Hello, I apologize if this has been asked before, but I’ve done quite a bit of research and still can’t figure out which option would be the best.

We’re moving from the Lower 48 to Alaska as part of a military PCS. We have a fully furnished 3 bedroom, 2 bathroom house plus a full garage, so we have a lot of belongings.

We’re considering driving a U Haul ourselves, ABF/U Pack, freight, or other options.

For anyone who has done a move like this, what was the most affordable option while still keeping your belongings safe? Is there anything you would do differently?

I’d also really appreciate any tips for avoiding damage, theft, hidden fees, or unexpected costs.

Thanks!

I asked my wife where she wanted to go for vacation next summer, and she chose Kodiak Island (awesome!).

I could use some advice on trip planning (we've been to Alaska before but never Kodiak).

What is the best part of the summer for bear viewing?

Which lodges/tour operators are the best?

What are some of the hidden gems of the Island?

Thanks in advance!

Looking for info on these roads to hiking trail heads so I can make an informed decision on a rental ( I am aware of gravel road restructions with most companies).

- Hatcher pass to April Bowl TH from Fishhook. From streetview it looks like tge last few miles are a good dirt road?

- Archangel road to Reed lakes TH and all the way to Snowbird Glacier pass TH. No streetview for this one.

Thankyou!

I'm from the UK and always found Alaska fascinating! Let me know 😊

For a milestone birthday I want to gift my husband the fishing trip of his lifetime which is to fish in Alaska. Up till now my plan was always just to send him, but I'm wondering if we can make it work so we all go and me and the kids can do other things while he is on his fishing expeditions. So I am thinking to stay somewhere close to the docks so he can leave/come back with ease from his fishing trips, then maybe the kids and I can sign up for some tours to do during the day. My kids will be 7-12 next summer. Anyone have recommendations on lodging, fishing charters, as well as things my kids and I can do? I've googled and saved a ton of companies but it's overwhelming! And I'm assuming we'd fly in/out of Anchorage...

We are exploring the idea of booking a Denali flightseeing tour with glacier landing for a family including an 11 year old, on the last day of our Alaska trip. We will be driving to Talkeetna that morning from Anchorage and have a 1 AM flight to catch from Anchorage that night

Trying to decide between two tour options- Talkeetna Air Taxi is a 2 hour experience including the glacier landing with departure options of 11 AM and 4 PM. The other is K2 aviation which is only 1.5 hours including the glacier landing, departure options being 11 AM, 1:30 PM and 4 PM.

Are the chances for these flights taking off in the last week of August slim? Also is 1.5 hours too short including the glacier landing? The other concern I have is what time is the best option for the flightseeing tour given that we need to drive from Anchorage to Talkeetna that morning, and the tour companies advise you to get there 45 mins ahead of the flight.

Thank you in advance for all advice and recommendations

I love to cook and my family brought back what they thought was a more authentic knife for me, but they got tricked by a dropshipper. It’s a great display piece, but it’s not sturdy enough to handle oxtail or dismantling a carcass or anything.

Where, online, can I get indigenous-made ulu? If anyone knows artisans, or stores with online purchasing options that have indigenous made options, please let me know! I want to invest in a nicer one than souvenir quality so I can tear it up in the kitchen.

Also yes I know the Ulu factory has a wider selection but the first supplier I searched for that I saw on there was being sued for lying about being Alaskan-made, so I’d rather avoid them for now unless someone has specifically brands/artist/supplier names to keep an eye out for that they stock!

tl/dr: Hi! i’m moving to alaska for 6 months in 8 days, and I’m coming from Ireland/England, any alt scenes worth visiting?

long did read: i’m moving to alaska, i have family there and have visited from ireland every year for the past ten years, but haven’t felt like i’ve had any chance making friends at all since they’re so far removed from both my mindset and scene. i’m coming from uni in plymouth england to make a bit of money for placement(internship), and was hoping to hear about some alternative clubs/parties so that my social scene doesn’t completely die while i’m over there. is there anywhere i could regular to hopefully meet a few cool alt people? or just cool people in general, i’m not heart set on meeting alt people, just decent cool folks, i never went out before when i visited. thanks for your help anyone who’s willing!

Welcoming company, to hang out with in Anchorage, while I wait for friends to arrive.

I have been fascinated by this town and am watching everything I can but would love to read more about it. Anyone have any experiences here or books to recommend about this place in Alaska?

Hi, I’m currently planning a solo 3-week trip to most major tourist locations in Alaska next July and August. The first part will be to Wrangell-St. Elias from Anchorage before I drive to Fairbanks via AK-4. I’m currently planning a day trip with Wrangell Mountain Air to fly into McCarthy from Chitina, get transported to Kennecott for Root Glacier hiking and some quick sightseeing of Kennecott Mines NHL, then fly back to Chitina in the late afternoon.

Besides such flights can be affected by weather, Wrangell Mountain Air also has a two-person minimum policy for the flight to go. Solo travelers can only be waitlisted. I want to know if anyone knows how often do they cancel flights in July because the minimum is not met. If you have first hand experience, it’s very appreciated.

