How Much Snow Right Now? (Anchorage, Fairbanks: crime, to buy, to live in)

[tessa_marie]

So in about a week and a half, I'll be in Anchorage...and I"m just curious how much snow is on the ground right now? I've got all the gear as I'm from MN/WI, so that's not an issue, I'm just curious. We've only got a dusting down here right now.

I'm really excited and REALLY stressed out. I've got my plane ticket (though I wish I could have made the drive...but the whole driving-through-the-yukon-in-nov in my two-wheel drive saturn sorta freaks me out a bit), I've got a place to stay, and I've got a borrowed vehicle when I arrive. And I'll have three days before I have to start work.

I'm just looking forward to seeing those mountains again...

[Alaskan_Adventurer]

We only have about 3 to 6 inches so far. It has been a strange winter. We receive a few inches and then we get warmer temps and the snow melts. Temperatures have been pretty mild as well. You did the right thing by flying up here. It is easy and cheap enough to pick up a used car. A subaru is pretty common up here since they get good gas milage and are all wheel drive. Making the drive up the AlCan in a small 2x4 is a definitely high risk, even if you have studs on.

[warptman]

A couple years ago my cousin and I drove his Ford Focus up in February, we had no problems with it on the road. All it had was summer tires and they worked well. We even hit a few snow storms on the way. The Canadians take good care of the highway in the winter. One night it snowed hard, when we left the next day the plow trucks were out in full force. Three years ago I bought my truck in Seattle in December, a friend and I drove up and I didn't even us the 4wheel drive all the way up. I did get new tires though, Toyo AT's. They're the best tires I've ever bought. We also hit two snow storms on the way then and no problems.

[Alaskan_Adventurer]

The Alcan can still be dangerous for a single person. If you are completely prepared and decked out with survival gear(and the knowledge), then sure..have fun. I have made the drive multiple times and we have ran into many hairy situations(including a break-down). We also felt a nippy -61 F. So if her car was to break down in the middle of the desolate Yukon when it is -40 or worse, then what? Not trying to scare people, but you have to respect mother nature. On a drive to Fairbanks we were driving at night and it was snowing pretty heavy. It was a really dry snow and a double trailer semi came flying past. It was a complete white-out for a few seconds. That can get pretty scary at times.

[tessa_marie]

We did contemplate long and hard about whether or not to drive or fly...and I did want to drive...but I don't think that I'm prepared enough at this point in time. I've driven through some pretty hairy weather but I'm not going to kid myself. It's cheaper to buy the $325 one way ticket and fly up and buy a cheap-o car instead of risk my life for the sake of driving up there, however much I want to do it. Doesn't mean I'm going to give up my dream of making the Alcan trip someday! I'm still gonna do it eventually! Just...not at the last minute like this....

[RayinAK]

My wife and I have driven the AK Highway several times, but during the summer. It's a great experience if one takes time to enjoy the view. Canadians have been very nice and helpful on our trips, too.

A few years ago, my daughter and her friend were driving near White Horse on the way to AK, and rolled the car. They were lucky enough to receive minor injuries, and a family (couple and kids) gave them a ride to the hospital, and then took them to their home, where both girls stayed for a couple of days. They flew back to AK.

[Rance]

I had another 3 inches added to the previous 3 inches. So I'm calling it a good 6 inches as it was snowing to beat heck at 4:00am in Sterling. Another typical hypnotizing 3 hour drive to Anchorage in a blizzard in the dark.

[ASpilot2be]

If you ever do drive the AK highway during the winter, a good addition to the car is Lightforce lights with blue covers. They make a world of a difference for visibility in white outs.

[srod491438]

I used to live in Anchorage, 2005. I will find out if I'm going back in a few hours. I made a lot of friends and will be very excited if I get to go. The move will be paid for. I was trying to find out if how much snow is on the ground myself. The drive was incredible last time, but I drove in March. The roads were not bad. I remember it took me three hours to get via customs. I didn't know there is an easire customs in Montana. I will be working in Girdwood. That is the only negative. It's about 40 miles from Anchorage, so I was told, on highway 1. The most dangerous road in the U.S. It's so beautiful in Alaska. I heard drugs and crime is going up. They can't get a handle on the meth. Being in Alaska, I thought all they would do is take care kill the drug dealers themselves. I can hardly wait. It's going to tough finding a place on my pay.