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Published: 11/9/23
What To Pack for Your Winter Trip to Fairbanks, Alaska
When I decided to head to Alaska for a brief visit in December 2019, I had more questions about what you do in Alaska in winter, than what to pack.
Luckily living my entire life in northern Minnesota – where we have the harshest, longest winters in the lower 48 – well prepared me for dressing for Alaska’s winter weather. In fact, our winters are so similar, that it’s fairly common for folks from northern Minnesota to “migrate” to Alaska when they feel that things are getting “too crowded” down here.
As I prepared for my Alaska trip to Fairbanks, I simply threw everything I typically wear for a day of winter hiking in northern Minnesota into a suitcase and called it good. Ironically, I had to spend more money on clothing when I went to Hawaii; I shelled out a grand total of $0 for items on my Alaska packing list.
However, I fully acknowledge that packing for Alaska, especially in winter, can feel daunting. If you don’t live in a part of the world where -40F temperatures are normal, you’re probably going need to buy some clothing and outdoor gear.
That’s why I decided to write this post and take the challenge out of packing for an Alaska winter trip. To get you acquainted with all the Alaska winter must-have items in your suitcase, I’ll run through all the best need-to-have Alaska winter clothing and gear. At the bottom of this post, you’ll even find printable PDF Alaska winter packing list to make sure you don’t miss anything as you pack.
If you’re wondering what to wear in Alaska in winter and what to include on your packing list, read on!
Tips for Packing for Alaska in Winter
1) Take a look at the weather forecast before packing
Nestled deep in the Alaska interior, Fairbanks is known for its chilly winter temperatures.
From November through February, temperatures struggle to get above 0F. It’s pretty typical for the mercury to drop down to -40F. The average low in the Fairbanks area in deep winter is -20F.
With about 5 feet of average snowfall, it definitely gives North Pole vibes. In fact, North Pole, AK is located just 14 miles southeast of Fairbanks!
But as you pack, it’s important to remember that the temperatures I’ve just described are averages. You might experience very different Alaska weather during your winter visit. We actually ended up at Chena Hot Springs Resort during a heatwave where temps hovered right around freezing!
Had I realized how hot all of the resort buildings (which are heated by geothermal hot water pipes) would be during such warm winter weather, I would have packed a couple t-shirts. We absolutely roasted whenever we were inside.
2) Remember, Alaska is massive
Most Alaska winter packing lists, including this one, assume you’re visiting the Alaskan interior. With the draw of northern lights, snow-covered mountains, ice museums, and dog sledding adventures, it’s easy to see why so many Alaska winter visitors end up in this part of America’s largest state.
But if your Alaska winter travels are taking you to the Kenai peninsula or another coastal area where the ocean prevents hard freezes year-round, you’re going to need to pack differently. For example, you might want to swap out a parka for a rain jacket! While layers and natural fibers like wool are still your friends, you’ll be able to get away with lighter weight clothing and footwear.
3) This is no time to pack light
It’s actually pretty standard (at least with Alaska Airlines and its partner Delta) to get two free checked bags when you fly to Alaska. I’m pretty sure this is for Alaska residents who often bring back a fair number of supplies when they visit the contiguous United States. However, you should definitely take full advantage of this rare generous space allotted to you!
Between bulky winter boots and jackets, it’s not realistic to attempt to travel to Alaska in winter with just a carry-on (but let me know if you’ve done it . . . that’s quite the feat!) so why try? If you’re already checking one bag, why not check two? At the very least, take your largest suitcase. If you own ice skates or snowshoes, throw them in!
What I Packed for Alaska in Winter
Tips For The Winter Clothes You Pack For Alaska
You’ve heard it before, but I’ll say it again, when you dress for an Alaskan winter (or any winter destination) you want to “dress like an onion.”
You’ll want several layers of clothing for maximum warmth, but make sure only your base layer is skintight. Don’t restrict your body’s movement or prevent your clothing from creating warm pockets of air around your body by wearing clothing that’s too tight. This is especially important with footwear. Please don’t squeeze into 17 pairs of socks and then wonder why your feet are still cold!
Opt for wool clothing whenever possible. This magical winter material wicks away moisture and keeps you toasty warm! With the advent of high quality merino wool clothing, it’s also not itchy.
Winter Alaska Outerwear
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Winter Parka  |
Snow Pants  Eddie Bauer Women’s 2.0 Polar Fleece-Lined Pants, Black, 18, Tall |
Pac Boots  |
Parka – Your lightweight down jacket isn’t going to cut it in -40F. For Alaska, go all in with a down (real or synthetic, that’s up to you) parka. While a parka definitely isn’t the cheapest piece of winter clothing out there, you really don’t need a super expensive parka like Canada Goose to stay warm. I’ve had my Cabela’s synthetic down parka for a decade and it works great. Another popular parka option is Askov Finlayson.
