Alaska, the land of the midnight sun and the magical aurora borealis, is a paradise for photography enthusiasts. With snow-capped mountains, magnificent glaciers, and vibrant night skies, Alaska offers endless opportunities to capture breathtaking moments. Here are some of the best photo spots in Alaska that you shouldn’t miss.
1. Dazzling Aurora Borealis in Fairbanks Skies
Fairbanks, located deep in interior Alaska, is known as the aurora capital of the world. Thanks to its ideal geographical location under the Arctic Circle, Fairbanks has the highest frequency of aurora appearances and the longest viewing season of the year. From September to April, the Fairbanks night sky often illuminates with dancing ribbons of green, pink, and purple, creating a surreal and magical scene.
To capture the best aurora photos, you should find locations away from city lights, where light pollution is minimal. Cleary Summit and Murphy Dome are two famous aurora viewing spots near Fairbanks, where you can freely unleash your creativity with your camera lens. Prepare a sturdy tripod, a wide-angle lens, and set your camera to long exposure mode to capture the shimmering beauty of the aurora.
Stunning aurora borealis dancing in the Alaskan night sky
2. Majestic Beauty of Alyeska Resort
Alyeska Resort, located in Girdwood, about an hour’s drive south of Anchorage, is not only a top ski destination in Alaska but also a stunning photo location. In winter, Alyeska is covered in thick white snow, creating a majestic and magnificent mountain landscape.
From the top of Mount Alyeska, you can capture panoramic views of the snow-covered Chugach Mountains, the sparkling Turnagain Arm, and lush green coniferous forests. The Alyeska Tramway will take you to an altitude of over 700 meters, where you can take breathtaking panoramic photos. At the foot of the mountain, the charming village of Girdwood with its cozy wooden houses is also an attractive subject for winter photos.
3. Exploring Dog Sledding Culture at Denali National Park
Denali National Park is famous for Denali, the highest mountain peak in North America, but in winter, it offers another unique cultural experience: dog sledding. Denali National Park is one of the few national parks in the United States that still maintains a dog sled patrol team, part of the historical heritage of this land.
Visitors to Denali in winter can visit the park’s dog kennel area, meet the adorable Alaskan huskies, and learn about their work. You can also join dog sledding tours organized by local tourism companies to explore the pristine beauty of Denali in winter. Photos of dog sleds on white snow, with the rolling mountains in the distance, will be unforgettable memories of your Alaska trip.
4. Wonders of Matanuska Glacier
Matanuska Glacier, the largest glacier in the United States accessible by road, is a natural wonder that no photographer can miss. This glacier is nearly 43 km long and nearly 6.4 km wide, with sparkling turquoise blue ice under the sunlight.
Winter is the ideal time to explore Matanuska Glacier, when the glacier is covered in pristine white snow, creating a beautiful contrast between the white of the snow and the blue of the ice. You can join guided ice walk tours to explore magical ice caves, towering ice towers, and deep ice crevasses. Don’t forget to bring sunglasses as the light reflected from the ice and snow is very strong, and prepare warm clothing to cope with the harsh cold on the glacier.
The magnificent Matanuska Glacier landscape
5. Chena Hot Springs Amidst Snowy Scenery
Chena Hot Springs Resort, about 96 km northeast of Fairbanks, is a warm oasis in the frozen lands of Alaska. This resort is famous for its natural mineral-rich hot springs, where you can relax in the warm water amidst the white snowy scenery.
In particular, Chena Hot Springs is also an ideal location for aurora viewing. You can soak in the outdoor hot spring pool while admiring the aurora borealis dancing in the night sky. The combination of steam rising from the hot springs, the shimmering light of the aurora, and the surrounding white snow scene will create a truly unique and impressive picture.
6. Lively Fur Rendezvous Winter Festival in Anchorage
If you visit Anchorage in late February or early March, don’t miss the Fur Rendezvous winter festival, also known as “Rondy”. This is one of the largest and oldest winter festivals in Alaska, lasting 10 days with many exciting entertainment and cultural activities.
Fur Rendezvous offers countless unique photo opportunities, from dog sled races on the streets of Anchorage, hilarious frying pan toss contests, to local arts and culinary performances. The vibrant and bustling festival atmosphere, along with the colorful traditional costumes of the Alaskan people, will be an endless source of inspiration for photographers.
Winter in Alaska is not only a tourist destination but also a treasure trove of natural beauty and unique culture. With these best photo spots in Alaska suggested above, hopefully you will have a journey to explore and capture memorable moments in this frozen land. Prepare your camera, plan your trip, and start your adventure to Alaska now!