Alaska Railroad · Rail-fly package

World Ice Art Championships

Winter rail-fly to Fairbanks' World Ice Art Championships festival

Alaska Railroad's World Ice Art Championships package is a two-day, one-night rail-fly trip between Anchorage and Fairbanks, built around Fairbanks' annual ice sculpture festival. Day 1 is a full-day journey north aboard the Aurora Winter Train, described as time to take in the peace and quiet of Alaska's winter backcountry, with the night spent in Fairbanks. Day 2 is given over to the festival itself: admission covers more than 170 sculptures from the world's best ice artists, plus the Kids' Ice Art Park, a playground carved from ice, before a short flight returns you to Anchorage that evening. The itinerary can also run in reverse, flying north first and taking the train south. This suits travelers drawn to Alaska's rail scenery and to a specific winter event, rather than open-ended sightseeing, and who don't mind that only one leg of the round trip is by train.

What to know before you look closer

  • The itinerary can run in either direction: ride the train north to Fairbanks and fly back, or fly north and take the train south to Anchorage; the evidence does not say which is the default for this listing.
  • Only one direction of this trip is by rail; the other leg is a short flight.
  • No specific departure or festival dates are listed in the evidence; confirm current dates and availability with Alaska Railroad.

Day by day

  1. Day 1railovernight: Fairbanks

    Day 1

    From Anchorage, ride north aboard the Aurora Winter Train to Fairbanks. The full-day journey offers ample time to savor the peace and serenity of Alaska's backcountry in winter. Overnight in Fairbanks.

  2. Day 2

    Day 2

    View the magical creations of the world's best ice artists - showcasing more than 170 sculptures. Be sure to check out the Kids' Ice Art Park, a fanciful playground carved from ice. That evening, fly back to Anchorage.

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 1The Aurora Winter Train carries you north from Anchorage to Fairbanks on a full-day journey described as time to take in the peace and serenity of Alaska's winter backcountry.
  • Day 2Admission to the World Ice Art Championships includes viewing more than 170 sculptures from the world's best ice artists.
  • Day 2The Kids' Ice Art Park, a playground carved from ice, is included for younger visitors.

Included

  • Rail transportation from Anchorage to Fairbanks (or reverse)
  • One night's accommodations in Fairbanks
  • Admission to the World Ice Art Championships
  • Flight from Fairbanks to Anchorage (or reverse)

Questions travellers ask

Is train travel included?
Yes. Rail transportation between Anchorage and Fairbanks aboard the Aurora Winter Train is included, along with a flight for the return leg (or the reverse, if you start by flying north).
Which train is used?
The Aurora Winter Train, which runs between Anchorage and Fairbanks and can be ridden in either direction.
What is included in the price?
Rail transportation between Anchorage and Fairbanks, one night's accommodations in Fairbanks, admission to the World Ice Art Championships, and a flight for the return leg.
Can the itinerary run in reverse?
Yes. You can fly north to Fairbanks first and then take the Aurora Winter Train south to Anchorage instead of the standard direction.
What will I see at the festival?
More than 170 sculptures from the world's best ice artists, plus the Kids' Ice Art Park, a playground carved from ice.

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