A Winter Day in Fairbanks
Yes, winters in Fairbanks can be cold and dark, but it can also be the best time of the year! The sky has a gorgeous pink hue almost all day long during the darkest months, and the Aurora Borealis greets you at night. As long as you have warm clothes, there’s a ton of ways you can spend your days during the winter. Here are some of my favorite options:
Birch Hill Recreation Area: These are premier cross country ski trails in the NE corner of Fairbanks and are free to use! They are regularly groomed for both classic and skate, which means no dogs, no walking, and no biking. There are many miles of trail options as seen on this map, and there are a good number of trails with lights. If needed, you can rent cross country skis from Trax, Beaver Sports, or UAF Outdoor Adventures.
Go Fat Biking on the Goldstream or Sheep Creek Trails: Fat biking is a great way to stay warm in the winter. There are hundreds of miles of trails around Fairbanks. Some are actually groomed, and some are used by snow machines which help pack down the trails as well. Dogs are allowed on all of these trails since they are multi-use, but please keep them leashed due to the sled dog teams that regularly train here. Make sure to bring a head lamp if you plan to stay out after dark! Trail Forks is most commonly used in Fairbanks, and some trails can be found here. You can rent bikes from Goldstream Sports, and you can connect to the trail system right from their parking lot! Fat bikes can also be rented from Bankstown Bike & Ski.
Explore Creamer’s Field: There are tons of trails at Creamer’s Field in the center of town that can be enjoyed throughout the winter. It’s a great option to go for a walk, bike, or cross country ski without the snow machine traffic found on the Goldstream Trails. You can often see moose here, so be alert. These trails also connect to the Alaska Dog Mushing Association trails, so keep dogs on leash to avoid an encounter with dog teams. Here’s a general map to give you an idea of the trail options in this area.
Drive to Delta Junction: Sometimes it’s just too cold to spend time outside. If that’s the case and it’s clear outside, I recommend driving east towards Delta Junction (~2 hours). You’ll get beautiful views of the Eastern Alaska Range along the way and can continue driving south past Delta Junction if you have the time to actually drive through the breathtaking mountains. You can even stop to hike to Castner Glacier.
Ice Skating at Tanana Lakes: This is an amazing (and free) outdoor ice rink. By late December or early January, the city plows a rink and ~ ¼ mile loop around Tanana Lakes for the public to use. It only gets maintained a few times per winter, so it can get bumpy or snowy after a big storm but it’s worth checking out! You’ll also see people ice fishing on the lake. I love coming here at sunset or with a headlamp after dark. Park next to the Alaska Dream Adventures Kiosk for easiest access to the ice. I believe there are ice skate rentals at UAF Outdoor Adventures and potentially Big Dipper Ice Arena, or you can purchase some from Play It Again Sports.
Northern Lights Hunting: Make sure to download the Aurora app to get updates about solar storms and if you’re likely to see them or not. If they’re strong enough, you can see them from just about anywhere in town. If you’re looking for somewhere darker, some of my favorite places include the top of Ester Dome (~20 minutes from west Fairbanks), Cleary Summit (~30 minutes from east Fairbanks), the parking lot on Ballaine Road (just outside west Fairbanks), or the parking lot on Hagelbarger Ave (just outside east Fairbanks).
