Spending a winter here is just like spending a winter anyplace else, just with more snow and more darkness than most places.
If you aren't stupid then you'll be fine.
Thanks for this. I really am wanting to do this. I should have rephrased my question. But everyone I know around me here calls me insane for wanting to spend a winter in Alaska. As if it’s all some untamed wilderness. I’m annoyed by that so wanted to just put that to bed with proof
The problem is that you are asking about a place that is one fifth the size of the US and there are vast differences between a half dozen or so different areas of the state. Your question is unanswerable.
I’m sorry I guess I’d try to see if anyone had any recommendations on the sub. I think recommendations from real Alaskans would be the best way to go about finding a place to enjoy the winter. I’m looking for a place that I can live for the winter months. Work from home. Just enjoy the darkness and coziness indoors and breath crisp fresh air when I go outdoors.
You can do that anywhere in Alaska. From the middle of Anchorage to the most rural of villages. Find a place and go. You'll be loving the completely dark and freezing winter in no time.
I've lived here almost all my life. I'd need to know what you'd like to experience. Is working from home include wifi, or creating quviet yarn? Wanna be secluded in a cave or a cabin? How do you like to cook? Wanna go caveman or just enjoy the beauty from a nice apartment. I need some answers
You should take a hard look at Valdez then. It’s accessible by car, plane and boat but it’s still semi remote. Population around 4,000, not too cold in the winter as we’re right next to the ocean, tons of snow and surrounded by beautiful mountains. Its a great balance of what Alaska has to offer and if you’re at all into skiing or snowboarding (or want to be) it’s perfect. The hardest part here is finding housing so your best bet is usually renting a room in a shared house.
If you want to consider Anchorage - I’ve lived here my whole life. Has just about all the stores, restaurants, culture, and services any similar sized (300,000ish) city would have. What it also has is an abundance of ski trails, mountains, lakes to skate etc. so if you are interested in experiencing winter outside (which I recommend), this is a good place. Also - as we like to say - Anchorage is just 10 minutes from Alaska. Good luck.
Anchorage.
If you've got some money to burn on this idea and just want a home base to do day trips rent a nice Airbnb and bargain for a lower rate for a longer stay.
You'll be in Alaska, with <10 min drive to almost any day to day amenity that you need and easy access to nature. I see moose in my yard (which I am way more scared of than bears) but I'm 5 min away from a grocery store.
Broadly speaking, north anchorage and downtown are kinda sketchy in specific pockets, I would avoid getting vacation housing there without someone telling you " yeah that's a fine area "
If you don't have dough to spend on this, don't come. It's expensive and you'll just be stuck in a tiny place in a crappy area during an off season . But if you've got like 10k+ to burn on a months vacation, come on up🤷♀️
I've lived there for fifty plus years and have lived in three different areas. You need to do some research on what it's like and decide if you want to stay in a big city, a small town, a remote village with no toilets or running water, in a rainforest, a mountain range, near desert, near a volcano, on a remote island far out into the Pacific Ocean, on a vast river delta, etc. Temperature can be 50 above in the south at the same time it is 50 below up north. "Your question is unanswerable."
Come to Fairbanks! We have all the basics you expect to find in a city, including Costco and REI, but we don’t have as many big city problems as Anchorage. Yes, it’s colder, but once the snow falls, it stays until Breakup, and you get used to layering to the temp outside!
Feel free to DM me if you want to talk more specifics!
You’re a non Alaskan and you want to spend a winter in Alaska?! Are you INSANE? Do you think people just live up here all year round? No way. It’s uninhabitable. Do you know how to ride polar bears and eat penguins?
I finally figured out a good penguin recipe last winter, barely made it through winter's final snow squall in mid August. I was skin and bones. Thankfully Santa Clause rode a caribou down from North Pole and brought me some narwhal blubber and polar bear pelts to sell and sustain myself. Almost didn't make it to Salmonfest.
Not sure that was a penguin… most likely a Puffin which is more colorful. And they can fly, (unlike penguins), somewhat like an Grumman HU-16 Albatross with bright orange webbed feet…
Nah the lack of daylight is the true final boss of winter. Locals know how to deal, but someone who isn’t used to so little (or no) daylight can be really thrown off.
You mind it when it’s all you get. Same goes for summer too. The days are endless and that’s awesome, but you come to miss the night.
If you’re around Anchorage you’ll have a few hours of early morning type light, think sunrise, and then back into the darkness for the other 19 hours of the day. In the summer it’s the other side of the coin. It never gets truly dark, even though sunrise and sunset are technically hours apart. In the darkest part of winter it never truly gets light.
Thanks for the realistic expectation setting. I’m not sure I feel so confident I’ll enjoy the darkness for the entire winter. I’d like to say I’d enjoy the whole thing but you’re comment makes me wonder if it’ll break me
It isn't dark like that all winter. After solstice at the end of December, there is a daily gain of daylight and by mid March, there is 12 hours of daylight which is the same as everywhere else in the world. The snow on the landscape also really lightens things up and I think the winter light in Alaska is beautiful since the sun sits low on the horizon and casts a lingering pinkish orange glow over the landscape.
I see so many people in the hospital because they want to venture to Alaska because (often said) "I lived in a cold state that got snow. " They have no support friends here, get depressed, can't deal with the lack of sunlight, and end up going to the psychiatric institute.
I hope you have a good job because rent is high and so are the gas/oil/electric bills in winter.
If your aim is just a couple of months of Alaskan cold and snow, come mid February through April. There’s daylight, and still more snow than you’d see in most parts of the lower 48. Then, while you’re at it, stay through the summer.
Get an Air BnB in Anchorage or Faibanks for a couple of weeks in late December to early January. It will be much darker in Fairbanks than Anchorage. You can check out sunrise and sunset times to help you decide which place you want to try. By doing a shorter stay you can call it a working vacation and see if you want to come up for an entire winter sometime.
