Alaska Northern Lights and Snowshoe Tour Northbound
Inn-Based Hiking Tours
6 Days, 5 Nights 28MI / 45KM
Trip Highlights
March and April offer a magical window to experience Alaska’s winter, with longer sunny days, crisp air, and the Northern Lights still dancing overhead. This peaceful season means no crowds, no bugs, and a pristine wilderness landscape in its purest form. We’ll explore the backcountry by snowshoe, take in views of Denali, roam the Kenai Peninsula, and keep our eyes peeled for Alaskan wildlife. Each night, we relax in cozy lodges and cabins before venturing out again in hopes of witnessing the Aurora Borealis. This tour is also available as a southbound itinerary from Fairbanks to Anchorage if those dates work better for you.
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Northern Lights Viewing
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Quiet Trails
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Gorgeous Mountain Views
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Wildlife Encounters
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Denali Views
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Intimate Alaskan Lodges
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View Dates
Trip Details
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Trip Type
Inn-Based Hiking Tours -
Trip Length
6 Days, 5 Nights -
Daily Hiking Distance
Up to 7 Miles -
Group Size
2-6 Guests
Is This Trip Right For me?
This tour features daily activities with moderate distances and elevation gains and losses. The difficulty of snowshoeing can be variable depending on snow conditions. The depth of the snow, and whether it’s dry, crusty, icy…etc. can all make the hikes more or less strenuous.
Difficulty Level
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Solitude Level
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Trip Itinerary
Please Note: We always do everything in our power to follow the set itinerary, however it can change occasionally based on temporary access restrictions, weather, lodging/campground availability, guest ability/injury, natural events like fires and flooding, and other potential causes. Normal terms and conditions apply to trips with itinerary changes.
Day 1
Drive Time: 2 hours
Hiking Distance: 3.5-6.5 miles
Elevation Gain/Loss: 400-800 feet
Beginning in Anchorage, for our first adventure we head to Chugach State Park, which is one of America’s most expansive state parks, and is in fact comparable to many national parks. Your guide will show you how to securely fasten your snowshoes, and we’ll set off to explore the majestic forests of south-central Alaska. We’re less than 500 feet above sea level here, and the flora may surprise you, as it’s characterized by Cottonwoods and a variety of pine, spruce and fir. We’ll keep a sharp eye out for wildlife as we hike. This area is rich habitat for moose, lynx, fox, eagles, owls and even wolves. Following the day’s hike we’ll turn north into the Talkeetna Mountains and settle in to our private cabins at Hatcher Pass, or our modern hotel rooms on the shores of Wasilla Lake. We will regularly check out the forecasts for both weather and solar activity, which are the factors that affect the northern lights. If the conditions look favorable we dress warm and head outside to enjoy the aurora borealis dancing above the towering mountains.
Day 2
Drive Time: minimal to 45 minutes
Hiking Distance: 3-8 miles
Elevation Gain/Loss: 1000 feet
On our second day we will walk into the open air for views of gorgeous mountain terrain all around us. After a hearty breakfast to fuel the day’s activities, we’ll leave from Hatcher Pass Lodge and ascend a groomed trail. Our destination is the historic Independence Mine site, where we’ll check out the buried structures and imagine what life was like for the miners living and working at Hatcher Pass in the 1800s.
After the morning hike we’ll enjoy a delicious lunch and then head out for the second adventure of the day. We’re heading up the Gold Mint Trail along the headwaters of the Little Susitna River. This area, buried in snow, will look and feel like the dazzling, snow-capped peaks of the Himalayas or Alps, yet we’re only at an elevation of 3,000 feet and close to the coast. These two factors lead to mild winter weather at Hatcher Pass, which the locals consider their best kept secret.
We’ll enjoy a delicious dinner and then head outside to hopefully catch the Northern Lights, which with the alpine ridges and peaks of Hatcher Pass as the backdrop, can be wonderfully dramatic.