Wool pants – We’re talking good ol’ itchy, old fashioned wool pants here. They’re definitely not fashionable, but nothing will keep you warmer and dryer than a pair of thick wool pants from Johnson Woolen Mills. Just remember that these pants require a base layer of leggings or long underwear underneath.
Snow pants – Not digging the wool pants? A pair of waterproof lightweight, fleece-lined pants paired with leggings or long underwear will also do the trick.
Winter boots – Just like with your jacket, when it comes to footwear in Alaska, you’re going to want to go big. I brought my beloved Schnee’s Pac Boots and they worked so well. They might be a little cumbersome, but they’re toasty warm and have great traction. I didn’t even need snowshoes to trek up the mountains around the resort with these on!
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Winter Hat  PAGE ONE Womens Winter Ribbed Beanie Crossed Cap Chunky Cable Knit Pompom Soft Warm Hat Rose Red |
Balaclava  Ergodyne N-Ferno 6821 Winter Ski Mask Balaclava, Thermal Fleece |
Mittens  |
Thick stocking cap – Grab the warmest beanie or stocking hat in your closet. Definitely opt for function over fashion, although there are so many stylish winter hats on the market these days, there’s no reason not to be warm and look cute!
Mittens or winter gloves – I personally find mittens way warmer than gloves. I’ve always worn buckskin chopper-stype mitts with removable 100% wool liner mittens. When the liner mittens wear out, I just make (or buy) a new pair! Outdoor Research mittens are also a good option if you don’t share my “old man in a forest” winter aesthetic.
Balaclava – While you won’t need to put this on every time you go outside in Alaska, a balaclava can make a huge difference if you’re going to spend an extended period of time outside. Find a lightweight balaclava that will fit under your hat.
Fur ruff – If your jacket doesn’t have a fur ruff, consider making it extra cozy for your Alaska trip by adding one of these removable faux fur ruffs. You won’t believe how much warmer a ruff makes a jacket; nothing does a better job of blocking that bitter north wind.
Fleece gaiter or scarf – One final extra layer to add is a fleece gaiter or scarf around your neck. If I’m going to be active outside, I prefer a fleece gaiter since it stays in place better than a scarf.
Mid-Layers for Alaska Winter Travel
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Down Vest  |
Wool Sweater  |
Fleece Jacket  Cotopaxi Abrazo Hooded Full-Zip Fleece Jacket – Women’s Wine/Rosewood Small |
Down vest – You might notice as you shop for parkas that many of these jackets are only rated to -20F. For very chilly Alaska mornings, adding a lightweight down vest is a great way to boost your jacket’s warmth.
Wool sweater – Nothing keeps you as warm in winter as wool. I’d pack at least one, but probably two 100% wool sweaters for your Alaska trip.
Full zip fleece jacket – A fleece jacket or pullover like the ones from Cotopaxi or Patagonia are another great mid-layer They’ll keep you warm outside and also look stylish when you’re hanging out around the fireplace after dark.
Alaska Winter Base Layers
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Wool Crew Top  |
Leggings  Minus33 100% Merino Wool Base Layer 803 Women’s MidWeight Bottoms Black Medium |
Wool Socks  Darn Tough Women’s Hiker Boot Midweight Sock (Style 1907) – Eclipse, Large |
Long sleeve wool top – I wear Minus 33 midweight long sleeve merino wool tops all winter long. They’re so cozy and do a great job of wicking moisture.
Leggings or long underwear – Personally, I prefer to use leggings as my long underwear. KUHL brand have been working well for me lately. They also give you something less bulky to wear on the plane ride. If you want actual long underwear (which could double as your pajamas), I’d go with this mid-weight pair from Minus 33.
Wool underwear – Think wool underwear sounds weird? Don’t knock it until you’ve tried it. They wick moisture and stay fresher so much longer than cotton or synthetic undies.
Wool socks – As long as you’ve invested in good winter boots, you don’t need to worry too much about your socks. Any midweight wool sock, like these from Darn Tough, will do. My number one Alaska winter packing tip is to pack an excessive number of socks. Dry socks are key to cozy, warm feet. Be sure to swap them out every time you take off your boots!
Other need-to-have Alaska winter clothing
Pajamas – Alaska winters lend themselves to excellent sleeping, so pack your coziest pair of pjs!
Slip-on shoes – You’re not going to want to put on your winter boots every time you need shoes in Alaska. A pair of house shoes like Haflinger clogs would have been perfect for making the trek from our room to the on-site restaurant.
