The Alaska Railroad is adding to its Aurora Winter Train's usual schedule, providing more opportunities for Alaskans and their family and friends visiting this holiday season to explore Alaska in winter.
The railroad is increasing service on its Aurora Winter Train to allow travelers who can't take a full week off to take an extended weekend and ride the Anchorage to Fairbanks route, stopping along the way to perhaps take in a pie-making class at the Roadhouse in Talkeetna, or continue on to take in the ice sculpting championships in Fairbanks, or stop in at the Santa Claus House in North Pole. For the truly adventurous, the railroad is offering a five-night adventure at Coldfoot Camp above the Arctic Circle.
The increased service is timed to coincide with the Christmas and New Year's holidays and spring break.
The Aurora Train has large picture windows and open seating in the dome car, as well as onboard dining and bar service. The train leaves Anchorage on Saturdays and heads north to Fairbanks, a 12-hour trip, with numerous stops in between. The return trip is Sundays.
Midweek service will be available during the Christmas and New Year's holidays, and will start up again in from Feb. 21 to March 29, making it possible for travelers who don't want a quick turnaround or can't take a whole week off to spend an extended weekend riding the rails and enjoying some of Alaska's premier winter activities and events.
Rail service will be increased further from March 4 to March 19 over spring break. During this time, the Aurora Winter Train will head north from Anchorage on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays, and southbound trains will depart Fairbanks on Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays.
One of the nicest things about train travel is the freedom to customize. Travelers can hop on the train in Anchorage and go right through to Fairbanks or get off along the way.
For example, after the pie-making class at the Roadhouse, travelers might want to stay longer and do some cross-country skiing or snowshoeing or stop in at the tap room at the Denali Brewing Co. to try some of their finely crafted beers. For dinner, there's Mountain High Pizza for one of their specialty pizzas, perhaps the Mountain High Pizza Pie with over 30 toppings, described as "everything but the mosquitoes."
Travelers can plan their own trips or take advantage of the half-dozen travel packages the railroad is offering this winter. Packages range from the two-day/one-night Talkeetna Getaway to the six-day/five-night Arctic Circle Adventure. The midweek service allows for a visit to the Chena Hot Springs Resort near Fairbanks to celebrate the New Year, perhaps if lucky under the Northern Lights. There's the Santa Claus House in North Pole. The BP Ice Art Championships are held in Fairbanks in late February and early March where the world's most talented ice sculptors gather to show off their creations. The state's biggest winter celebration occurs in early March in Anchorage with the ceremonial start to the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race.
"Whether you're coming to see the aurora borealis, enjoy the outdoors or be part of exceptional events such as the Iditarod, winter is a fantastic time to visit Alaska," said Bruce LaLone, Alaska Railroad's director of passenger services and marketing.
Tickets are now available. For more information or to book a ticket, visit www.AlaskaRailroad.com.