Fairbanks is an interior Alaskan city shaped by extremes of light, cold, and distance. Founded in 1901 during a gold rush, it became a hub for miners, traders, and later military and scientific research. Today, Fairbanks is known for its long summer days, dark winters, and some of the best views of the northern lights in the world.
Fairbanks
Aurora Borealis
View of the Northern Lights (Aurora Borealis) from Borealis Basecamp, a remote ridgeline just 25 miles from Fairbanks, offering unobstructed, light-pollution-free views of the sky. The aurora appeared around 7 PM, earlier than expected, catching me mid-dinner at Latitude 65, and sending me rushing outside with my camera to catch the moment.
Nothing compares to soaking in a hot spring while the air temperature drops to –40°F. Chena Hot Springs Resort is a world-renowned geothermal destination located about 60 miles northeast of Fairbanks. Known for its natural mineral waters, excellent Northern Lights viewing, and its unique year-round ice museum, the resort features a natural rock lake and indoor pools with water averaging around 106°F. Rich in sulfate, chloride, and sodium bicarbonate, the mineral composition is often compared to celebrated spa waters found in the Czech Republic, making the experience both restorative and unforgettable.
