My partner and I had an incredible experience with Ronn and Marketa at the Aurora Chasers in…read moreFebruary 2026. We met Ronn & Marketa for the night tour at an accessible & central meeting spot in Fairbanks, as we were staying ~20 min away. Ronn drove the comfortable van while Marketa analyzed satellite data for cloud coverage and predicted the best places to see the aurora. We saw brilliant aurora from the moment we arrived in our spot for the night! I brought my own DSLR and my partner rented a camera; we loved the guidance on how to photograph the sky. Marketa also took stunning portraits of us. From the get-go, their communication was outstanding. The Aurora Chasers website fully prepared us for what to buy/wear to stay warm in -40 to -20F weather. If you're interested in seeing the Northern Lights, I highly recommend taking a tour. My partner and I were not equipped to drive on icy, snowy roads late at night and to navigate weather data on our own - Ronn & Marketa made it possible for us to experience clear skies and thus vivid, magical aurora during our trip to Fairbanks.

After reading all the reviews on Trip Advisor/Viator, and Google, I chose to go with The Aurora…read moreChasers, owned and ran by Ron and Marketa. Having a little bit of DSLR experience, I needed a tour company that didn't just drop me off into a warm hut with hot chocolate, but someone with photography expertise to help me operate in the raw elements of Alaska. I did my research with ALL the local Aurora companies. The Aurora Chasers are the only ones with professional educational videos of Aurora photography on YouTube, have an Aurora cam on their own very easy to navigate informative website. You can also rent cameras and tripods in advance from them. While on the way to a remote area with a beautiful private view to catch the Aurora, they educated us on everything about the Aurora. They played videos on a big screen inside the tour bus, which they produced themselves. They provided us information about the Aurora, and very specific instructions adjusting settings on your specific DSLR and cell phone. They have thorough knowledge of canon, sony, and nikon, and cell phone settings, and I'm almost positive they could figure out any other branded cameras. It blew my mind and excited the inner tech nerd in me. I really liked how although they gave us the freedom to shoot as we chose, they always checked up on us if we needed any help with our camera settings, and even provided hot chocolate. There were various people shooting that night spread out on different locations and they managed to get to every single one of us to make sure we were happy and comfortable. Marketa took amazingly beautiful portraits of my wife and I with the Aurora in the background! She got deep in the snow just to get the right angle! Thank you Ron and Marketa!!! You made this our favorite vacation!!!

Really fun. Don't miss the Running Reindeer Ranch. You'll learn a lot and get to spend up close…read moretime with Reindeer and take a walk in the woods with them. Jane and her team are super nice and extremely knowledgeable. I also didn't expect the Reindeer having such distinct personalities. We were there in late May and had a great weather day and there were three new babies - so cute. Thanks to Jane and her team. We had a great time!!!

Oh man, was this the coolest experience? Our tour guide was extremely knowledgeable as well and we…read morehad great conversations. Being able to have contact with such a majestical creature was so cool. They let you feed them as well. This definitely isn't one of those experiences where they are just trying to get you in and out. We didn't feel rushed whatsoever, and had such a great time. A heads up for any tourists out there like me. If you come closer to winter or in the break up season, there is a lot of hardened snow and ice on the roads. I would definitely recommend getting a rental car that has four-wheel-drive. It was my first time ever driving on snow/ice like that. It wasn't too scary. Other than a couple moments when I had to stop and turn around. I could definitely see myself getting stuck if I didn't have a car that had four-wheel-drive. So just be mindful of that. Overall, it was a really beautiful drive though. And if you're going in the summer, you shouldn't have any problem on the roads. You could always call ahead and ask the staff with the road conditions are ahead of booking. But you definitely need to book this! There is also a really cool building where you meet your instructor that has a really beautiful view. There are also a couple of walking trails nearby that you can go down. And there is a coffee shop inside that had a decent latte. I believe they also serve food, though we didn't end up ordering anything, I did see other people eating. When we were trying to find our way there, we did get a little bit lost. But there is signage on the road on the left-hand side if you're heading north. They are part of a larger event booking. You'll see something on the right hand side that looks like a bunch of viewing domes. Then right after that the turn is on the left.

Excellent half-day tour from Fairbanks to Coldfoot and back. The tour lasted around 4 hours. The…read moreviews from the plane were gorgeous, our pilot was very nice. The Coldfoot guide was very knowledgeable and we learned a lot during our short visit. Would definitely recommend You also get a certificate to take home showing that you crossed the Arctic circle!

