Where

Alaska

Why now

The United States’ northernmost state has always attracted those
in search of untouched wilderness, but as Alaska becomes
increasingly popular its most famous sites are beginning to get
more crowded. If you’re looking for a completely isolated
experience it would be good to hop on a plane within the next
couple of years. There are countless national parks worth visiting,
but if you only have time for one park try Denali, where you’ll
also find the highest mountain in North America. Obviously summer
and winter provide very different attractions, with more visitors
during warmer weather, but consider plunging temperatures and very
short days before booking tickets between November and March.

When to go

High season is mid-May to mid-September where the temperature is
mild to warm and if you move into parts of the Arctic Circle the
sun is visible 24 hours a day. Winter is the best time to go to see
the northern lights or attend some of the festivals, like Yukon
Quest Sled – a 1,000 mile dog sled race.

Who to take with you

Family

Most likely to bump into…

A moose and lots of birds, such as great horned owls.

Don’t miss

Denali is a must – you can hike, ice climb or go white water
rafting – but don’t fall in, the water is freezing. They also offer
flightseeing tours via small planes or helicopters.

An essential you need to bring with you?

This is not a time to be trendy – North Face, Patagonia and
Canada Goose are all your best friends here. Bring clothing that
you can layer, comfortable shoes with traction, suncream and a
fishing license, which you’ll need to purchase ahead of time.

How to get there

Fly to Anchorage and use the city as a base to take trips by car
or boat.