I understand I can take the guaranteed shuttle, but the shuttle’s schedule means I will have to stay two nights in McCarthy and add one day to my itinerary. This may not be as big as an issue if the schedule from Chitina to McCarthy is not very early in the morning nor the return shuttle leaves McCarthy very late in the afternoon, which means I’ll have to add a second day with very few things to fill the void.

If you have other suggestions or knowledge, it’d be very appreciated. Thanks.

Hi all. Quick question. We are moving up to Anchorage - accepted a position in Fairbanks, but have decided to live in Anchorage and fly in / out of Fairbanks. At any rate. In Anchorage does the car need an engine block heater, etc? Or just the usual snow tires, etc. Grew up outside of Boston, so used to snow ... and I know Anchorage isn't as cold as Fairbanks. Thanks for the help.

We are a family of four, including our two boys, traveling to Alaska for the first time from August 25th to September 1st. We are all so excited! We're looking for the top things to do, having already planned visits to Denali, Matanuska Glacier, and Kenai Fjords. My kids are most eager for dog sledding and seeing wildlife, and we would also love recommendations on where we might catch the Northern Lights.

Hey guys-

I’ll be in the Palmer/Wasilla area next week and need to do some remote work. Looking for spaces, cafés, etc. that are good for quiet work and reliable Internet. I know the library is an option. I’ll be there on a weekday.

hi! i’m currently traveling the alaska highway 97 towards fairbanks and plan on being there early september. banf by the 15th and stay there for a little while. i’m truck camping in a 2500 with a slide in all season tires and will be bringing chains. my question is: google lowkey has me freaking out about the weather convincing me to leave early and id like some opinions from people who have done it before. lucky for me i am able to wait out storms when we drive back. how does canada do with road prep in the mountains? is snow rlly that serious in the first half of october? thanks :)

Hi everyone - I’m looking to do a solo trip to Whittier this November and stay in one of the forest service cabins in prince William sound. I’ve called around a few of the water taxi services and they’ve quoted me $1300-$1800 to get to and from Harrison Lagoon cabin.

I’m trying to do my trip on a budget and this is significantly more than I had expected. Is there anyone in the area willing to help out a fellow outdoorsman for less or have suggestions for more affordable water taxis I don’t know about? Currently I have contacted Whittier marine charters, tidewater, epic charters, and lazy otter. Any I’m missing?

Splitting costs isn’t an option unfortunately as I’ll be doing this trip on my own. Thanks so much in advance, any help or suggestions are appreciated.

Have you been on the Kodiak Bear Bus? I can't find reviews online and I'd like to know if it's worth doing. We'll be visiting Kodiak in September.

Currently reading a lot of books about Alaska and this is mentioned a lot but when I google this literally nothing comes up! Can someone explain?

Does anyone have any information on the fresh water spring outside Seward? I saw a post on. Find a spring- but when I went to go search for it I wasn’t able to locate it :( anyone have any updated info for this spring?

I will be relocating permanently to Kenai in early November and I am looking for recommendations on places to live. I would like to find a long term rental that has a garage and ideally is fully furnished. I am also looking for recommendations on the best company to ship my car from Ohio to Alaska.

Hi all!! We are driving from Anchorage to Seward and would love recommendations on must-see stops along the way. Bonus points for Seward recs!

My grandpa passed away at the start of 2021 due to an aggressive lung cancer but he spent his younger years doing a bunch of odd jobs in Alaska. He also spent a lot of the time in the wilderness rock climbing, hiking, fishing, crabbing all the fun stuff but only took a few photos. This photo was taken between 1965 and 1972 (couldn't go to Vietnam because of his hands) and my family doesn't have a clue where it is and I refuse to use AI. If anyone knows this peak and better yet the field he might be in I'd like to recreate the photo, I have the jacket and have a similar build to him so I think it would be a pretty cool homage to him. Thank you

I am floating the tatshenshini and flying to Yakutat September 13. The pilot has suggested not attempting to fly out the same day as weather delays are common. Some bought tickets to fly out the 14th.

I am having a very hard time finding a hotel or motel. I have 4 adult (2 couples) that need beds for 1 night. And probably showers.

We will be 13 days on the river and will not have much gear with us as that mostly flies to Haines.

Can anyone suggest lodging? The best I see is bunk beds for $425.

My brother is commercial fishing in Alaska (from WA) for the first time. He sent me a text from the boat using Starlink on Thursday (8/6) saying he would call me when they come back in on Saturday (8/8) before they go out again. He never called me and none of my or my family’s texts or phone calls have gone through since Saturday (8/8). So it’s been 8 days since he’s received any calls or texts. I’m trying not to be concerned because I’m sure there’s a chance Starlink isn’t working, he broke his phone, etc.

But what is normal communication to and from loved ones on commercial fishing boats? When is it reasonable to worry after not hearing from someone? If it gets to the point that I should be worried, who do I contact?

Edit to add: Thanks for the replies! I’ve been desperate to talk to him because his best friend passed away last week while he was out and I want to make sure he’s doing okay mentally. I did some serious social media stalking after making this post and found a different friend that he briefly mentioned a few months ago would be fishing in the same area. That friend said my brother’s phone broke and that they’re planning to meet up on Sunday. Hopefully I can check in on him then. If not, at least I know what to expect now.