Sunglasses

Sunglasses are very important for a variety of reasons. If you’re venturing north of the Arctic Circle in the summer, you may have to wear your sunglasses at midnight because the sun doesn’t set. Sunglasses are also great eye protection for a number of Alaskan activities like fishing and hunting.

Raincoat

In Alaska, we have a saying: if you don’t like the weather, just wait 15 minutes!
…Actually we’re pretty sure a lot of other places have that motto. But it certainly rings true up here! With mountain regions causing unpredictable weather patterns, you never know what kind of clouds are headed your way. But hey, at least it’s not boring!

Bug Spray

Ahhh there’s nothing like the smell of bug spray on a warm summer evening… or any other time of day for that matter. While Alaska isn’t the buggiest place you can go, this is the great outdoors we’re talking about so it’s always best to be prepared.

Camera

You’ll be absolutely devastated if you forget to bring a camera. Alaska’s natural beauty is unlike anywhere else in the world, and you’ll be dying to show off some of the sights you saw to your friends when you get back home.

Hiking shoes

Leave the high heels and penny loafers behind! Adorn your feet with shoes built for the rugged terrain of Alaska trails. There’s nothing like a pleasant hike through Alaska’s wilderness, but without the proper footwear you’ll be risking a twisted ankle or two.

Hat

Round-the-clock sun means unending opportunities to show off your old favorite hat. Don’t let anyone tell you it looks funny.

Sunscreen

Just because you’re not spending your vacation on a tropical beach doesn’t mean you won’t need sunscreen. Make sure to have it on you when you’re out and about— as we said before, the weather can change from cloudy to sunny at a moment’s notice!

Binoculars

Binoculars are the top items travelers forget to bring but always wish they had. While it’s always tempting to get an up-close look at those grizzly cubs, binoculars give you both visual proximity and the knowledge you won’t get mauled by a 500 pound mama bear.

A child plays with an ice sculpture in Fairbanks. Photo courtesy of State of Alaska Tourism / Robin Hood.

What better way to celebrate the magic of the holiday season than to visit the home of Santa Claus himself. Every year the city of North Pole, a 15-minute drive south from Fairbanks, hosts two festivals to celebrate the holiday season. Christmas In Ice and Winter Fest both kick off Saturday Dec. 3 and staying in modern comfort at the Fairbanks Princess Riverside Lodge is the best way to experience the events.

Christmas in Ice begins with an ice art competition at the ice park, next to the Santa Claus house. The park displays dozens of Christmas-themed ice sculptures by local and international carvers. Stroll through a wonderland of glistening wreaths and larger-than-life gingerbread men and other themed sculptures. The kids’ park features four large ice slides, a life size ice maze – and for the littlest of the bunch – a couple small ice slides.  Throughout the month of December, the Christmas in Ice festival hosts several family friendly events and culminates with the New Year’s Eve Snowflake Drop.

Winterfest, a two-day celebration, begins with a holiday bazaar at the North Pole Plaza. Shoppers browse more than 35 holiday craft booths. In the evening enjoy a fireworks display at the North Plaza Mall, described as “one of the best fireworks show in town.”

The second day of events begins at 2 p.m. with a candle lighting at the North Pole High School auditorium. The celebration includes community awards and the crowning of the new North Pole king and queen. Festival attendees enjoy live entertainment, music and refreshments. The festivities wrap up in the evening with a Christmas tree lighting at 6 p.m. in the Santa Land RV Park.

From the Princess family to yours, we wish you a happy holiday season.

Friends enjoy nordic skiing on the Jim Whisenhant Cross Country Ski Trail system at Birch Hill Recreation Area in Fairbanks. Photo courtesy State of Alaska Tourism / Matt Hage.

Fairbanks offers great wintertime fun and outdoor recreation. We’ve rounded up some of our favorite outdoor activities  for you to spend a day in the elements. Whether you go out to ski, snowboard or snowmobile, the Fairbanks Princess Riverside Lodge is the perfect spot to relax with a hot drink and put your feet up at the end of the day.

