Fairbanks North Star Borough School District 2019-2020 Winter Break activities for students and families
Alaska Public Lands Information Center 459-3730 Inside the Morris Thompson Cultural & Visitors Center at 101 Dunkel Street, Suite 110
Open Daily: 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Visit us downtown!
I-spy worksheets are available for all grade levels, become a Junior Ranger, and enjoy free exhibits and daily films:
9:00 a.m. Gates of the Arctic 10:00 a.m. America’s Wildest Refuge 12:00 p.m. Aurora: Fire in the Sky 2:00 p.m. Gravel to Gold 3:00 p.m. Aurora: Fire in the Sky 4:00 p.m. Denali: True Heart of Winter
More information at https://www.alaskacenters.gov/visitors-centers/fairbanks
Alyeska Pipeline Celebration of Lights 452-8671 Downtown Fairbanks
Saturday, December 21 at 8:00 p.m. sharp!
Fireworks display downtown over the Chena River in honor of the Winter Solstice. Viewing is best from the riverfront by Cushman Street Bridge, and the pedestrian bridge upstream connecting Doyon, Ltd. And the Morris Thompson Center. A great event for all ages combines well with a night downtown – and last- minute, local Christmas shopping. So bring your ears and eyes downtown to celebrate the passing of the darkest day of the year and the light’s return.
Special thanks to Alyeska Pipeline Service Company for lighting up the holidays.
Arctic Bowl 456-7719 952 10th Avenue, Fairbanks
Call for open bowling schedule or www.arcticbowl.com
Ben Franklin Crafts 488-8544 301 N. Santa Claus Lane, North Pole
Call or stop by the store for further information.
Barnes & Noble Booksellers 452-6400 421 Merhar Avenue, Fairbanks
Join Barnes & Noble for free Storytimes and activities throughout the Holiday Season
12/7 7:00–8:00 pm Polar Express Pajama Storytime, with crafts, hot cocoa and cookies 12/8 All Day Ticusuk Brown Elementary Bookfair fundraiser-Coloring, Storytimes, and Sing-a-longs 12/9 All Day Fairbanks Youth Orchestra Bookfair fundraiser-Live performances 12/14 TBD Friends of Boreal Sun Bookfair Fundraiser 12/15 All Day Salcha Elementary Bookfair Fundraiser 12/16 All Day University Park Bookfair Fundraiser 12/20 4:00-8:00 pm North Pole Jr. International Club Bookfair fundraiser Live Reindeer and Winter Crafts 12/29 11:00 am BNStorytime The Legend of Rock Paper Scissors 1/5 11:00 am BNStorytime TBD
Big Dipper Ice Arena/Parks & Recreation 459-1104 1920 Lathrop Street, Fairbanks
RECREATIONAL ICE SKATING Monday, December 23, 2019 11:45a – 1:15p Thursday, December 26, 2019 11:45a – 1:15p Friday, December 27, 2019 11:45a – 1:15p Saturday, December 28, 2019 3:45p – 5:00p Sunday, December 29, 2019 1:30p – 2:45p Monday, December 30, 2019 11:45a – 1:15p Tuesday, December 31, 2019 11:45a – 1:15p
Thursday, January 2, 2020 11:45a – 1:15p Friday, January 3, 2020 11:45a – 1:15p Saturday, January 4, 2020 3:45p – 5:00p Sunday, January 5, 2020 1:30p – 2:45p Monday, January 6, 2020 11:45a – 1:15p
16+ RECREATIONAL HOCKEY Monday, December 23, 2019 1:30p – 2:45p Thursday, December 26, 2019 8:00a – 9:00a Friday, December 27, 2019 1:30p – 2:45p Monday, December 30, 2019 1:30p – 2:45p Tuesday, December 31, 2019 8:00a – 9:00a
Recreational Skating/Hockey Fees Single 10 Visits 3 Months Youth (3-17) $4.00 $36.00 $88.00 Adult (18-59 $6.00 $54.00 $132.00 Senior (60+) $4.00 $36.00 $88.00 ADA ID $3.00 $27.00 $66.00 Family Pass $18.00 $165.00 $240.00
Skate Rental $3.00
TIMES ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE: Call the number above or check daily ice schedule at https://fairbanksak.myrec.com/info/facilities/details.aspx?FacilityID=14696
Birch Hill Recreation Area/FNSB 457-4488 101 Wilderness Drive, Fairbanks
The Parks and Recreation Department, through partnership with the Nordic Ski Club of Fairbanks, offers the Birch Hill Recreation Area and the Jim Whisenhant Cross Country Ski Trail system for recreational use.
