December 2021 was the snowiest December on record in the nearby Denali National Park, bringing over 6ft of snow and unusually freezing temperatures. During my trip, temperature repeatedly dropped below -20F (-30C). In addition to the challenging weather conditions, days in December are the shortest in the whole year. In Anchorage, the sun rises after 10 AM and sets around 3 PM, while barely rising above the lofty peaks surrounding the city.


If you visit Alaska in winter, come prepared for the cold and unpredictable weather, blizzards, avalanches, and more. Despite wearing multiple layers of warm clothing, I got frost nip and lost feeling in my fingertips for over a month.

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