Snowmobiling
Fairbanks has miles of maintained trails for you to pull out your sled and shred some serious powder. The Fairbanks Snow Travelers snowmobile club offers group rides throughout the winter season and their website provides information about riding in the area, snow and weather conditions, as well as riding tips. The White Mountains National Recreation Area has more than 200 miles of maintained trails and the Chena River Recreation Area provides snowmobile access to back country trails and cabins.

Alpine Skiing
Mount Aurora Skiland is a ski and snowboard park with terrain for all skill levels. In celebration of its 50^th season, the ski resort is offering the same ticket prices as the previous year. Ski and snowboard rentals are available as well as one and multiple day passes. Pack up the family and head to the hills for some downhill skiing and snowboard fun.

Moose Mountain is an intermediate and advanced alpine park for skiers and snowboarders looking for more technical terrain and1,300 feet of vertical drop. Fairbanks is known for being cold in winter, but Moose Mountain is an ideal place to spend the day on the slopes, with weather usually 20 to 30 degrees warmer than in town.

Nordic Skiing
The Nordic Ski club of Fairbanks supports and maintains more than 30 kilometers of skate, classical and lighted loop trails at the Birch Hill Recreation Area. The area is fee free and open to the public. The club offers race events, programs and classes during the winter season for beginner and advanced Nordic skiers.

Running and Snowshoeing
It seems that running and snowshoeing might not go hand in hand, but the Fairbanks Running Club North, offers competitive racing events year-round, some that require shoes and others snowshoes. If you’re looking to keep your racing edge in the winter months, check out upcoming races like the Heart of Darkness Snowshoe Race, Solstice Snowshoe Shuffle, Turkey Trot and the 25^th George Bloom Memorial Midday Sun Fun Run.

Hiking
Despite all the snow, there is great hiking in Fairbanks for those willing to brave the elements. The Chena River Recreation Area offers miles of maintained trails with panoramic views for leisurely walks or brisk winter runs. The White Mountains National Recreation Area, a one million acre park, has more than 200 miles of groomed trails and 10 public use cabins for winter adventures. Go for a couple hours or spend a couple of days, but be sure to pack warm gear, be prepared for changing weather conditions and let someone know your plan before leaving home.

The Fairbanks Princess Riverside Lodge / Photo courtesy Princess Lodges

Established in 1902 during the gold rush, Fairbanks is located in the Tanana Valley of Alaska’s Interior. The second largest city in the state, the “Gold Heart City” is known for its historical and modern gold industries. The Fairbanks Princess Riverside Lodge is the town’s most refined and ideally situated hotel, located on the on the banks of the Chena River. In the summer, Fairbanks experiences nearly 24 hours of light, creating some great opportunities for outdoor activities. Here are some of the town’s top attractions.

Arctic Circle Air Adventure
See the Arctic Circle by air with an once-in-a-lifetime adventure. The flight will go over the Yukon River Valley, traverse gold mining fields and a portion of the 800-mile-long trans-Alaska Pipeline. Pass over the Brooks Mountain Range, which is the northernmost section of the Rocky Mountains and the highest mountain range in the Arctic Circle, and visit a wilderness community on the Middle Fork Koyukuk River.

Chena Hot Springs and Ice Museum Tour
Looking for a romantic one-day getaway? Look no further than Alaska’s icy-hot Chena Hot Springs Resort. This resort is home to the Aurora Ice Museum, created from over 1,000 tons of ice and snow. After touring the ice museum, relax at the Ice Bar and enjoy an appletini in an ice-carved martini glass while warming up next to the ice fireplace. Then, indulge in a fabulous dinner of prime rib, halibut or salmon. Finish up your day at Chena Hot Springs by taking a dip in the natural hot springs outdoor rock lake.

El Dorado Gold Mine Tour
Take a train ride on the Tanana Valley Railroad and hear stories about the thousands of prospectors who arrived during the gold rush. Travel through a permafrost tunnel, see amazing rock formations and learn about underground mining methods used during the gold rush days. Upon arrival at the El Dorado Gold Mine, learn how to pan for real gold and take a walking tour of the mining camp. Then hop aboard the train and return to the station.

