Winter Adventures on the George Parks Highway Scenic Byway

As temperatures drop and snow begins to swirl, many Alaskans come out to play in an extreme winter wonderland. On The George Parks Highway Scenic Byway, there's plenty to do even when the temperatures fall to frigid! Go cross-country skiing, change out your road tires for ice tires and go biking Alaska-style, camp in the snowy expanses under an auroral night sky, express your inner artist with a crystal-clear ice carving and more!

Start your journey at Broad Pass, about 65 miles north on the byway from the byway’s south end at the Denali View South Wayside. Catch a glimpse of the caribou herd at Mt. McKinley and view the stunning aspenglow in the crisp wintry air. Next drive 12 miles north to Cantwell. Although closed to traditional vehicles, the Denali Highway, which intersects the George Parks Highway near Cantwell, is a popular dog-mushing and skijoring site. Meet dog mushers training for the Yukon Quest International Dog Sled Race or Iditarod dog-sled races, and watch as locals celebrate the season with their dogs, or other animals. Skijoring, a sport where you are pulled on cross-country skis by a dog, horse, or even a reindeer, is a popular Alaskan pastime.

Snowshoeing in Denali National Park (AK) [1]

For more winter adventures, drive 26 miles north to Denali National Park and Preserve. Winter is the off season in Denali, but that just means that it is less crowded and more fun for you. Do you love biking? Switch out your bike tires for ice tires, and come closer to the wonders of Denali on wheels! Riding your bike through snow is strenuous, but the rewards are worth it. Come close to the pristine beauty of Denali and leave the world behind as snow crunches under your tires. If you prefer to take things a little more slow-paced, stop by the visitor’s center at the gateway of the park, and rent a pair of snowshoes. From the visitor center, you can access the many paths open to snowshoeing and cross-country skiing. While sightings are rare, keep your eyes peeled—you may spot small animals like the snowshoe hair, raven, or red squirrels. If you are very lucky, you might spot a wolf, a caribou, or a lynx.

Northern Lights above Fairbanks, AK (AK) [2]

Craving more adventure? Then bring your extreme weather camping gear and camp out in the frosty Alaska temperatures of the long night. Riley’s Loop Campground, located near the visitor center, is open year-round. As the sun sets, keep an eye to the sky and you might see nature’s magnificent color show, the aurora borealis, uninhibited by bright city lights. Watch as brilliant colors make eerie ribbons across the sky. During the last week of February, Denali hosts Winterfest. What better way to celebrate the season than going on dogsled rides, sculpting snow, or watching professionals carve ice? This week-long celebration will certainly be a highlight on your trip.

Next make your way to Fairbanks, 122 miles north on the byway from Denali. In Fairbanks, enjoy the snowy scenery on one of the many cross-country ski trails. Love skijoring? Fairbanks is home to the Alaska Skijoring & Pulk Association, which sponsors races and other scenic outings. (A 'pulk' is a sled with rigid poles that skiers or snowshoers tow behind them to carry kids or cargo.) If downhill skiing is more your style, then head 10 miles north of Fairbanks to Moose Mountain, a downhill ski resort. The city is also home to the Yukon Quest International Dog Sled Race held each February. This international race covers 1,000 miles and traverses desolate territory. Craving more dog-sled racing? Each March, Fairbanks hosts the North American Open Sled Dog Race. This sprint race is the longest continuous running race in the world. Watch the race, or try going on a short dogsled adventure around Fairbanks. Want to see the Northern Lights? Extend your stay for three nights and you’ll have an 80 percent chance of seeing Mother Nature’s magnificent light show.

Frightening Fish Ice Sculpture in Fairbanks, AK (AK) [3]

Fairbanks also hosts an annual winter carnival from late February through March, which features the World Ice Art Championships. Due to the extreme cold temperatures, the ice formed in Fairbanks has a glacial blue tint and is so clear that you can read a newspaper through it. This unique ice makes for some of the best ice carvings in the world. Watch in awe as artists convert blocks of ice into sparkling, crystal works of art. After the competition is done, theatrical lights create vivid, colorful displays. Have the kids in tow? Then stop by the Kids Park. Unlike conventional playgrounds, this playground is constructed entirely from ice! Kids of all ages can enjoy slides, mazes, and sculptures. Want to see more artwork? Stop by the annual Festival of Native Arts held as part of the carnival. If you want to view something more active, watch hockey championships, ice fishing, skijoring races, or dog-mushing races.

Come on an Alaskan winter escapade and make a memory to last a lifetime. From watching the vivid color display of the Northern Lights to the crystalline beauty of ice sculptures, winter is full of magic on the George Parks Highway.