Originally Posted by
Arsey00
Yipes. I'm getting frightened! So extra thermals are now officially on my Christmas list.
We're trying to decide whether to stay in ANC the whole time or book an overnight tour in Talkeetna in hopes of seeing some scenery and possibly the northern lights. There's one that offers train, hotel and a pie making class (which sounds warm) for $219, which I thought sounded fairly reasonable. Probably much cheaper to drive, but I grew up in Southern California. I don't know how to drive in a flurry, never mind real snow.
Also, what constitutes a 'good coat'? We were in MN two winters when it reached -11 and locked the keys in the rental while trying to warm it up. My down coat kept me from dying, but I wouldn't say I was warm. What do you guys wear? When we visited the arctic circle in Finland, our hotel had winter gear in a full range of sizes we could rent if ours wasn't sufficient. Would that be likely in AK? And if not, is that a business opportunity someone could take advantage of?
I've lived my entire life within 20-some miles of the California coast.
(1) A decent puffy North Face jacket with neck protection will keep your upper body plenty warm. ANC can be warmer than a good portion of the lower 48 during the winter. Another layer under your pants should be sufficient. Make sure you keep your feet from getting wet.
(2) Driving in light snow won't be a problem. But if it snows, then melts, then freezes, you're in trouble. Also, once you go inland, you could face nasty frozen fog.
And this is the advice from an "outsider."