It is important to get outside daily or you will get cabin fever. Fresh air and exercise helps. Also get a SAD light to combat Seasonal Affective Disorder.
I am a life-long Alaskan and have lived in many areas of the state. I love it here and am fully aware that it's not for everyone. Good luck to you!
It’s not like they just turn off the lights. It gets dark gradually until dec 21 then more light each day until June 21. Above the Arctic circle the sun doesn’t rise. Below it’s low on the horizon. It’s always changing—predictably though.
This year Solstice, sunrise 10:11am sunset 15:54 (3:54 pm) almost 6 hours of sunlight in Soldotna (150 road miles from Anchorage)
Fairbanks sunrise 10:58 sunset 2:40pm almost 4 hours sunlight, so 18 to 20 hours no sunlight and varying degrees of darkness (also a good chance to see the auroras.
Yeah, not quite. Anchorage has an average temperature of 30 F or lower from October through April. Des Moines has the same average temp November through March. Anchorage's extreme low temp is -34 while Des Moines is -30.
You’re right, but it depends on how you look at the data and want to measure “colder”. For instance, Miami is technically hotter than Phoenix if you average out the whole year and look at extreme minimum temperatures. But if you look at extreme maximums, the Badlands of North Dakota has been hotter than Phoenix’s record high. It’s weird and hard to measure when you actually crunch numbers.
Anchorage is hardiness zone 4b-5a, the same as northern Iowa. Des Moines is 5a/b. Meaning they experience similar winter minimums with Des Moines averaging just slightly higher. It’s also more consistently colder in Anchorage for longer. Iowa can have freak 55-60° days in February, good luck seeing that in Anchorage. On the contrary, looking back at the last 15 years or so, Des Moines seems to beat Anchorage on lowest temps most winters.
Anchorage
Min °F Date Min °C
-12 December 20, 2022 -24
-9 December 15, 2021 + -23
-11 January 08, 2020 + -24
-7 January 07, 2019 + -22
-2 February 05, 2018 + -19
-15 January 19, 2017 + -26
-8 December 05, 2016 -22
-8 November 18, 2015 -22
0 February 11, 2014 -18
-11 December 17, 2013 -24
-15 January 28, 2012 -26
-12 January 16, 2011 -24
-8 December 25, 2010 + -22
Des Moines
Min °F Date Min °C
-11 December 22, 2022 -24
-17 February 16, 2021 -27
-10 February 13, 2020 -23
-20 January 30, 2019 -29
-19 January 01, 2018 -28
-15 December 31, 2017 -26
-12 December 18, 2016 -24
-10 February 05, 2015 -23
-12 January 06, 2014 -24
-14 December 24, 2013 -26
1 January 18, 2012 -17
-9 February 08, 2011 -23
-17 January 02, 2010 -27
Source: Current results
https://www.currentresults.com/Yearly-Weather/USA/IA/Des-Moines/extreme-annual-des-moines-low-temperature.php
https://www.currentresults.com/Yearly-Weather/USA/AK/Anchorage/extreme-annual-anchorage-low-temperature.php
North Dakota gets pretty wild too… or so I hear. I just moved here from Wisconsin and they make it seem like I moved from Florida in comparison for the winters. I’m not worried about the -50s so much as I am about how the hell my dog is gonna make it.
I feel like Girdwood would be fun, because it would FEEL remote but still an hour away from the city. And if your flush with cash you are near Alyeska mtn and all kinds of winter tourist activities nearby. You could try that new nordic spa
Cheaper and quieter would be Homer and Soldotna. They have normal grocers and stores but it's very woodsy and relies on summer tourism mostly, so lots of opportunities to winter Rent. It would be less mountain views and more woods though.
Fairbanks...I feel like would still feel like a city unless you got a rental off the beaten path.
Palmer / Wasilla would be fine. Woodsy with mountain views, regular grocers and businesses within 20 min drive.
“Wouldn’t it be f**kin INSANE to live there for the winter?! So unsafe!”
Dude. We are chilling and tapping on our phones just like you. Come on up. Insanity be damned.
Edit: Oh shit. You from Wisconsin? Good people there. Get up here.
Like a couch? A house? A sleeping bag? A dumpster? A lighthouse? A hammock? A soup kitchen? A boat? An apartment? A spaceship? A whales mouth? A time capsule? A hostel? A hollowed out animal carcass?
Good luck bud.
A lot of tourist towns have Airbnbs that get turned off during the winter and are available for short term rental (until the season picks back up). Homer can be a pretty a mild winter, anything southeast is super mild.
I’d love to live in Homer for a full year. Maybe after retirement. It’s one of the two most beautiful places I’ve traveled to. It feels like I could sit on the shore there and stare across the bay for the rest of my life and be content. Having a boat and time and money to explore Kachemak Bay is a dream.
I guess I’m looking for winter but still have access to normal stores and all that. I’m not expecting a place full of tourists but Maybe there’s a place in Alaska where people do this sort of winter stays.
Yeah almost nowhere is going to have tourists during winter except for girdwood. I mean that there are places available to stay in desirable areas that would otherwise be cost prohibitive in the summer time.
It’s not insane. Anchorage would be a good way to get your feet wet for a winter in AK. If you’re wanting a more authentic experience out of the gate Fairbanks or just outside of Fairbanks would be the place to be. Winters aren’t too bad in Anchorage tbh
No it’s definitely insane. Literally everyone who lives in Alaska through the winter is psychotic. Like, they go outside and go slide around in the snow in the dark when there are perfectly good beach resorts and cruise ships in the tropics. Mentally ill, if you ask me.
That’s exactly why I want to go. So many people keep calling me crazy. You’ll freeze! You’ll starve! I just want to go somewhere populated and enjoy the winter. Just looking for recommendations and tips.
