5 Alaska Activities You'd Never Imagine Doing That Are Out Of This World
You'll Love These Amazing Alaska Activities That Seem Too Good To Be True!
By: Courtney Dowd-Stanley
When people think about reasons to visit Alaska, or things they already love about Alaska, these five unreal Alaska activities aren't exactly what come to mind. Fishing, hunting, wildlife viewing, glacier tours, national parks... sure! But ziplining, snorkeling, glamping in an igloo beneath the northern lights, and even paddleboarding through glaciers - not exactly what you'd expect! Check out our picks for the five most wow-worthy Alaska activities that you'd never imagine doing that are totally out of this world. We have a feeling you'll want to add some of these to your 2020 bucket list, STAT!
1: Ziplining on the World's Longest Zip Line Ride - Chichagof Island, Alaska
Icy Strait Point
Even if you're an experienced ziplining enthusiast, it's said that the ZipRider at Icy Strait Point in Hoonah, Alaska is unlike anything else on planet earth and truly delivers a once-in-a-lifetime mega experience. At 5,330 feet long with a 1,300 foot vertical drop and six side-by-side cables, those brave souls that venture on this ride of a lifetime will feel speeds up to 65 mph as they come blazing down the mountainside. While the ride itself lasts only about 60-90 seconds in total, the full experience from start to finish is what really wins the hearts of guests taking this excursion. Loaded up into a tour van, guests first get to enjoy a scenic tour through the town of Hoonah. Then, a six-mile uphill climb to the start of the ZipRider has guests gasping for air as they gain immediate elevation while taking in breathtaking panoramic views of Port Fredrick, surrounding islands, and lush temperate rainforest views of the Tongass National Forest.
2: Snorkeling with Orcas - Ketchikan, Alaska
Snorkel Alaska
Okay, so you don't always get to snorkel with whales, but sometimes it DOES happen and even when it doesn't, the experience is just as magical! Who would have thought that you could go snorkeling in Alaska? Oh-so incredible! The intertidal waters of Mount Point in Alaska's Inside Passage offers guests the ability to paddle among barnacles, colorful creatures, and touch/see all sorts of marine life. Sometimes a surprise passing of Humpback Whales or Orcas can even happen! Guests are fully outfitted by Snorkel Alaska and the wetsuits provided will keep you warm while in the water, which can get up to 65 F during July (mid-summer). Without a doubt, another once-in-a-lifetime experience that everyone visiting Ketchikan will love doing.
3: Stand Up Paddleboarding (SUP) through Gorgeous Glaciers - Seward, Alaska
Liquid Adventures
Generally we associate stand up paddleboarding with warm-weather climates, but the amazing team at Liquid Adventures out of Seward, Alaska really defies all the odds with their amazing tours in and around Kenai Fjords National Park. Visitors can soak in spectacular marine life while paddling through towering icebergs at Bear Glacier and Aialik Bay. Whether you're a novice or an experienced paddle-boarder, they have something for everyone. You can even opt for the half-day paddleboarding right in Seward. No matter what you choose, it's bound to be a wow-worthy experience unlike anything else imaginable.
4: Winter camping in an Igloo beneath the Northern Lights - Borealis Basecamp, Alaska
Borealis Basecamp
Giving "specialty lodging" in the Fairbanks, Alaska area a whole new meaning, Borealis Basecamp offers a truly awe-inspiring experience that is well worth writing home about. Located about an hour from Fairbanks on the Elliott Highway, it's hard not to love falling asleep to the starry night sky with raw nature at your footsteps. Guests that visit here get an effortlessly enchanting stay inside a modern geodesic igloo equip with all the creature comforts of home, including delightfully comfortable beds and delicious meals. Aside from the super-cool igloo, the main attraction is, of course, the vibrant hues of the aurora borealis as they dance right above your personal basecamp porch.
5: Iceberg Climbing in Wrangell - St. Elias National Park
@kellychristianglascott
Of course you think about gorgeous gleaming glaciers when you think about Alaska, but did you know the incredibly talented team at St. Elias Alpine Guides has been offering otherworldly backcountry tours for over 40 years? Of all the majestic experiences available, one of the most shocking has got to be ice climbing at Root Glacier. Wild Alaska at it's finest, visitors that embark on this epic outing are spoiled with views of the 7,000 ft Stairway Icefall as well as 16,390 ft Mt. Blackburn in the distance (and many other spectacular surrounding mountain peaks) in and around Wrangell - St. Elias National Park, America's largest national park.
Do you know of any other wildly unique activities to do in Alaska that we should have added to our list? Let us know! We'd love to learn more about some of your favorite Alaska activities! Looking for more where that came from? Check out these 15 incredible lakes that will demand your attention this summer. If you love wildlife, you'll enjoy the admirable Alaska animal sanctuary that's providing a safe haven for bears in Sitka, Alaska. Also, we're sure you'll agree with these 15 reasons why anyone who visits Alaska this summer won't want to leave.
If you are living and loving The Alaska Life – share your adventures with us on our Facebook page HERE, and they might just end up getting featured in one of our next blog posts.