Road Scholar : America's Arctic and Fairbanks' Winter Carnival - Alaska

America's Arctic and Fairbanks' Winter Carnival

Program Number:

7340RJ

Start and End Dates:


	3/14/2013 - 3/25/2013;

Duration:

11 nights

Location:

Fairbanks, Alaska

Price starting at:

$2,295.00 - Price may vary based on date, departure city

Program Type:

Festivals, Misc.

Activity Level:

t (see description)

Meals:

32; 11 Breakfasts, 10 Lunches, 11 Dinners

Meal Options:

Vegetarian

Discover America’s starkly beautiful Arctic and enjoy the famous Fairbanks Winter Carnival’s championship sled-dog races and larger-than-life ice sculptures. As the spring equinox nears, temperatures are moderate and the northern lights may be seen. Venture to Coldfoot to grasp the enormity and beauty of the pristine Arctic by seeing it with your own eyes.

Highlights

• Attend the Fairbanks Winter Carnival, a tradition since 1934, and view the spectacular ice sculptures entered in the World Ice Art Championship.
• Journey north above the Arctic Circle, cross the legendary Yukon River and continue into the magnificent Brooks Range where you can ride on a dog sled and take a snowshoe hike.
• Learn the science behind the fantastic displays of the aurora borealis.

Activity Particulars

Walking up to a half-mile a day on flat, potentially icy paths. Driving in vans up to 10 hours with breaks every 60-90 minutes. Expert-led snowshoeing excursion in Coldfoot.

Itinerary Summary

Arrival Fairbanks, 4 nights; van to Coldfoot, 5 nights; van to Fairbanks, 2 nights; departure.

Coordinated by Denakkanaaga.

Fairbanks

The indigenous Athabaskan tribe had fished in the local area for centuries before it was settled in 1903 as a trading post for riverboats and gold prospectors. Fairbanks today is an important player in interior Alaska’s oil fields and pipelines.

Coldfoot

Coldfoot is a place to find warm hospitality north of the Arctic Circle. At this spot near the midpoint of the Dalton Highway, Iditarod champion Dick Mackey established a truck stop where he sold hamburgers out of a converted school bus. Coldfoot welcomes a stream of visitors who pass through as they explore Alaska’s remote Brooks mountain range.

Accommodations
Fairbanks: Centrally located hotel. Coldfoot: Rustic motel upgraded from a pipeline construction camp.

Meals and Lodgings
	Springhill Suites
		Fairbanks, AK	4 nights
	Slate Creek Inn
		Coldfoot, AK	5 nights
	Springhill Suites
		Fairbanks, AK	2 nights

Springhill Suites
	Type:	Full Service Hotel
	Description:	In Fairbanks we are staying in one of the nicest hotels in town. The hotel is located downtown overlooking the banks of the Chena River, a superb location. Some of the dog sled races and many of the other winter carnival events take place right outside the hotel door. Shops, museums and historical sites are all within easy walking distance.
	Contact info:	575 First Avenue Fairbanks, AK 99709 USA phone: 907-451-6552 web: marriott.com/property/propertypage/FAISH
	Room amenities:	All rooms are suites. Queen beds or better. Sofa, armchair, desk, mini-fridge, coffee maker, hair dryer, ironing board, television with cable, desk, and free high-speed internet access are available. Our contract does not call for daily maid service.
	Facility amenities:	24 hour coffee/hot water available. Small pool and whirlpool hot tub. Workout room. Snack machines. Restaurant on premises, but only open after 5 p.m.
	Smoking allowed:	Yes
	Elevators available:	Yes
	Additional nights prior:	About $70 plus 8% city bed tax You must call the hotel yourself and arrange for early arrivals or stayovers. Be sure to mention you are with the Road Scholar Program. There is a special phone number for us to use for reservations. You will get information on this after you enroll.
	Check in time:	3:00 PM
	Additional nights after:	About $70 plus 8% city bed tax You must call the hotel yourself and arrange for early arrivals or stayovers. Be sure to mention you are with the Road Scholar Program. There is a special phone number for us to use for reservations. You will get information on this after you enroll.
	Check out time:	11:00 AM

