Homer Winter Activities
Snowy backroads in Homer. Photo by Ginger Frizzell
You won’t visit Homer with near-guarantees of seeing the northern lights like other Alaska winter vacation hot spots. Instead, visiting Homer in winter is perfect for unplugging in a cozy ocean-front town. You might be surprised what adventures are available when the snow flies!
Fishing & Cruising
Water taxis, like Coldwater Alaska, operate year-round. Enjoy spectacular sightseeing tours out on Kachemak Bay, or take the taxis over to the wonderfully remote cabins and yurts across the bay. These trips are weather-dependent, but October and March/April are the most reliable times for wintry but pleasant weather.
And while you’re there, try some winter fishing! We’re not just talking about ice fishing. Maverick Charters can get you out to fish for Winter Kings (October–March). The full-day trips last from 6 to 8 hours. You’ll be plenty warm in the boats’ heated cabins between reeling in catches. The company can also arrange fishing packages with lodging.
Flightseeing
There’s no bad time of year to see Alaska’s landscape from above. Book a 45-minute or 1-hour flightseeing tour with Smokey Bay Air to soar over snow-covered mountains and icefields, with towering volcanoes looming in the distance.
Hiking & Cross-Country Skiing
There’s no better way to experience Homer like a local than by hitting the trails, whether on foot or skis. This is how Alaskans recreate in the winter, and the scenery won’t disappoint! Trails at the Wynn Nature Center are open year-round for hiking and snowshoeing. They’re not cleared or groomed, but the most popular ones are often well-packed from use. These include the 1.5 mile Lutz/Fireweed Loop and the ¾ Dogwood Loop. Both start from the main cabin, where you’ll also find a large trail map of the area. Come on Sundays from January through March for some extra fun: The Center for Alaskan Coastal Studies hosts a Wynnter Sunday Funday event from 1–3pm, often complete with s’mores and hot dogs! The center also rents snowshoes: They’re $5 for 3 days and can be checked out from the Coastal Studies headquarters at 708 Smoky Bay Way, or from the Wynn Nature Center during a Sunday program.
You can also sample Homer’s impressive system of groomed ski trails maintained by the Kachemak Bay Nordic Ski Club. Trails are clustered in three main parts of town; you can view the trail systems on their website.
Between Beaches in Kachemak Bay State Park
Winter Lodging
Most hotels in Homer are open year-round. In-town, Driftwood Inn is in the heart of Old Town Homer. Baycrest Lodge offers private rentals at the edge of town set high on a bluff overlooking Kachemak Bay. Their saltwater hot tubs are the perfect place to warm up on a cold winter day. For accommodations with a home-away-from-home feel, Paula’s Place B&B and Cozy Cove Inn are favorite local B&Bs.
Across Kachemak Bay, most wilderness lodges close in the winter, but Between Beaches in Seldovia stays open year-round and makes an idyllic winter retreat. These cozy cabins are dry in winter, but provide waterfront views, outdoor fire pits, and a wood-fired sauna and hot tub!
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Winter Activities
Whether you’d like to go on a personalized boat tour of the Homer area or take a water taxi to the Alaskan backcountry, Homer is an ideal place to launch from, and Coldwater has the boats and expertise to get you there. Explore places like Kachemak Bay State Park, the small town of Seldovia, and picturesque Halibut Cove.
Watch bears digging for clams, wandering the sedge grass, or nursing their young – all in a short flight from Homer to Katmai or Lake Clark National Park. Smokey Bay’s bear tours last about five hours total — including flights and about three hours on the ground. On any given day there will always be a morning outing (leaving at 8 a.m. at the latest) and possibly one that leaves around 2 p.m.
Out on the tip of the Kenai Peninsula, at (literally) the end of the road, sits the quirky town of Homer — the ecotourism capital of Alaska. Artists, adventurers, and foodies all come to experience the town’s creative energy, great restaurants, and gorgeous wilderness. And at the entrance to town, just off the Sterling Highway, you’ll find the Homer Chamber of Commerce Visitor Center.
Go fish! Cast your line for iconic Alaskan salmon and halibut — as well as other species — as you explore the shimmering waters around Homer with the passionate fishing pros of Maverick Charters. The stunning area is one that many travelers don’t get to explore, and all ages can enjoy this unforgettable outing — no experience necessary!
The Homer Spit is a long, narrow finger of land jutting 4.5 miles into Kachemak Bay. Dotted with businesses, the area caters to visitors and provides numerous recreation opportunities, from fishing and beachcombing to shopping and boating.
The Raven’s Way Loop is accessed from the Sterling Highway. You will see the Trailhead and large parking lot. The trail meanders through open spruce and muskeg terrain and there it is a great chance to see lots of eagles and ravens.
Ever gone ice fishing? Caribou lake is a great place to enjoy this cold and unique experience. You can spend a quiet day to yourself, fishing for Dolly Varden and Kokanee. Or if you’re feeling more competitive, you can participate in the Snomad’s (Homer’s snow machine club) annual ice fishing contest. (Either way, dress in warm layers and be prepared to sit or stand in the cold!)