Hello from Seward, Alaska! You'll love it up here! By February and March, the days are getting longer, but there's still plenty of darkness. Keep in mind that you won't see the Northern Lights if it is cloudy - you'll need good clear weather, which translates to cold! It's been an unusual winter so far in that it's been clear almost constantly. Last year, we were all buried in snow up to our eyebrows or worse. Bring good warm gear, so you can stand outside to ooh and aah. You might have better luck on the lights if you get farther north, and stay away from well lit areas. As for quilting shops, there are MANY quilters in Alaska - that's our winter sport for sure! You should have no trouble finding shops even in the most remote areas. Enjoy your trip.

I worked near Denali last summer and there were 2 nice quilt shops. One was across the street from the Princess Denali Lodge but it closes during the winter months. There is also a very small but nice shop in the town of Healy but I don't know what the roads would be like to get there. I went to Fairbanks and Anchorage once during my time there (Fairbanks is 2 hours from Healyand Anchorage is 4!). There were several quilt stores in Fairbanks and one that I visited in Anchorage. It was really nice! My suggestion is if you are going to either location, Google them. I stayed at the Westin in Anchorage.

I lived there for over 20 years and my brother still lives there. If you want to see how some tour companies do it, go to www.roadscholar.org and search for Alaska. They have lots of ideas and they use good hotels, motels. Good place to start

http://www.roadscholar.org/n/program...x?dID=1-683GJT

Note that it can be 30 degrees F or -40 degrees F in winter. It is very very cold in Fairbanks. Where are you planning on being, Anchorage or Fairbanks? Note that the Aurora is not guaranteed. I only saw it a couple of times and considered myself lucky.

Fur Rendevouz in Anchorage is a nice time but cold and lots of darkness. Still we went up then to visit family once. Not a good time to drive around and visit Denali Park and see animals.

Lots of nice quilt shops. My brother delivers mail to them.

The best place to see the northern lights on a regular basis is in Fairbanks, at that time of the year they are very prolific. Used to stand on my porch when I lived in North Pole and turn circles with them dancing all the way around me.

There is a book that lists a lot of the quilt stores in Alaska that is a Northwest Quilters directory, or there is also a national one.

If you give me some info on where you are planning to go I will try to give you information for those areas. There are quilt stores in just about every area of Alaska and each one has their own specialty.

You can pm me with the info if you like.

Also be aware that many places in Alaska are not on the road system and many of the shops mentioned by other members are not accessible by road. We have very few major highways that connect the towns and so mode of travel and if it is available at that time of year are also a consideration. Will be glad to help you with info where I can.

I live in Tok, and I will be glad to answer any questions.This is kind of connecting the dots my oldest daughter went to Australia in 2007 for 3 weeks with a student ambassador group, she loved it.Depending on where your going i will try to tell you all of the quilt shops that I know of.That time of year will be cold and for that reason you should be able to see the northern lights it has to get down to at least 38 degrees to be able to see them. Here is my e-mail address [email protected] I hope I can help just e-mail me. My name is Mary

Welcome to the board! No advice on Alaska, Connecticut is cold enough for me LOL!

Kitty 63, I was born and raised in Alaska and still live here. Your best bet for seeing the Aurora is in Fairbanks. Look at Chena Hot Springs. They have cabins, hot springs and other things. It can be pricey to stay there, but hear it is well worth it and your chances of seeing the Aurora are higher. You won't see them in a city because of the lights. You will want to wear warm clothing and boots. Layer your clothing and you will stay warmer. When we recreate outside we wear long underwear and dress in layers. Alaska is beautiful and each season offers something different. You will NOT see bears in the winter as they are hibernating. You have a high possibility of seeing moose. Our winter has been very unusual with lots of subzero weather. We live north of Wasilla and usually have a lot of snow by now and only have a couple inches on the ground. As for quilt shops, there are a number of them around the state. Someone mentioned the one in Skagway. It is very nice but I doubt you will be going there. It's not the "tourist season" there. You can find some very nice fabric in Talkeetna, Wasilla, Seward and Anchorage. I'm sure there are a number of shops in Fairbanks also. Quilters are everywhere. I hope you enjoy your trip.