Alaska Aviation Museum

When your capital city isn’t accessible by road, you know that your state relies heavily on air travel.  Such is the case in Alaska, where airplanes are the only way to reach countless towns and villages across the vast state.

Alaska has a rich tradition of air travel that is unlike any other state in America. Check out the Alaska Aviation Museum in Anchorage (accessible by road, thankfully) to get a fascinating look at the history of flight in the Last Frontier.

Cost: $10 adults, $8 seniors, $6 children

Dog sled tour

Get a view of Alaska from a perspective you won’t get anywhere else— from the helm of a dog sled.  Before the advent of flight, dog sleds were one of the only ways to travel across vast distances of the Alaskan tundra.  Isolated towns scattered across the state relied on dog sled couriers to deliver essential supplies to help them make it through the winter.  Today, though, the stakes have been lowered and dog sleds can now be enjoyed by tourists looking for a leisurely spin through the snow.

Cost: Prices vary, but tour options usually start around $75/person

Northern Lights viewing

Viewing the natural phenomenon of the Aurora Borealis, or “the Northern Lights,” is an essential Alaskan experience.  This spectacular display of lights in the night sky, caused by energetically charged particles colliding in the upper atmosphere, typically occurs in a region 10 to 20 degrees from the magnetic north pole. 

Luckily, this region incorporates a large area of central Alaska.  Try booking a winter stay in the Fairbanks Princess Riverside Lodge, and you’ll have an excellent chance of crossing this item off your bucket list!

Cost: Free, as long as you have a pair of eyes!

Alaska whale watching

Alaska is home to a myriad of whale species, including Blue, Grey, Humpback, Sperm, and Beluga whales.  This creates unprecedented opportunities to see whales with your own eyes in their natural habitats.  So if the only whales you’ve ever seen are the Orca whales at SeaWorld, you’ll be blown away with a whale watching cruise in Alaska.

Cost: Depends on the tour, but usually around $100/person

Flightseeing

Alaska’s national parks are so vast; the only way to truly experience their entire splendor is through a flightseeing tour.  This distinctly Alaskan pastime will take you over some of the most remote stretches of Alaska’s most stunning wilderness areas. 

Cost: Depends on the tour, but flights usually start around $150-$200/person

Alaska zoo

What’s the one place in Alaska where you’d be happy to come face-to-face with a Polar bear?  Unless you have a death wish, the only answer is the Alaska Zoo in Anchorage.  With exhibits featuring Polar and Grizzly bears, arctic wolves and snow leopards, there’s a wide assortment of animals both native and foreign to Alaska’s territory.

Cost: Adults: $12, Seniors: $9, Kids: $6

UAF's Nicole Bozek had 28 points in a loss to West Liberty. Photo courtesy UAF.

Congratulations to all the teams that competed in the Mt. McKinley Bank North Star Invitational last weekend, especially tournament champions, the Lenoir-Rhyne Bears from North Carolina.

Many of the visiting teams chose to stay at the Fairbanks Princess Riverside Lodge for its comfort and proximity to the University of Alaska’s Fairbanks campus. The same reasons make it a great place to stay on your next trip, whether it’s to check out a university sporting event or just enjoy the Golden Heart City.

For the past 10 years, the UAF women’s basketball team has hosted a four team, three-day tournament over the Thanksgiving weekend. This year, the UAF Nanooks faced the Lenoir-Rhyne Bears, the West Liberty Hilltoppers and the Western Colorado State Mountaineers at the UAF Patty Center.

Throughout the weekend, the Nanooks furiously battled it out on their home court. Despite their efforts and home court advantage, they ended the tournament with a second place win for the second year in a row. Head coach Cody Burgess commented in an article on the UAF athletics website that there were some easily avoidable errors, but that she was satisfied overall with her team’s performance in the tournament.