I went on an air tour of Gates of the Arctic National Park with Northern Alaska Tour Company. I had…read moreto be there by 6 and we left around 7. We flew to the town of Coldfoot, about an hour away and 60 miles north of the Arctic Circle. We landed, a guide picked us up and showed us around town then took us to the restaurant/general store. We got our preordered food, ate, visited the national park visitor center, then returned to the airport. At that point, we got back on the plane, did our air tour of the park, landed briefly at Coldfoot to let people off the plane, then returned to Fairbanks around midnight. This was a really cool experience and I'm glad I went. NATC did a great job lining everything up and making sure things went smoothly. The flight(s) were good and enjoyable. The park was beautiful and flying was a great way to see it - I'm sure I saw far more than those who trek in on foot. Surprisingly, I really enjoyed our stop in Coldfoot. It was interesting to see how people lived in the Arctic and I even saw one of the places we went on an episode of Ice Road Truckers since I got back, which was cool. I was happy with the whole experience and I would recommend them.

Ronn and Marketa sure know how to give you the best experience of a lifetime! My cousin and I were…read morerecently in Fairbanks for the sole purpose of catching Aurora Borealis, we were able to come back home with such a memorable experience. Lucky for us, we booked a night with clear skies and good but very cold weather. I'm from Los Angeles so I had never experienced weather this bizarre! I booked this workshop with zero background knowledge on photography, hence I rented a camera kit directly from Ronn and Marketa. Because I have no photography experience, they were able to guide me with the proper camera settings and any other helpful info that pertains to capturing shots of the beautiful lights! Even if you do think you have photography experience, I'm sure you will learn a thing or two when you book this tour. I am very happy with the way everything went, from the easy booking, communication from both Ronn & Marketa, their expertise and friendliness, and their ability to make sure everyone is safe/healthy during these times of a lingering pandemic. This experience was worth every penny! I highly recommend you book your adventure with The Aurora Chasers.

I live in Fairbanks. I've been taking aurora photos since I was a teen. I've also gone with Ronn…read moreand Marketa, a couple times and prove after 50 years of photography these two can teach this old dog some new tricks. Book em, even if your not a tourist. If you're a tourist they will make your stay a memory of a lifetime.

This was a really fun experience overall. It was a nice, relaxing dog sled ride through a serene…read morepublic park. Our guide was fun to talk t, a nice guy who has been training and running sled dogs for years and had great stories. Checking in: When you arrive, you check in at a little house at the bottom of the long driveway downhill and then head over to the sled waiting area. Meeting the Dogs: While you wait your turn, you can pet and play with the dogs. It's a little bit sad at first because each dog is chained to a stake near their individual dog house. Some of them were really tired and just wanted to be left alone, but others were super friendly and eager to make friends. The Ride: When it's your turn, you just pop right into the sled and off you go! A quick heads-up: make sure you get completely comfortable before you take off, because there is no stopping to re-adjust once you start. Also, keep in mind the seating arrangement means the person in front is essentially laying back on the person in the back. While it was a fun bucket-list experience, it's probably a one-and-done activity that I wouldn't necessarily feel the need to do again. Pro tip: Warning (The Hill): To get to the rides, you drive down a long, snow-covered driveway hill, roughly 150 yards. As I was driving down, I couldn't help but wonder if my car would be able to get back up. Sure enough, afterwards, my SUV rental could not make it up the slope and kept sliding backward. Even though I was driving an All-Wheel Drive SUV, it only had standard tires instead of proper snow tires, which caused me a ton of grief and ultimately required a tow up the hill by AAA. (If you're curious, I rented the vehicle from Budget at the airport, you can read my separate review about that nightmare!). It's a fun, authentic Alaskan adventure. Just make sure your vehicle is truly winter-ready.

What an amazing adventure. We had a fantastic ride through snowy forest being pulled by beautiful…read moredogs!! We had a great chat with our musher about life in Alaska and she stopped for photos. Petting the dogs afterwards was a wonderful way to end the trip. Highlight of our trip to Fairbanks.

The driver was on time for pick up and was pleasant to speak with. He drove with care and got me to…read moremy destination safe and sound. Recommendations rendered.

My wife and I were in Fairbanks 2 weeks ago to see the Aurora. We had arranged transportation with…read moreGyorgyi and Moose Cab to transport us to and from excursions on two of the days. Gyorgyi was just awesome. She has a wealth of knowledge about the area. We know our worries about getting around were over once we met her. She was always there on time and we felt very comfortable with her behind the wheel. We plan to take another trip back to the area in the future and now that we know that she plans trips as well I'm sure we will use her for everything. We couldn't be more pleased with her cheerful personal service. Thank you Gyorgyi and Moose Cab!

