Oct 15 min read

What to Pack for Alaska Travel in the Shoulder Seasons

Having just returned from Alaska recently in the middle of their fall, I'd say as a Florida girl I did pretty alright staying comfortable, warm and dry. I say "their fall", because autumn in Alaska is a mere spit of colors and then it is gone within two weeks, as I learned from the locals.

Changing from greens to vibrant yellows and oranges, the two magnificently colored weeks mark the end of summer and the start of the winter season's weather.

If you make it to the shoulder seasons just prior to and just after winter, keep these considerations in mind when you think about what to pack for Alaska.

sunset with train car in the foreground — Fall sunset from the Alaska Railroad

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Defining the Shoulder Seasons in Alaska

When I say shoulder season, I'm referring to that period just after the cruise ship passengers have gone home, when the stores have a mere few weeks left before they shut down for the cold winter. This is generally the month of September.

cloudy day in Alaska with waterfront and houses — Fall water views in Anchorage

And again on the flip side, when the spring blooms lift everyone's spirits but a chill still lingers in the air - early summer, really (think April and May)- this is the second of the shoulder seasons in Alaska.

The locals in Anchorage told me that when you start to see a dusting of snow along the mountain ridges in September, this has a name - "termination dust", meaning the termination of summer.

So when the summer ends and the cool weather creeps in, you'll need to be armed and ready on how to pack appropriately and stay dry, comfortable and warm in Alaska.

Everyone Will Tell You: Wear Layers

The weather in Alaska was a little fickle for my visit in late September.

A typical day in Alaska you will be met with varying levels of fog or gloomy gray skies, but when the sun comes out, it is magic!

train tracks with foggy skies and water views — Fall along the Turnagain Arm in Alaska

Expect rain daily, with minimal need for sunglasses or sun hats. Leave those cute wide brimmed felt hats at home, because they'll likely get ruined in the rain.

Expect moderate wind, but nothing too outrageous.

Expect the unexpected. Always bring all the layers when you go out, despite the forecast. That means always dressing for warmth and wet weather.

foggy cable lines for a cable car — Soaking up the "views" from Alyeska Tramway

Bring a sling bag like the popular Kavu bag (that's what I used) to carry around all the excess on again, off again outerwear options like scarves and gloves. There's over 50 design options to choose from on Amazon, check them out here. It's not too cumbersome of a bag and it fits an umbrella perfectly.

a woman stands in winter gear in front of a cable car

Dress for Rain

Warning - you may get wet!

a woman throws a peace sign looking happy but wet

Bring an umbrella, wear waterproof boots and leave the sneakers at home. Once you get wet, you get cold, and there is no turning back from there.

Everything you wear should be quick-dry material or not too absorbent.

It's Always Casual

Whether you are there for work, a conference, outdoor sports or passing through for a cruise, it is a good assumption that you don't need dressy clothes.

This isn't New York or Miami, and there's really no need to pack chic high heel boots or trendy peacoats. Honestly, leave them at home.

You'll find more than anything comfortable flannels, lace up utility boots and poncho style sweaters are pretty common.

a woman wearing winter weather clothes with a wine glass in hand — "Evening wear" in Alaska - Party Animal Sweater Gives the Right Vibes

When going out, comfort is key so plan for basic but nice sweaters with jeans or neutral color dresses with tights and shortie boots.

Outerwear Matters Most

Hats, gloves, scarves, jackets and boots. These things are crucial!

fall colors from a train car — Fall Colors from the Alaska Railroad

What to pack for Alaska for optimum comfort:

1-2 warm beanie style hats
1 pair of gloves
1 box of hand warmers (someone gave me one of these on a tour and I'm a changed woman!). Shake the bag and they'll be warm for 8 hours. Put them in your pocket or inside your gloves when you are not wearing them. Buy yours on Amazon now.
One liner jacket or thick sweater (I swapped between a zip up fleece and a wool turtleneck sweater
One outer jacket that is waterproof. Make sure this jacket has a hood! Based on your level of tolerance for cold, this should be a moderately thick jacket.
Boots that can get wet and that cover your ankles
Dressier boots that can be worn to dinners and events - think flat knee high boots.
Bring slippers for your hotel room
Bring a throw blanket for snuggling in the hotel
Bring one or two lightweight scarves, or a balaclava. Anything heavier will be too much, but the idea is to keep your neck warm from the elements.
Bring strong socks. No wimpy socks! Pack for warmth and staying dry.
Pack a pair of hiking boots that go over your ankle. These are your every day shoes and should be warm, comfortable for the airplane, and good for indoor days too.

woman smiling drinking hot chocolate in winter gear — Warming up with some hot chocolate

I get that you may want to be fashionable, but please consider comfort, warmth and staying dry as your top priorities!

Accessories for Alaskan Vibes

Bring tribal patterns to lean into the strong Native cultural heritage in Alaska and be sure to purchase some of the exquisite selection of jewelry on offer while you are there to complement your outfits.

When you shop in the stores look for the silver handprint on your jewelry packaging to signify true and authentic Native Alaska made jewelry, commonly made from fossils of woolly mammoths, or ivory from walrus.

If you are thinking "how inhumane", I've done reading on this and the Native cultures of Alaska are able to harvest this ivory in a manner that they use all of the part of the walrus, from making drums with stomach lining, creating art fixtures from bones, and eating the meat.

totem pole eagle at Alaska heritage center

You can also buy some tribal jewelry (not necessarily Alaskan) in advance to plan your outfits, which proved a big win for me when I wore some of my Native American jewelry from decades ago.

Here's a couple adorable pairs I found on Amazon to give you the idea:

Dangle tribal earrings
Glass bead earrings (these are similar to what I wore and I got tons of compliments!)
These long danglers (because they are stunning)

I also picked up these cute ones in the airport on the way home - not from Alaska, but close enough. The image is of the urban wolf, signifying an adaptability to any environment. And that's what you should channel when you plan for what to pack for Alaska!