Slip on pants – I really wish I’d had this pair of KUHL joggers when I went to Alaska. They would have been great for wearing around the resort, especially when we headed to the pool area.
Swimsuit– Swimsuits probably aren’t top of mind when packing for an Alaska winter trip, but don’t forget them if you’re headed to a hot springs like the one at Chena Hot Springs Resort!
Alaska Winter Gear List
If you’re visiting Alaska in winter, chances are you’re staying at a resort that can outfit you with the majority of specialized winter you’ll need – aka, there’s no reason to pack a toboggan.
However, if you’re pretty experienced in all things winter, you probably have some strong winter gear preferences. I know I do! There’s definitely plenty of winter gear I’d pack for my next Alaska trip.
Essential Alaska Winter Gear To Pack
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Snowshoes  |
Ice Cleats  Yaktrax Walk Traction Cleats for Walking on Snow and Ice (1 Pair), Medium |
Travel Games  |
Ice skates – I’ve been skating since I was a toddler, so most (all?) rental ice skates drive me crazy. They’re often extremely dull, with messed up laces and poor ankle support. Had I realized that Chena Hot Springs Resort lets their duck pond freeze over into a skating rink, I definitely would have packed my own, much loved and perfectly fitting pair of hockey skates rather than use their rental skates.
Snowshoes – If you have a fairly small pair of snowshoes that you like, I’d consider throwing those in your suitcase as well. When you have gear you’re familiar with, you can get on with the act of adventuring that much more quickly.
Ice cleats – I didn’t need these for my trip and didn’t pack them, but depending on your Alaska itinerary, you may want extra traction for your boots. I imagine if you’re planning to hike around a glacier ice cleats would be indispensable!
A good book – Most places you’ll visit in Alaska aren’t far enough north to experience endless night, but there’s no denying that the four hours of daylight in Fairbanks around the winter solstice go by quickly. A good book is essential for whiling away those long winter evenings.
Board games or cards – In the same vein, you won’t go amiss packing some games to keep you and your travel companions entertained. Some of my favorite travel games include Phase 10 and Five Crowns. A winter trip to Alaska is also a great time to embrace the northern tradition of cribbage with these fun travel cribbage boards.
Snacks – If you’re planning to do any hiking or snowshoeing during your time in Alaska, definitely pack some individually packaged, easy to transport snacks like CLIF bars or almonds. I always like to have at least 500 calories on my person whenever I go winter hiking . . . just in case.
2x Water bottle – You might not think about getting dehydrated in the winter, but I always like to be extra careful during the harshest season and bring an excessive amount of water to hedge against worst case scenarios. A fun trick I just recently learned is to store your water bottle upside in your backpack on winter hikes. Because water freezes from bottom up, you can just flip it over to get a drink of water even if it starts to freeze.
Backpack – Remember that you’re going to want a backpack for any hiking or snowshoeing adventures, so it’s a smart idea to use your favorite outdoor backpack as your carry-on.
Tripod – This is a piece of travel gear that you can usually do without, but if a pivotal part of your Alaska experience is trying to see the northern lights, you’ll want a tripod to help you capture stunning Aurora Borealis images.
Two ways to start a fire: matches, lighter, and/or flint – This might seem a little extreme, but we’ve all read Jack London’s short story “To Start A Fire” amiright?! No way am I going to Alaska without a way to start a fire, even if I have no intention of ever getting more than a couple miles from the resort.
Small first-aid kit – I can’t undersell this enough. It’s really just a couple band-aids and some expired antiseptic cream. Yet, I pack it on every gosh dang trip.
Headlamp and/or flashlight – When you’re going to a place that’s dark 20 hours a day, it’s a good idea to bring your own light sources. A headlamp would have been especially nice when we went sledding while waiting (fruitlessly) for the northern lights to show.
Navigation aid that works without cell service: paper map, GPS, and or Gaia app – I notoriously find the small trail maps that resorts give out very confusing. If I’d had my Gaia app during our Alaska trip, I probably could have saved us some treks up mountains and avoided making a couple seriously wrong turns.
Battery pack – Cold weather zaps your phone’s battery like nothing else, so keep a battery pack handy to avoid your phone doing the dreaded “winter dip” where it goes from 30% battery to dead in about 10 minutes.
Wrap-up: Alaska Winter Packing List
While packing for an Alaska winter trip can be challenging, it’s well worth taking the time to get it right. -40F is no joke; you want to make sure you have the clothing that can truly handle an Alaska winter. I hope this post helped you sort out the confusion of the various layers and gear needed for your Alaska trip.
Just print out my packing list above and follow it along as you pack to ensure you have all the Alaska winter clothing and gear essentials. Then prepare for an unforgettable adventure in Alaska’s winter wonderland!
