Winter Activities

Fairbanks makes it one of the best places on earth to see the captivating light of the aurora borealis, but that's not all there is to do in winter. Skiing, ice skating, snowshoeing, ice fishing, tubing, and dog sledding abound. To get out into the backcountry, outfitters offer guided snowmobile tours in the Fairbanks area and Chena River State Recreation Area.

Fairbanks has a ski trail systems, with many trails groomed for classic and skate skiing and lit for night skiing, including Birch Hill Recreation Area and trails around the University of Alaska Fairbanks. The Nordic Ski Club of Fairbanks stages ski races and other cross-country events throughout the year.

Dog sledding is a popular sport in Fairbanks, home of the Yukon Quest International Sled Dog Race. Within the area are almost a dozen sled dog kennels that offer guided tours and the opportunity for visitors to mush and work with their own team for a day or more. Also available are dog sled rides, multi-day expeditions, and mushing schools.

Chena Hot Springs Resort

About 55 miles outside of town is Chena Hot Springs Resort, where visitors can soak in the soothing hot springs pools. Chena Hot Springs is a must-do activity for visitors to Fairbanks, whether you have a few hours or a couple of days to spend here. The year-round resort features indoor and outdoor thermal pools and accommodations (lodge, cabins, and camping) with a focus on renewable energy and sustainability.

If that wasn't enough, they offer a wide range of summer and winter tours including dog sledding, ATV tours, river trips, horseback riding, and more. There's nothing quite like watching the northern lights dance above you while soaking in a natural hot spring on a dark winter night.

Fishing

Charter fishing tour operators based in Fairbanks offer a wide range of adventures for visiting anglers. Outings include both guided charters on rivers and fly-in adventures to remote lakes, and ice fishing in winter. Species targeted include king salmon, northern pike, char, lake trout, and Arctic grayling.