Barrow, AK
May 31, 2001 | 7:18 am
#2
Join Date: Jun 2000
Location: AA Plt 2-million miler
Posts: 4,258
Today's Barrow forecast is high of 34, low of 26, with 24 hours of daylight! While you are in the neighborhood, I recommend you book a private flight tour of the Arctic Ocean coast, Prudhoe Bay, and the beautiful Arctic National Wildlife Refuge.
May 31, 2001 | 10:38 am
#3
Join Date: May 2000
Location: IAD/DCA via OMA, ATL, AUO, AMS, ORD/MDW, IAD/DCA, LHR/LGW, DEN, SEA, DFW/DAL
Programs: AA Gold; HILTON Gold; Ex UA PremEx
Posts: 337
For current wx info in Barrow, click here.
Alaska Airlines has a brief description of Barrow
here.
Alaska Airlines also has a relatively cheap vacation package called Barrow Arctic Tours that includes airfare from Fairbanks and I believe Anchorage.
For what it's worth, my Aunt and Uncle recently took this day-trip and raved about it!
Hope this helps...
Alaska Airlines has a brief description of Barrow
here.
Alaska Airlines also has a relatively cheap vacation package called Barrow Arctic Tours that includes airfare from Fairbanks and I believe Anchorage.
For what it's worth, my Aunt and Uncle recently took this day-trip and raved about it!
Hope this helps...
May 31, 2001 | 1:38 pm
#4
Join Date: Apr 2001
Posts: 3,083
I was there a few years back in August. It snowed that day, so weather can be unpredictable.
You definitely want to go for a day flight only [I guest it would be fun to see the sun at midnight].
You definitely want to take [or be part of] a tour.
You definitely want to touch the ice on the artic ocean.
You definitely want to visit "Pepe's North of the Border' restaurant...this is the restaurant that is higher in latitude than any other restaurant.
You definitely want to go for a day flight only [I guest it would be fun to see the sun at midnight].
You definitely want to take [or be part of] a tour.
You definitely want to touch the ice on the artic ocean.
You definitely want to visit "Pepe's North of the Border' restaurant...this is the restaurant that is higher in latitude than any other restaurant.
May 31, 2001 | 2:57 pm
#5
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 1999
Location: So Fla & NYC
Programs: DL DM/2MM, UA MM, BV LT Titanium, HH Diamond
Posts: 23,768
I too was in Barrow in August. It did not snow that day but it did come down to freezing about 4PM.
The place is fascinating for many reasons, not the least of which concerns the native Inupiat population, which is mostly quite
well-to-do because of the oil reparation money that is paid to them.
A tour is a must, but do not be surprised if the Inupiat guide clearly shows contempt for the tourists. In one man's opinion, these are really not very nice people.
AAaLot has it pretty much right with what you definitely want to do, but I would add keeping your eye out the window of the plane coming in to spot the Arctic ice pack, which seems only a few miles off shore.
You should visit Pepe's Mexican restaurant to get the flavor of the place, but leave it at that, the food there is something you definitely do not want to eat.
The place is fascinating for many reasons, not the least of which concerns the native Inupiat population, which is mostly quite
well-to-do because of the oil reparation money that is paid to them.
A tour is a must, but do not be surprised if the Inupiat guide clearly shows contempt for the tourists. In one man's opinion, these are really not very nice people.
AAaLot has it pretty much right with what you definitely want to do, but I would add keeping your eye out the window of the plane coming in to spot the Arctic ice pack, which seems only a few miles off shore.
You should visit Pepe's Mexican restaurant to get the flavor of the place, but leave it at that, the food there is something you definitely do not want to eat.
May 31, 2001 | 3:28 pm
#6
Join Date: Aug 2000
Location: Seattle, WA
Programs: No one cares
Posts: 7,616
I spent three days in Barrow in Aug '97. We had free tickets on AS and decided to go for the farthest and most expensive ticket. I have been to Dutch Harbor many times as has my partner and well, its not that exciting.
Anyways, it was nice and warm (40-50 degrees) and dry. We stayed at the Airport Inn and the Top of the world hotel. Its not cheap, the rooms are spartan and are the price of a hilton. The food is okay, we found lattes and mexican food. We did quite a bit of walking around looking at settlement patterns. The best part was that we were there for the Annual Polar Bear swim. We did the swim (really a dunk) with about 60 Barrowites. It was good fun and neat to see the community come out.
I think Alaska does a one day tour, but you don't really get to see Barrow. I would just make arrangements to stay at least two nights and one day. The weather can be dicey so you may not necessarily get in or out on time.
It was fun, would I go again? Perhaps, but probably more for work than for pleasure.
lala
Anyways, it was nice and warm (40-50 degrees) and dry. We stayed at the Airport Inn and the Top of the world hotel. Its not cheap, the rooms are spartan and are the price of a hilton. The food is okay, we found lattes and mexican food. We did quite a bit of walking around looking at settlement patterns. The best part was that we were there for the Annual Polar Bear swim. We did the swim (really a dunk) with about 60 Barrowites. It was good fun and neat to see the community come out.
I think Alaska does a one day tour, but you don't really get to see Barrow. I would just make arrangements to stay at least two nights and one day. The weather can be dicey so you may not necessarily get in or out on time.
It was fun, would I go again? Perhaps, but probably more for work than for pleasure.
lala
May 31, 2001 | 3:28 pm
#7
Join Date: Aug 2000
Location: Seattle, WA
Programs: No one cares
Posts: 7,616
I spent three days in Barrow in Aug '97. We had free tickets on AS and decided to go for the farthest and most expensive ticket. I have been to Dutch Harbor many times as has my partner and well, its not that exciting.
Anyways, it was nice and warm (40-50 degrees) and dry. We stayed at the Airport Inn and the Top of the world hotel. Its not cheap, the rooms are spartan and are the price of a hilton. The food is okay, we found lattes and mexican food. We did quite a bit of walking around looking at settlement patterns. The best part was that we were there for the Annual Polar Bear swim. We did the swim (really a dunk) with about 60 Barrowites. It was good fun and neat to see the community come out.
I think Alaska does a one day tour, but you don't really get to see Barrow. I would just make arrangements to stay at least two nights and one day. The weather can be dicey so you may not necessarily get in or out on time.
It was fun, would I go again? Perhaps, but probably more for work than for pleasure.
lala
Anyways, it was nice and warm (40-50 degrees) and dry. We stayed at the Airport Inn and the Top of the world hotel. Its not cheap, the rooms are spartan and are the price of a hilton. The food is okay, we found lattes and mexican food. We did quite a bit of walking around looking at settlement patterns. The best part was that we were there for the Annual Polar Bear swim. We did the swim (really a dunk) with about 60 Barrowites. It was good fun and neat to see the community come out.
I think Alaska does a one day tour, but you don't really get to see Barrow. I would just make arrangements to stay at least two nights and one day. The weather can be dicey so you may not necessarily get in or out on time.
It was fun, would I go again? Perhaps, but probably more for work than for pleasure.
lala
May 31, 2001 | 6:39 pm
#8
Join Date: Aug 2000
Programs: I am an AS employee, but my comments do not represent the company in any official capacity.
Posts: 4,343