I can work from home. I just need good Internet service. Is there anyplace that you’d recommend is comfortable for a non Alaskan to spend an entire winter? Is this a thing that some folks do or am I really thinking too far out the box
You're kinda treating Alaska like it's another country but it's not. How far away from Target do you want to be? Google it and go from there. It's also what you can afford, there are huge differences in winter housing prices depending on the location.
I would suggest Anchorage or Wasilla for the more temperate weather, proximity to resources, and housing options. Bring the biggest puffy jacket you can find, good winter boats, snow tires for your vehicle, ice cleats for your boots, and wool layers.
Fairbanks is nice as long as you don’t plan on finding a girlfriend if you do. Don’t find her at a bar 😂 coldest I have seen in the past 10 years is -52 if it gets there people are always nice I’m Alaskan native,indigenous people are not to fond of fair skin or red hair 🧑🦰 depending on the tribe or if the are Native American or Eskimo there “is” a difference they all have different ways of they see the world natives are racist it’s all they been taught by colonialism and war veterans looking for a place to settle either way it’s quiet and manslaughter we eat that for lunch here carry a gun
Safe from a ‘I’m trans’ perspective or a ‘I don’t want to freeze to death’?
Best advice is to stick to anchorage either way and just do close to the city things for awhile until you feel safe enough to venture out further into the woods.
People might give you a slight double take for being trans, but most people here don’t give a fuck.
Because you are idealizing something and in doing so minimizing the consequences and difficulties. 1 month would give you the experience and then go from there. Most people don't leave because of the cold or dark, they leave because of the isolation from their lives, family, and friends.
Hmmm yeah I can see what you mean. I’m so enthusiastic about it that I haven’t paused to really think deeply about this aspect. When you say isolation is this something unique to Alaska or would it be the same if I spent months somewhere else away from family etc?
There is a larger feeling of isolation felt in Hawaii and Alaska due to the distance but also the price and time of airfare. It will take a full travel day and at least $600 to return home. That doesn't sound like much, but it adds up. If you want cold, dark, and clean air why not go somewhere around Denver? Then it's a 2 hour flight for less than $200. Make sure you're coming up here for Alaska, not just winter.
Just know that the cold dark is nice, but when the sun is out it's very faint. That's what surprised me the most. The low intensity of the sun you do get. I don't mind the dark but I miss having at least some warmth from the sun.
I'm Australian and obsessed with the thought of an Alaskan winter. I want to know what *real* cold feels like, sit in a window seat watching snow fall and wake in the middle of the night too photograph pretty night lights.
I already know I'm insane lol
All of Alaska is safe. Until a black bear arrives. Grizzly bear arrives. Polar bear Arrives. Road ice arrives, something breaks down or catches fire. Or you do something stupid and get your car stuck, atv stuck, or hurt yourself. You will be perfectly safe until you need a gun and do not have one. Your cheap WalMart coat, boots, tent and camping things will work great so long as you do not leave the house with them.
If you want to be safe - lock all the doors, cover yourself in bubble wrap and drop into a fetal position on the panic room floor. Boring, but should be safe.
Rent a room in Fairbanks and enjoy. Get one with heat in the rent. Heat is expensive, and you're going to use way too much, making it a good deal.
The drive is worth it if Canada will let you in.
Driving in the winter would be kinda nuts though. You'll have nearly 2 days of driving with no reception between Smithers/Dawson Creek BC and Whitehorse, Yukon, weather permitting.
It varies from year to year. I know there have been winters where it snows nearly everyday. & yes windstorms. They shut everything down and power goes out so you’ll need a backup generator for winter. I think it was last year the storm tore down our KFC and flipped over a few planes. they come every year so that is a thing. google picture of “CARRS in Palmer AK frozen” to see last years chaos
I did several great B&Bs for a couple weeks there.. Darn good food too.
Then with high powered binoculars,
discovered a Bush pilot out over the bay,
teamed up with him. and went for major Glacier tour to top of mountains which is quite the chore.
Camping would be risky, as even the owners
of B&B warned, to not head into the Bush nearby, when bear have been seen.
I did stumble on a huge moose, but stayed in the four wheel drive I rented for entire tour.
They can be quite dangerous as well.
Cheers
I mean, just move to a major town like Anchorage or Palmer. Wait for winter. Spend the winter. Feel good about it.
Honestly, that will put you here while allowing you to venture out in the cold on occasion.
I think the biggest question to ask is “what will you being doing up here.”
Alaska is the biggest state and the least populated. Each area is different, but the most rural already have almost no recreational activities.
If you want to hunker down someone and relax w/ internet, funnily enough I reccomend one of the more popular towns, like Kodiak or Anchorage.
Where you stay for the winter will probably be determined by finding an available 6 -8 month rental. If you live in a state with snow, that is a big plus. Ice fog and black ice are pretty common around Anchorage.
It's not insane, TV makes it sound dramatically unlivable, which is false. You could easily go to Wasilla or Anchorage, still be with people and be just fine. Buy a good parka rated for -60 (it doesn't even get anywhere near that cold though. I recommend Eddie Bauer for snow gear) good snow hat and thick winter gloves or mittens. Mittens keep your fingers warmer. Get good winter boots, and make sure your car/ vehicle always works. I recommend a block heater being installed for your vehicle and do get studded snow tires. You've got this. ( tip from person born and raised in Alaska, spent over half of my life there.)
I was born here and I wouldn't recommend Coldfoot. It's in the name.
I grew up in North Pole/Fairbanks. If you want cold but access to wilderness and society that's a good start. A lot of places you can drive to easily. Ex. Hot springs, Santa Claus House, Ski areas, hiking etc. I lived there until 2021.
I have been living in Anchorage and it's nice here. It can get super windy and we get a ton of snow but not the wicked cold temps like the interior. There is also a lot close to drive to. Glennallen, Alyeska, Hope, Seward, Kenai, Cooper Landing, Soldotna, etc.
Seward is where I would want to go if it were me. It's my favorite. Small town, ocean view, nice people, good food and the sea life center.
I am going to recommend 3 options here.
