudy, we caught glimpses of green lights dancing in the sky! 🌌 🔥 Aurora Tips: • Download an Aurora Forecast App for real-time updates. • Best viewing time: 10 PM – 2 AM. Day 2: Dog Sledding & Chena Hot Springs 🐶 Dog Sledding (Paws for Adventure) • 30 minutes was perfect — the dogs were adorable! • Snow pants, gloves, and scarves are provided. ♨️ Chena Hot Springs • Soaking in an open-air spring at -20°C — yes, your hair and eyelashes will freeze! ❄️ • Visit during daylight for photos — after sunset, it’s completely dark. Day 3: Castner Ice Cave & Ice Fishing 🧊 Castner Ice Cave Adventure • 2.5-hour drive + 40-minute hike through deep snow — waterproof snow pants and boots are a must! • Inside the cave: a dreamy blue glow✨ (partially collapsed this year, but still worth it). 🎣 Ice Fishing (AK River Tours) • Heated fishing huts make it cozy. • Catch and cook your fish fresh — super tasty! 🐟 • A 3-hour session is ideal — not too cold, not too long. Day 4: Fairbanks to Anchorage 🚗 Winter Driving in Alaska • An SUV with 4WD works fine. Studded tires optional — main roads are plowed. • If you skid, don’t slam the brakes — steer steadily. Day 5: Matanuska Glacier Hike ❄️ Matanuska Glacier Tour (Glacier Tours) • Ice cleats and gear are provided, but hands still get cold — pack hand warmers! • Saw incredible ice formations — some parts were so slippery, we slid down on our butts with the guide — so fun! • Very windy — waterproof/windproof pants are essential (the coldest activity of the trip!). Day 6: Return & Wrap Up Spent the last day exploring Anchorage — lots of fur shops to browse! 🛍️ 📌 Summary & Essential Tips ✅ Northern Lights: Fairbanks is one of the world’s best spots — 10 PM – 2 AM is golden hour. ✅ Dog Sledding: 30 minutes is perfect; longer can get chilly. ✅ Hot Springs: Go before sunset for photos — bring slippers! ✅ Ice Cave: Moderate hike in deep snow — plan to return before dark. ✅ Ice Fishing: Cozy heated huts, but still dress warm — 3 hours is just right. ✅ Glacier Hike: Windy and freezing — gloves + hand warmers are a must. ✅ Driving: SUV + 4WD works; start slow, brake gently. #Fairbanks #IceSculptureFestival #WorldIceArtChampionships #Alaska #NightPhotography #ColdWeatherShooting #TravelGuide #GearSettings #AlaskaTravel #FairbanksFood #StudyAbroad #Travel #AlaskaTourism #AnchorageFood #Anchorage #FairbanksLife #WinterAdventure #GlacierHike #IceFishing #NorthernLights