An Evening in North Pole
Visit the town of North Pole and Santa Claus House, where Christmas is celebrated year-round with a gift shop full of holiday decor, ornaments, apparel and collectibles. Have a picture taken with Prancer and members of Santa’s team of reindeer, Santa’s sleigh and a life-size nativity scene. Dinner is at the Pagoda, a Chinese restaurant featured on the Food Network program “Diners Drive-ins and Dives.” The trip finishes up with a driving tour of the town and the story behind its holiday theme.

Museum of the North
Enjoy a self-guided tour of the University of Alaska Museum of the North. The museum features nearly 1.4 million artifacts and specimens representing millions of years of biological diversity and thousands of years of cultural tradition. Highlights of the tour include fist-sized gold nuggets, a 36,000-year-old bison mummy, whale skulls and mammoth tusks.

For more information on these activities, visit the Fairbanks excursions page or call 1-800-426-0500.

The University of Alaska Fairbanks Georgeson Botanical Garden / Photo courtesy State of Alaska Tourism / Kristen Kemmerling

To get a better idea of what activities are popular from the Fairbanks Princess Riverside Lodge, we spoke with administrative assistant Codie Villalobos.

Villalobos said she recommends the University of Alaska Fairbanks Georgeson Botanical Garden to many of the lodge’s guests.

The northernmost public garden in North America, the Georgeson garden is a nonprofit dedicated to research in subarctic horticulture. The garden is open through September and has excellent walking paths with benches and bird baths along the way.

“The botanical gardens are beautiful – all the local produce and flowers. It’s at its best right now being August and with all the sunshine,” Villalobos said.

Another attraction for visitors at the Fairbanks Princess Riverside Lodge is Pioneer Park.

The 44-acre Park was originally built for the Alaska 1967 Centennial Exposition and named Alaskaland until 2001. The park is billed as “Alaska’s Only Historic Theme Park” and features several museums, restaurants, shops and other attractions.

“You can make it as exciting or laid back as you want. Spend and an hour or a couple hours – I’ve never had a complaint,” Villalobos said.

Guided drift boats and rafts fish the Kenai River near Cooper Landing, Alaska. Fishing for chinook, sockeye and coho salmon brings travelers from around the world to the area. Photo courtesy: State of Alaska Tourism / Matt Hage

Located in Cooper Landing on the Kenai Peninsula, the Kenai Princess Wilderness Lodge is near the juncture of the Russian and Kenai Rivers, the site of the most fantastic salmon fishing in Alaska. There’s plenty to do, whether you want to enjoy some river sportfishing, float the Kenai River, go horseback riding or explore Seward and Kenai Fjords National Park. Here are a few activities offered at the Kenai Princess Lodge:

Kenai Upper River Sportfishing
Enjoy a full or half day of fishing on the upper Kenai River for sockeye and coho salmon, Dolly Varden and rainbow trout. The 17-mile stretch of the Kenai River through the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge features sections for beginners and experienced fisherman. Fishing licenses are also available at the Kenai Princess Lodge.

Cooper Landing Trail Ride
Take an explorative horseback trail ride through the breathtaking landscape of the historic gold mining area of Cooper Landing and meander through the Kenai Peninsula’s forests, meadows, rock ridges, river shores and along the base of Langille Mountain in the Chugach National Forest. Lunch is provided at one of the many scenic lookout points.

Kenai Alaska Husky Spirit
Meet dog musher Lorraine Temple and her sled dogs and find out what it takes for canine athletes to make it onto a team for the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race. Learn hands-on how to harness and hook the dogs on the gangline. Also, watch a video that brings the mystique of Alaska dog mushing to life with colorful images of wildlife dogsledding and adorable puppies.

