Horseback Riding Vacation in Chena Hot Springs, Alaska

Where did the horses go in Alaska? I was recently in Fairbanks, Alaska to see the World Ice Art Championships and visit the Chena Hot Spring Resort. Obviously, I was there in the winter, so no chance for a horseback riding vacation in Alaska. While I wasn’t able to go on a horseback riding holiday, I did manage to find some horses in Alaska. These horses, however, were sculpted out of water!

While no one is expecting to turn water into wine, twenty-one teams descended onto Fairbanks, Alaska to turn water into ice sculptures this February – March, 2010. Not only did I visit the World Ice Art Championships in Fairbanks, I was able to see the Aurora Ice Museum at the Chena Hot Springs Resort, 60 minutes outside of Fairbanks. Steve Brice, a 13 time world ice sculpting champion, operates the Aurora Ice Museum with his wife, Heather, a four-time world ice sculpting champion.

It was during my stay at the Chena Hot Springs Resort that I caught a glimpse of this multi-colored jousting horse on display at the Aurora Ice Museum. While you won’t be able to go horseback riding on this horse carved of ice, Chena Hot Springs does offer summer horseback riding vacations at the resort. There are plenty of things to see and do during your visit to Fairbanks, Alaska.

I spoke with a horseback riding guide who doubles as a dog sled musher in the winter at Chena Hot Springs Resort. She said that last summer the stables offered two for one horse back riding guided 30 and 60 minute trail rides. She couldn’t confirm those rates; you’ll need to check with Chena Hot Springs Resort for horseback riding vacation pricing.

IF YOU GO:

Chena Hot Springs Resort (907) 451-8104