winter tours out of anchorage

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Now Hiring for Winter 2023-24!

Winter Tours from Anchorage

September 16, 2023 - April 30, 2024

Reserve with confidence with our

Worry-Free Booking & Cancellation Policy!

Matanuska Glacier Hike 1-Day Tour

Take a once-in-a-lifetime walk on a river of ice! A true "bucket list" adventure!

Offered Year-Round

$299/person - includes FREE hotel pickup (a $40 value)!

Activity Level: Moderate

Departs 8:30 am

What You'll See and Do:

Travel the scenic Glenn Highway through the spectacular Matanuska Valley.

Spend 2.5 to 3 hours exploring the face of the Matanuska Glacier with an expert glacier guide.

Have amazing photo opportunities!

Arnold the Bull Moose enjoying a relaxing afternoon at the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center

Guests view one of 3 brown bears in their large 22 acre enclosure at the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center

Anchorage Dog Sledding 1-Day Tour

Experience the excitement of the official sport of Alaska!

December 2023 - March 2024

$289/person - includes FREE hotel pickup (a $40 value)!

Activity Level: Easy

Departs 9:30am

Experience a scenic and fun journey from Anchorage to Willow

Enjoy a warm greeting from 35 Alaskan Huskies and the kennel crew

Learn the basics of sled driving and learn about the culture of dog sledding in Alaska

Visit a rustic lodge for a warm meal before our journey back to Anchorage

A guest prepares for a once-in-a-lifetime hike on the Matanuska Glacier!

Some friends pose for an amazing photo in the middle of the Matanuska Glacier Day Hike

Alaska Wildlife 1/2- Day Tour (Winter)

A half-day scenic tour and wildlife encounter

November 2023 - May 2024

$115/person - includes FREE hotel pickup (a $40 value)!

• Departs 12:00PM 10/1/23 - 5/1/24​

Sightsee down the Seward Highway along the majestic Turnagain Arm

See native wildlife up-close in a beautiful natural setting at the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center.

Have amazing photo opportunities! 

  LEARN MORE

Matanuska Glacier Winter Hike And Tour - Full Day

• Bottled water
• Glacier Walking Equipment
• Transportation From Downtown Anchorage
• Knowledgeable Glacier Guides
• Entry/Admission - Matanuska Glacier
• 546 W 4th Ave, Anchorage, AK 99501, USA Anchorage's downtown information centers include the Log Cabin Visitor Center at the corner of 4th Avenue and F Street.
• Not wheelchair accessible
• Near public transportation
• Confirmation will be received at time of booking
• Not recommended for travelers with back problems
• No heart problems or other serious medical conditions
• Travelers should have a moderate physical fitness level
• This experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund
• This experience requires a minimum number of travelers. If it’s canceled because the minimum isn’t met, you’ll be offered a different date/experience or a full refund
• This tour/activity will have a maximum of 14 travelers
• For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours in advance of the start date of the experience.

Similar experiences

• You'll start at 546 W 4th Ave 546 W 4th Ave, Anchorage, AK 99501, USA Anchorage's downtown information centers include the Log Cabin Visitor Center at the corner of 4th Avenue and F Street. See address & details
• 1 Matanuska Glacier Stop: 3 hours - Admission included Matanuska Glacier is a valley glacier in the US state of Alaska. At 27 miles long by 4 miles wide, it is the largest glacier accessible by car in the United States. The drive to is approximately 2 hours each direction with 4 hours total along the scenic Glenn Hwy. Read more
• You'll return to the starting point