Kenai Fjords National Park Cruise
Take a drive to Seward and explore the pristine wonders of the Kenai Fjords National Park. From Resurrection Bay, cruise out on the open waters of the Gulf of Alaska around the Aialik Peninsula to the face of the Aialik Glacier. The sound of glaciers calving giant blocks of ancient ice can be heard across the harbor. Remember to look for marine animals such as orcas, humpback whales, seabirds, sea lions and otters.

For more information on these activities, visit the Kenai excursions page or call 1-800-426-0500.

The ruins of the 1900-era Kennecott copper mine in Wrangell-St Elias National Park. Photo courtesy State of Alaska Tourism / Matt Hage.

Located in Eastern Alaska, Wrangell-St. Elias National Park and Preserve is the largest national park in the United States. Its 13.2 million acres form an area larger than Rhode Island and Vermont combined.

Amongst the mountains and wilderness are the historic towns of McCarthy and Kennicott and the Kennecott Mine (a clerical worker misspelled Kennicott). The town is being preserved by the National Park Service, with rangers leading tours past the huge mill, bunkhouses, a train depot, worker’s cottages and a power plant. Kennecott was designated a National Historic Landmark since 1986 and is considered the best remaining example of early 20th Century copper mining. From 1911 to 1938, nearly $200 million worth of copper was processed in the area.

The Kennecott mine produced 591,000 tons of pure copper before closing in 1938. Photo courtesy State of Alaska Tourism / Matt Hage.

The Copper River Princess Wilderness Lodge is perfectly positioned to be part of your trip to see the Kennecott Mine. Located near milepost 102 on the Richardson Highway, the lodge is situated on 200 acres at the junction of the Klutina and Copper Rivers. From the Copper River Lodge, it’s about 50 miles to Chitna. Travel to McCarthy and Kennicott from Chitna requires driving a 60-mile gravel McCarthy Road built on the Northwest-Copper River Railroad bed right of way. The road was known for being rough in the past, but was designated a scenic corridor and major upgrading began in 2006. Those uncomfortable driving can easily arrange to take a flight or shuttle into town.

Tanana Valley Farmers Market in Fairbanks, Alaska

Alaska’s growing season may be short on days, but the summer’s long hours of sunlight ensure the state’s farmers and gardeners are still able to grow plenty of fruits, veggies and flowers.

Farmers markets have sprung up around the state, allowing shoppers one-stop spots to pick up fresh Alaska produce. There are often also vendors with other made-in-Alaska goods such as dairy products, preserves, arts and crafts and more.

The Alaska Farmers Market Association’s website has a great roundup of markets around the state so you can check and see if there are opportunities for you to do some shopping while you travel.

Here are a couple highlights around the state:

The Market and Festival happens June 14 through Sept. 11, Saturdays and Sundays from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. across from the Hilton Hotel in downtown Anchorage, on Third Avenue between C and E Streets. For more information contact Bill Webb at 907-272-5634 or bill@anchoragemarkets.com.

In the interior, Delta Junction is home to The Highway’s End Farmers Market. The market runs from May to September, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Wednesdays and Saturdays at the “The Triangle” at the end of the Alaska Highway across from the Visitor’s Center. For more information contact Jane Hamilton at 907-895-4752 or janehamilton99737@yahoo.com.

Also worth noting is the Tanana Valley Farmers Market in Fairbanks. It runs May through September, Wednesday and Sunday, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., Saturday 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at College Road and Caribou Way. For more information contact: J.R. Anderson at 907-456-3276 or TVFMarket@gmail.com

Trapper Creek’s event is known as the Denali Farmers Market. The market runs from July to mid-September, Saturdays, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the intersection of intersection of the Parks Highway and Susitna River Road. For more information contact Diane McCown at 907-733-2790 or ddmccown@mtaonline.net

Homer has the Homer Farmers Market. It runs from June to September, Wednesdays 3-6 p.m., Saturdays 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Ocean Drive. For more information contact Paul Castellani at 907-235-0703 or fourcasta@yahoo.com.

Soldotna is host to the Kenai Peninsula Farmers Market. It runs from June to October, Wednesdays and Saturdays, 1-7 p.m., 43453 Kalifornsky Beach Road, next door to Save-U-More. For more information contact Jeff Babitt at 907-252-5712.

