I have always wanted to spend a few nights at a backcountry lodge/hut in Alaska but I always get a bit intimidated planning too far in advance since winter weather is never predictable. I finally found the perfect happy medium: Hatcher Pass Lodge! This is a drive-up “backcountry” lodge made up of several small huts, a sauna house, and a cozy main lodge where meals are served and you are welcome to hang out for hours. The lodge is at the base of an absolute wonderland for back

I LOVE visiting Alaska and I think winter is an extremely underrated time there, but there is SO MUCH to do!! For my first annual (I didn’t know it was going to be annual at the time) Alaskan birthday trip, I went with a couple friends to Anchorage for the Iditarod opening day and to ski at Alyeska, a ski resort within an hour drive from Anchorage. Below is how we spent the 1 degree Fahrenheit weekend. Friday: Arrive We flew in late on Friday night to Anchorage, grabbed our r

For year 2 of my annual Alaska birthday trip, I decided to do the iconic Alaska Railroad full-day train from Fairbanks to Anchorage. This is a 12 hour scenic train that is perfect for a group of girlfriends to spend the day drinking coffee, catching incredible views, and yapping. Below is our itinerary for a very quick winter girls weekend in Alaska. The whole group in front of the train before disaster hit. Saturday: Our whole group flew into Fairbanks on a Saturday afternoo