Winter in the interior - Highlights

Even with 6-weeks of winter weather left to endure Spring is at least is starting to feel like a possibility: The light has returned and the temperatures are bearable with multiple layers and the promise of a hot beverage. With the turn, I have started to realize why people choose to live here. Honestly, in December and January I wondered. The dark and the cold scream almost complete inhospitably.

As unwelcoming as the weather is there is still plenty of activity throughout the winter. If your jacket and boots are thick enough. Given my growing girth we have been very conservative in our participation. We passed on skijoring, downhill skiing and even cross-country skiing this year. Opting for the indoor activities or those that allow for a surer-footing and a quicker return to the car.


Some highlights from our first winter in Alaska include:

More photos winter photos here

Early in the winter we were able to see the Northern Lights through our living room window. While not as spectacular as the viewing away from the city lights still pretty mesmerizing. The color moves.

While brunching with friends we were able to watch a moose through their picture window. Prior to moving I had no comprehension that moose are very large and can be quite dangerous. I live in some fear of a moose encounter. This was the perfect viewing.

More photos winter photos here

 The Yukon Quest started this year in Fairbanks. A 1,000 mile dog sled race between Fairbanks and Whitehorse (in the Yukon) its considered by many to be more difficult then the Iditarod. Both the start and the finish are very well attended even when the temperatures are well bellow zero. "Mild" this year it was -5' F at the start. The excitement is absolutely palatable as the dogs go by.

Unfortunately we also endured one of the coldest January's in 100 years (According the Fairbanks Daily News Minor). It was f-cold. Personally, once its below -20'F its all about the same to me. With the exception being your car is noticeably more and more unhappy the colder it is.





People really, really like their toys here: Monster trucks, jeeps, ATV's and snowmobiles abound. I don't get it but in an effort to try to catch the enthusiasm we went to the finish of the Iron Dog Race the "world's longest and toughest snowmobile race". Given the "hot" finish line was a few miles up river it was bit anti-climatic.

Held in conjunction with the Tired Iron, a vintage snowmobile show there was something for everyone. Including "Moose turd" bowling for kids. I never cease to be amazed at how happy the kids are to be outside here even when its below 0 they seem genuinely thrilled to play in the snow.

As always all photos by Andy Bliss