The main tourist season in Alaska is late spring to early autumn. By ocean, road and air, a large number of tourists start arriving in mid-May and continue until early October. Close to 1 million of the 1,700,000 summer tourists cruise to Alaska, with the first ship arriving by May 20, and the last departing in late September. This season is best for sightseeing during Alaska's longest days, when Alaskans enjoy up to 22 hours of sunlight on June 21 at Fairbank and 19 hours in Anchorage.
To avoid the height of mosquito and bug season, May and September are best. During this "shoulder season," prices for cruises, lodging and tours are usually lower. The days and nights start to even out, and the restaurants, shops, museums and other places of interest are less crowded. These are good months for boating, fishing and hunting. The least popular months are the last half of October and all of November and April, when weather can mix things up.
The winter months of December, January, February and March attract an increasing number of snow enthusiasts. These visitors come for winter carnivals, dog-mushing, the Northern Lights or even the invigorating feel of an Alaskan winter. They also come for events such as the international ice-cutters and ice-sculpture championships, skiing, heli-skiing, snowcatting and long evenings before a warm fireplace in a cozy lodge.