Slate Creek Inn
	Type:	Hotel
	Description:	Located in a beautiful setting in the Brooks Range, the northernmost mountain range in the United States. The only hotel/restaurant between the Yukon River and the Arctic Ocean.
	Contact info:	PO Box 9041 Coldfoot, AK 99701 USA phone: 907-678-5201 web: coldfootcamp.com/index.htm
	Room amenities:	Very small room, expect to live out of your suitcase. No telephones in room, pay phone at desk. (So no wake-up calls-bring your alarm clock). No TVs. Small bathroom in room with shower and commode. Small closet, hooks on the walls for hanging clothes.
	Facility amenities:	Restaurant, bar in one facility. Motel type rooms across the gravel pad. There is a small lounge in the housing facility with a couch and chairs. Cable television (but not many channels). Book exchange and board games available.
	Smoking allowed:	No

Travel Details
	Start of Program: Check in after 3 PM. You will be staying at Springhill Suites that night.
	End of Program: Program ends after breakfast. Checkout at 11 a.m. You will be staying at Springhill Suites the night before.
	Required documents: The Road Scholar Health & Safety Form is required. Participants will have to sign a release from Denakkanaaga to participate in this program.
	Parking availability: Parking is free in hotel lot. Permit REQUIRED. Get permit from reception desk.

Transportation

	To Start of Program
	Location:	Fairbanks, AK
	Nearest city or town:	Nenana (50 miles south)
	Nearest highway:	Parks, Steese, Elliot, Alaska Highway
	Nearest airport:	Fairbanks International

	From End of Program
	Location:	Fairbanks, AK
		(Additional transportation information same as above)
Travel Details
	Fairbanks	From Airport
	Service:	Hotel Shuttle phone: 907-451-6552
	Per Person/One Way:	Free Prices are subject to change.
	Travel Time:	15-20 minutes
	Distance:	4 miles
		If the shuttle is not available, the hotel will arrange for a taxi to get you and they will pay for it. THE HOTEL HAS TO ARRANGE AND AUTHORIZE THIS. DO NOT TAKE A TAXI WITHOUT TALKING TO THE HOTEL FIRST OR YOU WILL BE RESPONSIBLE FOR PAYING FOR IT.

Driving Directions
	Airport	Leave airport on Airport Road. Drive east about 5 miles on Airport Road to Cushman Street downtown. Turn left unto Cushman. Turn right at 1st Avenue. Hotel is on the corner.

Elevation Note: Only summiting the Brooks Range. Atigun Pass is at 4643 feet. We do not spend a lot of time there.

Equipment Requirements: There will be snow and ice on the ground. You will need to have warm, well-fitting boots with good traction to fully participate in this program. Warm clothing is also very important.

The prices listed for commercial services and facilities that are not included in the program cost, such as airport shuttles or extra nights lodging, are subject to change without notice. Since Road Scholar cannot guarantee the accuracy of these prices, we strongly suggest contacting the companies directly for the most up-to-date information.

Daily Schedule

Day 1:

Orientation
(Thursday, March 14)

Afternoon:	Check in after 3 p.m. Earlier check in may be possible at this time of year. Call hotel the first day of the program to find out if rooms are available for early check in.
Dinner:	Dinner in restaurant.
Evening:	Welcome to the program by Road Scholar staff. IMPORTANT NOTE: WE HOPE YOU HAVE A CHANCE TO SEE THE AURORA BOREALIS IN PERSON. WE WILL HAVE SIGN UP SHEETS FOR PEOPLE WHO WANT TO BE CALLED TO GO OUT TO SEE IT NO MATTER WHAT TIME OF NIGHT IT MIGHT APPEAR. BUT THE AURORA IS A NATURAL PHENOMENON AND SIGHTINGS CANNOT BE GUARANTEED. FIRST, THE AURORA HAS TO BE HAPPENING THAT NIGHT. SECOND, THE SKY HAS TO BE CLEAR ENOUGH, WITH NO HEAVY CLOUD LAYER, TO BE ABLE TO SEE THE LIGHTS OF THE AURORA. GLOBAL CLIMATE CHANGES ARE GIVING THE ALASKAN INTERIOR CLOUDIER WINTER DAYS AND NIGHTS THAN WE ARE USED TO.

