In mid-winter in Alaska, the cold is at its most brutal. Cars are frozen blocks that need some sweet-talking in order to start. The roads are covered in icy fog from the frozen exhaust and the snow is frozen stiff. The sting sets in as soon as you walk outside, and you quickly realize that you can’t last long in these temperatures without the warmest gear. But the real sourdoughs are sitting back and chuckling at the kids these days! The winter of 1971 was a real deep freeze. The coldest winter temperature on record in the state was observed during that long, frigid January. Alaska winters in comparison since? Tepid.

On January 23, 1971 at Prospect Creek Camp, the lowest recorded temperature in Alaska was 80 below zero. The high that day was minus 64 degrees.
frostnip907/Flickr
Prospect Creek Camp lies about 25 miles southeast of Bettles and 180 miles north of Fairbanks. It was a camp for workers constructing the Trans-Alaska pipeline that winter of ’71.
Daniel A. Leifheit/Getty
The average daily high was -22.7 during the frigid January when the all-time low was set. The few hours of daylight were no match for the cold winter nights.
Eveline Toplak / 500px/Getty
The lowest temperature ever recorded on the continent was just 20 miles from Alaska in Canada on Feb. 3, 1947. The observer recorded 81 below zero on North America’s coldest night.
Kelly Cheng/Getty

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The Vietnam War and the trail of Charles Manson were the headlines of the newspapers, for some light winter reading. The cold just settled in and stayed for the long haul.
JLS Photography - Alaska | Flickr
In nearby Fairbanks, tragedy struck when thick frozen car exhaust, called ice fog, filled the streets. There was a four car pile-up when drivers couldn’t see through the fog.
Zihao Chen/Getty
Alaska had a harsh January with record low temperatures across the state. Some will brag about the winter of 1989 and the wicked cold, but the lowest temperature recorded in Fairbanks in 1989 was a mere 51 below, almost 20 degrees warmer than 1971.
JLS Photography - Alaska | Flickr
The coldest winter was epic, for sure.
Prashanth Kannan / 500px/Getty
But the peaceful quiet, the dancing aurora, and the twinkling stars surely made the coldest winter one to remember.
After all, winter in Alaska may not be for everyone, but it certainly comes with its fair share of beauty too!
sharply_done/Getty

Note that the photos above are for representational purposes only. 

The coldest winters in Alaska are forever etched into the memories of locals who endured them. Do you remember the winter of 1971? Tell us about it in the comments below.

Enough with the cold already? Escape to The Islander, one of the most unique restaurants in Alaska! Or check out some island flavors at this tropical-inspired restaurant. Then, snuggle up at this lakeside cabin and stay warm in the waterfront hot tub!

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Alaska In Winter

Jennifer | January 16, 2024

What are the most famous glaciers in Alaska?

Speaking of the cold...The Last Frontier boasts numerous breathtaking glaciers, each jaw-droppingly stunning and larger-than-life! These ice giants are all absolutely bucket list-worthy, but here are just a few must-see glaciers in Alaska:

  • Matanuska Glacier: This glacier is the largest glacier accessible by car in Alaska and is located just 2.5-hours from Anchorage. You can take one of the pullouts all along the highway to see the glacier or drive near the glacier’s edge for up-close photos. Access to the glacier is on private land, so to get on the glacier you must join a guided tour. Options include a glacier walk/hike or even take an ice climbing class!
  • Mendenhall Glacier: This glacier is located just 12 miles from downtown Juneau and is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Alaska. You can take a guided tour to explore the glacier’s ice caves, or you can hike the trails to get a better view of the glacier from above.
  • Portage Glacier: This glacier is located in the Chugach National Forest of Alaska and abuts the calving face of Portage Glacier at its southern end. You can take a boat tour to see the glacier up close, or you can hike the trails to get a better view of the glacier from above.

 

Where can I find glaciers in Alaska?

Alaska is breathtaking no matter which corner (or which natural wonder) you're exploring, but there are certain spots where glaciers are more easily accessible and/or prevalent:

  • Prince William Sound: This sound has more tidewater glaciers than anywhere on earth, and it’s one of the easiest places to take a glacier cruise.
  • Glacier Bay National Park: This park is renowned for its remarkable glaciers and diverse wildlife, including whales, seals, sea lions, and various species of birds. You can take a boat tour to see the glaciers up close, or you can hike the trails to get a better view of the glaciers from above.

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