Originally Posted by
EXP_Cougar
Thanks for all the quick feedback!
Jackal -- I noticed the sale was for travel after Jan 5th, and we were planning on being there between 12/25 and 1/1. I do agree about the winter driving bit -- while I've done it when I lived in Chicago, it was never 'fun'
vysean -- we were planning on visiting Chena Hot Springs as well. One question regarding gear: my wife and I have a pair of Muck Boots from our Antarctica trip. Should we plan on wearing those? They will definitely keep our feet warm and dry, but they're bulky to pack. Thanks for the Big Rays tip!
Finally, if we skipped Anchorage and spent all 6-7 days in Fairbanks, would we be bored out of our minds? Any compelling reason to spend couple of days in Anchorage before or after?
No worries! I'm not sure what muck boots are (sorry
), but I can tell you warm feet are the thing people seem to come the least prepared for in my experience. I bought a pair of boots up at Big Rays on my first trip - they were probably $40 and are rated to -40 degrees. Quite comfortable and well tested on a number of late nights out in the middle of nowhere outside of Fairbanks. I realize they're bulky, but you'll be happy you brought them. FWIW, I usually wear the boots on the flights up to and back from ANC/FAI (along with a winter parka), saving the space in my luggage for a pair of tennis shoes and everything else I'm hauling with me.
I'm not sure if you'd be bored out of your minds, but I think 2-3 days in ANC and a similar number in FAI is good. ANC has some museums, good/great food and great beer, plus a mall. If the weather is good, spend some time at Earthquake Park and then hop in a car down to Girdwood to enjoy the magnificent views and stop over at Alyeska for lunch or possibly some skiing.
FAI has the Museum of the North @ UA Fairbanks which is worth a visit, along with an opportunity to view the Alaskan Pipeline and of course great opportunities for viewing the aurora borealis if the sky cooperates. Chena is only an hour from Fairbanks but seems isolated - I'd spend a maximum of two nights there. During the day you could lounge at the hot springs, the pool/hot tub, or do one of the tours (dog sledding and snowmachining), and at night take the aurora tour if the skies appear to be clear and the forecast for aurora is decent.
In winter, I tend to think 2 days in ANC plus 2-3 in FAI is just about right.