• F541QDnancyc 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Fun Very fun. So interesting and the people were great. I loved learning the history and how the past is alive today. Try it you’ll like it. Read more Written April 28, 2024
• Vic41 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles No regrets, tour with Matt! Matt was an awesome tour guide! We weren’t sure at first if we should bother with this tour, as we had gone to the wildlife centre with our cruise excursion and accidentally booked a similar tour the next day with Matt . But just as promised, we got a much fuller and richer experience with Matt, he told us lots of local stories and trivia. He was warm, friendly and so welcoming. We’re so glad we went on this tour and we highly recommend going with Matt. He stopped to show us the Dall sheep on the mountains, a new baby bison calf at the wildlife centre and gave us an informative history lesson on the gold mining history in the area. We saw eagles and wildlife a plenty! Also, make sure you tip these awesome professionals! Thanks for everything Matt, you’re the best!!! Read more Written April 23, 2024
• PattifromVT 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles A Great Day in Anchorage My husband and I had a great time on our tour with Matt. Matt was awesome, welcoming, accommodating, entertaining and still very professional. He was gracious enough to alter his tour plan so we could take advantage of the weather and get a great view and photo opportunity of Denali from Kincaid Park. The trip along the Seward Highway and Turnagain Arm was beautiful with Matt pointing out Dall Sheep, Bald Eagles, and giving tips on spotting Beluga whales. He knew the best spots for photo opportunities and kept the group engaged with his banter while including comparisons of our home states and countries with Alaska. We loved The Wildlife Conservation Center and seeing the Brown, Black and Grizzly bears up close as well as Musk Ox, Elk, Woodland Bison, Lynx and other animals. We also enjoyed our moose count game and I want Matt to know that I saw one more on our to Church so I win! Read more Written April 20, 2024
• LikaCA 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Just do it. You won't regret it We waffled on whether or not to do this due to the cost, and because we're not really "tour group" people, but at the last minute I booked a tour. (You can't get onto the glacier without a guided tour). It ended up the highlight of our trip. The glacier is just gorgeous. Truly otherworldly. The guide was personable and informative without being always in your face or talking nonstop. He allowed time for people to just take it all in. It never felt canned or rushed. The hike itself is not too strenuous (you don't have to be athletic to do it). If you only book one tour while in Alaska, this is the one to do. Read more Written March 30, 2024
• Z6897FMmarshab 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Great Day in Anchorage! My mom and I had a fantastic time. Donna was very informative, friendly and we really enjoyed the sights and learning about her history. We took a break from the tour to take another party to the airport, when they were running late, then happily continued on the tour. Read more Written March 22, 2024
• tanykiganyk 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles A Waouh Experience This was a lifetime best experience. The glacier looked so beautiful and surreal. And to be able to touch it, lick it, drink its fresh water, slide on it, walk on a frozen river, and take in all those facts about glaciers? It was just Waouh Read more Written March 19, 2024
• Schrammer2018 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Wow! What a great tour. Awesome views and we were able to see lots of wildlife. Our guide Matt was amazing. Definitely worth the time and money. Read more Written March 19, 2024
• agolfingtripper 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Fantastic experience!!! Fantastic experience. Driver Dan from Anchorage to the glacier was great. Amiable and informative all along the way in both directions. Once at the base of the glacier, our guide Thomas was awesome. We luckily had a small group so we didn’t miss any of his knowledgeable and entertaining commentary. The “brief” sled ride out to the start of the hike was the coldest I’ve ever been (it was -30), but once we started walking on the glacier, it was plenty warm. I loved it and would highly recommend! Read more Written March 14, 2024
• Roam27979684971 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Alaska Very interesting tour! I would highly recommend this to anyone who is considering booking. Our guide Matthew was great! He took his time with the tour and we were able to get some amazing photos! I am planning to visit Alaska in the spring and most definitely I'll book tours with Alaska's Finest Tours & Cruises. Read more Written March 11, 2024
• W1288YSjacobc 0 contributions 4.0 of 5 bubbles Wonderful tour with nice tour guides The tour guide picked us up in downtown, Anchorage in the early morning. He is so friendly and nice to talk to which kicked off the day with a blast. We took around 2 hours from downtown to glacier and we dropped by a local supermarket for grabbing lunch as we were informed that food is not available on the site. The glacier hiking tour will be around 2-3 hours long. You have to make sure yourself in warmth with good pair of gloves, beanies and good socks. You will get colder and colder if the sun is shading by the cloud. The glacier is quite a massive one and you will definitely enjoy it a lot. Make sure yourself have a portable charger for your phone on the way back as the cold temperature around glacier is going to drain your battery so much quicker than you thought. The overall experience is nice and full of amazement. The tour is well organized with good transportations and tour guides. Last but not least, the tour guide gave us a good list of recommended restaurants and showed us where they locates before dropping us off. Read more Written March 8, 2024
• Louisa V 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Must see tour of city. Great tour, got to see so much. Van was comfortable and had several binoculars for viewing the beautiful landscape. The demonstration at the Ulu factory and samples at Alaska seafood and sausage was wonderful. It felt like I was on vacation with family. The guide was very knowledgeable and pleasant. Read more Written March 6, 2024
• laurenwW9113JL 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Short and sweet way to explore the city Communication before the tour was helpful to know what time and where to be for pickup. The tour bus was clean, warm, and they had binoculars in case you needed them. The guide was friendly and informative. I enjoyed all the different stops to local stores and also to look at some scenery. This was a nice half-day tour to see some sights and learn some info about local restaurants. I enjoyed it and would recommend it. Read more Written March 5, 2024
• Adrianat99 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Hands-down best scenic tour! Highly recomendable! AMAZING! Sites at Turnagain, Portage and Girdwood were magazine-worthy, animal center is FANTASTIC! Matthew was the best!! Read more Written March 5, 2024
• 773kelleyb 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Best Decision Ever!!!!! This is some thing I would typically never do on my own, but it was a once in a lifetime adventure, and Matthew did not disappoint! He is so knowledgeable about the whole area and Alaska and general, and made our trip extremely special. I enjoyed getting to know everyone else on the van, and I always felt safe with Matthew driving even with the road conditions. The scenery and the beauty of Alaska was more than I could’ve ever dreamed of!!! Awesome experience!!! Read more Written February 28, 2024
• melissarV4796RK 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Amazing tour! Had an amazing tour with Donna. She was such a fun and educational tour guide. The van was comfortable, loved every stop and suggestion made. Read more Written February 2, 2024

