Question about flying into Fairbanks (Anchorage, Fort Yukon: rental car, rental, schools)

[ngrome]

Yes Fairbanks is still on my radar and I'm ordering the Milepost, thank you all for the help so far. I assume everyone flying into Fairbanks flies into Fairbanks International Airport (FAI).

So my next question is, depending on the time of year, for example this upcoming winter season when it hits peak cold temperatures, does the airport shut down periodically or have shut down or black out periods where there are no flights at all in/out of Fairbanks, i.e. everyone pretty much snowbound? Or do planes still fly in/out when it's minus 40F or colder?

Would/have there be any cases where flights to Fairbanks get directed to Anchorage and therefore people would have to make the 360 mile trek to Fairbanks on the road from Anchorage?

Thanks in advance!

[Arktikos]

No, it doesn't shut down. All Alaska airports are equipped to deal with snow events.

At extremely low temps rarely seen, can't remember threshold, some prop planes won't fly. Not applicable to jets AFAIK.

[Frostnip]

Conditions actually are be clearer and drier when the temperatures are super low. You're more likely to get weather delays when it's warmer and snowier than when it's -40.

[Arktikos]

-40F is indeed the threshold. At least, according to the book "Eagle Blue". It's an excellent Alaskana story chronicling one season in the life of the Fort Yukon boys HS basketball team. Author Michael D'Orso says that the state of Alaska forbids schools to fly when it's colder than 40 below. Of course, he's referring to small schools such as this, where jet travel is not an option.

"This is the primary reason 1A teams wait so long to begin their seasons. They want to get past winter's most severe stretch, typically from mid-December to mid-January, when temperatures in a place like Fort Yukon can plummet as low as the minus-sixties."

[Northrick]

It is pretty rare for either Fairbanks or Anchorage to shut down their airports, winter included. Keep in mind that at the typical cruising altitude for a jet airliner (35,000 ft give or take) it is -40F to -50F.

[ejisme]

Personal observation. We flew in/out of Fairbanks last December during a cold spell. No delays flying at the Airport. Rental car issues did come up. The first car they gave us was frozen and wouldn't start (not plugged in and not driven for several days). The second one lasted 5 days before it wouldn't drive. Started fine, but switched into some type of mode that would allow it to only drive about 5 mph. It was plugged in all night, every night, and drove long distances during the day. The rental company brought us a new vehicle and hauled away the old one.

Anyway, our flights were just fine in and out.

[riceme]

Originally Posted by ejisme

Personal observation. We flew in/out of Fairbanks last December during a cold spell. No delays flying at the Airport. Rental car issues did come up. The first car they gave us was frozen and wouldn't start (not plugged in and not driven for several days). The second one lasted 5 days before it wouldn't drive. Started fine, but switched into some type of mode that would allow it to only drive about 5 mph. It was plugged in all night, every night, and drove long distances during the day. The rental company brought us a new vehicle and hauled away the old one.

Anyway, our flights were just fine in and out.

I'm sorry to hear you had such a rough time with your rental. The corporate chains don't winterize their vehicles or put winter tires on them. To my knowledge, Alaska Auto Rental is the only place in Fairbanks that rents winterized vehicles with winter tires.

https://alaskaautorental.com/index.php

[ejisme]

Thanks riceme. We had a great visit. Enjoyed the cold snap. Got great views of the auroras, which was on my wife's bucket list. We did notice the tires right away as the rear end slid out on one of my first turns. Kind of told me to be more careful right away. I got used to how the SUV handled after a few more forced slides and spins in an empty parking lot, and then had no troubles after that. We'll be back for a summer visit in a year or two. We need a tropical vacation next though.