Fur Rondy Festival - Everything You Need to Know

The Lively Mid-Winter Festival in Alaska

Musher in Anchorage at the Fur Rondy Sled Dog Race

The Fur Rendezvous Festival is one of the oldest and largest winter festivals in Alaska. It is very popular among locals, so as a visitor, it is a great opportunity to meet and interact with the people of Anchorage. Historically, Fur Rondy was a lively mid-winter event to help squash the dreaded cabin fever prevalent during winter in Alaska. It allowed people to come together and meet with friends and neighbors in a fun public setting. This concept is still very relevant today.

Fur Rondy also serves as a reminder that though the winters are long and dark, they eventually come to an end. Though the streets are still covered with snow, spring seems just around the corner.

Fur Rondy is also a reminder that even in the most sparsely populated and extremely isolated US state, there is a need to come together and celebrate. In 2012, National Geographic Traveler named Fur Rondy the best winter festival in the world. Thanks to its authenticity, unique events, and a hefty dose of humor, the Fur Rondy festival draws not only Alaskans but numerous tourists from their homes yearly.

If you want to experience the Fur Rondy festival with your own eyes, you must plan your visit to Anchorage for the end of February.

Read more about visiting Alaska in the winter.

A Brief History of the Fur Rendezvous Festival

Participants gathering for the Running of the Reindeer race

The history of the Anchorage Fur Rendezvous dates back to 1936, when the city had a population of 3,000. Fur Rendezvous began when fur trappers gathered in Anchorage in February to sell their winter products. One Anchorage resident had the idea to organize a three-day winter sporting event that coincided with the same time as Fur Rendezvous. This event was called the Winter Sports Carnival and served as a fun event to get people out of their homes in the winter.

Competitions included sporting events such as dribbling a ball while wearing thick gloves, fist fights, ice skating competitions, and children’s sled dog races. In the evenings, people lit large bonfires and celebrated the approaching spring. The two events finally joined, becoming known as Fur Rendezvous. Today, the festival is known as Fur Rondy, or simply Rondy.

Where is Fur Rondy?

The Fur Rondy festival is held annually in Anchorage, Alaska. Most of the events take place in downtown Anchorage.

Read more about visiting Anchorage.

When is Fur Rondy?

Fur Rondy is held annually at the end of February into early March. The festival is ten days long, with most events occurring on weekends.

Fur Rondy carnival

Fur Rondy Today

Nearly a century later, the annual Fur Rondy festival is still flourishing. In downtown Anchorage, the streets fill with crowds enjoying the festivities and participating in different events. In recent years, the Fur Rondy festival was extended to last ten days to lead into the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race to help increase winter tourism.

The Fur Auction

Fur Rondy Fur Auction

While no longer essential for winter warmth, fur auctions are still held yearly at the festival. Luxurious animal pelts are auctioned off in a traditional auction fashion. The Fur Auction closely resembles those from Hollywood productions, with the main difference being that instead of formal attire, people gather in down jackets. Instead of paintings or expensive jewelry, animal furs are sold. There are also no red carpets - the streets are covered with a thick layer of frozen, compacted snow.

The Blanket Toss

Another iconic event at the Fur Rondy festival is the blanket toss. This event is a nod to the tradition of the indigenous people of northern Alaska. In the far north, Nalukataq is the spring whaling festival held by the Iñupiaq people in spring after a successful whaling season. At this celebration, people take turns jumping on a mapkuq - a large blanket made of walrus skins. People hold the large circular blanket around the edges and rhythmically toss an individual high up into the air. The task of the person on the blanket is to land without falling. All other stunts are awarded with applause.

Celebrated for many generations, Nalukataq are an important tradition for Arctic communities. During the holiday, kids eat sweets, adults cook together, people sing, and, most importantly, share meat. The blanket toss became a part of Fur Rondy festivities beginning in 1950. Because of this, city dwellers also have the opportunity to learn a little about the traditions of indigenous Alaskans.

Running of the Reindeer

During Fur Rondy, many unusual events take place in downtown Anchorage. One event is the Running of the Reindeer. Participants run a short distance down 4th Avenue in the company of reindeer. Runners gather at the starting line in costumes and other attire inadequate for the winter temperatures - some in underwear, a married couple in Christmas pajamas, and an entire family dressed as donuts. Many participants wear antlers atop their heads as part of their race costumes. While the animals don’t appear bothered, each participant must sign a waiver before starting the race.

The Outhouse Races

Fur Rondy Outhouse Race

The Outhouse Races are a big part of the festival every year. The competition is attended mainly by local companies and representatives of professional groups, who independently construct elaborate and decorative toilets placed on skis. During the race, one participant sits on the toilet while the other group members push the outhouses down the snowy streets while overcoming obstacles along the way.

Fur Rondy Pins

Since 1939, specialty Fur Rondy pins have been designed and sold yearly to raise money for the festival. Some people have large collections of these pins from over the years. The Kiwanis Club of Anchorage sells pins that people wear on the outside of their jackets. There are booster members who dress up as playful Fur Rondy police. If you are caught at the parade not wearing a pin, the “Rondy Kops” will playfully detail people until they have purchased a pin in exchange for release. (Don’t let this stress you, it’s not serious!)

The Open World Championship Sled Dog Races

Sled dog at Fur Rondy

Another event during Fur Rondy is the Open World Championship Sled Dog Races. This race begins in downtown Anchorage and traverses the city. People gather on the edge of 4th Avenue and other areas of Anchorage to watch the sled dogs in action.

The Snow Sculpture Competition

Fur Rondy Snow Sculpture Competition

Another main event is the snow sculpture competition. The carvings for this competition can take days, sometimes even weeks, to complete, and are true showstoppers.

Iditarod Ceremonial Start

Sled dogs at Fur Rondy

In 2004, the Fur Rondy festival was extended so that it would lead up to the start of the Iditarod Sled Dog Race. The Iditarod is an annual long-distance sled dog race that travels from Anchorage to Nome (a distance of just under 1000 miles!). While the race officially begins in the town of Willow (outside of Anchorage), there is a ceremonial start to the race held in downtown Anchorage. In this ceremonial start, people gather to watch the mushers take off on 4th Avenue and travel across Anchorage. The official start of the race takes place the following day.

Other Fur Rondy Events

Other quintessential Fur Rondy events include the parade, fireworks, Miss Fur Rendezvous pageant, Miners and Trappers Charity Ball, the Frostbite Foot Race, carnival, family ice skating, and much, much, much more.

Discover more fun winter activities in Alaska, such as searching for the northern lights or glacier trekking on the Matanuska Glacier.

Family ice skating at Westchester Lagoon

Interested in visiting Alaska during Fur Rondy? Visit our Design Your Trip page.