10 Activities You Can Do During The Alaskan Winter Months

Alaskan winters can be tough. It can seem like there's nothing to do besides cuddle up and watch Netflix until spring comes. However, that simply isn't the case, there are more and more winter activities coming to Alaska every year. Here are ten of my favorite activities you can do during the Alaskan winter months.

Alaska is easy in the summer months. There are so many things to do, it’s hard to fit them into the day, even when the sun doesn’t set until midnight. But winter is a different story. It can seem like there’s nothing to do besides cuddle up and watch Netflix until spring comes. However, that simply isn’t the case, there are more and more winter activities coming to Alaska every year. Here are ten of my favorite activities you can do during the Alaskan winter months.

1. Cross-country skiing

I don’t know why, but over the past five or so years, cross-country skiing has become the cool thing to do in Alaska. I went from not knowing a single person who XC skied to literally having every friend I know, have skied. Not only are there tons of people to ski with, there are trails everywhere in the Anchorage area. This winter hobby isn’t going anywhere, so just join the fun.

2. Ice Skating

I know you are probably thinking that you haven’t been ice skating since you were 10, but just think about it. Ice skating is one of the cheapest forms of entertainment in the winter. You can pretty much go to any secondhand store and find a pair of skates for less than $20 and your set. So grab a thermos of hot chocolate, your skates, and head to the nearest lake or lagoon. It can be easy to hibernate during the winter, but with these activities you can do during the Alaskan winter, you won’t want to!

3. Fat tire biking

I’ll freely admit I have never ridden a fat tire bike, but I see them everywhere. Most of the XC ski trails also offer room for these winter bikes, and I’ve heard there are a lot of trails in the Anchorage area. This is the perfect winter hobby for those who love to bike in the summer months but don’t want to hit up the stationary bike every winter.

4. Glacier walks

If you’re not from Alaska, you probably think I am crazy, but it’s a thing up here. The winter makes the perfect backdrop for breathtaking glacier hikes. This is the perfect hobby for the amateur photographer, or the professional one because let’s be honest, you can’t beat a beautiful glacier photo.

5. Snowmobiling

First off, it’s called snowmachining and that’s the end of that. Second, it’s a blast. If adrenaline and speed is your thing, snowmachining is the perfect winter activity for you. But it’s expensive, so maybe buy used.

6. Snowboarding and Downhill skiing

There’s Alyeska, there’s Hilltop, there’s Hatcher Pass, and for the brave, there’s every other mountain you want to climb up. There are countless choices for snowboarders and skiers to go, it’s no wonder there are so many of us up here. If you have never tried snowboarding or downhill skiing, I would recommend going to Alyeska and renting gear for the day. That way you can see if it’s for you before investing money into gear.

7. Hiking

Hiking is not just for the summer. There are plenty of trails in the Anchorage area that are accessible in winter. If you are looking for something that requires no skill, gear, or money, winter hiking might be perfect for you.

8. Ice Fishing

This sport has come a long way from freezing in a camp chair sitting around a small hole in the ice. There are pop-up tents that can fit up to 8 people, heaters that will allow you to wear a t-shirt, and drills that save you from boring a hole into thick ice by hand. Ice fishing is the perfect activity for the fishing addicts who need a little fix before its salmon season.

9. Ice Climbing

I do a lot of crazy stuff, but this is not one of them. However, to each his own and if you love rock climbing in the summer and are looking to up the risk level, ice climbing is for you. I think you are a little insane but I’ve heard it’s beautiful and exhilarating, and what better state to do it in than Alaska. There really are plenty of activities you can do during the Alaskan winter months for every type of person.

10. Sledding

I know sledding may seem like a childish activity but honestly, who cares? It’s cheap, it’s easy, it’s outside, and it’s fun. I don’t care if you are 16 or 34 sledding is still fun. If you think it’s for kids, I dare you to take a sled down the steepest hill (in Alaska that means a mountain) you can find and see if you still feel the same way.