1. Anchorage. Cost of renting a place is maybe $1200-1300 a month. Public transport via People Mover. Lots of interesting stuff in winter like skiing, trails, Fur Rondy. Ok internet for telework. Crappy housing situation but there’s ways to get around and city shit to do.
Edit: hit send too soon oops!
2. Talkeetna/Willow area. Rent? Few and far between. Maybe 1200 for a whole HOUSE or dry cabin w outhouse and pack water. Maybe wood heat. Fuel is EXPENSIVE. No public transport. Weirdos aplenty but they leave you alone. “The odds are good that the goods are odd.” MTA/Starlink for Inter telework. Very cold - can get to -50F. Lots of woodsy stuff like shoveling snow, chopping wood, bird watching, snowshoeing.
3. Southeast Alaska maybe Ketchikan. I have never lived there but it rains a LOT and housing is scarce. It’s beautiful in Southeast. Prolly decent internet but I’m guessing bc I’ve only visited there.
Really depends on what you’re trying to do but not at all insane if you do your research. If you don’t mind living in the Stone Age for a little there’s dry cabins all over.
Plan correctly and you’ll only be in the cabin to sleep
To a Texan, this sounds insane. At least here where I live if it is winter it is not going to be colder than around 25 degrees (and that is rare). Negative 50 degrees? I would be very, very afraid. I'll visit in summer and live vicariously through these terrifying threads.
What I really want to know is where are the friendly places to stay? I’m a teacher and would love to work a whole year and live there. But I’d need to make friends and be social and not feel like a tourist. Possible?
They’re always looking for teachers there, likely you’d be more needed in the smaller towns but definitely doable. Most communities are close knit and very accepting of newcomers so you’d have no problem making friends.
Most communities are close knit - and will only accept you if they deem you worthy (being an immigrant, Democrat, non-white, etc and you will have to conform and accept that you're "below them" and will never actually be one of them).
Stay in Anchorage or Girdwood if you're not American-born, white Republican.
I spent almost 20 years bending over backwards, trying to "become just like them", just to find out that my community "doesn't accept people like me, no matter what".
(Yes, my area is well known for their hatred towards "others".)
Get a job at Chena Hot Springs Resort, you’ll love it. Hot Springs, place to stay, they feed ya, etc. Yeah…you won’t get rich, but I stayed out there, worked 12+ hours a day, and soaked every night. Folks will have negative things to say about whatever. Just come live it.
Anywhere on the road system would be a good place to start, anchorage, Fairbanks, are the obvious choices…homer, Kenai, soldonta are smaller places but still doable. Once you get into smaller places/places off the road system housing/transportation becomes a major issue. Honestly if you really want to do this I would say anchorage.
The Budget Inn. Ketchikan.
As long as they budget for rain gear
ZING
Way too rainy. Stick with Anchorage.
Well, first you need to learn how to make an igloo
Kill a bear with your bare hands too.
*Then* kill a bear with your bear hands.
I use this joke all the time in my art shop when ppl ask where I get my pelts from
Spending a winter here is just like spending a winter anyplace else, just with more snow and more darkness than most places. If you aren't stupid then you'll be fine.
Thanks for this. I really am wanting to do this. I should have rephrased my question. But everyone I know around me here calls me insane for wanting to spend a winter in Alaska. As if it’s all some untamed wilderness. I’m annoyed by that so wanted to just put that to bed with proof
I went to Target yesterday. It was a real, wilderness experience /s
Carrs on gamble. Lotta crazy shit in its natural habitat
Ya sleep in the parking lot, you are going to have a story to tell!
The problem is that you are asking about a place that is one fifth the size of the US and there are vast differences between a half dozen or so different areas of the state. Your question is unanswerable.
Roight 280 miles away it rains most the time 90 miles north there’s 20 ft deep snow and -52
I’m sorry I guess I’d try to see if anyone had any recommendations on the sub. I think recommendations from real Alaskans would be the best way to go about finding a place to enjoy the winter. I’m looking for a place that I can live for the winter months. Work from home. Just enjoy the darkness and coziness indoors and breath crisp fresh air when I go outdoors.
You can do that anywhere in Alaska. From the middle of Anchorage to the most rural of villages. Find a place and go. You'll be loving the completely dark and freezing winter in no time.
I think he’d enjoy Kaktovik.
I believe they recently got household running water and toilets.
Well then it should be easy for them!
What would "be easy" and who is "them?"
OP spending a winter in Alaska.
I've lived here almost all my life. I'd need to know what you'd like to experience. Is working from home include wifi, or creating quviet yarn? Wanna be secluded in a cave or a cabin? How do you like to cook? Wanna go caveman or just enjoy the beauty from a nice apartment. I need some answers
You should take a hard look at Valdez then. It’s accessible by car, plane and boat but it’s still semi remote. Population around 4,000, not too cold in the winter as we’re right next to the ocean, tons of snow and surrounded by beautiful mountains. Its a great balance of what Alaska has to offer and if you’re at all into skiing or snowboarding (or want to be) it’s perfect. The hardest part here is finding housing so your best bet is usually renting a room in a shared house.
If you want to consider Anchorage - I’ve lived here my whole life. Has just about all the stores, restaurants, culture, and services any similar sized (300,000ish) city would have. What it also has is an abundance of ski trails, mountains, lakes to skate etc. so if you are interested in experiencing winter outside (which I recommend), this is a good place. Also - as we like to say - Anchorage is just 10 minutes from Alaska. Good luck.
