Alaska Guys Question.....

[Richard Boyer]

My wife and I were planning on going to Hawaii in December. I was going to use the air miles I accumulate over the year but found that the flights returning were worse than staying a week at Club Gitmo. So the Hawaii trip got nixxed.

Now, I guess in the wisdom of a woman, she has chose a new location. She wants to visit Anchorage. For the life of me I cannot see how she connected the two. I suppose they are both east of Texas......

So here is MY dilemma. I HATE cold weather. I live in the South for a reason. Don't get me wrong, I love the pictures you guys post and frequently look at them to remind me why I live in the south. Very pretty.

I have gone skiing in Colorado near Durango. You can practically ski in shorts there. So how cold is it really? Will I lose any body parts??

[AKbrew]

Re: Alaska Guys Question.....

Hi Richard, It's pretty cold here in December by Texas standards, but mild by Arctic standards. Temps are typically in the mid-teens to low 20's. We also usually get a fair amount of snow in Anchorage in December. It's also dark...only about 5 1/2 hours of daylight between 10:00am and 3:30pm. I find it to be one of our most beautiful months with the picture post-card snow, and the Northern Lights, and the 'quietness'. Outdoor Christmas lights are extra pretty here as well. If you're not a winter guy it might be a bit chilly for you. It's a unique time of year that few people that are not full-time residents get to see.

By the way...for anyone else reading this. If you're considering a winter visit to our part of paradise I highly recommend late February and early March. The Iditarod starts in Anchorage on the first Saturday in March and there are lot's of activities to go with it. The week before the race starts Anchorage hosts the annual Fur Rondezvous with lots of fun winter carnival type activities. We have about equal amounts of daylight and dark, and the early March days are typically clear, cold and sunny. It's perfect for ski-flying. Book your hotel early. They fill up fast, but usually aren't as expensive as Summer rates.

Richard and anyone else...c'mon up for a winter visit! We love to show this place off and can give you a true Jack London experience (including the wolves.).

[Steve Long]

Re: Alaska Guys Question.....

I would ditto what Jim says, and having flown with him, will say he's a knowledgable guy! March is my favorite month of winter, because there is much more daylight and the snow is usually better for ski flying. Dec. is pretty dark and I usually don't even put my skis on until late Dec. or early January. Steve.

[Dot_AK]

Re: Alaska Guys Question.....

I'll vouch for the guys above - besides, in December all the tourist traps are shut down for the winter, leaving very little to do or see, and not many places to stay. The glaciers are all hidden under snow, the animals hard to spot, the lakes iced over (and ice fishing is cold and boring without the right company or blood alcohol level), and in general it's dark and cold and the roads icy, snow-covered, and prone to avalanche south of town.

That said, there is cross-country skiing, ice fishing, a few tourist traps year-round, the symphony, plays in town, tearing around on snow machines, flying, downhill skiing (or staying warm in the lodge while others go risk their necks, and enjoying the hot tubs and saunas), snowshoeing, ice-skating on the lagoon, and other ways to amuse yourself if she's set on it.

March is better - by February, winter's driven us all crazy, and we party. Fur Rondy, followed by the Iditarod and Iron Dog, more light coming back, more to do.