More to explore in Anchorage

Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.

Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.

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Matanuska Glacier Winter Hike And Tour - Full Day provided by Alaska's Finest Tours & Cruises - Tours

Anchorage Northern Lights Tour

Book This Adventure

Embark on our Anchorage Northern Lights Tour to view and photograph the aurora borealis in and around the greater Anchorage area. We pride ourselves on offering intimate, small-group trip experiences.

This Anchorage aurora tour will leave you in awe – and planning your next trip back to magical Alaska.

The  phenomenon of aurora borealis is one of the most amazing natural wonders on Earth. Join us on our Anchorage Northern Lights Tour to view and photograph these spectacular swirling lights in and around the greater Anchorage area.

Our team uses innovative technology to forecast aurora viewing conditions. Each night’s tour location is chosen to maximize your chances to view the lights, with tour locations chosen based on weather forecasts, aurora strength, and driving distance from Anchorage. Our team of experts will get you to the most strategic location possible to witness the northern lights.

This tour is designed for anyone with an interest in viewing the aurora borealis.  Our tours include web-quality aurora portraits and basic photography instruction.

Greatland Adventures is proud to utilize a fleet of comfortable tour vehicles as traveling base camps. Tours generally depart between 8-11 p.m. and return between 3-6 a.m., depending on the season and forecast conditions. You will receive a forecast call from our aurora team between 3-5 p.m. on the day of your booked tour. This call will let you know what time pick up will be that night, estimated driving distance, and our expected return time. We will also discuss anticipated cloud cover, and any other potential challenges we might face that evening. If conditions are unfavorable and a tour is not recommended that night, we will work with you at that time to rebook to another night, based on availability.

Choose your preferred date via our online booking platform. We will ask for your arrival and departure date/time, and any potential additional nights you have available to join a tour, during the booking process. We gather this information from all of our guests so we may help to maximize your chances of seeing aurora while visiting Alaska! Our minimum age to join this tour is 13.