“I don’t think anything in this tournament was easy but we don’t expect it to be easy,” Burgess said in the interview. “Our kids have a lot of passion and a lot of fire. They really want to play hard and win in front of their home crowd and I’m proud of them for that.”

The UAF Nanooks women’s basketball team will be back at it at the Patty Center, Saturday night Dec. 3, going up against in-state rival, the University of Alaska Anchorage Seawolves.

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.

Would you like your visit to include informative visitor centers, guided tours, and paved hiking trails? Then going to one of the more heavily visited parks is your best option. Or perhaps you’d prefer a trek into pure wilderness, just you and the amazing surroundings with no other humans for miles around.

Whichever you prefer, there’s a national park in Alaska that’s perfect for you.   Check out this list of the most popular Alaska national parks in descending order:

Glacier Bay National Park

2010 visitorship: 444,530
Size: 3,283,246 acres
Closest lodge: Kenai Princess Wilderness Lodge

Glacier Bay National Park hosts the most visitors of any park in Alaska.  Located on the Alaskan panhandle in the southeastern corner of the state, Glacier Bay is home to some of the most beautiful vistas of active glaciers the state has to offer.  Sign up for a boat tour and you might get a glimpse of a mammoth section of glacier spectacularly calving into the ocean.

Denali National Park

2010 visitorship: 378,855
Size: 6,075,107 acres
Closest lodge: Denali Princess Wilderness Lodge

When your park is home to the tallest mountain on the entire continent, you know you’re going to attract a lot of visitors.  Nearly 400,000 people every year visit Denali National Park to get an up close and personal look at the majestic Mt. McKinley.  If you’d like a quick hike the whole family will enjoy, try the Horseshoe Lake trail near the visitor’s center.

Kenai Fjords National Park

2010 visitorship: 297,596
Size: 699,983 acres
Nearest lodge: Kenai Princess Wilderness Lodge

The word “fjord” is a Norwegian term for a glacier-carved inlet.  And while you may not hear it invoked often in the lower 48, Alaska has an abundance of beautiful fjords that enchant visitors every year.  Kenai Fjords is an easy trip over from the Kenai Princess Wilderness Lodge.

Wrangell-St. Elias National Park

2010 Visitorhip: 73,170
Size:  13,175,901 acres 
Nearest Lodge: Copper River Princess Wilderness Lodge

Now we’re getting into the parks that are off the beaten path of the Alaskan tourist industry.  Wrangell-St. Elias is on the Alaska-Canada border and is the largest national park in the US.  It’s also home to the second largest mountain in America, the breathtaking Mt. St. Elias.

Katmai National Park

2010 visitorship: 55,172
Size: 4,725,188 acres
Closest lodge: Kenai Princess Wilderness Lodge

Katmai National Park is home to Mt. Katmai, an active volcano which blew its top in 1912 in what was the largest volcanic eruption in Alaska’s recorded history.  Mt. Katmai now features a beautiful crater lake where its peak once stood.  The park is also famous for its abundant brown bear population, with an estimated 2000 making their home within Katmai’s boundaries.

Gates of the Arctic National Park

2010 visitorship: 10,840
Size: 8,472,506
Closest lodge: Fairbanks Princess Riverside Lodge

Gates of the Arctic National Park is located entirely within the Arctic Circle, meaning round-the-clock sunshine in the summer and perpetual nighttime in the winter. The park received its dramatic name from wilderness explorer John Marshall in 1929, who thought that Boreal Mountain and Frigid Crags which flanked the Koyukuk River resembled imposing “gates to the Arctic.”

Lake Clark National Park

2010 visitorship: 9,931
Size: 4,030,025 acres
Closest lodge: Kenai Princess Wilderness Lodge

While Lake Clark National Park isn’t too far from the more populous areas of Alaska, it receives very low annual visitorship due to the fact that no roads exist leading into the park.  All visitors must book a float plane to experience its splendor first hand, but those who do are treated to awe-inspiring views of three converging mountain ranges, picturesque lakes, and lush rainforests.

