Name: Northern Lights in Alaska
Item: Northern Lights in Alaska
Author: Tom Bol Photo Workshops

Northern Lights in Alaska 2027

Location: Fairbanks and Chena Hot Springs

Dates: February 23-28, 2027 Tuesday at 4 pm – Saturday am

Cost: $5199 double occupancy, $900 single supplement

Details: Learn to photograph the Northern Lights at the famous Chena Hot Springs Resort in Alaska. Join Tom and Cree on a winter adventure in Alaska where there is always a warm place to relax after photographing the colorful night sky. We spend 3 days at Chena Hot Springs and 2 days in Fairbanks photographing the aurora every night possible. We also visit an Ice Bar, photograph ice sculptures in a snow covered forest and try our hand at dog sledding.

There is no more reliable place to photograph the northern lights than Fairbanks, Alaska in the winter. We start this adventure in the Springhill Suites in downtown Fairbanks to explore local aurora hot spots and learn how to photograph the northern lights. This is the time of year when the aurora is very active. Each night that the skies are clear we will stay out late capturing the northern skies and sleep in to rejuvenate.

On day two we will have a private tour of Susan Butcher’s former sled dog kennel and photograph the dogs in action. Participants will have the option to take a guided 4 mile sled dog tour. That night we visit the International Ice Art Championships to photograph dramatic sculptures made of ice up to 20 feet tall.

On day three drive an hour through the boreal spruce forest to the famous Chena Hot Springs Resort. Participants have unlimited access to the outdoor hot springs lake during their stay. The resort offers optional massage, skiing, snowshoeing and dog sled tours. During two of our nights our group will take a snow coach up to a mountain ridge for unobstructed views of the auroras. There is a warming hut nearby with hot cocoa in case the temperatures are chilly.

With three days and nights at Chena, we will have plenty of time to visit the Chena Ice Museum and photograph their colorful ice sculptures while at the resort. We will end our trip with a shuttle back to Fairbanks for a midday departure.

What you will learn:

How to Photograph Northern Lights
Editing aurora in PhotoShop and Lightroom
Photograph the International Ice Carving Championship
Photograph dog mushing from the ground and from a sled
Famous Ice Bar Photo Shoot
Photographing in cold weather

Lodging:

Our group will be staying in two hotels the Springhill Suites in downtown Fairbanks, and the Chena Hot Springs Resort.

Closest Airport: Fairbanks International Airport FAI to arrive and fly out of Fairbanks, Alaska

We will meet for the first time in Fairbanks at 4 pm in the Springfield Suites on Day 1. The workshop ends on Day 6 after driving back from Chena Hot Springs. This gives you plenty of time to fly to Anchorage and then on to the lower 48 on an evening flight.

Recommended camera gear:

1-2 camera bodies (back up body recommended)
Lenses ranging from extra wide 14mm to 70-200mm
Wildlife telephoto lens – 300mm or more (200-500mm or similar works great)
Tripod
Polarizing filter
Laptop for editing and critique
Photo Backpack (with extra room)
Included in the fee:

Lodging for all nights of the workshop
Breakfasts and dinners during the workshop
Transportation in and around Fairbanks
Transportation to Yukon River Camp in 2 SUVs
Dog sledding near Fairbanks
5 nights of aurora viewing if weather cooperates
Entrance to the International Ice Carving Championships

Participants will provide their own:

Hotel accommodation in Fairbanks if spending the night before or after the workshop
Lunches and all alcoholic drinks
Gratuity for mushers

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