Season: August 21st through April 14th

Want to make this Anchorage, Alaska Northern Lights Tour a private experience for you and your close friends and family? Explore our Private Northern Lights Tour option.

In an effort to reduce our footprint, we are no longer providing single-use plastic water bottles. Please bring a reusable water bottle! Fresh Alaska water will be available to all guests throughout your tour.

Book This Adventure  

Book direct. Best price guarantee!*

Trip Highlights

• SMALL GROUPS!
• Experience the star-filled beauty of Alaska winter nights away from city lights.
• Create lasting memories with portraits and photos.
• Personalized forecast service. Know before you go!

What's Included

• Services of a professional Alaska aurora guide
• Aurora forecasting service
• Web-quality photographs and portraits
• Transportation in a clean and comfortable tour vehicle
• Snacks and hot drinks
• Hotel pick up and drop off in Anchorage
• $325 per person from Feb 15 – March 30, August 21 – September 30, and December 15 – January 4
• $295 per person for the rest of the season

Multi-night Aurora Chasing

Maximize your aurora-viewing experience by booking multiple nights with us! Here’s how it works:

• Book your preferred night of the Northern Lights Tour
• When you receive a confirmation email, look for the discount code and link for booking additional nights
• For additional nights, book with a 20% discount
• Or, add your name to the standby list for a 50% discount if space becomes open (all standby seats will be offered after 5 p.m. on the available day)

NOTE : These discount offers are only available after booking your first fully-paid aurora tour with Greatland Adventures

Departure Time

• Departure Time: 8-11 p.m.
• Duration: 8 Hours

Gratuities for Guides (Recommend $20 per person)

Please Note:

• Private Tours may be available upon request for such scenarios as children under 13, early morning flights, marriage proposals, guests with mobility issues, or other unique circumstances.
• We require a 2-guest minimum to operate a tour.
• Tour pick up and drop off is available at Anchorage hotel locations only and NOT available for private residences (ie Airbnb or VRBO) or Alyeska Resort . For guests staying at other locations, we can drop off at the nearest hotel to your accommodation.

Best Viewing Conditions

The aurora can be visible anytime we have adequate darkness; from late August through mid-April.  The main obstacles to finding auroras are cloud cover and light pollution. We will drive for up to three hours beyond Anchorage to find clear, dark skies.

Understanding the Moon’s phases and chasing aurora

A common question among interested aurora viewers relates to the Moon and its many phases each month. Lunar cycles may affect one’s ability to view the northern lights, but not necessarily in a negative way. Greatland Adventures aurora guides are experts at positioning guests in the optimum location for the best chance of viewing the lights, and the Moon can provide a stunning backdrop for shadows and wintery nighttime photography!

Below is a breakdown of the Moon’s lunar phases, what they mean, and how they may affect your aurora viewing experience:

New Moon – The new moon phase lasts for 10 days when the Moon is positioned directly between Earth and the Sun. Illumination of the Moon is less than 20% during this time and as such there is minimal light cast on Earth’s landscapes, making aurora and stargazing excellent when forecasts are positive for clear skies and solar storms. However, landscape photography and videography are generally more difficult during this phase due to the diminished lighting of the moon.

Mid-Moon – A mid-moon phase is the period of the moon cycle when the Moon’s illumination is between 20-80%. During this 10-day phase, the moon has minimal effect on aurora viewing or stargazing.

Full Moon – A full moon happens over 10 days when the Moon’s illumination is 80-100%. During this phase, the Moon lights up a night landscape and mild auroral activity will be difficult to see. However, when auroral displays are strong, a full moon phase allows our eyes to more easily perceive the true colors of the aurora, especially the greens and pinks. Additionally, landscape photography and videography are enhanced during this phase due to the extra ambient light from the Moon.

Vacations to Alaska don’t always fall on the calendar’s “perfect” time for spotting aurora, but rest assured that our local guides take into account the lunar phases and will make every effort to find the best viewing locations to maximize your aurora adventure.

Northern Lights Tour FAQs

• What is a forecast call and how does it work?

The forecast call is typically made between 3 and 5 p.m. on the day of the tour. Please read this page for a full detail on our forecast call.

