Our northern climate makes a long, dark, snowy winter inevitable. Shutting things down and hibernating until spring can be tempting -or- we can embrace our climate and make it easier and more enjoyable to be active outdoors. Anchorage Park Foundation is working with partners to launch a winter city strategy to celebrate our season of snow. Winter recreation is an opportunity to improve livability, community health, and economic value to our city. With more people actively using our parks and trails the city feels more inviting, vibrant, and attractive to both residents and tourists.
Check out our new Parks+Trails: Try Winter newspaper, a detailed guide to accessing the abundance of outdoor recreation in Anchorage. The winter edition highlights over 20 ways to enjoy this winter plus a map of local sledding hills and captivating short stories from local writers. Look for print copies of Parks+Trails at recreation centers and park chalets or access the pdf online.
Winter Activities
Anchorage is full of sledding hills all across town that are the perfect places to put down a sled and build up some speed. From kid-friendly hills to longer, steeper slopes, local sledding hills come in a variety of shapes, lengths, inclines and altitudes, and there are more than enough runs to keep thrill-seekers busy all winter long. Service High School and Kincaid Park are some of the most popular spots. Visit the top sledding hills in Anchorage.
Ice Skating
Westchester Lagoon downtown offers the classic city ice skating experience with warming barrels and a maintained skating path. Anchorage Parks & Recreation also monitors ice thickness and maintains skating zones at Cheney Lake, Cuddy Family Midtown Skate Pond, and Goose Lake. Other other Anchorage city ice rinks include Chanshtnu Muldoon Park, Cuddy Family Midtown Skating Oval, Delaney Park, Tikishla Park, and the Bonnie Cusack rinks. Always use extreme caution on lakes and rivers. Check out winter ice conditions last updated by Anchorage Parks & Recreation. Check out winter ice conditions last updated by Anchorage Parks & Recreation.
Ice fishing in Anchorage during the winter is a popular activity, offering a unique way to enjoy Alaska’s beautiful outdoors. Before heading out, it’s essential to check the weather report to ensure safe conditions and dress appropriately for the cold. Layering is key, as temperatures can drop significantly. If you don’t have an ice fishing rod, don’t worry—Alaska Fish and Game rents them out, making it easy for beginners to get started. Sand Lake and Jewel Lake are popular spots for ice fishing, with both being well-stocked and easily accessible. Don’t forget to purchase a fishing license before you go, as it’s required for anyone 18 and over planning to fish in Alaska.
Getting out and walking on local trails is a fantastic way to immerse oneself in nature while reaping the health benefits of physical activity. Walking on local trails provides an opportunity to disconnect from the hustle and bustle of daily life and reconnect with your neighborhood and the natural world. It’s a great way to destress, clear one’s mind, and enjoy the beauty of the outdoors. Get out and about with friends and family, as a simple and accessible way to stay active. Check out more than a dozen Anchorage walking route maps here.
Snowshoeing is a fun winter activity that allows you to wander and explore areas that are inaccessible in summer. It’s a low-impact workout suitable for all ages and fitness levels, making it a great way to enjoy the outdoors with friends and family. With snowshoes strapped to your feet, you can trek through picturesque landscapes and enjoy the tranquility of the snow-covered woods without sinking into deep snow. It’s an excellent way to head off-trail and experience the beauty of nature in a whole new way. So, grab a pair of snowshoes and discover the joy of winter exploration!
Kicksledding is an exhilarating winter activity that’s perfect for those looking for a unique and fun way to enjoy the snowy outdoors. It offers an exciting blend of traveling across snow and/or ice, providing a great workout while gliding over snow-covered paths, roads, or frozen marsh. Kicksledding is easy to learn and suitable for all ages, making it a fantastic activity for families and friends to enjoy together. Kids can either ride in a backpack on the kicker, on the seat, or child-sized kicksleds can tuck into adult-size kicksleds offering flexibility of letting your little one kick by themselves or ride if they get tired. As you coast along the winter wonderland, you’ll feel the crisp air against your face and experience the thrill of speeding down the hills. So, grab a kicksled and hit the snowy trails for an unforgettable winter adventure! Not ready to purchase a kicksled, try renting.