Accommodations:	Springhill Suites
Meals Included:	Dinner

Day 2:

International Arctic Research Center/North American Dog Sled Races/Ice Art Park
(Friday, March 15)

Breakfast:	Breakfast in hotel breakfast room.
Morning:	NOTE: This itinerary has been crafted a year ahead of time, using the best information currently available. Everything on this schedule will be covered but the sequences may change by next year. Also, as we get closer to the starting date, events in Fairbanks may be announced which we may want to participate in and these will be added to our program if possible. We begin with a Field trip to the International Arctic Research Center at the University of Alaska Fairbanks (UAF). Class on the Aurora Borealis (The Northern Lights) by Geophysical Institute professor. Class on the history of Fairbanks.
Lunch:	Lunch on campus at UAF
Afternoon:	Overview of North American Championship Dog Sled Race. Field trip to watch the race. For more information, look here: www.sleddog.org/
Dinner:	Dinner in restaurant in hotel.
Evening:	Field trip to the Ice Art Park to view the sculptures created for the World Ice Art Championship. For a preview, look here: icealaska.com

Accommodations:	Springhill Suites
Meals Included:	Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 3:

Arctic Trip Orientation, field trip to Museum Of The North
(Saturday, March 16)

Breakfast:	Breakfast in hotel breakfast room
Morning:	Field trip to the University of Alaska Museum of the North. The museum is a superb facility for a city the size of Fairbanks. Extensive collections on all facets of Alaska, with a special emphasis on America's arctic and the sub-arctic Alaskan Interior. Exhibits, films and artwork will help you learn about America's most northern part of her most northern state.
Lunch:	Lunch in local restaurant
Afternoon:	"Life in Fairbanks", discussion of economy, demographics, wages, costs, schools, health care, police and fire protection, and the logistics of daily living in a place with a temperature range from 99 above to 68 below.
Dinner:	Dinner in restaurant
Evening:	Orientation for the trip to the Arctic.

Accommodations:	Springhill Suites
Meals Included:	Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 4:

Large Animal Research Station
(Sunday, March 17)

Breakfast:	Breakfast in hotel breakfast room.
Morning:	Field trip to Large Animal Research Station on UAF campus. Researchers and/or guides will lecture on musk oxen, caribou and reindeer that live at the station.
Lunch:	Lunch on campus at UAF
Afternoon:	Informal visit with Native Elder(s) talking about their life.
Dinner:	Dinner included.
Evening:	There are usually theater, symphony or winter sports events held during the Fairbanks Winter Carnival. We plan to attend one of these events one evening.

Accommodations:	Springhill Suites
Meals Included:	Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 5:

Travel to Coldfoot, Alaska
(Monday, March 18)

Breakfast:	Breakfast in hotel breakfast room.
Morning:	Leave for Coldfoot, Alaska, 250 miles north of Fairbanks and 60 miles north of the Arctic Circle. We travel slowly and take a number of breaks to use outhouses and stretch our legs. It takes us approximately 9-10 hours to get from Fairbanks to Coldfoot.
Lunch:	Picnic lunch on the road.
Afternoon:	Continue driving.
Dinner:	Dinner in restaurant in Coldfoot.
Evening:	Coldfoot is a premier place for watching the aurora. We will have sign up sheets every evening for people who want to be woken up to see the northern lights if they are present and the night is clear.

Accommodations:	Slate Creek Inn
Meals Included:	Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 6:

Historic Town of Wiseman
(Tuesday, March 19)

Breakfast:	Breakfast at Coldfoot.
Morning:	NOTE: Coldfoot exists because there was a need for a restaurant/hotel in the 400 mile pipeline road stretch between Fairbanks and Prudhoe Bay. The lecturers for this portion of the program are all locals who have jobs that must be worked around to create time to talk with us. We therefore have to be prepared to be very flexible with the scheduling in Coldfoot. It is not unusual for the schedule to change daily as some people show up in Coldfoot unexpectedly, and some people, like the Alaska state trooper or the national park ranger, may be suddenly called away to do some work in another area. We will try our best to have the content we propose here, but we cannot guarantee it. In Coldfoot, we have always had a variety of lecturers. We like to give everyone who has some expertise a chance to speak with our participants. We actually now have more lecturers than we can fit into one program. So while we may not have exactly what we list here, we will have a very locally oriented program offering diversified information and interests. The vast bulk of our Coldfoot surprises have been pleasant ones. Class on the history of Coldfoot, when it was a gold rush town, then a pipeline construction camp and then the truck stop it is today.
Lunch:	Lunch at Coldfoot.
Afternoon:	Trip to the historic town of Wiseman, 15 miles away. Wiseman was a former gold rush town. It currently has a population of about 10 people. Visit with some of the people of Wiseman.
Dinner:	Dinner at Coldfoot
Evening:

