Visiting Talkeetna, Alaska in the Winter
Welcome sign on the Talkeetna Main Street
This little town, 2 hours north of Anchorage, is home to just over 1,000 residents, but over the course of a year, they will see, on average, 240,000 visitors. If you’re driving on the Parks Highway, you might even miss the town if you pass the turn! You go about 15 miles down the road from the gas station and arrive at the most charming Alaskan street you’ve ever seen.
Historic shops on Main Street in Talkeetna
This historic street has cafes, breweries, outfitters, shops, and more. During the summer months, this street is bustling with people as if it was a gold rush town in late 1800s Alaska. During the winter, seasonal workers and travelers return to their homes, leaving the town to the locals. Though many places close down for the winter season, there is still a vibrant community and a long list of activities to enjoy.
In addition to hosting a wide variety of winter activities, the views in Talkeetna are unreal. Situated right along the Susitna River on a clear day, Talkeetna offers a straight-shot view of Denali - the tallest mountain in North America. Talkeetna is the town where many aspiring climbers of Denali begin their trip. This is very apparent inside The Roadhouse, where the walls are decorated with information and paraphernalia of those who have attempted this majestic climb.
View of Denali and the Alaska Range from Talkeetna, Alaska in winter
So if you’re interested in visiting Talkeetna during the winter, and we really think you should be, read on to learn more about winter activities, restaurants, and accommodation.
Things To Do in Talkeetna in the Winter
Welcome to Talkeetna!
Ride the Aurora Winter Train
The Aurora Winter Train, operated by the Alaska Railroad, travels weekends between Anchorage and Fairbanks with a 12-hour journey north on Saturday and a return 12-hour journey on Sunday. If you’re only interested in a short train ride, you can take the train to Talkeetna, hop off here on Saturday, and return to Anchorage on Sunday. Or take the train north to Fairbanks and get off the train in Talkeetna on your return journey. There are many flexible ways to make this Alaska winter train trip work for you!
The views from this train are breathtaking. Enjoy the winter scenery from the comfort of a warm and luxurious train car. If you’re lucky, you’ll catch Denali on a clear day and possibly even have a chance to view the northern lights!
View of Denali from the shores of the Susitna River
Denali Flight Seeing Tour
You might have great views of Denali from Talkeetna, but how about a winter flight above the mountain? Two main companies in Talkeetna offer flightseeing tours, Talkeetna Air Taxi and K2 Aviation. Talkeetna Air Taxi offers a Winter Explorer trip from October 1st to April 30th. This tour explores the southern side of the Alaska Range, and your tour will be personalized based on weather conditions.
Read more about Denali Flightseeing Tours.
Nordic Skiing or Fat Biking on Local Trails
Talkeetna has miles of groomed (and ungroomed) Nordic and fat biking trails; some are even accessible from Main Street! Our favorite trails in Talkeetna are the X Y Lake trails, which are groomed for classic and skate skiing. For more information on Nordic trails and up-to-date grooming reports, visit the Denali Nordic Ski Club website.
Nordic skiing in Talkeetna, Alaska
If you need to rent a fat bike or Nordic skis, check out Talkeetna Gear Shop. They also offer a variety of guided biking tours that even include extra exciting bike tours like heli-biking just outside of Denali National Park or a bike and brew tour that consists of a guided ride on the trails and a tour of the local brewery. They also rent snowshoes and other winter gear.
There is even a fun winter Nordic ski race in Talkeetna called the Oosik Classic Race and Tour, which brings many people and lively celebrations to the town.
Northern Lights Chasing
In Talkeetna, you don’t necessarily need a special northern light tour to see the northern lights. All you need is a clear sky and a little bit of luck. This winter phenomenon is easily visible from Talkeetna, resting at latitude 62. With their lack of city light pollution, it’s much easier to see the aurora here than closer to Anchorage.
Aurora Borealis
If you are interested in a northern lights tour, we recommend visiting the Greatland Adventures or Salmonberry Tours, which base their trips out of Anchorage.
Brewery Tour at the Denali Brewing Company
The beer from Denali Brewing Company is SO GOOD. This local brewery has an excellent tap room where you can taste all their flavors. In the winter, they get a fire going and even offer outdoor seating. Beer not your thing? They also oversee Alaska Cider Works, Alaska Meadery, and Denali Spirits, so there’s a flavor for everyone to enjoy. This is also a great place to stop for lunch or dinner, as they have a full pizza oven and serve delicious pizza!
Drinking beers outside the Denali Brewing Company
Where to Eat in Talkeetna in the Winter
Recently, the tap room at Denali Brewing underwent a huge remodel, and they opened a small kitchen serving pizza, soups, and salads. The space inside is open, cozy, and welcoming - the perfect place to meet with friends in the winter. We highly recommend stopping here on your visit to Talkeetna!
Looking for breakfast? Look no further! The Roadhouse is a famous and historic place in Talkeetna that, in addition to serving up food, offers lodging options. Currently, their breakfast is only open to hotel guests, but they plan to reopen to the public! This warm and cozy restaurant feels like Alaska should. The walls are decorated with pictures and memorabilia of Denali mountain climbers. There is a piano and family-style seating. They are well known for their cinnamon rolls, sourdough pancakes, reindeer sausage, homemade pies and cookies, and their famous apple butter.
The Roadhouse in Talkeetna
The Flying Squirrel is a family-owned cafe serving pastries, artisan bread, homemade granola, and more year-round. They use ingredients grown on their Talkeetna farm - Birch Creek Ranch. They heat their hot brick oven and bake gourmet pizzas on Friday and Saturday nights! They are allergy-friendly, so there’s something for everyone at this hometown restaurant. Read more about the Flying Squirrel Bakery in our article about vegetarian cuisine in Alaska.
Located on the Talkeetna Main Street, you will find this lively and tasty pizzeria. At Mountain High, they toss their pizzas and cover them with ingredients from their garden. They even make some pizzas with locally foraged ingredients such as fiddle-head ferns and rhubarb. This is a restaurant that the whole family will enjoy.
Mountain High Pizza Pie in Talkeetna
Where to Stay in Talkeetna in the Winter
Yes, the same Roadhouse as earlier mentioned in the restaurants. If you want to stay somewhere in town with authentic historic Alaska vibes, this is the place. They offer little cabins, hostel-style shared bunk rooms, private rooms, an apartment, and more.
Cozy piano corner in The Roadhouse
The Talkeetna Cabins are located in downtown Talkeetna on a beautifully landscaped property close to restaurants and shops. The property has four spacious cabins, each with a private bathroom. This is a family-owned business, and they are happy to share their little piece of Alaska with you!
The Chinook Wind Cabins are located close to downtown Talkeetna. They are open year-round and a great place for couples or families to stay. They have six cabins on the property, each with a private bathroom.
The Denali Overlook Inn is a beautiful property perched on a bluff five miles from Downtown Talkeetna. They have a direct view of Denali, possibly one of the best views in the whole town. This handcrafted timber frame lodge is a true luxury Alaskan accommodation.
Visit Talkeetna in the Winter!
Winter is the perfect time to visit Talkeetna. The little town has everything you need for a long weekend getaway to help you escape the dreaded winter cabin fever. If you have questions about visiting Talkeetna or need more reasons to convince you to visit in the winter, send us a message or design your trip!
* All of the recommendations in this article are our own. We did not receive compensation from any of the businesses recommended.
