Hi All - I am starting to plan a trip to Alaska for March - 2 people. March is just around the corner so I need to kick this planning into gear & book fights! I had a few general questions after reading through some forum posts.

1. March timeframe - we picked this month trying to maximize our chances of seeing the lights, however it seems as though this is not a time many people travel. Thoughts? Is the weather really harsh, will hiking be really tough?

Also – since this is the true off season, would it be too risky not to reserve lodging ahead of time (but having a list of options ready), allowing for more flexibility?

2. We will fly into Anchorage and want to go to Fairbanks for the same reason. Our trip will be 5-6 days.

Tentative schedule:
Day 1 Anchorage
Day 2 rental car, stop in Denali
Day 3 Denali & drive to Fairbanks
Day 4 and 5 Fairbanks and drive back down

Is this a good driving to sight seeing ratio?

3. While the lights are the priority, I would love to get a chance to hike & see some wildlife, which I think Denali will be great for. Any other great experiences/suggestion I should consider?

Thanks so much for all and any advice!!

Is this your first time to Alaska? Sounds like a lot of driving in winter conditions, IMOP. Not sure what you can even do in Denali at that time of year. I could be totally wrong though.
What I'm trying to get at, is this isn't what I would do in any shape or form for a first time visit.

Yup - it would be my first time. Thanks for the advice here - will for sure consider this.. maybe opt for a different time frame.

I think Denali will not be open when you plan to go, but you might be able to flightsee with a landing on a glacier. You also need to research lodging in that area as many lodges close until "tourist season".

Denali is technically open but you can't get into the park interior at that time.

In general the weather will be very cold. Are you accustomed to driving in sub-freezing (potentially sub-zero) conditions?

I would strongly recommend you fly between Anchorage and Fairbanks.

If you come at the end of February instead, you could attend some events at Fur Rondy in Anchorage, a very fun midwinter festival with a carnival, sled dog races, and many other activities.

http://fwww.furrondy.net/

Denali Park is pretty much closed up. If you are going to drive, you might as well go all the way to Fairbanks to spend more time there. You will need snowshoes for any hiking you want to do. Not much wildlife will be seen at this time of year, but you might see moose further south near Anchorage and possibly caribou further north. The highway is usually fine for traveling if it hasn't just snowed. There is a winter train also and I think that the Alaska Railroad has a special that let's you take the train one-way to Fairbanks and fly back.

You should spend a little more time in or near Fairbanks to have a good chance of seeing the Northern Lights and not leave disappointed. I recommend at least 5 nights to have a 95% chance of seeing a good display. While in Fairbanks you can also visit the Chena Hot Springs and Santa Claus house in North Pole. The World Ice Art Championships should also be occurring at around that time. Reservations are still recommended because Fairbanks still attracts a fair number of visitors in March for Northern Lights viewing. I would also recommend a trip up into the Arctic Circle for a unique experience. Northern Alaska Tour Company has an aurora viewing excursion to Coldfoot with optional day tours into the Brooks Mountains or dogsledding.

I was booking our summer lodging at Earth Song Lodge in Healy. They have a sled dog kennel and were taking guests out for a ride when I called. That would certainly be a fun winter activity. The owner Jon was very helpful with Denali info--maybe you should call them 907-683-2863. Then you could head up to Fairbanks.