Accommodations:	Slate Creek Inn
Meals Included:	Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 7:

Dog Sled Ride & Snow Shoe Hikes
(Wednesday, March 20)

Breakfast:	Breakfast in Coldfoot.
Morning:	Discussion on the ins and outs of running a hotel/restaurant when the closest supplier is 250 miles away. And it's 40 below. And always night time. (NOTE: WE will not be experiencing these conditions--but it's fascinating to hear about how it is up there in winter.) The Ecology of the Brooks Range.
Lunch:	Lunch in coldfoot.
Afternoon:	During our stay in Coldfoot, you will have a chance to ride on a dog sled. A local musher will ride with you as his dogs pull their sled along a trail. Locals will also take you on a guided hike on snow shoes through the surrounding Boreal Forest.
Dinner:	Dinner included.
Evening:	Various possibilities depending upon who's in "town" that day: perhaps discussions with a state trooper, a park ranger, a truck driver, an Alaska Department of Transportation crew boss, etc.

Accommodations:	Slate Creek Inn
Meals Included:	Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 8:

Arctic Safari - Brooks Range
(Thursday, March 21)

Breakfast:	Breakfast at Coldfoot.
Morning:	All day Arctic Safari with experienced guides into the heart of the Brooks Range, the northernmost mountain range in Alaska. Summit Atigun Pass, the only pass through the range to allow access to the North Slope for the Dalton Highway and the Alaska oil pipeline. This is a rare opportunity to drive through and enjoy the majesty of the Arctic mountain terrain when it's wearing its beautiful, awe-inspiring, brilliantly white winter "clothes".
Lunch:	Lunch included.
Afternoon:	Continue Arctic Safari, return to Coldfoot.
Dinner:	Dinner at Coldfoot.
Evening:

Accommodations:	Slate Creek Inn
Meals Included:	Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 9:

Excursions in Coldfoot
(Friday, March 22)

Breakfast:	Breakfast at Coldfoot
Morning:	Lectures and discussions on various topics.
Lunch:	Lunch at Coldfoot.
Afternoon:	Walk to the site of the gold rush town of Coldfoot. There are no remains, since the buildings were "cannibalized" when the gold rush boom moved to Wiseman and Nolan. But various activity areas will be pointed out and discussed. Continue walk to site of the Coldfoot pipeline construction camp. The only thing left of the camp is the airfield which is still in use and which has a small air carrier office and airplanes on site. The "barracks" for the pipeline workers were moved to the present day Coldfoot truck stop. They have been modified and spruced up some and these are the facilities we live in while we are up there.
Dinner:	Dinner included.
Evening:	Discussion on various topics. And of course, searching the skies for the aurora.

Accommodations:	Slate Creek Inn
Meals Included:	Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 10:

Return to Fairbanks
(Saturday, March 23)

Breakfast:	Breakfast in Coldfoot.
Morning:	Depart for all day drive back to Fairbanks.
Lunch:	Picnic lunch on the road.
Afternoon:	Continue trip to Fairbanks.
Dinner:	Since our arrival time is variable, we will plan on a pizza and salad dinner in the hotel breakfast area about 45 minutes after we arrive in town.
Evening:

Accommodations:	Springhill Suites
Meals Included:	Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 11:

(Sunday, March 24)

Breakfast:	Breakfast
Morning:	Field trip to the Morris Thompson Cultural Center, a small museum devoted to the life and culture of the Athabascan people, the natives of the vast Alaskan Interior. The Alaska Public Lands Information Center is located in the facility and offers films and presentations on Alaska's public lands.
Lunch:	Lunch on own at the Fairbanks Winter Carnival. Get money from Road Scholar coordinator.
Afternoon:	Free time. Suggestions: The Fairbanks Winter Carnival is on this weekend, taking place right outside the back door of the hotel. Fur sales, food booths and the downtown start of the Open North American Championship Sled Dog Race are all part of the Carnival. Join the people of Fairbanks as we celebrate Spring Equinox and the return of the sun to us.
Dinner:	Dinner in hotel restaurant.
Evening:	Closing ceremony and fond farewells.

