The Aurora Ice Museum
$20 adult · 45 min · Open all year
Over 1,000 tons of ice and snow, kept at 25°F. Parkas are lent free. An appletini in a carved ice glass is $20 extra.
Soak outdoors in a hot spring while the air is far below freezing, then go up the hill to watch for the aurora.
Key takeaways
- Chena Hot Springs Resort is 60 miles from Fairbanks, a 1.5 to 2 hour drive, or $90 per person each way by shuttle.
- A pool house day pass is $20 adult and $15 child, but the outdoor springs are for ages 18+ only.
- The resort's Charlie Dome aurora viewing tour costs $125 per person and runs 5 h; the best hours are usually around midnight.
- Staying overnight in a lodge room, cabin or yurt lets you soak late and watch the sky without a 2-hour drive back to town.
A soak in the snow
In short You soak in a steaming, rock-edged outdoor lake while the February air stays well below freezing, with an average February low at Fairbanks airport of −11°F (−24°C).
You change indoors, walk out into the cold and lower yourself into a steaming rock-edged lake. In February the air around you is well below freezing: the average February low at Fairbanks airport is −11°F (−24°C). Steam rolls off the water and the snow around the edge. Your head is cold, the rest of you isn't.
Good for
- Soaking outdoors in the snow. The outdoor hot springs are for guests 18 and over.
- Aurora watching. Chena is far from Fairbanks' lights, and after dark the sky is the resort's biggest draw. Its aurora tour climbs Charlie Dome, a ridge above the valley, to heated yurts with hot drinks.
- A soak, the ice museum and the aurora in one trip.
Not for
- Under-18s who want the outdoor springs. They can use the indoor pool and hot tubs, which are included in the same pass.
- A quick outing. Allow 1.5 to 2 hours each way from Fairbanks.
Lockers cost 50 cents; showers are free.
Winter prices at Chena
In short A day pass is $20 adult, the Charlie Dome aurora tour $125 per person, dog sledding $75 per person, and the geothermal tour is free.
| What | Price | Time | Age |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pool house day pass | $20 adult · $15 child | Day | All ages (outdoor springs 18+) |
| Aurora Ice Museum tour | $20 adult · $15 child | 45 min | 6+ |
| Aurora viewing tour (Charlie Dome) | $125 per person | 5 h | 2+ |
| Dog sledding | $75 per person | 20 min | 2+ |
| Kennel tour | $25 adult · $15 child | 40 min | 6+ |
| Electric snowmobile | From $150 per rider | 45 min | 16+ |
| Sunset tour | From $75 per rider | 1.5 h | 6+ |
| Ice fishing | $205 per person | 3 h | 12+ |
| Geothermal tour | Free | 45 min | 6+ |
What else to do there
In short Besides soaking, you can tour the Aurora Ice Museum, take a short husky sled ride or ride one of the resort's all-electric snowmobiles.
Dog sledding
$75 · 20 min
A short ride behind the resort's husky team. For a longer session, Fairbanks kennels run hour-long rides and mushing lessons.
Electric snowmobiles
From $150 · 45 min · 16+
An unusual detail: Chena's snowmobiles are all-electric. Rides run on the resort's trails.
A day and night at Chena
In short Arrive in the afternoon to soak in daylight, tour the ice museum early in the evening, eat at the resort restaurant, then watch for the aurora at night.
Afternoon: arrive and soak
Drive out or take the shuttle. Soak before dark while you can see the hills.
Early evening: the ice museum
Book a museum tour time. Arrive 15 minutes before it starts.
Dinner
The resort has its own restaurant.
Night: watch for the aurora
Take the Charlie Dome tour, or stay over and step outside through the night. The best hours are usually around midnight.
Getting there
In short Drive 60 miles along Chena Hot Springs Road, which takes 1.5–2 h depending on road and weather, or take the shuttle at $90 per person each way.
60 miFrom FairbanksTo milepost 56.5, Chena Hot Springs Road
1.5–2 hBy carDepending on road and weather, the resort says
$90Shuttle, per person each way$180 return
Driving
- 60 miles from Fairbanks along Chena Hot Springs Road, to milepost 56.5
- In winter, a car that can handle snow and a driver used to it
- See renting a car in Fairbanks
The Chena shuttle
$90 per person each way, $180 return
- Picks up at Fairbanks International Airport, many hotels, the Alaska Railroad depot and the Morris Thompson Visitor Center
- Book at least 72 hours ahead
- Cancel at least 72 hours before for a refund, less a 10% booking fee
On a tour
From about $275
- A combined 10-hour Northern Lights & Chena Hot Springs tour from Fairbanks
- Sold on GetYourGuide for February 2027 dates (converted from INR at 95.54 per US dollar)
Staying the night
In short Stay at Chena Hot Springs Resort in a lodge room, cabin or yurt so you can soak late and watch the sky all night.
Chena Hot Springs Resort
Lodge rooms, cabins, yurts
Staying over means you can soak late and watch the sky all night without a 2-hour drive back to town.
Chena Hot Springs: FAQs
How much is Chena Hot Springs?
A day pass is $20 for adults and $15 for children. The ice museum tour is another $20 for adults.
How far is Chena Hot Springs from Fairbanks?
60 miles, about 1.5 to 2 hours by road depending on conditions.
Can kids go in the hot springs?
The outdoor hot springs are 18 and over. Children can use the indoor pool and hot tubs.
Can you see the northern lights at Chena Hot Springs?
Yes, on clear nights. It's far from Fairbanks' lights, and the resort runs a 5-hour aurora tour up Charlie Dome for $125.
Is Chena Hot Springs open in winter?
Yes. The resort is open 365 days a year.
More at Chena and around Fairbanks
Sources (7)
- Chena Hot Springs Resort: activities and prices (checked 2026-09-23)
- Chena Hot Springs Resort: hot springs (checked 2026-09-23)
- Chena Hot Springs Resort: shuttle (checked 2026-09-23)
- Chena Hot Springs Resort: Aurora Ice Museum (checked 2026-09-23)
- Chena Hot Springs Resort: home page, lodging (checked 2026-09-23)
- NOAA/ACIS 1991–2020 normals, Fairbanks International Airport
- GetYourGuide Fairbanks listings, prices for 15–20 Feb 2027 (checked 2026-09-23)