Kobuk Valley National Park

2010 visitorship: 3,164
Size: 1,669,813
Closest lodge: Fairbanks Princess Riverside Lodge

If you really want to escape civilization and trek into the wilderness, then Kobuk Valley National Park is the place for you.  Also north of the Arctic Circle, Kobuk Valley receives under 5000 visitors annually.  And while you might not see any other humans during your trip there, you’ll have plenty of Caribou to keep you company.  Over 400,000 Caribou are believed to roam the park’s stunning environs.

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 crew heads to the field to pick potatoes. Photo by Clark James Mishler.

On a sunny fall day in late September, members of the Anchorage East Rotary Club and their friends boarded a Princess motor coach and headed north from Anchorage to Palmer to spend the day collecting potatoes for the Food Bank of Alaska.

The group arrived at the potato farm of Adam Boyd, a member of the Mat-Su Potato Growers, to scoop up the potatoes missed by mechanical harvesters. The spuds were collected in gunnysacks, loaded onto a truck and taken back to Anchorage.

“The weather really made it a treat, and the whole dynamic of having a coach to ride out there in was the best,” said Barbara Kagerer, Anchorage East Rotary Club member. “We picked 4,001 pounds of potatoes and I’m sure there were a few pounds of dirt that we brought home on the floor of the coach.”

A picker shows off some of the potatoes they found. Photo by Clark James Mishler.

The Food Bank of Alaska will use the potatoes to help feed the hungry.

Susannah Morgan, executive director of the Food Bank of Alaska, said it was a day where, “all is right with the world.”

Last year brought fierce competition from restaurants like Lavelle’s Bistro, Bobby’s, the Co-Op Diner and Gambardella’s. In the end,  Fairbanks Princess Riverside Lodge’s own, chef Steve Frazer won the golden ladle. This year’s competition will feature 11 different soups, from crab bisque to mushroom barley to vegan offerings.

The event will also feature a wine tasting, courtesy of K&L Distributors, a coffee tasting provided by Diving Duck Coffee and live music. Participants can bid on delicious desserts and items including dining, services and gift certificates, fuel, oil, a quilt, Fairbanks Concert Association tickets, a week in a Baja casita that sleeps four, French cooking lessons and artwork.

The Stone Soup Café is located in the downstairs of the former Eagles Hall. It serves a hot breakfast and passes out sack lunches Monday through Friday to help feed the hungry in Fairbanks.

Soup Off
When: Saturday, Oct. 29
Where: Fairbanks Princess Riverside Lodge
Time: 6-9 p.m.
Tickets: $35, available at If Only, Take 5, Team Cutters, Image Optical, Grassroots Guitar or by calling 907-374-9981. Must be 21 or older.

Actress Drew Barrymore in a scene from 'Big Miracle'

In October 1988, three gray whales trapped by sea ice in the Beaufort Sea near Point Barrow started a three week rescue mission that included the United States and Soviet governments. The rescue became known as “Operation Breakthrough” and reporters from across the country flocked to the isolated Alaska town above the Arctic Circle. View a collection of images Anchorage Daily News’ coverage of it here.

The mission drew supporters and critics and in the end, cost the U.S. $1 million. The highly publicized event inspired Tom Rose to write “Freeing the Whales: How the Media Created the World’s Greatest Non-Event.” A new fictional movie of the 1988 event, “Big Miracle” is based off the book.

“Big Miracle,” was directed by Ken Kwapis and stars Drew Barrymore, John Krasinski, Kristen Bell, and Ted Danson. The movie is set to be released Feb. 3, 2012 and is one of the first feature-length films to be completely filmed in Alaska. Watch a trailer of the film here.

Fall in Alaska. Photo courtesy State of Alaska Tourism / Frank Flavin

Although short-lived, fall in Alaska provides beautiful scenery of gold and red colored mountains, cool crisp weather perfect for hiking, and plenty of wildlife. Bull moose head down to the valleys, and bears fatten up in preparation for winter days ahead. Here are collections of fall photos from staff and readers of the Anchorage Daily News.

