Alaska

"The Last Frontier"

 More mountains than buildings, more wildlife than people and more glaciers than traffic lights.

Alaska – it's amazingly different, with the tallest mountains, the largest area of national parks, the highest concentration of glaciers and the longest stretch of coastline in the US. Alaska is a place of magnificence but it’s not beyond your reach.

Alaska's intriguing history is closely intertwined with that of the people who settled here thousands of years ago. Alaska Natives comprise almost 16 percent of Alaska’s population. These indigenous people interweave today’s modern lifestyle with their own cultural threads and spiritual beliefs, preserving the gifts of tradition for the coming generations.

Winter is a time when Alaska sparkles and shines, when much of the land is covered by a blanket of soft snow. This is the time to see the Northern Lights and share in the excitement of the world famous Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race (Anchorage to Nome ). You’ll find an abundance of winter activities, including downhill, heli and cross-country skiing, snow machining, show shoeing and dog mushing.

Alaska's appeal lies in its untamed wilderness, immense wildlife and mountainous grandeur. It has the tallest mountains, the largest area of national parklands, the highest concentration of glaciers and the longest coastline in the U.S.

From traditional music and dance to beautiful Native art, there are many opportunities and venues for visitors to experience an integral part of Alaska’s culture and history.

Land Area: 591,004 sq miles

Population: 650,000

Anchorage: -15°C (5°F) in winter to 20°C (68°F) in summer; Juneau - 1°C(30°F) in winter to 16°C (61°F) in summer; Fairbanks: -30°C (22°F) in winter to 25°C (77°F) in summer

There are 17 Parks and Natural preserves all around Alaska full of wilderness.

Alaska’s vast size and sheer amount of undeveloped land makes it a paradise for those hoping to catch a glimpse of impressive creatures like stately bald eagles and massive brown bears. Guided tours offer the chance to sail among humpback whales in Kenai Fjords National Park or observe caribou by the thousands roaming the expansive tundra. It’s not just Alaska’s outdoors where you can spot wild critters, though; the state also sports zoos, aquariums and conservation centres, where researchers work to educate visitors about the animals who call Alaska home. 

Nearly 100,000 glaciers can be found along the waterways of the Inside Passage and amid the mountains of Interior Alaska, and visitors have plenty of options for viewing these icy giants. Get a bird’s eye view on flightseeing or helicopter tours, where you may even make an exciting landing atop a glacier, or take a river cruise to gaze up at them. Truly intrepid adventurers can set off on multi-day glacier treks, where they’ll learn to ice-climb and see unique glacial views that can only be accessed on foot.

 

Hiking is a quintessential Alaska experience. You’ll find picturesque trails and rugged pathways all across the state, from an easygoing walk to see ancient rock carvings at Petroglyph Beach State Historical Park in Wrangell to the otherworldly views you’ll find at the end of the rugged Harding Icefield Trail in Seward. But that’s not all: Outdoorsy types will relish the chance to kayak in remote fjords, bike mountain trails and fish for Pacific salmon and halibut.

Alaska is the ancestral home of 229 federally- and state-recognized Indigenous tribes representing 20 distinct cultures within five main cultural groups. Learn about their ways of life at heritage centres and cultural attractions statewide. From the Alaska Native Heritage Centre in Anchorage, where visitors can experience living traditions of Alaska Native people through art exhibits and cultural demonstrations, to the Sheet'ka Kwaan Naa Kahidi Community House in Sitka, where Tlingit dancers share songs passed down through generations, opportunities to celebrate the diversity and beauty of Alaska Native cultures abound.

August through April, the Alaska skies come alive with the colours and lights of the aurora borealis, commonly known as the northern lights. Alaska’s long nights and remote areas free from light pollution make it an incredible place to view this celestial phenomenon. Guided tours lead you to prime locations for skygazing, with many tours offering overnight tours in lodgings specifically designed for viewing the aurora borealis.

Alaska is beautiful year-round, but winter is an especially magical time to visit. Snowy weather statewide means you won’t have to look too far for picturesque spots for snowshoeing, skiing and snowmobiling. One of Alaska’s most well-known annual events, the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race takes off the first Saturday in March. Many mushers open their facilities year-round for tours and the opportunity to try your skill at dog sledding.