Alaska hosteling, BACKPACKERS HOSTEL - FAIRBANKS, Alaska Fairbanks, AK Winter

FAIRBANKS - A WINTER WONDERLAND

Come to view the Northern Lights dancing across a crisp clean winter sky. View the World Ice Art Championships or watch one of the many dog mushing events including the 1,000 miles Yukon Quest sled dog race.

Winters here are exotic and Fairbanks offers you true arctic adventure. While most visitors chose to come between May and September, the winter months can be just as fun!

Sled Dogs & Dog Sleds~

There are many reasons to come experience an Interior Alaska winter.
Try a cross country ride with a team of sled dogs, or better yet, learn to drive the team! Just want to watch the excitement of team racing?
Then come out to the local race grounds to see the action up close.

In February its The Yukon Quest - International Sled Dog Race.
This grueling race follows the historic gold rush trail for over 1,000 miles from Fairbanks to Whitehorse, Yukon.

If you are here in March, head out with the locals for
the Open North American Sled Dog Championship in the city center.

View the Aurora Borealis directly outside our door!

Aurora Forecast
~click for current forecast of activity in the area.

Aurora can be seen generally from September thru April~

Northern Lights~
Outside Billie's Backpackers Hostel

Northern Lights Above Hostel (August)
No, the picture is not 'doctored', nor is it a rare event. It's quite common to see the Aurora from directly outside our door during the darker times of year - late August thru late March.

Whatever you've heard one thing is certain, you will not believe your eyes! Step right outside the hostel door (see picture to left) for the best light show in the world. Best of all, its FREE!

Fairbanks provides one of the best spots on earth for viewing the Aurora Borealis. Thats because Fairbanks lies directly under the "Auroral Oval", a ring shaped region above the North Pole. Because of our geography, Aurora activity is frequent and intense. On average we see the lights over 240 days a year.

Hot Springs ~

The Fairbanks area is well known for several mineral hot springs. Some offer an extremely remote wilderness setting ( i.e., harder to get to- like Tolovana), while others like Chena are a short drive from the city.

"In the last century prospectors sought these places out as a welcome refuge where they could relax their weary bodies. For truly exotic northern experience come soak in an outdoor pool in the crisp winter air while the northern lights dance above. j.... some of the options are

                                                       ~Chena Hot Springs
                                                       ~Cirlcle Hot Springs
                                                       ~Manley Hot Spring
                                                       ~Tolovana Hot Springs

Winter Sports ~

If you like winter sports you've come to the right place! Everything from ice skating to snow machining to curling can be found in Fairbanks. You can even try your skill at dog mushing. Dress in layers and wear a warm pair of boots. You don't need to go it alone either. There are many outdoor clubs devoted to these activities and guides ready to take you on the adventure of a lifetime.

There are hundreds of opportunities to get out and experience the real Alaska Winter!

December morning at Billies

This is easily the best hostel I've ever had the pleasure of visiting.

Sure I had an icy cold couch for a bed and it was in an icy foyer, because the hostel was full and it was there or outside) but the hospitality and company was bloody brilliant!!
Besides! It was good conditioning for the 14 day dog sledding expedition that lies ahead.
anon - March 2008

You have touch my heart with your essence Billie. Just to think about aurora, I kept postpone trip for 15 years. At first night arrived here, windy, 38 below, wow! thrilled, excited, when the cold hit at Billie's home.

When Billies fire loving eyes, loving heart, make me warm, and fuzzy at first meet you. A good host makes sweet home, safety, harmony, relaxing, enjoyable,it's truly family, friendship connected with you, and people I meet here.

Something about Billie stand out loud and clear.."welcome, shalom, "its your vacation, make yourself at home...enjoy..and I'm really enjoying it!
                February 2008
           Yutaka Sando - Japan