Staying at Borealis Basecamp: an Alaska Bucket List Experience

I love how many Alaskan bucket list experiences we’ve gotten to enjoy over the years, including staying in an igloo at Borealis Basecamp outside of Fairbanks. I know that this is a big ticket stay so if you’re considering it, you’ll want as much information as possible. Borealis Basecamp is very unique and really focuses on bringing the guest into the Alaskan winter experience.

Have you looked into staying at Borealis Basecamp in the winter? I hope we can answer all of your questions about it, because I know I had a ton before we stayed during our Fairbanks winter trip. If we miss anything or if you’d like to share your experience staying up at Borealis Basecamp, please leave a comment or send us a note. We’re always happy to provide more info and insights!

Why Stay at Borealis Basecamp

The reason you’re thinking of staying at Borealis Basecamp is to be as immersed in the Alaskan winter experience as possible, and that’s absolutely what it’s like there. The accommodations are setup to feel as IN nature as possible, the public spaces are all about the views with the comforts and warmth of a hotel, and the experiences are very much all about Alaskan fun.

When you’re booking your stay you’re also setting up the activities you’ll do. While things like snowshoeing and cross-country skiing are on your own, snow machining, dogsled mushing, helicopters, snow cats and reindeer experiences all can be added on and some packages have some of these things built in.

Borealis Basecamp will pick you up and take you back to Fairbanks, so if you don’t have your own vehicle, your time staying here will be all about enjoying the views and the outdoors. There’s nothing else nearby, so you really truly are away from it all, which is why a lot of people come to the Interior of Alaska. When it comes to an immersive experience, Borealis Basecamp has successfully created that.

Book the Borealis Basecamp here!

Borealis Basecamp Amenities

When it comes to amenities at Borealis Basecamp, it’s not a fully-loaded resort. Yes, there are beautiful accommodations that are truly unique and the property has lots of activities, but it’s not full of free to use amenities. In the winter there are snowshoes and cross-country skis for guests to use, but there aren’t many so if somebody else is using them, you may have to wait. There is a nice lobby space with games, coffee/tea and s’mores kits, and then there are tons of trails to explore on your own. There is also a sauna on property, but that isn’t included and is bookable through the property for a fee.

Borealis Basecamp is all about the big experiences. If you’re booking a package you’ll have things like dogsledding or a reindeer walk included, but these things can be booked on their own as well. We had the reindeer meet and greet and the dogsledding as a part of our stay, but not the snow machines or the helicopter tours. In the summer there is also a UTV (off road) experience you can add on through the activity center, Borealis Adventures.

Accommodations at Borealis Basecamp

There are two types of room options at Borealis Basecamp near Fairbanks: an Igloo or a Cube. The igloos are not actual made of ice but are an interesting foam-type structure with a large portion of the ceiling being a window to look out at the stars and the Northern Lights, hence the name Borealis Basecamp. The igloos either have a King bed or two Twin beds. They also have a breakfast bar sort of set up with an electric kettle and morning beverage options, as well as a mini fridge. There is a full bathroom with a sink, shower, toilet… It’s a complete hotel room, but it’s not loaded with electronic due to the desire to remain low-consumption.

The cube rooms are very similar in their offerings, but they have some different bed layouts, including a bunk bed that can accommodate a family of three. A family of four would need to talk to Borealis Basecamp to figure out the best plan. We lucked out and actually got to split up our family into two igloos (one king and one twin/twin) which was an awesome surprise.

Dining Options at Borealis Basecamp near Fairbanks

There are three dining options on the property at Borealis Basecamp. You’ve got the main restaurant, Latitude 65, which is very nice with an upscale menu for lunch and dinner. This is also where breakfast is served (breaky is included with your stay). There’s the pub, which is connected to Latitude 65, which is open for dinner and drinks. I like that menu much more than the nicer restaurant menu. This is also where the nightly complimentary charcuterie happens before the restaurant opens for dinner.

The last option is for coffee, snacks and lunch, and it’s located over in the Basecamp Adventures center. They have coffee bar drinks, bottled beverages, different snacks and a good panini menu. The rooms don’t have kitchenettes, so these are your food options when you stay at Borealis Basecamp.

Where is Borealis Basecamp Located?

From downtown Fairbanks, Borealis Basecamp is about a 45 minute drive to the north on the Elliott Highway. Yes, this is a highway that’s often listed on rental car restrictions as a “DO NOT DRIVE” but you’re not going so far up the Elliott Highway that it becomes gravel. If you don’t want to drive yourself, don’t worry. You can arrange to be picked up in Fairbanks through Borealis. Be sure to confirm that your transportation is included with your booking.

Tip: check out our guide to getting around Alaska here. There’s lots of good information about intrastate flights, the many highways and more.

You’ll find that the property is plenty far from Fairbanks to have wonderfully dark skies full of stars, and hopefully the Northern Lights during your stay. We got the lights, but we also had clouds roll in. It was interesting to watch them through the clouds, and then they even continued on until sunrise.

Book the Borealis Basecamp here!

How much is a stay at Borealis Basecamp?

This is a very important question and is a determining factor for most people planning travel to Fairbanks. If you’re able to score a single night’s stay the price can vary, but the published rates for the upcoming seasons are live on the Borealis site. These are done as packages and include a variety of experiences. The base price for the most simple 2-night package at just over $1150 per person. This does NOT include your meals or activities beyond what’s listed in your package. Breakfast is included, but not other meals are.

Things to do in Fairbanks

I feel like when people talk about visiting Alaska, Fairbanks is a last thought, but it shouldn’t be. I love this city, it’s people, it’s dogsled culture and the beautiful nature all around it. Fairbanks is THE winter destination in Alaska with ample dark sky space to watch the Northern Lights and endless outdoor opportunities, whether you’re looking for a mellow snowy escape or hardcore Alaskan adventures. In summer, Fairbanks is a great home base for visiting the Arctic Circle, Denali National Park, spending days kayaking or fishing. It’s beautiful!

Ideas for Fairbanks activities:

Where to Stay in Fairbanks, Alaska

Keep in mind when you’re planning your trip to Fairbanks that it is not a large city. It’s the second largest in Alaska, but it’s not huge. Hotel options are limited and when it comes to booking a luxury hotel stay, that’s not really a thing here. There are nice hotels and really cool lodges and vacation rentals, but white glove luxe ain’t happening. We’ve stayed in all kinds of Fairbanks accommodations, so have solid recommendations (below). I like being based downtown if we have a diverse, busy itinerary, but staying outside of town up in the hills is such a treat, it’s worth planning a night or two away from the city.

You’ll find that the cost of lodging in Fairbanks ranges wildly from season to season. In the summer, standard hotel rooms are not likely available for under $250 per night, with the average being well over $300 per night. In the winter you can get some awesome hotel deals as low as $125 per night. Just keep this in mind as you’re planning your visit to Fairbanks or anywhere in Alaska.

Here are our hotel picks in Fairbanks: