Alaska in Feb..
 

Planning a trip to Alaska... what are the activities possible in Alaska in Feb?

Will it still be snowing? and best place to see aurora? How to travel from Anchorage to fairbanks?

Which B&B recommended in Fairbanks?

Trying to predict weather 3 months from now is chancy. Likely there will be snow on the ground and you could certainly get snow, from a dusting to a white-out.

I've always thought one of the better places to see the aurora is Chena Hot Springs, northeast of Anchorage.

Travel from Anchorage to Fairbanks: Drive on the Parks Hwy; Fly (several scheduled flights a day); take Alaska Rail (one trip a week in the winter).

The only B&B I've stayed at in Fairbanks is the Forget-Me-Not Lodge (www.aurora-express.com). They have a few rooms in the main house and several more in restored rail cars. Really friendly folks and a good breakfast. In the summer, they guarantee a moose sighting in the morning (inside joke-ask them about it). I don't know if that guarantee extends to the winter season.

I was typing faster than I was thinking in my last post. Chena Hot Springs is northeast of Fairbanks. I guess, tecnically, it's northeast of Anhorage too but a long, long way northeast.

Frankly, unless there's a specific reason to be in Fbx in February, I wouldn't go.

The topography is far less spectacular than the areas around Anchorage. Northern lights viewing in the heart of winter is often very good in Anchorage -- as long as you get far enough out that the city lights don't interfere. The Mat-Su or Talkeetna would be a nice trip for that.

http://www.alaska.com/activities/lig...-4608756c.html

The Fur Eondy starts Feb. 18 in Anchorage and there are plenty of activities, including sled dog racing. If you ski, Mount Alyeska averages 782 inches of snow per year.

Dogsled rides in the Anchorage, Mat-Su or Kenai areas are far more scenic than the Fbx offerings.

It can be extremely cold in Fairbanks in Feb. Myself, I have seen a decline in the Chena Hot Springs since a change in ownership a few years ago. Most important if you want aurora- plan on PLENTY of time- at least 10 days so to stack your chances. Be very specific on your lodging and get out of Fairbanks- Chena Hot Springs ROAD has some good B&B options. Verify the VIEWING - way too many you have to get out and drive. I have driven Anchorage/Fairbanks with an overnight stop each way. In the winter- it's too much for a day, my opinion only, no guarantees it will be 55mph, one trip had several long sections at 30mph for me. Fairbanks has a winter guide- request it, www.explorefairbanks.com A big benefit if you delay your trip a month is better and "warmer" weather, good daylight, is March and the bonus of the Ice Sculpture championships. www.icealaska.com

My husband and I are planning a trip in March '05 to view the aurora and attend the ice carving festival. We plan to arrive in Anchorage, spend a few days there, we've reserved tickets for the Aurora rail/fly package. Train from ANC to FAI (saturday only), fly back to Anchorage at desired time frame. Visit alaskarailroad.com for details

We stayed at the Minnie Street B&B -Fairbanks in August 2000 and found them to be very accommodating and within walking distance of the train station.

This time we plan to stay at Westmark in Fairbanks - it's new and has a free shuttle from/to airport & train station.

The BLM Fairbanks has an excellent webcam and neat stories/pictures by S. Iverson (we met in 2000) that should give you an excellent feel for Fairbanks in winter.

We are looking forward to winter in Alaska, we've ridden the train in summer and hear the winter ride is just as amazing.

We also plan to stay a few nights at Chena Hot Springs Resort, so if anyone has helpful hints about the place, that would be greatly appreciated.

Have a great time!

For me- I never stay in Fairbanks for aurora and both the Minnie St. B&B (I have stayed there) and the Westmark are poor locations. You are far better with one of the isolated B&Bs outside of Fairbanks. Your location will require to GET in your car and DRIVE out of town in the middle of the night. I much better like being able to just look out a window/deck or walk outside. For information- last year hit 25 below the last 2 weeks in March. I am very picky about lodging location just for this priority for me. Will you have a car?? You definately need one. IF you do stay at the Westmark a good location for you to drive to is just up the Steese, past the Chena Hot Springs exit- over the hill. Good dark viewing here and plenty of space on the side of the road. Consider purchasing the toursaver book for 2 for 1 at Chena Hot Springs. Then an easy resell if you aren't going to Alaska later this year?