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FAIRBANKS, ALASKA
Ride the last frontier
Fairbanks is the gateway to miles of phenomenal sledding trails
by KIRSTEN ARMLEDER
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ARCTIC SLEDDING: From snow-covered mountains to gorgeous trails that seem to stretch on forever, the snowmobiling terrain around Fairbanks is fantastic.
—photos courtesy Fairbanks Snow Travelers |
Situated at the edge of Alaska’s interior region, Fairbanks is the ideal destination for snowmobilers who want to have a totally unforgettable adventure with other riders who are known for their warm hospitality and passion for the sport of snowmobiling.
The diverse terrain around Fairbanks offers sledders a vast array of snowmobiling options, including trail riding, powder riding, river running and bush riding.
"Bush riding is basically trail riding, but the trails aren’t what one would call maintained or groomed," said John Johnston, a longtime resident of Fairbanks and a board member with the Fairbanks Snow Travelers.
However, many of the trails are kept open by locals who are travelling to town from their cabins; in Fairbanks, snowmobiling is more than just a hobby—it is an important means of transportation.
Easy access to miles of riding
A huge bonus for sledders in Fairbanks is the fact that many snowmobiling areas are accessible right from town, which means riders can hop on their sleds and be in the backcountry within minutes.
Some of the most popular places to snowmobile are Winter Trail, the White Mountain trail system, Summit Valley and Tanana Valley flats—a large area with thousands of miles of untouched snow that has countless sloughs, small rivers and ponds.
Snowmobilers can also check out the hills and valleys near Chena and Tolovana Hot Springs and take advantage of the soothing, natural mineral water.
For experienced sledders seeking a challenging mountain ride, the McLaren River Valley south of Fairbanks and the Alaska Range near the community of Cantwell offer amazing views and fantastic snow conditions.
"The scenery and majesty of riding in the high mountains is beyond belief," said Johnston, "and an experience that one would not forget."
Supporting the sport
Snowmobiling in Fairbanks wouldn’t be the same without the dedicated efforts of the Fairbanks Snow Travelers. Every year, this close-knit group dedicates many volunteer hours to packing and clearing trails.
"We try to keep the trails open by brushing them out in the summer and opening them after sufficient snowfall," said Johnston.
The club also organizes a number of events and does an excellent job of promoting the snowmobiling opportunities in Fairbanks.
Winter fun in Fairbanks
Big-city services and a small-town atmosphere make Fairbanks a terrific place to visit. During the winter months, the town comes alive with a plethora of fun activities, including ice skating, skiing, ice sculpting, hockey and dogsledding. Fairbanks also boasts several exciting festivals, top-notch entertainment and sporting competitions between October and May.
Dazzling lights
In Fairbanks, Mother Nature provides evening entertainment beginning around 10 p.m., when the famous aurora borealis illuminate the jet-black sky above the city. The intensity of the northern lights varies from night to night and many visitors find themselves watching these mysterious dancing lights right into the wee hours of the morning. A number of lodging companies in Fairbanks even offer nightly aurora borealis tour tips.
READER'S COMMENTS
Fantastic article...thanks a lot for the recognition...Loved the info and feel that your article was a terrific shot for us here! I love snowmachining and I Know what we have here is great. We (SnowTravelers) try and do our best to promote the passion and sport, to let people know if they are coming here...we will do everything we can to accomodate...we have scheduled rides everyweekend...so come on in...and ride!!!
—Stephen, Fairbanks |
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