Winter Season Hours of Operation Monday thru Friday Noon – 9:00 p.m. Saturday 8:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. Sunday 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Cold Weather Closure: During extreme cold temperatures (-25° or colder) the Cross Country Ski Center will not be open. At this temperature, the trail lights will be shut off. The warm-up hut will remain open.
Visit us at https://fairbanksak.myrec.com/info/facilities/details.aspx?FacilityID=14701
Boys & Girls Club 457-5223 645 8th Avenue, Fairbanks
• The Boys & Girls Club of Fairbanks is open during Winter Break! • Hours are 12:00 pm-6:00 pm. Club will be closed on December 23, 24, 25, and January 1. • Ages 7-18 (if still in high school) • Memberships are $50 a year and scholarships are available! • If you are not sure you want to become a member right away, you can visit for free up to 5 days. • Try out Cooking Club on Thursdays & Science Fun on Fridays! • Meals and snacks provided, fun activities & field trips
Teen Center · Teen Center Open 12-6 for ages 13-18 (if still in high school) · PS4s with Fortnite Mondays & Fridays · Full Sized Gym & Teen Only Gym 5-6pm · Cooking on a Budget on Tuesdays · Card games, pool, foosball, music · Teen Nights Every Friday 6-8pm! Free dinner!
Christmas Party for Children 389-2164 Chatanika Lodge, Mile 28.5 Steese Highway
Friday & Saturday, December 20 and 21. Party held at the Chatanika Lodge. Santa will make an appearance and give gifts at 6:30 pm each night! On Friday, December 20 the event will be focused to allow more time children with special needs. Saturday, December 21, the event is open to all families. Gift and free buffet for every child up to age 11.
Call or visit www.chatanikalodgeak.com for further information.
FNSB Parks & Recreation Adaptive Program 459-1097
Adaptive Recreation works within the Department of Parks and Recreation to provide recreational programs for the population of Fairbanks and North Pole who have a disability. Their programs change with the seasons, from biking and hiking in the summer to snow shoeing and cross country skiing in the winter with almost everything else in between!
The Adaptive Program requires a current registration form be on file and that anyone wishing to participate call the Adaptive Office at 459-1097 to register as well as speak with staff about program participation. The program does require that any youth be accompanied by a parent or care provider for the activity.
For more information and a current newsletter and CALENDAR of activities, please visit: www.co.fairbanks.ak.us/pr/Pages/Adaptive-Program.aspx
Fairbanks Children’s Museum 374-6873 302 Cushman Street, Suite 101, Fairbanks
The Fairbanks Children’s Museum Hours of Operation Tuesday thru Saturday 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Sunday 11:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Closed December 24 Christmas Eve December 25 Christmas Day January 1 New Year’s Day
Fun Events December 26 11 – 11:30 a.m. Pint Size Science / Age appropriate science experiments focused on STEM topics.
December 31 11:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. Noon Year’s Eve / Celebrate a family-friendly New Year’s at the Children’s Museum. Balloons drop at noon!
January 2 11 – 11:30 a.m. Pint Size Science / Age appropriate science experiments focused on STEM topics.
