Then again, when you stop for lunch on a sun-soaked deck, you’ll want to be able to cool off in short sleeves or thinner materials. Standing atop a glacier in the mountains, you may want a sweater or fleece. If the breeze picks up on a day cruise, you might want a windproof, waterproof coat. The key to comfort in Alaska is layering clothing. Packing for a visit to Anchorage can be summed up in one word: layers.

Packing the essentials, adding on a few basics, and customizing your kit based on activities is the name of the game.

The natural world may have outsized appeals in Anchorage, but that doesn’t mean you need to carry gear for an expedition. On the longest day of summer, the sun sets, dipping just below the horizon for a few hours of twilight. In winter, even the shortest day of winter sees seven hours of daylight, setting the stage for great northern lights viewing. No matter the season, there is always enough time for fun activities and adventures. In winter, high temps in the mid-20s (about -5 C) keep plenty of snow on the ground.

Summertime regularly sees temperatures in the low 70s (20s C). The city is farther south than Reykjavik and 400 miles from the Arctic Circle. Protected by the Chugach Mountains and warmed by currents of the Pacific Ocean, Anchorage’s mild climate may come as a surprise.

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