2023 Alaska Winter Activity Guide

WINTER ACTIVITIES

ICE FISHING

Alaskan’s don’t put their poles away just because the snow flies. In winter, Alaska’s favorite pastime morphs into a whole new adventure—ice fishing! Once there’s a thick layer of ice on area lakes (often by the end of November), you can don your winter gear, cozy up in a portable heated shelter, and angle for rainbow trout, arctic char, burbot, and northern pike.

To make the experience a breeze, head out with a local guide, who will have all the specialized gear to make your trip a success. 13 Alaska Lakes Guide Service LLC (907-297-9499) has been guiding guests on the frozen lakes since 2015, and has won several local awards for their guiding expertise. Their local trips (2 or 4 hours) focus on the lakes around Anchorage, Wasilla, and Palmer. They’ll provide all the fishing gear, and trips are ideal for experienced and inexperienced fishermen alike—including kids—and they can easily scale up for large groups. You could catch up to 15 fish an hour! Experienced anglers might prefer the Big Lake Trip (4 or 6 hours), where guides use mapping, imaging, and sonar to provide you with the best opportunity to catch trophy trout and arctic char!

SIGHTSEEING

If you’re in town for a day or two without a rental car, consider a sightseeing tour led by knowledgeable local guides to get you out of the city.

Salmon Berry Tours (907-278-3572) offers small-group van tours with a superb guide-toguest ratio. From Anchorage, you might head south along the scenic Turnagain Arm to visit Girdwood, ride the tram up Mt. Alyeska for astounding views, and complete the tour at the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center. You could also consider going north to explore the ice of the Matanuska Glacier or up to Talkeetna for Dog Sledding at Dallas Seavey Racing!

With 14 AK Tripping (907-331-0398) you can hire a professional local driver to take up to 4 passengers (plus luggage if needed) anywhere within a 2.5- to 3-hour radius of Anchorage. Need a ride to Talkeetna for your Mt. Denali flightseeing tour? No problem. They’ll even wait until your tour is finished. Or head to Hatcher Pass to look for the northern lights.

Not sure what you want to do? Give them a call and create your own adventure.

ALASKA RAILROAD

Sightsee on the Hurricane Turn Flagstop Train on the first Thursday of the month from October through May; as you travel round-trip from Anchorage, you’ll meet locals who live in remote areas and use the train to commute. Or take the 15 Aurora Winter Train between Anchorage and Fairbanks on weekends from late September to early May; there are select mid-week dates in February, and March. It all happens on Alaska Railroad (907-265-2494).

FAT BIKING

Cycling isn’t just a summer sport. In fact, You’ll see bikers in Anchorage all winter long, riding “fat bikes” with wide stable tires. The tires’ larger surface area and extra traction let you cruise Anchorage’s miles and miles of groomed trails even in the middle of winter. Join a guided tour with 16 Alaska Trail Guides (907-317-5707) or ask for a rental.

@ Alaska Lake Guide Service 11