The Best Things to Do in Winter In Talkeetna
Talkeetna, just a 2 hour drive north of Anchorage, is a great spot to spend a few cozy winter days. Book a room at the famous Talkeetna Roadhouse, and you’ll get the added benefit of enjoying their world-famous sourdough pancakes. At night, keep your eye on the aurora forecast. With minimal light pollution, Talkeetna can be a great spot to see the lights.
During the day, hop on your cross-country skis or fat bike and enjoy the trails at the Talkeetna Lakes Park. Pay attention to the signs, as some trails are ski-only. If you get a clear day, don’t miss the opportunity to take to the skies on a flightseeing tour of Mt. Denali. If you don’t mind venturing beyond town a little, join a dog sledding tour in the town of Willow, just 45-minutes south of Talkeetna.
Rather not drive to Talkeetna? Hop the Aurora Winter Train from Anchorage or Fairbanks. The train operates weekends only from mid-September to early May, with select mid-week service dates in February and March.
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Winter Activities
Flightseeing Tours
Denali (Mt McKinley) • Land on a Glacier
Locally known as “The Glacier Landing Company,” TAT has been flying climbers and sightseers to the Alaska Range and Denali since 1947. Talkeetna Air Taxi features a custom-designed fleet of planes, a dedicated customer service team, and a variety of tours for every budget.
While you may never join the ranks of climbers who have summited Denali, an up-close view of North America’s tallest peak can still be yours. K2 Aviation offers once-in-a-lifetime flightseeing tours among and above the Alaska Range. Add a glacier landing to get a sense of how immense these peaks really are.
Points of Interest
This recreation area is just a mile and a half from town, but it feels like wilderness — with deep woods and several lakes, it’s a great place to hike, run, canoe, fish, or look for wildlife. In winter, cross-country ski, walk, or fat bike on the multi-use trails.
History, fun, and massive portions of food come together at this institution, which was built over 3 years starting in 1914. Aside from stopping by for a bite to eat, you can book accommodations at the Talkeetna Roadhouse. Choose from a variety of cozy rooms in the main roadhouse and wake up the smell of fresh baked goods from the Kitchen in the morning. Or, for a more private experience, book one of the cabins out back or the Museum Apartment ...more
Snowmobiling Tours View All
Ride snowmachines through forests
Ride snowmachines on private trails through forests while keeping an eye out for wildlife on your way to visit sled dogs and mushers and learn what it’s really like to run the Iditarod while mushing your own team.
Sightseeing Tours View All
Winter in Alaska is a magical time, with fewer visitors and a serene, snow-covered landscape. If you’re here from mid-September to mid-May, you can take it in from the comfort of the Aurora Winter Train, which runs between Anchorage and Fairbanks. It’s an easy and memorable way to travel north and experience the aurora borealis, or even do a weekend getaway to Talkeetna.
Guided Hiking
Get out there on one or more of these super-accessible trips, which range from easy nature walks to strenuous alpine multi-day treks. You’ll not only get a healthy dose of scenery, you’ll also exercise your body, mind, and soul. In winter, marvel at frozen waterfalls, snowshoe treks and even heli-snowshoeing!
Dog Mushing Tours View All
Ride snowmachines on private trails through forests while keeping an eye out for wildlife on your way to visit sled dogs and mushers and learn what it’s really like to run the Iditarod while mushing your own team.