•  What will you tell us during the forecast call?

Here are three possible scenarios for guests during the “forecast call” from the Greatland Adventures office:

The tour is confirmed : This means a 90% or greater probability of success exists. When conditions look favorable, we confirm a tour and give guests their pick up time during the forecast call. At that time we can also answer any questions and let you know the general plan for the night. Historically, on nights we confirm a tour we have a 90% success rate.

The tour is canceled : A tour is canceled if there is less than a 10% probability of success. On nights with extreme cloud cover or severe weather, we will cancel the tour and issue a weather cancellation for a full refund. (Note these nights are rare.)

Guest discretion : If we believe the possibility of aurora-viewing success is between 10-90%, we will openly and honestly discuss the conditions with each guest and help them make the decision to join or cancel for a full weather cancellation refund.

• What if we don’t see northern lights during the tour?

If the tour is unsuccessful at producing photographic evidence of the northern lights, a guest will be given a complimentary tour for any night up to 1 year from their departure date (subject to availability).

• Should I do my own forecasting before receiving your call?

You can do your own forecasting out of your interest but we don’t recommend you making the decision based on it. We often hear from guests who try their own northern lights forecasting, and end up canceling their planned tour for fear of the aurora not showing up or losing the deposit. Please know that our first priority is serving you, our guests; in fact, one of our core values is “honest and fair in all our interactions”. We are professionals at forecasting aurora viewing conditions, and do our best to put every guest in the best possible location at the best possible time. If conditions look even a little bit less than favorable, everyone has a chance to opt-out.

Best Price Guarantee

*Book direct with confidence. We guarantee you will receive the best price when booking directly on our website or we will refund the difference + $10!  Must show proof of a lower price found elsewhere for the same product and the same departure. Offer valid for tours operated by Greatland Adventures only. Offer not valid for 3rd party products.

#greatlandadventures

• Bev As a solo traveler I usually veer towards group tours and make my decisions based on ratings. Greatland Adventures definitely lived up to their high ratings and awesome reviews. I have booked several tours with them. From the beginning it was a pleasurable experience with Steve and Rochelle who have excellent communication with their clients and ensure you are fully accommodated for your tour. I did the northern lights tour with Mike who is an excellent guide! Very knowledgeable and he captured some excellent photos of me! I completed the glacier tour with Bill who is also very knowledgeable and ensured we had a great experience at the glacier by getting us there before others arrived and allowing us to safe explore all the accessible crevasses. I absolutely recommend this tour company they are amazing!
• Jane I want to sincerely applaud the members of Greatland Adventures! They made me and my friend's trip to Anchorage one of the most amazing experiences ever in our lives... We were all well educated about the lights before we got there and even had a chance to have a pitstop at a gas station to use the toilet and grab a coffee. We even saw the lights that night TWICE! Thank you, Steve! The memories we made will last a lifetime and we are so happy we chose Greatland Adventures. I am telling any and everyone that plans to visit Anchorage to book through them. No question!

Related Trips

Winter Dog Sledding Tours

Matanuska Glacier Tour - Winter

Fairbanks Northern Lights Tour

• Our Environmental Commitment
• 10 Reasons to Take our Alaska Photo Tours
• Anchorage Northern Lights Forecast
• Learning Center
• Trip Planning Resources
• Guide Corner

Alaska Photography Day Tours

• Sunset Photo Safari
• Anchorage Aurora Quest
• Anchorage PhotoWalk
• InstAlaska Smartphone Photography
• Turnagain Arm Highlights

Anchorage Winter Wonderland Tour

SPECIALTY TREKS

Alaska Photography Specialty Tours

• Focus on Feathers
• Drone Dreamscapes
• Moose Photo Safari
• BROWN BEAR PHOTO SAFARI
• HELICOPTER PHOTO TOURS

MULTI-DAY TREKS

Alaska Multi-Day Photo Treks

• TREASURES OF THE SOUTHEAST
• BROOKS RANGE AUTUMN WORKSHOP
• BROOKS RANGE SPRING AURORA WORKSHOP
• Alaska Winter Wonderland Photo Workshop