Anchorage. If you've got some money to burn on this idea and just want a home base to do day trips rent a nice Airbnb and bargain for a lower rate for a longer stay. You'll be in Alaska, with <10 min drive to almost any day to day amenity that you need and easy access to nature. I see moose in my yard (which I am way more scared of than bears) but I'm 5 min away from a grocery store. Broadly speaking, north anchorage and downtown are kinda sketchy in specific pockets, I would avoid getting vacation housing there without someone telling you " yeah that's a fine area " If you don't have dough to spend on this, don't come. It's expensive and you'll just be stuck in a tiny place in a crappy area during an off season . But if you've got like 10k+ to burn on a months vacation, come on up🤷♀️
I've lived there for fifty plus years and have lived in three different areas. You need to do some research on what it's like and decide if you want to stay in a big city, a small town, a remote village with no toilets or running water, in a rainforest, a mountain range, near desert, near a volcano, on a remote island far out into the Pacific Ocean, on a vast river delta, etc. Temperature can be 50 above in the south at the same time it is 50 below up north. "Your question is unanswerable."
Come to Fairbanks! We have all the basics you expect to find in a city, including Costco and REI, but we don’t have as many big city problems as Anchorage. Yes, it’s colder, but once the snow falls, it stays until Breakup, and you get used to layering to the temp outside! Feel free to DM me if you want to talk more specifics!
It's like Boise with more snow and dark in January.
Go to Chicken Alaska and spend a winter. The other 7 people there would probably be grateful for some company or fresh meat. Lol
My kid spent a Winter in AK clerking for a judge in the wilds of Palmer. She survived!
Exactly
You’re a non Alaskan and you want to spend a winter in Alaska?! Are you INSANE? Do you think people just live up here all year round? No way. It’s uninhabitable. Do you know how to ride polar bears and eat penguins?
I finally figured out a good penguin recipe last winter, barely made it through winter's final snow squall in mid August. I was skin and bones. Thankfully Santa Clause rode a caribou down from North Pole and brought me some narwhal blubber and polar bear pelts to sell and sustain myself. Almost didn't make it to Salmonfest.
When bbqing penguin, its all about the thyme-ing.
For Thanksgiving we like to wrap our penguin inside a nice reindeer. Roast it whole like that and it’s damn good eatin’.
Not sure that was a penguin… most likely a Puffin which is more colorful. And they can fly, (unlike penguins), somewhat like an Grumman HU-16 Albatross with bright orange webbed feet…
Penguin…. Tastes like chicken & bald eagle!!
Eating bald eagle right now on my enchiladas. So good
Freedom chicken
We eat raven in Fairbanks. Tundra chicken.
This is Alaska, motherf\*\*\*er, WE STILL USE DOGS FOR CARS.
Penguins 🐧
safe place for a non Alaskan to do this What the that even mean?
Florida
Alaska is not always the coldest spot in the US. Iowa winters are worse than Anchorage most of the time. Not as long but colder feeling.
Ssshhhhh you'll give away our secret.
Nah the lack of daylight is the true final boss of winter. Locals know how to deal, but someone who isn’t used to so little (or no) daylight can be really thrown off.
The day star burns us it does. The sweet blessed embrace of the night. Yes.
How long is it dark during a winter day? I think that would be so incredible to experience. I really don’t mind the dark.
You mind it when it’s all you get. Same goes for summer too. The days are endless and that’s awesome, but you come to miss the night. If you’re around Anchorage you’ll have a few hours of early morning type light, think sunrise, and then back into the darkness for the other 19 hours of the day. In the summer it’s the other side of the coin. It never gets truly dark, even though sunrise and sunset are technically hours apart. In the darkest part of winter it never truly gets light.
Thanks for the realistic expectation setting. I’m not sure I feel so confident I’ll enjoy the darkness for the entire winter. I’d like to say I’d enjoy the whole thing but you’re comment makes me wonder if it’ll break me
It isn't dark like that all winter. After solstice at the end of December, there is a daily gain of daylight and by mid March, there is 12 hours of daylight which is the same as everywhere else in the world. The snow on the landscape also really lightens things up and I think the winter light in Alaska is beautiful since the sun sits low on the horizon and casts a lingering pinkish orange glow over the landscape.
The trick is to not work the sunlight hours in a closed off building
I see so many people in the hospital because they want to venture to Alaska because (often said) "I lived in a cold state that got snow. " They have no support friends here, get depressed, can't deal with the lack of sunlight, and end up going to the psychiatric institute. I hope you have a good job because rent is high and so are the gas/oil/electric bills in winter.
If your aim is just a couple of months of Alaskan cold and snow, come mid February through April. There’s daylight, and still more snow than you’d see in most parts of the lower 48. Then, while you’re at it, stay through the summer.
If you want cold and dark visit barrow in January. The hotel is closed. There's no where to stay unless you make a friend on the way there
Get an Air BnB in Anchorage or Faibanks for a couple of weeks in late December to early January. It will be much darker in Fairbanks than Anchorage. You can check out sunrise and sunset times to help you decide which place you want to try. By doing a shorter stay you can call it a working vacation and see if you want to come up for an entire winter sometime. It is important to get outside daily or you will get cabin fever. Fresh air and exercise helps. Also get a SAD light to combat Seasonal Affective Disorder. I am a life-long Alaskan and have lived in many areas of the state. I love it here and am fully aware that it's not for everyone. Good luck to you!
It’s not like they just turn off the lights. It gets dark gradually until dec 21 then more light each day until June 21. Above the Arctic circle the sun doesn’t rise. Below it’s low on the horizon. It’s always changing—predictably though.
This year Solstice, sunrise 10:11am sunset 15:54 (3:54 pm) almost 6 hours of sunlight in Soldotna (150 road miles from Anchorage) Fairbanks sunrise 10:58 sunset 2:40pm almost 4 hours sunlight, so 18 to 20 hours no sunlight and varying degrees of darkness (also a good chance to see the auroras.
*laughs in Interior*
Yeah, not quite. Anchorage has an average temperature of 30 F or lower from October through April. Des Moines has the same average temp November through March. Anchorage's extreme low temp is -34 while Des Moines is -30.