Aaron did a fine job of getting us out, away from the lights of Fairbanks, to find the Aurora. Be…read moreprepared.. it'll be very cold (we were there in September) and late and will require patience. We were picked up at 9 pm and home by 4 am. The best time to see them? Between midnight and 2 am! Also, you won't see them on a cloudy night. I watched the clouds drop over the Lights like a curtain over a stage. Do some research before you choose your dates to go. There are no guarantees you'll see them. Best of all- he took professional-level photos of each group with the Lights in the background. Yes, he does know a lot and he does want to share, but we were successful. BTW, he skillfully handled a huge moose bounding up behind us and cutting in front of our van in those dark early hours. It could easily have turned out otherwise. Thanks, Aaron!

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!!!!!…read more Aaron is very knowledgeable and a very professional guide. He picked us up in his van which was very clean, warm enough and drove around to many optimal sites the entire night to see Aurora. Gave a lot of tips on how to set up camera for capturing Aurora, provided so much information on Auroras and clicked our pictures in his professional camera. He really is the BEST in the business.

The Riverboat Discovery in Fairbanks offers an exceptional way to experience Alaska's wilderness up…read moreclose. The river cruise is scenic and relaxing, winding through lush forests and along the sparkling Tanana and Chena Rivers, with plenty of opportunities to spot wildlife like bald eagles, moose, and even bears from a safe distance. The staff are knowledgeable and enthusiastic, sharing fascinating stories about Alaska's history, culture, and the gold rush era, which makes the journey both educational and entertaining. The boat itself is comfortable, spacious, and perfectly suited for viewing the surrounding scenery without feeling crowded. Whether you're interested in nature, history, or just a peaceful river ride, the Riverboat Discovery provides a memorable, family-friendly adventure that highlights the beauty and heritage of Alaska.

I'm so glad I got the chance to cruise along the Chena river on the Riverboat Discovery before the…read moreend of season. This is a must when visiting Fairbanks during the spring/summer months. The 3 hour tour paddles up and down the Chena river, with some fun stops along the way. You'll get a fun history lesson about dog mushing and the Iditarod, see a float plane takeoff and land, then disembark for about an hour to walk around the "Chena Village". A delightful experience that submerges you into the Alaskan bush and culture. The whole experience is narrated by the captain and crew, and was just amazing! There's plenty of complementary donuts, coffee, and tea, along with a full snack bar on board if you get hungry. Getting to Riverboat Discovery was easy. There's Ubers, hotel shuttles, tour buses, taxis, and depending on where you're staying, it's even walkable. Everyone we interacted with was delightfully pleasant and helpful. Be sure to do the -40 BELOW experience! All in all, this is a great way to spend your day, and add some great Fairbanks memories.

Oh my gosh we had an absolute blast!…read more Colton was very knowledgeable and so incredibly helpful! New snowmobiles with heated handlebars. Whisper quiet and easy to drive. We drove through trees and did circles on frozen lakes. Colton gave us so many tips for driving. He also imparted so much knowledge, we wanted to keep listening! Definitely recommend!

What an amazing snowmobile tour! Great variety of trails from secluded forest trails, wide open…read morefrozen lakes runs, to great trials with lots of ups and downs. Colton and Bow showed great hospitality and made sure the entire group was safe while having fun! Would recommend 10/10!

We had an incredible experience with 1st Alaska Tours and would absolutely recommend them…read more We originally booked an outdoor Aurora Borealis tour for December, but the day before the tour they called us to explain that temperatures were already around -41°F and that being outside for hours would likely be miserable. Instead of pushing forward anyway, they upgraded us to their Yurt experience, which was the perfect solution. We could stay warm inside and step outside only when the aurora appeared, warming up in between with hot chocolate, coffee, and soup. One unexpected bonus was that the yurt next to us was offering dog sled rides, so we got to see a dog sled team up close, and that was also an option we could have added. It was a really fun and unique part of the experience. Our driver and guide, Zach, was fantastic. He was friendly, knowledgeable, and very accommodating, and shared great insights about the aurora, Alaska's history, and geography. He was also very honest when he did not know something and tried to find the answer. The next night at the hot springs, we ran into Paul, another guide from 1st Alaska Tours who was leading a different group. He was just as friendly and helpful and offered some great tips, which really says a lot about the company. If you are considering an aurora tour in Fairbanks, 1st Alaska Tours is a great choice. I do apologize for my photography skills and the video was from inside the yurt!

George, our tour guide lead a fun and educational experience throughout Fairbanks. He was extremely…read morehelpful with questions and made our happiness his #1 priority!