Just 45 minutes from Anchorage, or an hour and 15 minutes from the Kenai Princess Wilderness Lodge, is Girdwood. A ski resort town, Girdwood still has plenty to offer to summertime visitors. It’s framed by Mount Alyeska and the Chugach Mountains on one side and Turnagain Arm on the other. If you’re looking to stop for a quick bite or upscale meal, Girdwood has plenty of options. They also cater to adventurists with outdoor opportunities including hiking and mountain biking in the summer and cross-country and downhill skiing and snowboarding in the winter. If you’re looking for a souvenir, there are also shops with pottery and jade (The state gem of Alaska).

You can find Hope a little over two hours from Anchorage or an hour and 20 minutes from Kenai Princess Wilderness Lodge. The town dates back to the gold rush and is tucked away on the remote southern side of Turnagain Arm. Hope has buildings that have been standing since the early 1900s, including a a bar that is 100 years old and still open. There are plenty of outdoor activities, with terrain for hikers and mountain bikers as well as fishing and rafting (mellow or fast-paced) on nearby Six Mile Creek. Visitors can enjoy a range of dining options or shop for local arts and crafts such as jewelry, bronze art and oil paintings.

Seward is located at the head of Resurrection Bay, an hour and 10 minutes from the Kenai Princess Wilderness Lodge or two and a half hours from Anchorage. Seward prides itself on fishing and is also an easy access point to the glaciers in the Kenai Fjords National Park, making it a big draw for day cruises. There are plenty of activities on dry land including restaurants and art galleries featuring stained glass and pottery. Alaskans and visitors flock to Seward on the Fourth of July for a day’s worth of festivities and the Mount Marathon race.

Known for excellence in canine care and fostering the traditions of dog sled racing, the Yukon Quest was named to commemorate the Yukon River, and follows the historic Gold Rush and Mail Delivery dog sled routes from the turn of the 20^th Century. While the Iditarod is the more well-known dog sled race in Alaska, the Yukon Quest is often referred to as the more challenging race. On the trail of the Yukon Quest, mushers only have ten checkpoints to the Iditarod’s 28 so they spend a lot more time in no-man’s land, out in the cold with their dogs and facing distances of more than 200 miles between checkpoints.

This year, half of the registered mushers are running the 1,000-mile race for the first time, but they have their work cut out for them, as a rookie rarely wins this race; it’s a course that favors the veteran. So keep your eye out for 2009 champion Sebastian Schnuelle and Hans Gatt, the 2010 champion, who crossed the Whitehorse finish line in record time of nine days and 59 minutes.

To be more than just a spectator, sign up to volunteer at: http://www.yukonquest.com/site/signup-to-volunteer.

If you are in Fairbanks early, help support the annual race at the Crab Feed Fundraiser that will take place on Sunday, Jan. 16, from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Pioneer Park. Tickets are available in advance at the Yukon Quest Store or by calling 907-452-7954.

Or come to Fairbanks in time for the first ever Yukon Quest “Purse Party” on Saturday, Jan. 22, at 6 p.m. at the Dog Mushers Hall to help raise money to contribute to the race purse. Drinks will be provided by the Alaskan Brewing Co. Entrance is $20 and includes a limited edition 2011 Yukon Quest/Alaskan Brewing Co. glass. All proceeds will go directly to the purse.

The Yukon Quest race starts on schedule rain or shine from Whitehorse on Feb. 5, and lasts anywhere from 10 to 16 days until the final dog team arrives at the finish line. Teams are expected to arrive at the finish line between Monday, Feb. 14 and Sat Feb. 19 at the finish line located on the Chena River in downtown Fairbanks. Be sure and stick around for the Finish and Awards Banquet on Friday, Feb. 18 (tickets cost $60 and include dinner, entertainment, and awards ceremony).

Special winter rates are available online for the Fairbanks Princess Riverside Lodge or by calling (800) 426-0500. For further details about the Yukon Quest go to http://www.yukonquest.com/