Alaska's Chena Hot Springs Offers Unique Activities

This resorts near Fairbanks is truly one of a kind

A stay at Chena Hot Springs Resort, located about 60 miles from Fairbanks, Alaska, is full of unique experiences and exotic possibilities. Whether that means sipping martinis out of carved-ice glasses or wading in a lake fed by thermal hot springs, the Northern Lights churning overhead, both Alaskans and visitors love Chena Hot Springs for its activities as well as its people, and it’s easy to understand why.

The Aurora Ice Museum, part of Chena Hot Springs Resort // © 2009 Josh Stone

On a recent visit, resort proprietor Bernie Karl welcomed several of us with a personally guided tour of the Aurora Ice Museum, which is part of the resort. This two-story structure made of ice remains a constant 20 degrees inside, year-round, even in the summer heat, and parkas are always available at the door, free of charge.

Under the glow of five ice chandeliers containing more than 80 LED lights and flashing a rainbow of color onto the ice ceiling, Karl scurried behind the carved-ice bar as we sat down on ice stools with caribou-hair seat covers. He served us appletinis in large glasses carved from lake ice. After being warmed up by the “Arctic antifreeze,” as Karl called it, we checked out some of the museum’s themed rooms; life-sized carvings of polar bears and jousting medieval knights; and the ice altar, where about 20 weddings a year are held.

At 9 p.m., we boarded a specialized, enclosed coach for a 40-minute uphill climb to a nearby mountaintop. From there, we watched as the Northern Lights blazed in curtains of green — pulsing and racing across the ink-black sky seen only in remote areas. No light pollution. No noise. Just a wonderment of meteors, stars, planets and auroras, all performing at once.

Nearby yurts are ideal for aurora viewing and are a focal point for hot refreshments and heating. I spent my time photographing the aurora, while others just sat against the yurt and watched the celestial show.

After aurora watching, tell your clients to take a dip in Rock Lake. Wading in 105-degree water while it’s 50 degrees below zero outside provides bragging rights second to none — especially with this caveat: Keep your head wet. One year, my hair froze, and I snapped off a strand of it after a few minutes exposed to the cold. Whatever the time of year, I always delight in watching the aurora borealis blaze away overhead as I bask in waters thought to have both therapeutic and healing properties.

On the return trip, at 1 a.m., Karl talked about some of the activities that are available at Chena Hot Springs, including horseback riding, guided snowmobile tours and all-terrain vehicle rides into the remote backcountry. Steve Brice, a 14-time world ice-carving champion, also offers hands-on ice sculpture workshops at the resort.

The next day, we were able to sample one of the resort’s activities in the form of a two-hour dog-mushing school. Iditarod race veteran Jesse Royer talked about dog mushing and the challenges of this sport. Within minutes, I was holding onto a sled’s handlebars as eight dogs burned up the trail. The adrenaline rush put even the best roller coaster to shame.

Besides the activities, the resort itself is an attraction. Chena Hot Springs is completely powered by geothermal energy and has received numerous awards for its use of state-of-the-art energy technology. In addition, the resort’s restaurant grows all its produce in a year-round, geothermal 7,060-square-foot greenhouse kept at 75 degrees, even though the temperatures can reach 50-below outside. Free guided tours of the property are offered daily.

Clients will delight in several deals that are based on interest and time of year. My favorite is the Best of Aurora package, which includes three days and two nights, shuttle service from Fairbanks, an ice museum tour, use of the hot springs, dog sledding and aurora viewing for $809 per person, or $1,058 for two. Chena Hot Springs pays a 10 percent commission on rack rates to agents with an IATA/ATIA number. There is also a wholesale rate for agents who book more than 10 nights a visit.

Karl claims that Chena Hot Springs is “one destination, 100 activities,” which is what will keep me and thousands of other clients returning to this popular attraction, year after year.
www.chenahotsprings.com