PRIVATE TREKS

Private Alaska Photo Tour and Guiding

• HALF-DAY PRIVATE TREK
• FULL-DAY PRIVATE TREK
• FULL-DAY PRIVATE ITINERARIES
• MULTI-DAY PRIVATE ITINERARIES
• Alaska Nightscapes
• Private Aurora Tour

• ANCHORAGE PHOTOGRAPHY CLASSES
• PRIVATE PHOTOGRAPHY INSTRUCTION

• WHAT'S INCLUDED
• WHAT TO BRING

This daytime winter photo tour explores the natural beauty of the Anchorage area, providing access to stunning landscapes and wildlife opportunities. Transported in a small passenger van from your hotel, this tour takes you to approximately four locations where you can explore the beauty of winter, from frosty woods to ice falls, snow-covered mountains to coastal sunsets. Destinations can include Chugach State Park, Turnagain Arm, and the coast of Cook Inlet. This winter photo tour is fun for everyone, from casual picture-takers using cell phone cameras to avid photographers with high-end gear. Departure times will vary according to the timing of sunset. Throughout the tour, you’ll be offered creative and technical support by your Alaska Photo Treks guide. It’s a great way to see the beauty of winter while gaining some photo tips. Book it at the start of your Alaska trip so you can learn tools to help you enjoy the rest of your Alaska vacation!

Departure Times

• November 15-30 at 12:30 p.m.
• December 1-January 9 at 12:00 p.m.
• January 10-20 at 12:30 p.m.
• January 21-31 at 1:00 p.m.
• February 1-10 at 1:30 p.m.
• February 11-21 at 2:00 p.m.
• February 22-March 3 at 2:30 p.m.
• March 4-9 at 3:00 p.m.
• March 10-31 at 4:30 p.m.

What's Included

What to bring.

• OUR ENVIRONMENTAL COMMITMENT
• 10 REASONS TO TAKE AN ALASKA PHOTO TOUR
• ANCHORAGE NORTHERN LIGHTS FORECAST
• LEARNING CENTER
• TRIP PLANNING RESOURCES
• GUIDE CORNER
• (907) 350-0251
• [email protected]

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March 2024 Anchorage Tourism Recap

The first quarter of 2024 ended strong, with off-season visitation meeting or exceeding historical averages. The non-summer months continue to show potential for further growth for Anchorage. 

Monthly Volume and Revenue

Passenger counts at the Anchorage airport for March were up 5% from the same time in 2023. More than 176,000 people passed through security at the airport, including Anchorage residents, other Alaskans, and Outside travelers.

Visitor Information Center visits at the log cabin downtown and at the airport information centers increased in Q1 by 33% compared to the same period in 2023. Both Rondy and the Iditarod weekends had increases in visitation compared to same weekends the year prior.

Hotel demand in March was down slightly, less than 1%, compared to 2023. Through the first three months of the year, hotel demand remains better overall than 2023. Average daily rate rose in March slightly to $157 per night. Despite the dip in demand, hotel revenue increased year over year.

Hotel revenue is an early indicator for quarterly municipal hotel bed taxes. Anchorage hotel taxes are paid by visitors. Split three ways, the hotel taxes go to the general fund, cover operations, maintenance, and improvements at the Anchorage Convention Centers, and also are reinvested in tourism marketing and promotions.

Marketing and Promotions

Visit Anchorage doubled ad impressions in Q1 year over year. The organization saw better performance from some longstanding digital campaigns, but also added some new formats into the mix, and ramped up several campaigns in March and into April as well.

Website traffic on Anchorage.net was up in March compared to the same period last year. While signature winter events like Fur Rondy and Iditarod fuel a spike at the beginning of the month, much of the increase came later in March from the paid digital campaigns. Organic sessions come as visitors plan upcoming trips, however Visit Anchorage also doubled ad impressions in Q1 year over year to attract the next wave of travelers.