Anchorage has hundreds of miles of groomed and lit trails, perfect for cross-country skiers of all ages and abilities. Beginners will find plenty of flat areas along the Tony Knowles Coastal Trail and Chester Creek Trails with several access points from parks across the city. Check trail conditions and grooming status in the Winter Ice & Trail Conditions report updated weekly by Anchorage Parks & Rec. Kincaid Park is the crown jewel of cross-country skiing in Anchorage, with 60 kilometers of trails winding through 1,400 acres of parkland. Visit the Nordic Skiing Association of Anchorage for trail conditions, maps, learn-to-ski programs, races, and more. Download the Nordic Pulse Skier Apps for grooming status, trail conditions, and use geolocation to navigate trails.
Skate skiing is a cross-country skiing technique that combines the principles of ice skating with traditional skiing, offering an efficient and dynamic way to cover snow-covered terrain. Unlike classic cross-country skiing, where skis move in parallel tracks, skate skiing utilizes a V-shaped stance with skis angled outward. Skiers push off from the edges of their skis, creating a gliding motion similar to skating on ice, which allows for faster speeds and a fluid, rhythmic movement. This technique involves a combination of powerful leg pushes and coordinated arm swings with poles, making it both a full-body workout and an effective way to navigate groomed trails. Skate skiing is popular for its speed and the smooth, enjoyable experience it provides on snowy landscapes.
Skijoring is an exhilarating winter sport that combines cross-country skiing with dog-powered harnessing. In skijoring, a skier is pulled along by a dog (or dogs) wearing a specially designed harness, making it a dynamic and enjoyable way to navigate snowy terrain. This sport offers an exciting partnership between skier and dog, requiring teamwork and coordination as the dog helps to tow the skier across various landscapes.
Alpine skiers and snowboarders have several choices for alpine skiing all within 45 minutes of Anchorage.
Hilltop Ski Area in Anchorage is run by a nonprofit. Learn to ski/snowboard programs, camps and clinics, equipment rental, and a terrain park make Hilltop a winter recreation destination and local hangout.
Alyeska Ski Resort, in Girdwood, offers 76 trails, 7 lifts, and a vertical rise of 2,500 ft. The resort offers rentals, a spa, and dining options.
Arctic Valley and the Alpenglow Lodge are run by the non-profit Anchorage Ski Club. Arctic Valley is very affordable, making it realistic to run up the mountain and ski for just a few hours. They offer two chair lifts, a T-bar, and backcountry ski opportunities. Rentals and lessons area also available.
Skeetawk Ski Area, in Hatcher Pass offers a chair lift, multiple trails, and easy access into the backcountry.
Winter biking, either on fat tire bikes or with studded tires, has exploded in popularity. The ability to float across snow or ice opens up a winter wonderland to cyclists of all abilities. Our vast network of urban and backcountry trails make Anchorage a great place for winter biking. Additionally, Chugach State Park has several trails open for winter biking.
Curling is an ancient team sport played on ice, where two teams take turns sliding stones made of granite toward a target. The Anchorage Curling Club, dedicated to promoting the sport and culture of curling, offers Learn to Curl events open to the public with no prior experience needed.
Explore the 86 playgrounds in Anchorage all year long. Even in winter, playgrounds are a great gathering place for getting fresh air and burning some energy. Find a new play space for your family with a detailed map of all 86 playgrounds in Anchorage! The map highlights playground features, park amenities, driving directions, and location on our trail system.
Anchorage is full of fun outdoor community events that help us stay active and connected throughout the winter. The Winter Solstice Festival and Westchester Lagoon Family Skate, and many others listed under Community Events are worth putting on the calendar.
Winter Trail Etiquette and Safety Tips
When the winter conditions are good in Anchorage, we get out! Whether you’re walking the dog, cross country skiing, snowshoeing, or winter biking, you will encounter other adventurers on the trail. Before hitting the trail consider checking snow conditions, research winter trail usage (some trails in Far North Bicentennial Park are mushing only in winter), pay attention to signage to avoid going the wrong way on a trail, and be respectful of others, stay out of tracks if you are not skiing. Read more about winter recreation etiquette.
