Looking for an outdoor experience like no other? Go North! Waaay North.
If you and the fam are itching to get out of the house, out of the city, and out of a rut, Alaska is the place to be.
Who knew you could find giant moose, kaleidoscopic Northern Lights, and thousands of miles of uninhabited, untouched wilderness all without (technically) leaving the United States? Come reckon with the raw power of nature! This is adventure in its purest form.
Sail Away, Sail Away, Sail Away
Plan an Alaskan sailboat excursion beyond your wildest dreams with Alaska Adventure Sailing. You can choose your family’s best fit from their itineraries:
- The Sitka Sound Summer Sailing begins with the Sitka Summer Music Festival and continues the party with hiking, hot springs, fishing, and puffins!
- The Heart of Alaska, Unlimited Fire and Ice Tour takes you between Juneau and Sitka to marvel at the extremes of Alaska’s environment, from hot springs to glaciers.
Or you can opt to build your own custom trip with program director and sailing extraordinaire, Captain Hoock. His life’s passion is teaching a love of the sea to his passengers. He’ll be sure to help you acquire your sea legs, as you even get to navigate the vessel with him! Your privately chartered sailboat comes with a daily activity plan, food, and on-boat lodging. Avoid the crowds and spend days of intimate quality time with the tides, glaciers, wildlife, and loved ones.
Gee, Haw, Mush!
Welcome to the high-speed wonderland of AK Sled Dog Tours. Owned by Dallas Seavey, a five-time winner of the legendary Iditarod Sled Dog Race, this five-star program is guaranteed to catapult you into the world of dog sledding. Not only do they offer classic wintertime sledding tours, but summertime dryland rigs (think wheels instead of runners), and helicopter glacier tours. A day at AK Sled Dog Tours begins with meeting world-class champion drivers. You’ll tour the kennels with these experienced mushers to see what it takes to train and care for the amazing creatures powering the sleds. That means playtime with the friendly canine athletes, retired legends, and little puppies, too!
Don’t let “Dashing Through the Snow” fool you! Dog sledding is an exhilarating snow rollercoaster pulled by a remarkably strong group of huskies. Learning to drive a sled means the power is in your hands. You’ll be standing, steering, and braking while zooming through the snowy trails. An assessment of physical fitness is required. So, if driving isn’t within reach for you, rest assured the program is accommodating and will strive to create an experience fit for the whole family. Call ahead for rates, questions, and accommodation requests, or book right here on their website.
Catch the Aurora on a Snowmobile
What’s better than the thrill of a nighttime snowmobile cruise? A nighttime snowmobile cruise underneath the Northern Lights, of course! Caused by the collisions between the earth’s atmosphere and charged particles from the sun, aurorae are massive, painted ribbons of colorful lights which dance in the Alaskan sky. Join the Fairbanks Snow Sleighers from 10 pm to 2 am for a cruise through spruce forests and over frozen lakes in the crisp nighttime air. Your group will silence the engines to enjoy hot chocolate, snacks, and serenity whenever the Lights come out to play. Dress warmly, but know that gear is provided. Beginners are more than welcome and must be 16 or over to drive a snowmobile. Passengers must be at least six years old. There’s no other place in the United States to view this natural spectacle, so be sure to check this off your family’s bucket list during your stay in Alaska.
