My boyfriend and I are planning a short visit to Barrow this January from Ketchikan. We know this isn't the most logical time to visit the Tundra, but he wants to experience the first sunrise after months of darkness, so we won't be deterred We will be there on January 23rd to see it for ourselves.
Has the Top of the World hotel reopened? Is the King Eirder Inn better? Do the restaurants stay open in the winter? What about clothing- is renting parka and boots out of Anchorage recommended?

Any little nuggets of wisdom you could share will be most helpful!