Alaska: When To Go

Peak Season: mid-May to mid-September Eighty-five percent of visitors arrive between Memorial Day and Labor Day, when you can pack in plenty of outdoor adventure during the long summer days. Temperatures in the interior can reach 80 degrees, and near the solstice, the sun scarcely sets in the Arctic region. Hotel rates are at their peak, and many lodges – particularly those close to national parks – book up months in advance.

Off Season: October to April During this lengthy winter period a true snow-blanketed wonderland unfolds – but below-freezing temps and brief windows of daylight can be a real deterrent. Still, there’s a side of Alaska, including unbeatable bargains on lodging, that only winter can reveal. Winter events like the Iditarod and World Ice Art Championships, as well as superb winter sports and northern lights viewing, do draw crowds.

Sweet Spot: early- to mid-May; mid- to late-September For those willing to sacrifice some sunshine and swap out the sandals for boots, this is a fantastic – yet brief – time to avoid crowds and save a bundle on lodging. Be warned of possible weather-dependent attraction closures though, including several national parks.