Day 3
Drive Time: 2 hours
Hiking Distance: 4-6.5 miles
Elevation Gain/Loss: 500-800 feet
Before departing Hatcher Pass, we’ll enjoy one more foray as we hike out towards Glacier Pass and Reed Lakes for stunning views of the surrounding mountains. Then we head north along the Talkeetna Range to the town of Talkeetna. Tonight’s accommodation sits on a hill above Talkeetna, and provides our first chance to potentially see Mount Denali. We’ll cap off today with a delicious meal, hot drinks, and get some rest in preparation for tomorrow’s hike.
Day 4
Drive Time: 2 hours
Hiking Distance: 5-7 miles
Elevation Gain/Loss: 800-1300 feet
We’ll start today with a hot breakfast, coffee and fruit, then make our way toward Denali State Park. En route we’ll keep an eye out for moose, which are a relatively common sight on today’s drive. Our hike is a thrilling snowshoe trek to Curry Ridge, which boasts breathtaking views of Denali. Curry Ridge is arguably the best lower elevation place to gaze upon Denali’s grandeur. We’ll spend the day on Curry Ridge, enjoy a picnic lunch and eventually return to Talkeetna and the shores of the Susitna River for a hot dinner, warm drinks and – with any luck – another opportunity to catch the Northern Lights.
Day 5
Drive Time: 6 hours
Hiking Distance: 3-5 miles
Elevation Gain/Loss: 500 feet
Today is incredibly special as we approach the Alaska Range and get to visit famous Denali National Park. In the morning we will set out on a snowshoe hike around the frozen Byers Lake in hopes of gaining views of Mount Denali. Leaving the lake and continuing north, we’ll keep an eye out for caribou and views of the famous summit, eventually stopping at the science center in Denali Park to get a glimpse of an unusually quiet scene at a park that is usually very crowded throughout the summer. If we’re lucky, we might see the park’s working sled dog ‘canine rangers’ before continuing our journey north to the famous Chena Hot Springs Resort.
Day 6
Drive Time: 2 hours
Hiking Distance: 4-6 miles
Elevation Gain/Loss: 500-800 feet
On the final day of our Alaska experience, we will head out on a very unique snowshoe hike along pristine Angel Creek. As well as being a premier destination for Northern Lights viewing, the Chena River Valley is famous as a winter wonderland for both locals and visitors eager to experience the wonders of Alaska. We will snowshoe once again through the tundra along frozen creek beds and absorb the magic of a scene that many people picture when they think of Alaska. Returning to Fairbanks, it’s a bittersweet end to an incredible adventure.
Trip Dates
What's Included
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5 nights of double occupancy lodging (single occupancy requires an additional single supplement)
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Top-of-the-line daypack, snowshoes and trekking poles
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All meals are included from breakfast the first day through lunch on the last day
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Trained hiking guide(s) with years of personal wilderness and hiking experience, medical certifications, and a passion for leading people into breathtaking landscapes. See Guide Bios.
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Transportation from your hotel in Anchorage and ending in Fairbanks
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Entrance fees and national park permits
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Emergency equipment including a company-issued first-aid kit and communication device (InReach Explorer or satellite phone)
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Mandatory 5% national park fee that passes through directly to the national parks
What's Not Included
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Clothes, raingear, and footwear -
Sunscreen, toiletries and personal items
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Water bottles and a headlamp or flashlight
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Alcoholic beverages
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Guide gratuity (industry recommendation is 10-20% of trip cost)
Accommodations
Hatcher Pass Lodge
0-2 NIGHTS
Perched in a glacial-carved valley above treeline at 3,000 feet in the Talkeetna Mountains, this rustic lodge is in a perfect spot to experience the full spectrum of outdoor adventure in Alaska. We will enjoy individual, cozy, charmingly rustic cabins. The value of this accommodation is in its superb location and its perfect reflection of Alaskan culture. (dry cabins with marine style toilets, flush toilets and showers available in main lodge)
Mat-Su Resort
0-2 NIGHTs
Mat-Su Resort is a boutique hotel on the shores of a gorgeous lake with sweeping views of the Chugach Mountain Range, one of Alaska’s most famous ranges. It has 12 rooms, all with modern amenities and either a balcony view or a front veranda so you can soak up the beauty of Alaska.
