Alaska: Fairbanks: A Delight With Its Natural Phenomena and Cultural Embrace of Its Famous Snowy Landscape

Located between the Arctic Circle and Mt. McKinley, Fairbanks is ideally situated for aurora watching. Since the town lies beneath the auroral ring circling the North Pole, the skies light up with startling green and white hues, often speckled with flashes of pink and red. These lights are generated by solar disturbances that release electrically charged particles into Earth’s magnetic field.

To see the aurora in all its glory, plan your trip to Fairbanks in March; the best times to see the aurora are during the vernal and autumnal equinoxes, since the skies are dark and the air cold enough then for optimal viewing conditions. In summer, the skies don’t get dark enough, and winter’s negative degree temperatures render outdoor activities unbearable to all but the most determined. Even in spring and fall, though, temperatures dip below zero at night, when you will be watching the aurora. Bring heavy clothing (wool, flannel, a parka) and a camera with tripod to take the lengthy exposures necessary for capturing the fast-moving aurora on film.

In March, Fairbanks comes alive not only with aurora sightings but with two renowned contests, the North American Sled Dog Races and the World Ice Art Championships. These quintessentially Alaskan events will stir your curiosity regarding Alaska’s volatile history, so head to the University of Alaska Museum to learn more about how gold and oil have alternately created and taken away the state’s prosperity. If you don’t mind the cold, Fairbanks will delight with its natural phenomena and cultural embrace of its famous snowy landscape.