Visitor Research

Visit Anchorage also shared findings from a research project conducted over the winter.

The Anchorage Air Visitor Profile & Economic Impact Study was fielded in February and March via Wi-Fi at the Anchorage airport.

Nonresidents reported spending an average of $1,529 per party during their time in Anchorage this winter. On average, travelers from outside Alaska average 3.4 nights in Anchorage during their visit to Alaska. Visiting breweries/distilleries, northern lights viewing, wildlife viewing and glacier visits topped the list of most popular Anchorage activities for travelers from Outside of Alaska.

Detailed findings will help inform future advertising, imagery, messaging, and product development, and give Anchorage the best picture of the most likely travelers to pursue. The survey will also be in the field for summer 2024, with adjustments made to reflect the season and improve user experience.

• Winter Vacations
• Northern Lights
• Railroad Vacations
• Self Drive Vacations
• Alaska Cruise Vacations
• Guided Bus Vacations
• Lodge Stays
• Summer in Alaska
• All Day Tours
• Alaska’s Cities
• National Parks
• Alaska’s Regions
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• Bear Viewing
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• Flightseeing
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• Glacier Tours
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• Booking Policies

Alaska Winter Driving Tour

Enjoy spectacular snow-covered mountain scenery and world-renowned opportunities for viewing the northern lights..

Photo Journey:

Home » Tours » Alaska Driving Tours » Self-Drive » Alaska Winter Driving Tour

Tour Overview

This unique winter driving tour in Alaska by 4-wheel SUV from Fairbanks to Anchorage with Northern Lights viewing and stops at Chena Hot Springs, the Arctic Circle, and Denali National Park packs the highlights in for visitors who want to “do it all” during the winter season. Think of it as a “safari” by car. It is perfect for adventurous Alaska travelers who prefer taking on the challenges and rewards of an SUV self-driving tour in Alaska’s winter season. Alaska’s wilderness is in a realm with outstanding scenery, warm Alaskan hospitality, and virtually no traffic! You can take advantage of along the way of winter outdoor activities, including flightseeing over Denali, relaxing in outdoor hot springs or skiing, snowboarding, snowshoeing at Chena Hot Springs, and viewing the amazing northern lights (aurora borealis). During the winter, Alaska’s main highways are open and well-maintained, so driving conditions are reasonably good. With a reliable four-wheel-drive SUV, pre-arranged accommodations, and a detailed winter travel kit, you are set to explore some of the best destinations for winter fun in Alaska.

What's Included

• Seven days SUV rental with unlimited mileage and one-way drop fee from Fairbanks to Anchorage
• Seven nights moderate level accommodations
• 4 to 5-hour Aurora Viewing Expedition tour on day 4
• Pool passes at Chena Hot Springs Resort
• All taxes and fees

What's Not Included

Meals, excursions, gratuities, and admission fees other than those mentioned. Optional insurance for rental vehicle, additional driver fees, or gasoline.

Tour Itinerary

Fairbanks arrival.

Arrive into Fairbanks at any time and pick up your rental car at the airport. Depending on when you arrive, you may have time for some exploring of Fairbanks and the surroundings. Overnight in Fairbanks.

The day is at your leisure to explore the city of Fairbanks. Take a drive to North Pole, located just outside Fairbanks, and visit the Santa Claus House. One local highlight is the Museum of the North, where you can see ice age animals, learn about the Aurora, and explore cultural artifacts. Or enjoy an optional activity, such as a guided city tour or Northern Lights viewing tour. Another possibility is a guided dog sledding tour (see Tours Add-Ons). Overnight in Fairbanks.

Fairbanks to Chena Hot Springs

Today you drive from Fairbanks to the Chena Hot Springs Resort. This comfortable resort is famous for its mineral hot springs and as an excellent location for viewing the Northern Lights / Aurora Borealis. This afternoon enjoy the outdoor hot mineral springs and tour the Aurora Ice Museum (not included; currently only partially open due to maintenance), where everything from the chandeliers to the martini glasses are made of ice. Or you can add an optional tour, such as a dog sled ride, cross-country skiing, or massage. Winter gear can be rented at the resort for an additional fee. Overnight at Chena Hot Springs Resort.

