Borealis Basecamp
Borealis Basecamp
About 25 miles north of Fairbanks, on 100 acres of boreal forest, Borealis Basecamp was placed where the nights are dark and the northern sky is wide open. The idea is simple: watch for the aurora from a warm bed.
The igloos have a curved, transparent ceiling that runs right over the bed. The cubes trade that for a ten-foot, floor-to-ceiling window looking out across the trees. Either way, you can keep an eye on the sky without standing outside at thirty below.
What the stay is actually like
Every room is fully enclosed and heated, with a private bathroom, good bedding, and what you need to make a hot drink. Keep the lamps low at night, since bright interior light reflects off the glass and makes the sky harder to see. The igloo windows stay uncovered all night, so they suit people who are happy to sleep with an open view.
Breakfast is served in the dining yurt. Lunch is at Latitude 65 or the smaller Borealis Cafe near the Adventure Center. For dinner, book Latitude 65 or walk in to the Pub in the same yurt. Expect Alaskan ingredients like salmon and reindeer sausage.
Your days here
Days are spent outside: dog sledding behind a team of huskies, snowmobiling deeper into the backcountry, snowshoeing or fat-tire biking the property trails, meeting the reindeer, or warming up in the sauna.
At night, the property watches the sky for you. When the aurora shows up, staff send a wake-up call by room phone, cell phone, or a knock on the door, so you can actually get some sleep.
Getting there and when to go
Shuttle transportation from Fairbanks is included in stay packages, and the drive takes about an hour depending on the roads. If you'd rather drive yourself, you'll want four-wheel drive, snow tires, and real winter-driving experience.
For the aurora, plan for fall through early spring, when the nights are long enough to see it. Winter temperatures around Fairbanks can sit between minus 20 and minus 40°F, and Borealis Basecamp offers complimentary winter gear to guests who need it. Staying several nights improves your odds, but no one can promise the sky.
Good to know: every room has a few steps up, the property isn't wheelchair accessible, and some activities have age and physical requirements, so read the package details before you book.
The property