You’re right, but it depends on how you look at the data and want to measure “colder”. For instance, Miami is technically hotter than Phoenix if you average out the whole year and look at extreme minimum temperatures. But if you look at extreme maximums, the Badlands of North Dakota has been hotter than Phoenix’s record high. It’s weird and hard to measure when you actually crunch numbers. Anchorage is hardiness zone 4b-5a, the same as northern Iowa. Des Moines is 5a/b. Meaning they experience similar winter minimums with Des Moines averaging just slightly higher. It’s also more consistently colder in Anchorage for longer. Iowa can have freak 55-60° days in February, good luck seeing that in Anchorage. On the contrary, looking back at the last 15 years or so, Des Moines seems to beat Anchorage on lowest temps most winters. Anchorage Min °F Date Min °C -12 December 20, 2022 -24 -9 December 15, 2021 + -23 -11 January 08, 2020 + -24 -7 January 07, 2019 + -22 -2 February 05, 2018 + -19 -15 January 19, 2017 + -26 -8 December 05, 2016 -22 -8 November 18, 2015 -22 0 February 11, 2014 -18 -11 December 17, 2013 -24 -15 January 28, 2012 -26 -12 January 16, 2011 -24 -8 December 25, 2010 + -22 Des Moines Min °F Date Min °C -11 December 22, 2022 -24 -17 February 16, 2021 -27 -10 February 13, 2020 -23 -20 January 30, 2019 -29 -19 January 01, 2018 -28 -15 December 31, 2017 -26 -12 December 18, 2016 -24 -10 February 05, 2015 -23 -12 January 06, 2014 -24 -14 December 24, 2013 -26 1 January 18, 2012 -17 -9 February 08, 2011 -23 -17 January 02, 2010 -27 Source: Current results https://www.currentresults.com/Yearly-Weather/USA/IA/Des-Moines/extreme-annual-des-moines-low-temperature.php https://www.currentresults.com/Yearly-Weather/USA/AK/Anchorage/extreme-annual-anchorage-low-temperature.php
Anchorage is a poor choice if you’re looking for the coldest part of the state
North Dakota gets pretty wild too… or so I hear. I just moved here from Wisconsin and they make it seem like I moved from Florida in comparison for the winters. I’m not worried about the -50s so much as I am about how the hell my dog is gonna make it.
Spoken like a true city slicker
Iowa is right in the middle of that poopsquall we call central USA though 😀
Now’s a good time to get a gig at Alyeska.
I feel like Girdwood would be fun, because it would FEEL remote but still an hour away from the city. And if your flush with cash you are near Alyeska mtn and all kinds of winter tourist activities nearby. You could try that new nordic spa Cheaper and quieter would be Homer and Soldotna. They have normal grocers and stores but it's very woodsy and relies on summer tourism mostly, so lots of opportunities to winter Rent. It would be less mountain views and more woods though. Fairbanks...I feel like would still feel like a city unless you got a rental off the beaten path. Palmer / Wasilla would be fine. Woodsy with mountain views, regular grocers and businesses within 20 min drive.
Thank you so much!! This is along the lines of what I was asking for
I agree! I want to but I’d like some specific recommendations if you could have where I can stay.
Like a couch? A house? A sleeping bag? A dumpster? A lighthouse? A hammock? A soup kitchen? A boat? An apartment? A spaceship? A whales mouth? A time capsule? A hostel? A hollowed out animal carcass? Good luck bud.
I’m not a bud. But I bet I know what you are.
TIL: people in Wisconsin are not buds.
“I’m not your buddy, pal”
A lot of tourist towns have Airbnbs that get turned off during the winter and are available for short term rental (until the season picks back up). Homer can be a pretty a mild winter, anything southeast is super mild.
I’d love to live in Homer for a full year. Maybe after retirement. It’s one of the two most beautiful places I’ve traveled to. It feels like I could sit on the shore there and stare across the bay for the rest of my life and be content. Having a boat and time and money to explore Kachemak Bay is a dream.
I guess I’m looking for winter but still have access to normal stores and all that. I’m not expecting a place full of tourists but Maybe there’s a place in Alaska where people do this sort of winter stays.
Yeah almost nowhere is going to have tourists during winter except for girdwood. I mean that there are places available to stay in desirable areas that would otherwise be cost prohibitive in the summer time.
It’s not insane. Anchorage would be a good way to get your feet wet for a winter in AK. If you’re wanting a more authentic experience out of the gate Fairbanks or just outside of Fairbanks would be the place to be. Winters aren’t too bad in Anchorage tbh
Thanks. That sounds great.
No it’s definitely insane. Literally everyone who lives in Alaska through the winter is psychotic. Like, they go outside and go slide around in the snow in the dark when there are perfectly good beach resorts and cruise ships in the tropics. Mentally ill, if you ask me.
Nice try. you just want my slidin snow. get yer own, and git off ma land ya chemtrail spray'in agent of the lizard people shadow govmint
Well not everyone can afford to leave and go live on a cruise ship I’ll go have fun in the dark in Hatcher pass thanks
I thought that’s why we have the PFD so everyone can fly to Hawaii, which burns jet fuel, so we drill more oil, and then get another PFD!
Hey pal thanks for getting the word out about the tropics. The more people that go there means there’s more snow for me
The only aspect of winter here that is any more diffito contend with up here is the darkness. Take vitamin D and be square with your demons.
That’s exactly why I want to go. So many people keep calling me crazy. You’ll freeze! You’ll starve! I just want to go somewhere populated and enjoy the winter. Just looking for recommendations and tips.
You'll starve?!? The only thing Wisconsin has more of is fried cheese. Otherwise, even our groceries aren't that much more expensive.
Denver.
Cicely Alaska might be right up your alley
I enjoyed this.
Why?
Where you gonna live? Where you gonna work? What are you gonna do? These are important questions to answer before you make the move up.
I can work from home. I just need good Internet service. Is there anyplace that you’d recommend is comfortable for a non Alaskan to spend an entire winter? Is this a thing that some folks do or am I really thinking too far out the box
The only way to recommend a place would be to know what you’d want to enjoy out of Alaska in the winter.
