Author: Sarah Brown

Life in Alaska’s remote villages and the state’s major cities, like Anchorage, Fairbanks, and Juneau, is very different. After researching this deeply and looking at the latest 2024–2025 data, I can tell you that the difference is bigger than most people imagine. It almost feels like two completely different Alaskas living side by side. In this guide, I’ll walk you through what you would actually see, feel, and experience in both places using real numbers, real challenges, and real strengths. By the end, you’ll clearly understand what life truly looks like beyond the stereotypes. Life in Alaska Villages: Where the…

Alatna is one of the smallest and most remote communities in Interior Alaska, home to a Koyukon Athabascan population that has lived along the Koyukuk River for generations. With no road access, limited services, and a lifestyle shaped entirely by the seasons, the village represents one of the clearest examples of subsistence living in Alaska today. For travelers, researchers, and anyone curious about life in the far interior, Alatna offers an unfiltered look into a way of living that remains deeply connected to the land. A Remote Village at the Edge of the Koyukuk River Alatna lies about 190 miles…

Tommy Moe is an American alpine skier best known for winning gold and silver at the 1994 Lillehammer Winter Olympics. His fearless racing style, Alaskan roots, and long career in downhill and Super-G events turned him into one of the most memorable U.S. Ski Team athletes of his generation. ⭐ Quick Facts About Tommy Moe (2025) CategoryDetailsFull NameThomas Sven MoeNicknameTommy MoeAge (2025)54 years (Born February 17, 1970)BirthplaceMissoula, Montana, USARaised InAlaskaHeight5 ft 11 in (1.80 m)Known For1994 Olympic gold + silver; U.S. Ski TeamOlympic MedalsGold (Downhill), Silver (Super-G)Major EventLillehammer Winter Olympics 1994Career Span1980s–1998Retired1998Current WorkSki guide & co-founder of Tordrillo Mountain Lodge,…

Not far from Moose Pass, along the Seward Highway, there’s a lake many people drive past without ever stopping. Summit Lake is one of those quiet Alaska places that locals mention with a smile, a spot that feels hidden even though it’s easy to reach. If you’re looking for a calm lake, mountain reflections, and simple outdoor fun, the Summit Lake Recreation Area is the kind of place you end up visiting once and then wondering why it wasn’t on your list sooner. Summit Lake sits at roughly 1,300 feet and is surrounded by ridges, spruce trees, and clean alpine…

When you drive through Alaska, you don’t just go from Point A to Point B. You move through mountains, glaciers, waterfalls, ocean views, and long, quiet stretches that make you feel part of the land. If you’re planning a trip and want the routes that actually stay in your memory, here are the most scenic road trips in Alaska, quick, simple, and easy to follow on Google Maps, with a travel guide.Best Road Trips in Alaska Highway Routes 1. Seward Highway: Anchorage → Seward If you want one adventure road trip that gives you everything: ocean, mountains, wildlife, and views…

Alaska is home to 229 federally recognized tribes, and each tribe has its own art, stories, and traditions. When you explore Alaska Native crafts, you don’t just look at art; you step into a world shaped by 10,000 years of culture. You see history, identity, and connection to land in every bead, carving, and stitch. In this guide, I’ll walk you through the major Alaska Native crafts, the materials used, and how you can identify authentic handmade pieces. By the end, you’ll understand why these traditions matter and how you can help keep them alive. The Cultural Roots of Alaska…

Visiting Gates of the Arctic and Kobuk Valley National Park in a single trip is one of the rarest and most challenging Alaska wilderness adventures. These parks sit deep in the Arctic wilderness, far from cities, roads, and conventional travel routes. The only practical way to reach them is by air, and most visitors join Gates of the Arctic and Kobuk Valley tours operated by bush pilots who specialize in remote Alaska travel. Now we will tell you how to plan a Gates of the Arctic and Kobuk Valley trip, the best access points, tour options, costs, weather, safety, and…

Whale watching in Kodiak has become one of the most reliable marine wildlife experiences in Alaska, especially from May through September, when humpback whales, orcas, and gray whales move through the Gulf of Alaska. Why Kodiak Island Is One of Alaska’s Best Whale Watching Destinations Kodiak Island sits along nutrient-rich waters where strong ocean upwelling brings krill, herring, and salmon close to the surface. This creates perfect conditions for the whales, including humpbacks that feed aggressively before migrating south. Updated NOAA 2025 data shows: These numbers make whale watching unusually consistent compared to many other coastal regions. Best Months for…

Kenai bear tours offer access to major viewing areas like Crescent Lake, Lake Clark, and the Kenai River, where brown bears gather during salmon season. Visitors can choose from fly-in, boat, and hiking tours, ranging from budget to premium. This guide explains locations, costs, peak months, expected wildlife, safety basics, operator types, and the overall Kenai, Alaska, bear-viewing experience. Where Bear Viewing in Kenai Actually Happens Many people think bear tours take place in the city of Kenai, but the best viewing spots are scattered across the peninsula and nearby parks. Your tour operator will usually take you to one…

FeatureDetailsScientific NameEumetopias jubatusMax SizeMales: Up to 11 ft, 2,400 lbs. Females: 9 ft, 800 lbsDietPollock, cod, salmon, squid, and crabAverage LifespanUp to 30 years in the wildSwimming SpeedUp to 25 mphDiving DepthCan dive as deep as 600 feetPopulationWestern DPS: 39,774 non-pups, 12,953 pups (2024) Eastern DPS: 70,000+Conservation StatusWestern DPS: Endangered, Eastern DPS: Delisted in 2013VocalizationLoud barks, growls, and roars, especially during breeding seasonHabitatCoastal waters of Alaska, Aleutian Islands, Bering Sea When you think of wild Alaska, one of the most iconic creatures you’ll encounter is the Steller’s Sea Lion (Eumetopias jubatus). These giant marine mammals have earned a place in…

In many parts of the world, time is measured by the clock: minutes, schedules, appointments, and alarms. But in Alaska, time has always had a different texture. The movement of the seasons, the length of daylight, the direction of the wind, the timing of migration and freeze-up, these hold more meaning than numbers on a watch face. Yet tools that help mark time still matter, sometimes passed down, sometimes chosen for their steadiness and reliability. Even something like choosing to shop Tissot watches at jomashop.com can be less about fashion and more about having a durable piece of equipment that…

Alaska is not dark for six months of the year, but the darkest period occurs from late November through late January, depending on where you are in the state. Only communities north of the Arctic Circle, such as Utqiagvik (Barrow), experience a period where the sun does not rise at all, lasting from mid-November to late January, according to the Earth Observatory at NASA. Everywhere else in Alaska still gets daily sunlight, but daylight hours become extremely short from November through January. Let’s explain exactly which months are the darkest, how daylight changes by region, and why certain parts of…