10 Day Winter Highlights & Northern Lights

Welcome to Anchorage! Take today to explore Alaska's largest city. Go on a city tour via trolley or bike to get an overview, or join a brewery tour and sample some of the innovative suds being brewed here. Then get an in-depth picture of the city and state at the Anchorage Museum, or visit the Alaska Native Heritage Center for a dose of history and culture. Of course, you'll also want to experience the city's fantastic bars and restaurants.

Today you'll be making the 45-minute drive to Girdwood, home to the world-renowned Alyeska ski resort. Get an early start if you want to hit the slopes; you could also go fat-tire biking. Or simply check into the Hotel Alyeska and bask in the luxurious surroundings. Here, you'll have the unique opportunity of looking for the northern lights; ask the hotel for an aurora wake-up call and they'll notify you if the famed aurora borealis light up the night sky.

Take advantage of another day in this world-class wonderland. Spend the day schussing down the slopes or exploring the wilderness on cross-country skis. Up the adrenaline by taking a snowmachine ride through the backcountry or taking a winter flightseeing trip. And don't forget to ask for an aurora wakeup call.

Get in one last day of skiing at this famous resort. Tired from the previous two days? Take it easy and soak in the scenery. If you haven't gone flightseeing yet, this is the time to do it; getting a bird's-eye view of the rugged tundra, snowy peaks, and ancient glaciers is an unforgettable experience. You'll also get a great view from the resort's Seven Glaciers Restaurant—a culinary gem at the top of the tram. Or enjoy more casual fine dining at Jack Sprat.

Drive the 90 miles to the quaint seaside town of Seward, where you can enjoy cross-country skiing on some of Seward's scenic trails. But the main reason people come here is to explore the beautiful Resurrection Bay and Kenai Fjords National Park. There are some smaller water taxi operators that offer cruises year-round if weather permits.

Make the 2.5-hour drive back to Anchorage and catch a quick, one-hour flight to Fairbanks. If you have time once you arrive the largest city in Alaska's interior, start exploring. Begin at the University of Alaska Museum of the North, where you'll get a fascinating glimpse of the cultures and wildlife that call this part of Alaska home, as well as a deep dive into contemporary Native Alaska art. Then experience a winter activity like dog sledding, ice fishing, or snowmachining. Of course, you'll want to see the northern lights if they appear; ask your hotel to give you an aurora wake-up call.

Take today to go on another exciting winter tour and try one of the very Alaskan sports you didn't get the chance to do yesterday. Then be sure to squeeze in a nap; you'll be taking an evening northern lights viewing tour tonight, and you'll want to be sure you're rested and ready for this magical experience.

It's your last full day in Fairbanks, and you'll want to take full advantage of being in a place where the aurora borealis so often appears. So sleep in today; that way you'll be ready to stay up later and have the best chance to see the lights. Take the afternoon and enjoy an activity. Then get your camera charged up so you're ready for an evening tour to look for those magical lights dancing across the sky.

Today you have a choice: Spend another day in Fairbanks and enjoy more activities, or make the one-hour flight back to Anchorage. If you fly back, go exploring in Alaska's largest city. Walk or bike the dramatic, 11-mile Tony Knowles Coastal Trail. And go on a city tour via trolley or bike to get an overview, or join a brewery tour and sample some of the innovative suds being brewed here.

It's your final day in Alaska, so enjoy it! Get an in-depth picture of the city and state at the Anchorage Museum, or visit the Alaska Native Heritage Center for a dose of history and culture. Don't forget to pick up some souvenirs before you depart!