Winter Activities & Northern Lights

Anchorage offers something special in every season. From winter’s quiet beauty to summer’s long daylight hours, activities here shift with the seasons — and so does the pace of travel.

Winter Activities in Anchorage – January & February

Anchorage winters are unique — long nights, fresh snow, and crisp air transform the city into an outdoor playground, while also offering plenty of cozy indoor options.

Downhill skiing and snowboarding are favorites for winter visitors. Alyeska Resort, Arctic Valley Ski Area, and Hilltop Ski Area offer a range of terrain from family-friendly runs to steeper slopes.

Cross-country skiing flourishes in Anchorage’s park and trail system. Places like Kincaid Park and the Tony Knowles Coastal Trail provide groomed trails right from the city for all skill levels.

When conditions allow, ice skating is a popular winter pastime. Westchester Lagoon freezes into a community skating spot, and nearby ponds like Cuddy Family Midtown Park and other local lakes often attract skaters when temperatures are safe.

While winter temperatures can be cold, many guests enjoy balancing outdoor activities with warm evenings indoors — returning to a comfortable base, preparing a meal, or relaxing after a day outside.

Read about January and February Events in Anchorage

Viewing the Northern Lights in Anchorage

One of the unique aspects of winter in Anchorage is the possibility of seeing the Northern Lights (Aurora Borealis) on clear nights. While sightings are never guaranteed, the long, dark winter evenings in January and February can offer favorable viewing conditions when skies are clear and solar activity is active.

Guests are often surprised to learn that aurora viewing doesn’t always require traveling far outside the city. On nights with minimal cloud cover, the lights can sometimes be seen from quieter areas away from bright streetlights.

Because the Northern Lights are a natural phenomenon, sightings depend on weather and space-weather conditions rather than a schedule.

Check the Northern Lights Forecast
For real-time aurora activity and visibility predictions during your stay, check the official Northern Lights Forecast from the NOAA Space Weather Prediction Center:
https://www.spaceweather.gov/aurora/

Additional viewing locations and tips are available in the sections below.