Northern Lights in Alaska 2027

3 Spaces Available

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.

On this workshop you will learn about:

• Exposure and camera craft for Northern Lights shooting
• Astral photography
• Tips for photographing at night and in the cold
• Editing Northern Lights images
• Photographing dogs in action
• Photographing ice sculptures

Hotels: Day 1-2:  SpringHill Suites by Marriott; Day 3-5 Chena Hot Springs – Moose Lodge, 

Closest Airport: Fairbanks, Alaska.

Included in the fee:

• All instruction
• Transportation in 2 SUVs while in Fairbanks
• Hotel accommodations in Fairbanks and at Chena Hot Springs
• Shuttle from Fairbanks to Chena Hot Springs
• All dinners during the trip
• Entrance to Ice Museum
• Two nights of snowcoach access to Charlie Dome for aurora viewing 
• Private session at dog kennel including 4 mile dog sled ride
• Group access to Aurora point while in Fairbanks
• Copy of Tom’s ebook Create Better Photographs

• Airfare to Fairbanks, Alaska
• Alcoholic beverages while in Fairbanks and Chena Hot Springs
• Meals and snacks other than dinners
• Transportation from airport to hotel (free shuttle available)

Know Before You Go: Rated Moderate. This workshop requires minimal walking on snowy and icy terrain. Winter clothes and boots are required and can be rented in Fairbanks.