Sometimes pictures simply don't do Alaska justice. A still photo can't capture the fun, adventurous side of our state the way a video can. People seem to carry GoPro's around like smart phones up here in Alaska, so I think we will all enjoy some of the amazing and shocking videos from around the web that capture what life is truly like in Alaska.
From funny to heart pounding, these are just a few really awesome GoPro videos and I'm sure there are thousands more. If you have any send us the link, we would love to watch!!
Alaska is an enormous place, but no matter where you are in the state, people all seem to know the same things about how to handle life in the far north. New Alaskans seem to pick up the Alaskan style in no time. These rules are things Alaskans just seem to know about living in Alaska.
Alaskans devour more ice cream per capita than any other state. We just accept that it's never too cold for this icy treat. Life in Alaska always tastes this good.
If someone feels the need to text you or wake you from your slumber to announce a northern lights show, it's probably something you don't want to miss. What is living in Alaska like? Seeing these kind of natural wonders!
When our wild animal neighbors are in a conspicuous place, we slow our roll to share a moment with the natural world. After all, that's why we live here!
When heading out into the woods, we always bring a friend. Because then, all you have to do when a bear attacks is run faster than your friend! In all seriousness, keeping yourself safe while in the outdoors is easiest when you use the buddy system. All jokes about Alaska aside, the buddy system is a good way to stay safe in Alaska.
We know the best way to beat the winter blues is to get out and play in the snow! We know that skiing, snow machine riding, snowboarding, snowshoeing, dog mushing, or just walking in the gorgeous Alaskan wilderness all help with the winter blahs.
Alaskans are frequently flying off to tropical beaches in the dead of winter, but we get sick of the crowds and come back ready for more winter adventures.
Alaskans understand that we choose to live in a harsh, unforgiving climate and that complaining about the cold is futile. It's just the price one has to pay to live in the wide open spaces and the pristine wilderness. The juice is definitely worth the squeeze.
Being so close to nature, the wild birds are always watching and the sound of birdsong is always in the air. Replying is not at all unusual in the far north.
11. We eat wild Alaskan seafood — and snub the rest.
As wild-caught seafood is a major part of the state's economy, most Alaskans are pretty picky when it comes to ordering. Atlantic salmon? Farmed? No thanks, we'd rather head to the freezer for a Copper River red.
Everyone forgives each other for not showing up to anything throughout the long winter months. It is just understood that instead of scraping the ice off the windshield and driving through the snow, staying at home is so safe and cozy it often sounds better.
If you are in need, especially if the conditions are rough, an Alaskan will lend a helping hand. The unwritten rule is to be nice. You never know when the tables will be turned and your car will be in the snowbank at 40 below zero.
When the weather rolls in, from bitter cold to fog to relentless rainstorms, it can ruin your plans. Alaskans know that this is just part of the deal and pull out a board game to wait out the storm.
Can you think of an unwritten rule that Alaskans all seem to know? Tell us about it in the comments below. And if you want to make sure you’re outfitted for Alaska in every season, we recommend checking out REI.
I’ve had, in all seriousness, a tourist ask me once: “Where do you go in the winter?” I thought they meant for vacation, but I didn’t have plans that year, so I said I would stay home. The shock on their face when they realized that I didn't leave Alaska in the winter made me smile. The idea for people in the lower 48 of long, dark nights, plenty of sub-zero days, and jaw-dropping snowfall can feel like somewhere you’d like to escape. But Alaskans who live here year-round know the absolute joy each season can bring. Yes, Alaska year-round is gorgeous — even in the wintertime.
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Living year-round in Alaska, the land of the midnight sun and our stunning northern lights, is an adventure that never loses its excitement.
Something about the crisp air, the expansive wilderness, and even the challenge of the colder months makes life here uniquely rewarding. Alaska is where life feels most vivid. It's a state that asks a lot of you but gives back immensely in experiences, sights, and a sense of belonging to something larger than life.
Calling yourself an Alaskan means embracing the extremes.
The long, sunlit days of summer when the sun barely dips below the horizon are as much a part of our life here as the dark, cozy winters. This land teaches you to find joy in the contrasts. Whether you find yourself gardening at midnight in the summer (guilty!) or watching the northern lights dance across the cold winter sky, Alaska year-round offers moments of magic that are hard to find elsewhere.
And this winter, we have a little bit more enchantment in the form of record-breaking snowfall.
The Anchorage, Alaska, snowfall levels have reached numbers that we’ve rarely seen before; we’re on track to break our snowfall record of 134.5” set in the 2011-2012 winter season. I’ve also been here for the record-breaking season, and I am utterly delighted. Winter used to be difficult for me, as I wasn’t used to the long, dark days, but now it’s my favorite season.
Many will ask, “How many days of total darkness in Alaska?” And locals will tell you this is a tricky question to answer because it varies so much throughout the state.
In Utqiagvik, the northernmost town in Alaska, they’ll see 67 days of total darkness, known as “Polar Night.” But down in Anchorage, where I live, our shortest day only sees 5.5 hours of daylight. But once we hit early February, we get to enjoy the fun of the winter season, as well as more daylight and plenty of bluebird days. After December 21st, we gain 6 minutes a day of daylight until we reach summer solstice in June!
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And, of course, there are plenty of things to do to keep us occupied, even if you’re not a fan of winter sports or the colder temperatures.
Anchorage is a large municipality of just over 400,000 people and is filled with everything you love in a city. We have award-winning restaurants, movie theaters, the Alaska Center for the Performing Arts, rock gyms, yoga studios, plenty of shopping, and more. Many are surprised when they discover the amenities they can experience here, although locals will joke that Anchorage is “only 20 minutes from Alaska!"
There is a famous quote by John Muir that genuinely sums up living in Alaska: “You should never go to Alaska as a young man because you'll never be satisfied with any other place as long as you live."
There is truth in that — Alaska is larger than life. It’s hard to live anywhere else after you’ve experienced the awe-inspiring beauty that this state is famous for.
Would you ever live in Alaska year-round? What do you think? Let us know in the comments! And if you’re planning to visit, gear up at our favorite outdoor store, REI.
Want to learn more about living like an Alaskan? Check out our iconic Alaskan foods!