Talkeetna Alaskan Lodge
0-2 NIGHTs
Perched on a ridge, looking down on the town of Talkeetna, the Talkeetna Alaskan Lodge offers breathtaking views of the tallest peak in North America, Denali. This lodge features the highlights of Alaska, inside and outside. Outside, we’re right in the action where we can explore Denali and beyond. Inside, guests enjoy a cozy fire in a classic rock fireplace, award-winning food, friendly service—and a great place to recuperate between hikes! (private bathrooms/showers, wifi)
Susitna River Lodge
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Chena Hot Springs Resort
1 NIGHT
Enjoy one night in an eco-friendly resort in the Alaskan wilderness! What our guests love about this lodge are the geothermal hot springs lake, outdoor and indoor hot tubs, as well as heated indoor pools. This unique accommodation puts us right in the action and tops it off with amazing hot springs. (hot springs, heated pool, hot tubs, private bathrooms, showers, wifi)
Trip Logistics & FAQs
Where Do We Meet?
You will meet your guide and group at 6PM at the Courtyard by Marriott Anchorage Airport the evening before your trip begins. Your guide will be in contact approximately 10 days in advance to coordinate the rendezvous and answer any last minute questions you have.
This trip ends in Fairbanks, AK.
Click here to see a printable, downloadable trip information packet with more detailed guidance about flights, shuttles, recommended lodging and more.
Travel to Anchorage
Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport and its connecting flights from many major US cities make Anchorage very accessible. The major airlines that fly to Anchorage are Delta, United, American, Alaska Airlines and Sun Country. Direct flights are often available from Portland, Seattle, Los Angeles, Phoenix, Minneapolis, Chicago and Las Vegas.
Because this tour ends in Fairbanks, you may want to fly back to Anchorage for your return flight. Flights from Fairbanks to Anchorage are a short 45-minute duration, are offered multiple times every day, and tend to be very affordable.
Start/End Times
Your guide will inform you of the first day’s pick-up time during the pre-trip communication. Generally, you can expect it to be around 7 am, although the exact time will depend on several factors such as planned activities, current weather and road conditions. On the final day of the trip, you can expect a return to Fairbanks around 6 pm, and your guide will drop you off at your hotel. Note: A variety of circumstances can influence our timeline on the final day of a trip, therefore Wildland Trekking does not guarantee return times.
Safety Precautions
Your safety is our top priority. Our hiking tours are led by professional hiking guides, all of whom are wilderness-certified first responders or EMT’s, each with years of guiding and wilderness experience. Guides adhere to standardized risk management protocols in case of any potential or actual incident, and all tours carry an emergency communication device and comprehensive first-aid kit. Additionally we have a “24/7” system through which guides or guests can reach Wildland support personnel at any time.
If you have any further questions about safety, please contact us at 1-800-715-HIKE (4453) for more information.
Age Restrictions
Age restrictions on this trip are as follows:
- 12 and older to join scheduled tours (mixed groups)
- 5 and older to join private tours, with final approval and specific logistical requirements (such as porter or stock assist) determined on a case by case basis
Reviews
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Trudy P
5 months agoKudos all around Wildland!
Our Alaska trip was delightful! It was especially so, given our guide. Drew W. went beyond the call of duty to make sure we were well attended to - and especially, well fed! We were lucky with the weather, having a clear view of Mt. Denali and the evening ski. Our lodging was terrific too. Kudos all around Wildland!
Robert F
6 months agoAlaska winter experience was fantastic
As someone who has been to Alaska in the summer only, and whose only view of Denali as of clouds, I can testify that the Alaska winter experience was fantastic and completely different than the summer experience. Totally different. Our guide Drew has designed the perfect itinerary for 6 days of experiencing Alaska in the winter months. Accommodations were great, and very representative of local atmosphere. Restaurant choices were first rate. The hikes were enjoyable and not overly challenging, and Drew had lots of options to modify the hikes to fit the group's desires and fitness level. Drives were not overly long, and Drew broke them up with hikes and other stops of interest. I can't over-state what a different experience it is to see Alaska in the winter, and how the beautiful the mountains were, completely different perspective than summer trips in Alaska!
Trina J
6 months agoGood food, good times..great trip!!
I highly recommend Northern Lights Snowshoe trip for anyone wanting to experience Alaska snowshoe adventures and still have warm food, drinks and lodge waiting when you get off the trail.
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