Visit in winter (Anchorage, Kenai, Kodiak: to rent, live, restaurants)

[stewnsue]

If we decided to make a trip up to the Kenai Peninsula in winter, would we need to fly into Anchorage and then fly into Kenai airport? Are there places to stay that are open in the winter? Best month to visit for a few days? Thank you for any information

[tigre79]

The general consensus seems to be that March is the best winter month for visitors. Still winter, but with more light than earlier months. Your best bet would probably be flying in to Anchorage and renting a car. The roads weren't bad last year in early March when I came up for a visit, and it wasn't hard at all finding places to stay. Only one or two places were closed in the winter in Homer. I don't know if that's the case further up the peninsula, but they don't exactly shut down the state for winter.

[melbern]

I visited in January and thought it was a great time to go, but I didn't go for holiday-making. I suppose it would depend on what you wanted to do. I went skiing at Alyeska, that was a lot of fun.

[Nephler]

Fly into Anc. then rent a car and drive to Kenai. The drive is one of the best around. It just might be cheaper to rent a car for the days your here then to fly from Anc. to Kenai.

[richelles]

We drove to Homer, from Anchorage, the week before Christmas last year and then took the AMHS Ferry to Kodiak. We spent several days in Kodiak during which time we made the rounds of the roads which aren't that many miles of road. We then came back to Homer on the next AMHS Ferry and drove back to Anchorage. The roads on the Kenai Peninsular were clean and easy to drive and gas stations, restaurants, and places to spend the night were easily available. We did have good weather but it's a beautiful trip though that part of Alaska.

[Glitch]

December, January, and February are our coldest winter months. December and March are typically the two months when we get the most snow. It is also not uncommon for the Seward Highway to be closed for several hours during March to clear any avalanche danger.

Personally, I think mid- to late-February would be a better time to visit Alaska in the winter. It will give you an opportunity to see Anchorage during the month long Fur Rondy festival and the starting of the Iditarod.

I agree with the others, that you should fly into Anchorage, rent a vehicle, and drive to Kenai/Soldotna. The roads should be clear and the traffic will be light. You will also get a better deal on accommodations since it is not during normal tourist season.

[Marty Van Diest]

While you can get a lot of snow in March. A sunshiny clear day in March after a fresh snowfall if the absolute best. Can't be beat...Especially standing on a bluff looking over Cook Inlet around Anchor Point or in Homer.

Seward, on a rare sunny day in March is also magnificent.

[stewnsue]

Thanks guys for the info. Are there any places to rent snowmachines or skis on the Kenai? We don't have much need for those things where we currently live

[Rance]

You can rent snow machines and ski's in Girdwood. They've got some nice trail riding and are building a huge cross country ski trail/loop right now.

January usually rains around Sterling/Soldotna/Kenai. February usually gives us a week of 20 to 30 below, but I've also seen 45 above. March will give us some good snow.