The Best Things to Do in Fairbanks in the Winter
- Aurora Viewing. Obviously, aurora chasing is the top thing to do, and you’ll see that my 3-day Fairbanks winter itinerary has plenty of opportunities to do so.
- Dog Sledding.
- Reindeer Walking.
- Ice Fishing.
- Museum Hopping.
- Warming Up in Hot Springs.
- Sampling Local Food & Drink.
Is Fairbanks worth visiting in winter?
According to Travel and Leisure, Fairbanks, Alaska is one of the 12 best places to view the northern lights. If you want to do a northern lights trip, it is the best place in the United States to do so. And the best time to go is in the winter in February and March.
Does it snow a lot in Fairbanks?
The US average is 28 inches of snow per year.
Climate Averages.
| Fairbanks, Alaska | United States | |
|---|---|---|
| Snowfall | 60.9 in. | 27.8 in. |
| Precipitation | 102.6 days | 106.2 days |
| Sunny | 155 days | 205 days |
| Avg. July High | 73.3° | 85.8° |
How many hours of daylight does Fairbanks get in the winter?
about 3hrs 41mins
On the shortest day of the year – December 21st this year – Fairbanks will have about 3hrs 41mins when the sun is up, but with long periods of dawn and dusk – or civil twilight – it’s actually more like 6 hours of visible light.
Does Fairbanks get more snow than Anchorage?
Anchorage averages 78.8 inches of snow per year. Fairbanks averages 60.9 inches of snow per year. The US average is 27.8 inches of snow per year.
Is it safe to drive from Anchorage to Fairbanks in winter?
The route is one of Alaska’s most traveled highways, but during Alaska’s long winter, it’s not for travelers unwilling to tackle winter driving conditions. That said, the Alaska Department of Transportation makes a significant effort to keep the highway passable and safe.
What is Fairbanks Alaska like in January?
Daily high temperatures increase by 2°F, from 3°F to 5°F, rarely falling below -26°F or exceeding 29°F. The lowest daily average high temperature is 2°F on January 16. Daily low temperatures are around -12°F, rarely falling below -39°F or exceeding 14°F.
Which city is better Anchorage or Fairbanks?
Anchorage has a big edge with over 300,000 residents and Fairbanks sits around 32,000. Anchorage has a much larger airport with more planes flying to it daily. And overall there’s more to do in Anchorage as it’s really the only major city in the state.
What’s the warmest city in Alaska?
Although Sitka is the warmest place in the state, this city still receives snow during the winter season.
What is the snowiest place in Alaska?
Thomson Pass
Thomson Pass is the snowiest place in Alaska, also in the Chugach Mountains at 2,805 feet in elevation. The pass gets an average of 500 inches of snow per year. It holds the record for the snowiest day in Alaska, with 62 inches on Dec. 29, 1955.
Does Fairbanks Alaska stay dark?
This means that even though the sun isn’t visible, we still receive very bright twilight that can last for hours or until the sun rises again. For example, Fairbanks, which is below the Arctic Circle by almost 200 miles, still receives 24 hours of light for a long period in the summer.
Is all of Alaska dark in the winter?
All of Alaska does not go dark in winter! But the further north you go, the darker it gets.
What is the darkest day in Alaska?
December 21
December 21 marks the winter solstice. This is also the shortest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere. The first day of winter is marked with short daylight hours and the longest period of darkness. But other states can’t compare to the limited daylight hours in Alaskan cities.
Which is colder Fairbanks or Anchorage?
Normal lows in Anchorage are in the low teens Fahrenheit (or negative teens Celsius), compared to Fairbanks, which typically sees lows around -15°F to -20°F (-26°C to -28°C).
What is it like to live in Fairbanks Alaska?
Warm sunny summers make up for the sunny but cold winters. Despite city-living Alaska-style, Fairbanks feels rural and is a great gateway to very remote places. The community as a whole is very welcoming, friendly, and generous. Extracurricular activities for kids and adults abound.
Is it always cold in Fairbanks Alaska?
Climate and Average Weather Year Round in Fairbanks Alaska, United States. In Fairbanks, the summers are long, comfortable, and mostly cloudy and the winters are frigid, snowy, and partly cloudy. Over the course of the year, the temperature typically varies from -13°F to 73°F and is rarely below -39°F or above 83°F.
Do you need snow chains in Fairbanks?
Prepare your vehicle for the winter season
Make sure the tires have adequate tread. All-weather radials are usually adequate for most winter conditions. However, some jurisdictions require that to drive on their roads, vehicles must be equipped with chains or snow tires with studs.
How long is the train ride from Fairbanks to Anchorage?
12-hour
The Aurora Winter Train travels weekends between Anchorage and Fairbanks, making the northbound 12-hour journey on Saturday and the return trip on Sunday, as well as select mid-week departures (see train schedule for full details).
Does the train run from Anchorage to Fairbanks in winter?
The Alaska Railroad runs a special Aurora Winter Train between Anchorage and Fairbanks in the wintertime. Much like the summer Denali Star train, the route includes stops in Talkeetna and Denali National Park, although in the winter the views are quite different.
Can you see the northern lights in Fairbanks in January?
Fairbanks’ Aurora Season is from August 21 to April 21 and the aurora will be visible in Fairbanks an average of four out of five nights when the sky is clear and dark enough. Scientifically speaking, the aurora is dancing above year-round, but we can only see it during the Aurora Season when we have dark enough skies.
Is February a good time to see northern lights in Fairbanks?
Yes! These two months are one of the best times to see the Northern Lights in Alaska, although temperatures through February are quite cold, often as low as -20 Fahrenheit, so make sure to wear insulated clothing from top to bottom.