As summer draws to an end up North and gives way to fall, Fairbanks and the surrounding areas put on a spectacular display of red and gold mountains, cobalt blue skies, and earth-toned tundra. You can also find a collection of fall photos here.

Fort Wainwright Holly Days Bazaar
Hosted by the Community Spouses Club this annual event features local artisans handcrafted goods. Get a head start on holiday shopping and stop by to find unique gifts of jewelry, art, photography, Alaska souvenirs and more.
Date: Oct. 14-15
Location: Physical Fitness Center
Time: 4 -5 p.m.
Cost:  Adults $3 Kids 12 and under free
Event http://www.wainwrightcsc.org/1915.html

City Sampler: A Taste of Fairbanks
Come enjoy an evening sampling the best of Fairbanks’ fine dining, caterers, and local food and wine distributors while enjoying live jazz music. Enter to win two roundtrip tickets for a European getaway in Germany as well as many more exciting door prizes. This event benefits the Fairbanks Resource Agency’s Senior Service Programs.
Date: Oct. 20
Location: Westmark Hotel Gold Room
Time: 6:30 – 8 p.m.
Cost: $40/person

Fairbanks Shakespeare Theater:
Shakespeare’s classic play “Macbeth,” a tale of a hysterical and murderous king is brought to life by Fairbanks Shakespeare Theater. The play runs for three weekends and has a special Halloween showing if you dare. Purchase tickets at the theater’s website.
Dates: Oct. 14 – 31
Location: Empress Theater
Time: 7:30 p.m., Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays
2 p.m. Sundays, 8 p.m. Halloween
Cost: $22
fstalaska.org

Fairbanks Drama Association: “Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?”
Celebrate Fairbanks Drama Association’s 49^th year by attending the Tony Award winning play “Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf” as a part of their fall theater lineup.
Date: Oct. 21 – Nov. 6
Location: River Front Theater
Time: 8:00 p.m.
Cost: $20 general, $18 seniors (65+), military, and university students, $14 for teens
website

Music at One
A free weekly one-hour concert series showcasing the talents of the University of Alaska Fairbanks’ music students in the Davis Hall of the UAF campus. This is an excellent opportunity to introduce young children to music in a concert hall setting without the stress of a dressed up black tie evening.

Dates: Thursday Sept. 22 – Thursday Nov. 17
Location: Davis Hall, University of Alaska Fairbanks campus
Time: 1-2 p.m.
Cost: Free

First Friday Events
First Friday events continue into the fall season with featured artists on display at local businesses and art galleries in downtown Fairbanks. Visit Fairbanks’ Downtown Association website for details of times and locations of galleries on exhibit.
Dates: First Friday of the month, Oct. 7 – March 2, 2011
Location: Various Fairbanks locations
Time: Starts at 7 p.m.
Cost: Free
downtownfairbanks.com

Go Winter! Expo
Just in time for the Permanent Fund Dividend, this expo at the Carlson Center is packed with vendors to help you avoid cabin fever and get out this winter. Shop till you drop and take advantage of all the great PFD sales.
Dates: Oct. 8-9
Location: Carlson Center
Time: 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Cost: $4 adults, children 12 and under free, free all day Sunday to military and their families (ID required)
fairbanksevents.com

Fairbanks Holiday Marketplace
With the holidays coming up, get your shopping done early at a one-stop shop fair featuring 170 artists and craftsman. The North Pole High School Choir will be providing onsite day care for $4 an hour.
Dates: Nov. 11-12
Location: Carlson Center
Time: Friday, Nov. 11, noon – 8 p.m., Saturday, Nov. 12 10 a.m. -7 p.m.
Cost: $4 adults, children 12 and under free
fairbanksevents.com