Accommodations:	Springhill Suites
Meals Included:	Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 12:

Departure
(Monday, March 25)

Breakfast:	Breakfast in hotel breakfast room.
Morning:	Checkout at 11 a.m. Later check out possible--ask at the desk when you arrive.

Meals Included:

Breakfast

Free Time Opportunities
Fairbanks, AK	Fairbanks Visitors and Convention Bureau Phone: 800-327-5774 For additional information, visit www.explorefairbanks.com

Important information about your itinerary: Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy and completeness of the information featured on this website. Itineraries are based on our best information at this time. Circumstances beyond our control may require us to adjust itineraries or other details. We regret any inconvenience this may cause and appreciate your understanding. Information will be sent to you from your Program Provider approximately three weeks prior to the program start date. The prices listed for commercial services and facilities that are not included in the program cost, such as airport shuttles or extra nights lodging, are subject to change without notice. Since Road Scholar cannot guarantee the accuracy of these prices, we strongly suggest contacting the companies directly for the most up-to-date information.

You can't find a better value than Road Scholar.

As a not-for-profit organization, we are dedicated to providing all-inclusive educational programs at great value. From lectures to gratuities to field trips to accommodations - the tuition you pay up front is all that you pay.

Specifically, this program includes:

11 nights accommodations
32 meals: 11 breakfasts, 10 lunches, 11 dinners
Expert-led lectures: 15
Expert-led lectures

Led by one or more of our world-class instructors, typically in a classroom setting, lectures come in the form of presentations, discussions or workshops and offer expert insight into your area of study.
Field trips: 10
Field trips

The world is your classroom, as you're on location with an instructor to pursue your educational theme firsthand.
Hands-on experiences: 2
Hands-on experiences

Learn by doing in these "hands-on" activities directed by an expert.

Plus these special experiences...

Drive across the Arctic Circle into the heart of the Brooks Range, the northernmost mountain range on the planet for a four night stay with the locals
Wonder at the spectacular sculptures at the World Championship Ice Art Competition showcasing the work of premier ice artists from all over the world
Be there at an American Championship sled dog race to cheer on the four and two footed athletes. In the arctic, enjoy a dog sled ride with a musher
A good chance to see the famous Northern Lights in Fairbanks and Coldfoot. Keep your fingers crossed that the lights are out and the sky is clear

View the Daily Schedule to see more

And included with all Road Scholar programs:

Learning led by expert instructors who are authorities in the field of study.
An experienced Group Leader attuned to the needs of Road Scholar participants.
Customary gratuities throughout the program that you would normally pay yourself.
The Road Scholar Travel Assistance Plan, providing 24-hour-a-day emergency assistance coverage.
Taxes

Highlights

Activity Particulars

Walking up to a half-mile a day on flat, potentially icy paths. Driving in vans up to 10 hours with breaks every 60-90 minutes. Expert-led snowshoeing excursion in Coldfoot.

Itinerary Summary

Arrival Fairbanks, 4 nights; van to Coldfoot, 5 nights; van to Fairbanks, 2 nights; departure.

Coordinated by Denakkanaaga.

Fairbanks

The indigenous Athabaskan tribe had fished in the local area for centuries before it was settled in 1903 as a trading post for riverboats and gold prospectors. Fairbanks today is an important player in interior Alaska’s oil fields and pipelines.

Coldfoot

Meals and Lodgings

Travel Details

Travel Details

Fairbanks

From Airport

Service:

Hotel Shuttlephone: 907-451-6552

Per Person/One Way:

FreePrices are subject to change.

Travel Time:

15-20 minutes

Distance:

4 miles

If the shuttle is not available, the hotel will arrange for a taxi to get you and they will pay for it. THE HOTEL HAS TO ARRANGE AND AUTHORIZE THIS. DO NOT TAKE A TAXI WITHOUT TALKING TO THE HOTEL FIRST OR YOU WILL BE RESPONSIBLE FOR PAYING FOR IT.

Daily Schedule

Free Time Opportunities

You can't find a better value than Road Scholar.

As a not-for-profit organization, we are dedicated to providing all-inclusive educational programs at great value. From lectures to gratuities to field trips to accommodations - the tuition you pay up front is all that you pay.

Specifically, this program includes:

Plus these special experiences...

And included with all Road Scholar programs:

Hotel Shuttle
phone: 907-451-6552

Free
Prices are subject to change.