Only in Alaska would people bet on ice melting, but that is what we do at the Nenana Ice Classic in Alaska. For over 100 years, people in Alaska have watched the river ice break up and thought about winning big. This lottery is based on when the spring thaw will melt the ice enough to knock over a tripod poised in the middle of the Nenana River in Interior Alaska. Get your tickets now to guess when spring will come. It helps to pass the long winter nights, dreaming of spring break up.

Nenana is a village on the Nenana River and along the Parks Highway, the north-south artery of the road system in Alaska.
Travis| Flickr
The town has about 350 residents, many of whom work during the spring on the Nenana Ice Classic, the unique gambling event that has been a long-standing tradition in Alaska.
J. Stephen Conn/Flickr
The Nenana Ice Classic has been around since 1917, now a charitable gaming organization. People buy tickets with guesses as to when the ice will melt and the tripod will fall. The closest tickets or group of tickets shares the pot of around $250,000!
James Brooks | Flickr
The tripod stands watch on the river, counting down the days until spring really arrives. Out there on the massive Tanana River, the tripod doesn't look that big.
Travis | Flickr

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As you pull into town next to the river, you start to see the scale of this device perfectly engineered for the job it is tasked to do.
diane cordell | Flickr
Tripods are replaced when they get lost. Each year when the river breaks free, it often carries the tripod down the river until it is found by someone with a boat.
Jimmy Emerson, DVM | Flickr
The tower is part of the system designed by a Nenana resident named Fred Mueller, long ago. The ingenious system causes a cleaver to cut a rope when the tripod gets about 100 feet downriver of the tower.
J. Stephen Conn | Flickr
Tickets are on sale from February 1 to April 5 each year, as the ice has never gone out before that. Get yours today.
readlistendream | Flickr
There are layers of precautions to prevent tampering with the results. A live webcam and constant human watch guards make sure the contest is fair.
Nenana is a gorgeous spot to visit any time of year. If you are headed near Nenana, stop by and check out the tripod. Maybe get a ticket for the classic while you're at it, as this is a time-honored Alaskan tradition.
Travis | Flickr

Enjoy this overview of this annual event:

Have you seen the tripod or played the Nenana Ice Classic in Alaska? What are your favorite Alaska traditions? Tell us about it in the comments below. And if you know another must-visit place to visit during spring in Alaska, nominate it for a chance to be featured.

If you’re hungry, Take A Journey To The Top Of The World For The Best Chinese Food in Alaska. Or you might like to try Take This Dog Mushing Tour For A Winter Adventure In Alaska.

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More to Explore

Natural Attractions in Alaska

William Suphan | May 22, 2023

What are the most incredible natural attractions in Alaska?

The most incredible natural attractions in Alaska include:

  • Finger Mountain. Located in the arctic tundra, this is a granite rock formation that is a lone spire in the vastness of the tundra.
  • Shisaldin Volcano. Take a boat out to the Aleutian Islands to see this and other active volcanoes, each of which is a magnificent sight.
  • Lake Iliamna. This is a gigantic lake that is 77 miles long, 22 miles wide, and nearly 1000 feet deep with tiny villages scattered along its shores.
  • Afognak Island. The vibrant colors here are a stark contrast between the azure blue of the waters and the vivid green of the forests. 

Discover more about the most incredible natural attractions in Alaska. 

What are some bucket list natural wonders in Alaska?

Bucket list natural wonders in Alaska include:

  • Mendenhall Glacier. It’s best to take a tour here as it’s easy to get lost in the ice caves, but it is truly spectacular to see.
  • Bering Glacier. This is the largest glacier in Alaska at 126 miles long, however, get to it soon as it’s melting with all the rest.
  • Denali. This is the most famous mountain in the state and also the tallest in the North American continent at 20,310 feet tall.
  • Tongass National Forest. This old-growth rainforest is utterly gorgeous and is teeming with wildlife. It’s the largest temperate rainforest in the nation.

Find out more about bucket list natural wonders in Alaska. 

What are the most beautiful hiking trails in Alaska?

The most beautiful hiking trails in Alaska include:

  • Indian River Trail in Sitka. This is an unbelievably gorgeous temperate rainforest with waterfalls and footbridges with ruching creeks and verdant trees.
  • Eagle River Nature Center. Walk the footbridges that hover above the wetlands that are full of wildlife and beautiful trees.
  • Perseverance Trail in Juneau. Take this trail over footbridges and boardwalks to scenic and lush forests that are simply stunning.
  • Triple Lakes Trail in Denali. This is one of the more strenuous hikes but the views are breathtaking and well worth the effort.

Learn more about the most beautiful hiking trails in Alaska. 

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