Chena Hot Springs

Today is free to enjoy the amenities of the resort. Tonight, a 4-5 hour snow coach tour is included in your program. A tracked, military style Small Unit Support Vehicle* will bring you away from the resort to watch for the Northern Lights from the top of a hill for an unobstructed view.  Overnight at Chena Hot Springs Resort.

Chena Hot Springs to Healy/Denali

On your way back to Fairbanks, you may want to explore the Chena River State Recreation Area before passing through Fairbanks and continuing on to the Parks Highway to Healy. This town of approximately 900 people is home to Alaska’s only commercial coal mine. It is located just north of Denali National Park which is closed to traffic but is staffed by rangers in the winter. You can drive about 5 miles into the park and visit the ranger station. Overnight in Healy (near Denali National Park).

Healy/Denali to Talkeetna

Today you continue your driving adventure by heading south on the Parks Highway to Talkeetna. This small but unique gold mining community is famous for its special charm and as the expedition base for mountaineers seeking to summit Denali.  Overnight in Talkeetna.

Talkeetna to Anchorage

This morning, continue your drive south to Anchorage. The afternoon is yours to explore the city. Go shopping, tour local attractions, or take a walk in one of Anchorage’s many parks. City highlights include the Anchorage Museum, the Log Cabin Visitor Center, the Alaska Zoo, local breweries, and the Coastal Trail. Overnight in Anchorage.

Anchorage Departure

Depending on your departure time, you may have free time for some souvenir shopping or additional excursions. Return your car to the Anchorage airport rental car station. Depart or start an additional program.

* Please note that during the tour you will be sitting in a small confined space with other people.

Dates & Rates

Our standard program includes:, 2 and 3 star hotel accommodations..

The program will include a combination of hotels or motels that are considered moderate to standard tourist class. Please be aware not all hotels have shuttle services.

Standard train car seating on all rail services (reserved seats).

If you would like to book the standard program but with upgraded rail seating, the option and surcharge will be listed when you save to your cart.

Our Upgraded Program Includes:

* 3 and 4 star hotels (best available) wherever possible..

The program will include standard rooms at this category of hotel where possible. Alaska has very limited hotel choices in remote areas and small towns. The properties will typically offer a wider range of services such as a full-service restaurant, room service and perhaps a pool or spa facilities. Please be aware the upgraded accommodations in downtown Anchorage do not have hotel shuttle services. Many of the upgraded hotels also offer guaranteed view rooms for additional cost. If you would like a specific room type, in addition to the upgraded program, please ask us about availability and cost difference.

Deluxe dome train car seating between Anchorage, Denali and Fairbanks, or Anchorage and Seward.

All journeys between Anchorage and Whittier are in standard seating as deluxe dome cars are not available on that route.

Contact us to book this Tour.

Thank you for your interest in this tour! At this time, it is not currently available to book online. Please feel free to continue to peruse our website for more Alaska travel ideas. If you would like options and information from our team of Alaska experts, please call 1-866-317-3325 or fill out the form below.

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Tour Add-ons

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This Fairbanks tour is full of dog sledding adventure and fun. Experienced guides showcase their Alaska sled dogs and share insights into Alaska’s unique dog mushing lifestyle and popular winter sport. Then spend 1-hour on the trails! Learn dog calls […]... Browse itinerary

Northern Lights Viewing Evening Tour from Fairbanks

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Starting at: $140 / pp

Enjoy an evening looking for the northern lights in one of the best aurora-viewing locations near Fairbanks, Alaska. You will be transferred 30-45 minutes from your hotel to a prime northern lights viewing spot away from the city’s lights. We […]... Browse itinerary

Alaska Tours created an amazing trip for my Dad and I!! We got to experience so much awesomeness that Alaska has to offer. Our agent Kim was the best and thought of everything with us and took such care of us traveling in this crazy COVID time. Can't wait to return to Alaska.

Maggie | Trip Advisor

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