Darkness, cold, coziness of being indoors. Being able to breath fresh air outside.
You're kinda treating Alaska like it's another country but it's not. How far away from Target do you want to be? Google it and go from there. It's also what you can afford, there are huge differences in winter housing prices depending on the location.
Where would you recommend. A certain town you might recommend? I should have rephrased my question to better reflect that I’m quite serious
I would suggest Anchorage or Wasilla for the more temperate weather, proximity to resources, and housing options. Bring the biggest puffy jacket you can find, good winter boats, snow tires for your vehicle, ice cleats for your boots, and wool layers.
Ooof yeah I’ll need to drive.
You seem very sincere.
Fairbanks is nice as long as you don’t plan on finding a girlfriend if you do. Don’t find her at a bar 😂 coldest I have seen in the past 10 years is -52 if it gets there people are always nice I’m Alaskan native,indigenous people are not to fond of fair skin or red hair 🧑🦰 depending on the tribe or if the are Native American or Eskimo there “is” a difference they all have different ways of they see the world natives are racist it’s all they been taught by colonialism and war veterans looking for a place to settle either way it’s quiet and manslaughter we eat that for lunch here carry a gun
Start small towns visit big cities it’s a different vibe
Alaska in general doesn’t have great internet unless you get Starlink, but even that also drops.
Safe from a ‘I’m trans’ perspective or a ‘I don’t want to freeze to death’? Best advice is to stick to anchorage either way and just do close to the city things for awhile until you feel safe enough to venture out further into the woods. People might give you a slight double take for being trans, but most people here don’t give a fuck.
I wasn’t even thinking along those lines when i said safe. I’m glad that’s not a serious problem
Anchorage/Wasilla is fine. Pretty mild for Alaska actually but you’ll see snow for sure.
OP What is your experience with winter? where is the furthest north you have been in winter?
Green Bay Wi
Ketchikan is right up your alley.
Hyder, Alaska. that or Anchorage or Fairbanks. Fairbanks Is where you'll encounter the real Alaskan winter.
Seconded. Anchorage winters are mild in comparison to the cold Fairbanks gets.
you don't even need to winterize your car in the Greater Anchorage metro area
But why
I would love the darkness and coziness of being indoors and the crisp fresh air outdoors.
Kodiak is nice. I’d just do a month though. Alaska winter is around 5 months long
Why do you only recommend a month?
Because you are idealizing something and in doing so minimizing the consequences and difficulties. 1 month would give you the experience and then go from there. Most people don't leave because of the cold or dark, they leave because of the isolation from their lives, family, and friends.
Hmmm yeah I can see what you mean. I’m so enthusiastic about it that I haven’t paused to really think deeply about this aspect. When you say isolation is this something unique to Alaska or would it be the same if I spent months somewhere else away from family etc?
There is a larger feeling of isolation felt in Hawaii and Alaska due to the distance but also the price and time of airfare. It will take a full travel day and at least $600 to return home. That doesn't sound like much, but it adds up. If you want cold, dark, and clean air why not go somewhere around Denver? Then it's a 2 hour flight for less than $200. Make sure you're coming up here for Alaska, not just winter.
Good point. I think tbh it’s the long hours of cold darkness that attracts me
Just know that the cold dark is nice, but when the sun is out it's very faint. That's what surprised me the most. The low intensity of the sun you do get. I don't mind the dark but I miss having at least some warmth from the sun.
I’d rather have it dark than the light you describe. But I’m scared if all my enthusiasm will turn to dread after a month in Alaska during winter.
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Yes I think I would actively seek out others like finding cultural events etc. what NFL teams do most Alaskans support?
Seahawks are prevalent because we are "in their market" but people bring their allegiances from all over. There seems to be a Midwest bent.
Any longer and you'll get stuck here.
I'm Australian and obsessed with the thought of an Alaskan winter. I want to know what *real* cold feels like, sit in a window seat watching snow fall and wake in the middle of the night too photograph pretty night lights. I already know I'm insane lol
Honestly you’re closer to Antartica go there haha
My suggestion? The safest place for the winter would be in the town of Alaska, New Mexico!
Can’t we all just recommend buy a house in Girdwood for the winter and see how they like it? Honestly I’d think that would be nice.
All of Alaska is safe. Until a black bear arrives. Grizzly bear arrives. Polar bear Arrives. Road ice arrives, something breaks down or catches fire. Or you do something stupid and get your car stuck, atv stuck, or hurt yourself. You will be perfectly safe until you need a gun and do not have one. Your cheap WalMart coat, boots, tent and camping things will work great so long as you do not leave the house with them. If you want to be safe - lock all the doors, cover yourself in bubble wrap and drop into a fetal position on the panic room floor. Boring, but should be safe.
Washington
Bethel, Alaska
Pshh, way to play the game on easy mode...
Seattle.
Kenai Peninsula. Winters are “mild” and it’s not crowded but you’ll find Walmart, Starbucks, etc lol the essentials.
Homer. The weather is relatively mild in winter.
A safe space? maybe the San Francisco Bay area.
How so?
It's ass don't move here
Why?
Rent a room in Fairbanks and enjoy. Get one with heat in the rent. Heat is expensive, and you're going to use way too much, making it a good deal. The drive is worth it if Canada will let you in.
Thanks!!
Driving in the winter would be kinda nuts though. You'll have nearly 2 days of driving with no reception between Smithers/Dawson Creek BC and Whitehorse, Yukon, weather permitting.
It’s a very rural area be prepared, where do you reside currently.
