Amazing Alaska - Why you should visit The Last Frontier

Alaska has a lot to shout about, but this natural wonder has a quieter presence than many of its more renowned global rivals. The northernmost state of the United States is home to half of the world’s glaciers, 3,000 rivers, 3 million lakes and 29 volcanoes - this majestic country is one of the most beautiful places on earth. Less than 1% of Alaska’s total land is developed, hence the nickname ‘The Last Frontier,’ and visitors are surrounded by stunning views, diverse ecosystems and abundant wildlife at every turn.

Natural Beauty

Alaska’s natural scenery is unparalleled, featuring towering mountains, expansive forests, and pristine waters. Mount Denali is America’s highest peak and sits snow-capped in a 6-million-acre National Park. Alaska has a further 7 National Parks, 16 National Wildlife Refuges and over 30,000 miles of shoreline and these afford endless opportunities for outdoor pursuits in all seasons. In warmer months explore on accessible paths, challenging hikes, mountain bike trails or kayaking and fishing trips. Visit in magical winter for skiing, snowmobiling, ice fishing and dog sledding.

Home to half of the world’s glaciers, the Inside Passage and mountainous Alaskan Interior feature dramatic glacial landscapes that are truly awe-inspiring. Visit on a cruise to catch a glacier calving into the sea with a thunderous splash; kayak silently past majestic turquoise icebergs; fly by helicopter or small plane to hike or dog sled atop a glacier - there is a glacial experience to suit everyone.

From August through to April the night skies are often illuminated by the northern lights, or aurora borealis. Alaska’s long nights and remote areas make it an incredible place to view this mesmerizing celestial phenomenon. Fairbanks is one of the best places to view the northern lights and is also home of the Midnight Sun - from mid-May to Mid-July locals enjoy a 70 day run of pure daylight, providing even more time to experience the beauty of Alaska’s outdoors.

Wonderful Wildlife

Wildlife watching is a major reason for visiting Alaska. Spotting the Big Five is not only for African safaris – Alaska has its very own Big Five, and if you manage to see bears, moose, caribou, Dall sheep, and wolves then you’ve achieved it! Bears hibernate in the winter so they best time to spot them is the spring and summer, tying in with the salmon spawning season, as bears flock to the rivers hoping to catch their dinner. There is one bear for every 5 people in Alaska so you have a very good chance of seeing one! Popular bear viewing tours depart from Anchorage, Kodiak, and Juneau.  

At up to 6ft tall, an adult male Alaskan moose makes for an impressive sight and is the largest member of the deer family. Moose can be spotted all year round, with late September the rutting season for the adult males – the only ones to have those iconic antlers. Anchorage and Denali National Park are top destinations for Alaskan moose. Denali National Park is also the best place to try and catch a glimpse of a stealthy gray wolf in the wild. The Dall sheep can also be spotted here, as well several other locations across the state, performing vertiginous antics along the steepest of terrains with their distinctive snowy white coats and large, curled horns.

Look to the skies for more wildlife – Alaska has over 500 species of bird and an estimated 30,000 bald eagles! With a wingspan of up to 7.5 feet and their distinctive white heads they are a magnificent sight, especially swooping to catch salmon from the rivers in the summer months. Alaksa is home to two types of puffins and these colourful birds, full of personality, can be found between spring to autumn, with a kayaking trip one of the best ways to view them. Whilst you are there you may also spot a peregrine falcon - these fearsome hunters are the fastest birds on earth, diving at staggering speeds of over 200mph, and congregating along the Alaskan waterways.

Salmon is fundamental to Alaska’s ecosystem, and the reason for much of their diverse wildlife, who come to feast on the salmon returning to spawn from May each year. These athletic fish swim upstream, leaping obstacles like waterfalls and dams by jumping as high as 8ft.

Alaska’s coast faces both the Pacific and the Arctic Ocean, and their waters team with marine life. Humpback whales can be seen May to September, with the best chances between June to July in Alaska’s Inside Passage. Orca whales, with their distinct black and white colouring and dorsal fin, are not actually whales at all, but the largest member of the dolphin family. Your best chance to spot them is early May to early June around Juneau, Ketchikan, and Seward. Seals and sea lions can often be spotted lazing on beaches and floating glacial ice, with sea otters whirling in Alaska’s shallow coastal waters.  

Cultural Riches

Alaska is not only rich in natural beauty but also in cultural heritage. The state’s indigenous peoples have lived in harmony with the land for thousands of years and visitors can learn about their traditions, art, and history through cultural experiences and museums such as the Alaska Native Heritage Centre in Anchorage, or the world’s biggest collection of totem poles at Ketchikan.

Alaska also has a fascinating history of colonisation, initially occupied by Russia in the 1700’s, and then sold to the United States in 1867. Americans flocked there as part of the great gold rush around the turn of the century, when towns such as Fairbanks sprung up to accommodate the rush of prospectors looking to find their fortune. Fort Knox Gold Mine is still active today and if you have the patience, you could take a pan to the river to try and find your very own nugget.

Alaska is a land of superlatives – the most glaciers, the fastest bird, the highest peak – this untouched destination is like no other. Explore the stunning landscapes, view the thriving wildlife and experience the thrills of the great outdoors. Why not embrace the spirit of adventure and discover Amazing Alaska for yourself?

To discuss your own Alaskan adventure, visit your local shop to talk to our travel experts

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