What to wear in Anchorage (Fairbanks, Wasilla: home, travel, school)

[Buttercup801]

Help! My daugher and son-in-law are moving from California to Anchorage Alaska in May 2008. What type of clothing do they need? Should they wait until they get there.....I don't think our clothes here in CA will be appropriate...duh.

I checked w/REI and all they have are camping type of clothing....is that what they're supposed to wear?

Thanks for your help...by the way, I'm jealous they are moving to Alaksa...I'd love to live there.

[sweetana3]

In Anchorage, the weather is probably warmer than northern Minnesota. Layers are always best because you can adjust to your own needs. I would suggest waiting until you get there.

Things I liked: gloves over mittens but mittens to go over very thin gloves for those cold days and snow shoveling. GOOD boots. You will wear one or more pair of socks in the boots so dont go with fashion go with comfort and warmth. My favorite pair were sheepskin lined leather. For slush, you can get overboots to protect your good footwear.

Coat: my favorite when I was there was Eddie Bauer down. Not the short and fancy ski outfit type byt a long zippered coat. Double duty with zip out liner even better. Remember it needs a good neck covering. If you go with the Everest temperature coats, you will limit your wear because they will not be useful for the shoulder seasons. Go with a midrange coat unless you are spending a lot of time winter camping or traveling to Fairbanks a lot or the bush.

I wore a lot of knitted scarves that were wide and long because they could be over the head, neck and face if needed.

I found denim to be some of the coldest fabric around. So tight denims will not be your friend.

I walked over a mile to school in pretty ordinary winter wear in Anchorage for over a decade and never got frostbite. So most ordinary sensible winter wear is fine.

[Rance]

Your Cali clothes should be fine come spring/summer. They should wait on winter clothes until they get here.

[Tressa]

Your CA cloths like Rance says will be just fine here in Anchorage, right now I'm wearing a hoodie and jeans plenty warm. Most of the winter we wear a heavy sweater no real need to wear down unless your are going to be spending a great deal of time outdoors. All of my jackets are fiber - down can be way too hot and once wet no good to you. my prefered boots are Glaciers by Sorel, I'm an ex-southern CA girl myself the first year was tough but once I found boots to keep my feet warm I was set.

[Glitch]

As someone who moved from Los Angeles to Alaska, you want to dress for California's December weather when it is May in Anchorage. It will be in the mid-50°Fs to the mid-60°Fs in May. Warming up in June to between 65°F and 75°F. If it gets above 80°F in Anchorage it will set a new record high in June, and that is the warmest month of the year.

It may take a year or two before they get fully acclimated to the lower temperatures, but eventually they will consider anything above 50°F to be comfortably warm and anything above 70°F to be uncomfortably hot.

[sweetnothings1]

I lived there for 4 years. They'll love it, although it takes some getting used to. They should pack regular clothing, unless traveling in the winter. they will be able to get whatever they need when they arrive. The summers can be warm, but the warm weather doesn't start until the end of May. It averages about 75-85 in the summer w/ very little humidity. It will be cooler if they are near the coast. Most people buy their winter gear there, because it is easier to find than in the lower 48. If they are taking a car, don't forget to have an engine/transmission/oil pan heater installed before winter. Again, if they go in the summer they will have plenty of time to do this there.

[Tressa]

Summer's in Alaska have surprise visitors lately with it being so warm. All summer long when the sun is shinning you will see the parks full of sun bathers and swimer at the local lakes, we 2 popular lakes in Anchorage that draw quite a few folks in bikini's and other swim wear. Out is Wasilla and Big Lake is great deal more water activities goin on.

Memorial weekend of 1979 the weekend in Moose Pass was 92 degrees, just beautiful. I rmemeber this cuz I was pregnant and came home sun burnt. Spend one season and you should be use to the climate if not go south cuz you will never get use to it.

[PJW3565]

Layers in all times of the year and down is essential in the winter

[Daniel_T]

Summers are like they are in Seattle except a bit cooler and sometimes rainier. Lows in the summer get down into the 40's and 50's still so it might be good to have a light jacket. Once the end of September hits, it begins getting colder and by mid to late october, you have your first snow. October-April is pretty cold. It's WINTER of course!!! I would bundle up during those months but just dress normally like you would anywhere.