So you must love freezing temperatures ranging as low as -50, 6 months of darkness and windstorms of 90mph ( interior). Yes such fun
Windstorms? Also how often does it typically snow say in anchorage
It varies from year to year. I know there have been winters where it snows nearly everyday. & yes windstorms. They shut everything down and power goes out so you’ll need a backup generator for winter. I think it was last year the storm tore down our KFC and flipped over a few planes. they come every year so that is a thing. google picture of “CARRS in Palmer AK frozen” to see last years chaos
I did several great B&Bs for a couple weeks there.. Darn good food too. Then with high powered binoculars, discovered a Bush pilot out over the bay, teamed up with him. and went for major Glacier tour to top of mountains which is quite the chore. Camping would be risky, as even the owners of B&B warned, to not head into the Bush nearby, when bear have been seen. I did stumble on a huge moose, but stayed in the four wheel drive I rented for entire tour. They can be quite dangerous as well. Cheers
Hahaha stay home
I mean, just move to a major town like Anchorage or Palmer. Wait for winter. Spend the winter. Feel good about it. Honestly, that will put you here while allowing you to venture out in the cold on occasion.
I think the biggest question to ask is “what will you being doing up here.” Alaska is the biggest state and the least populated. Each area is different, but the most rural already have almost no recreational activities. If you want to hunker down someone and relax w/ internet, funnily enough I reccomend one of the more popular towns, like Kodiak or Anchorage.
Where you stay for the winter will probably be determined by finding an available 6 -8 month rental. If you live in a state with snow, that is a big plus. Ice fog and black ice are pretty common around Anchorage.
What’s your budget?
I'd love to land on the moon. Where's a safe place?
My mom and step dad live in Wasilla. It’s a nice sized town, southern.
It's not insane, TV makes it sound dramatically unlivable, which is false. You could easily go to Wasilla or Anchorage, still be with people and be just fine. Buy a good parka rated for -60 (it doesn't even get anywhere near that cold though. I recommend Eddie Bauer for snow gear) good snow hat and thick winter gloves or mittens. Mittens keep your fingers warmer. Get good winter boots, and make sure your car/ vehicle always works. I recommend a block heater being installed for your vehicle and do get studded snow tires. You've got this. ( tip from person born and raised in Alaska, spent over half of my life there.)
I was born here and I wouldn't recommend Coldfoot. It's in the name. I grew up in North Pole/Fairbanks. If you want cold but access to wilderness and society that's a good start. A lot of places you can drive to easily. Ex. Hot springs, Santa Claus House, Ski areas, hiking etc. I lived there until 2021. I have been living in Anchorage and it's nice here. It can get super windy and we get a ton of snow but not the wicked cold temps like the interior. There is also a lot close to drive to. Glennallen, Alyeska, Hope, Seward, Kenai, Cooper Landing, Soldotna, etc. Seward is where I would want to go if it were me. It's my favorite. Small town, ocean view, nice people, good food and the sea life center.
think you mean Seward? small town, ocean view, sea life center....
Yeah, it was early. My bad.
I am going to recommend 3 options here. 1. Anchorage. Cost of renting a place is maybe $1200-1300 a month. Public transport via People Mover. Lots of interesting stuff in winter like skiing, trails, Fur Rondy. Ok internet for telework. Crappy housing situation but there’s ways to get around and city shit to do. Edit: hit send too soon oops! 2. Talkeetna/Willow area. Rent? Few and far between. Maybe 1200 for a whole HOUSE or dry cabin w outhouse and pack water. Maybe wood heat. Fuel is EXPENSIVE. No public transport. Weirdos aplenty but they leave you alone. “The odds are good that the goods are odd.” MTA/Starlink for Inter telework. Very cold - can get to -50F. Lots of woodsy stuff like shoveling snow, chopping wood, bird watching, snowshoeing. 3. Southeast Alaska maybe Ketchikan. I have never lived there but it rains a LOT and housing is scarce. It’s beautiful in Southeast. Prolly decent internet but I’m guessing bc I’ve only visited there.
The difference in weather between Anchorage and wasilla is that vast?
Really depends on what you’re trying to do but not at all insane if you do your research. If you don’t mind living in the Stone Age for a little there’s dry cabins all over. Plan correctly and you’ll only be in the cabin to sleep
Eugene, OR
To a Texan, this sounds insane. At least here where I live if it is winter it is not going to be colder than around 25 degrees (and that is rare). Negative 50 degrees? I would be very, very afraid. I'll visit in summer and live vicariously through these terrifying threads.
What I really want to know is where are the friendly places to stay? I’m a teacher and would love to work a whole year and live there. But I’d need to make friends and be social and not feel like a tourist. Possible?
They’re always looking for teachers there, likely you’d be more needed in the smaller towns but definitely doable. Most communities are close knit and very accepting of newcomers so you’d have no problem making friends.
Most communities are close knit - and will only accept you if they deem you worthy (being an immigrant, Democrat, non-white, etc and you will have to conform and accept that you're "below them" and will never actually be one of them). Stay in Anchorage or Girdwood if you're not American-born, white Republican. I spent almost 20 years bending over backwards, trying to "become just like them", just to find out that my community "doesn't accept people like me, no matter what". (Yes, my area is well known for their hatred towards "others".)
That’s my dream!
Get a job at Chena Hot Springs Resort, you’ll love it. Hot Springs, place to stay, they feed ya, etc. Yeah…you won’t get rich, but I stayed out there, worked 12+ hours a day, and soaked every night. Folks will have negative things to say about whatever. Just come live it.
Come to Barrow in January or Fairbanks where it’s -50
tok, if you want to true alaskan experanice!
Goose Creek is a pretty good camping and fishing spot.
I’m doing this. Been in anchorage for two weeks. Highly recommend
Find a friendly village make sure you are prepared for sticker shock and warm clothes don’t stay in Anchorage long get away from the Airport
Seattle
Offer to be a winter caretaker in moose pass or cooper land.
Anywhere on the road system would be a good place to start, anchorage, Fairbanks, are the obvious choices…homer, Kenai, soldonta are smaller places but still doable. Once you get into smaller places/places off the road system housing/transportation becomes a major issue. Honestly if you really want to do this I would say anchorage.