January 3 5:30 – 8:00 p.m. Kids Night In / We entertain the kids with play and pizza, so that parents can enjoy the many First Friday events in town! $25/child
Admission General $8.00 per person Military $7.00 per person Museum for All $3.00 per person (with presentation of Alaska Quest or EBT card) Members always play free!
For more information, visit fairbankschildrensmuseum.org.
Friends of Creamer’s Field 452-5162 Farmhouse, Creamer’s Field Migratory Waterfowl Refuge 1300 College Road, Fairbanks
Open House & Saturday, December 7 Walk the luminary trail and enjoy the Luminary Trail 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. winter evening trail of lights!
Holiday Ornament Saturdays, December 14 & 21 Make ornaments using natural Making Workshops Noon – 4:00 p.m. materials (provided) in Creamer’s Farmhouse by the barn.
Winter Solstice Walk Saturday, December 21 Discover Creamer’s Field refuge on 1:00 p.m. one of the shortest days of the year!
Fountainhead Antique Auto Museum 450-2100 212 Wedgewood Dr, Fairbanks
Open Sundays & Wednesdays: Noon – 6:00 p.m.
Enjoy VIP access to this nationally acclaimed museum, where you'll discover fabulous historic fashions and remarkable antique cars that show how automobile and clothing design evolved dramatically from the Victorian Age through the Art Deco era. See Alaska's first car and explore the Territory's unusual automotive history through exhibits, photographs and archival videos. More than 100 vintage costumes are on display, as well as special clothing exhibits.
Our collection features over 80 vehicles, including horseless carriages, steamers, electric cars, speedsters, cyclecars, midget racers and 30s classics. These include such rarities as an 1898 Hay Motor Vehicle, 1906 Compound, 1920 Argonne and 1921 Heine-Velox Victoria. Remarkably, all but a few of the automobiles are driven, making this a true "living museum." Be sure to bring your camera - there's even an automobile you can climb into for photos!
Daily Admission Ages 13 and above $10.00 Ages 6 - 12 $5.00 Ages 5 and under Free
Season Passes Adult Season Pass $40.00 Family Season Pass $60.00 (up to two adults and four children)
Visit us at http://www.fountainheadmuseum.com/
Hamme Pool 459-1086 931 Airport Way, Fairbanks
OPEN SWIM TIMES, DECEMBER 22, 2018-JANUARY 6, 2019
Weekdays; 2:00-3:45 pm and 7:00-9:00 pm Saturdays: 2:00-4:30 pm Sundays: 1:00-4:30 pm
Holiday Closures: December 24-25, January 1 Pool Fees: Ages 0-3, Free / Ages 3-17, $4.00 / Ages 18-59, $6.00 / Ages 60 & over, $4.00
Visit us at http://www.co.fairbanks.ak.us/pr/Pages/Hamme-Pool.aspx
Joel’s Place 452-2621 1890 Marika, Fairbanks
Joel’s Place has been serving youth in our community for over 18 years. From a vision into a reality, Joel’s Place is the only facility of its kind in Fairbanks offering adrenaline-seeking youth the opportunity to board and bike year round.
Joel's Place is so much more than a skate park. While hanging out in the facility, youth have access to a pool table, air hockey table, ping pong table, video games, and so much more! Snacks are offered on weekdays and a snack and delicious dinner is provided Fridays, Saturdays, & Sundays.
Hours of Operation: Wednesday & Thursday 7:00p – 9:00p Friday 7:00p – 10:00p Saturday 2:00p – 10:00p
Mention that you saw this in the Winter Break Activity guide and get a “Two for One” special! Pricing: Lessons $10.00 per hour 3 Hours of Shredding $7.00 Youth Center Access FREE
Jo-Ann Fabrics and Crafts 458-7177 250 3rd Street, Fairbanks
Schedules available the first of each month at the store or https://stores.joann.com/ak/fairbanks
Mary Siah Recreation Center 459-1082 805 14th Avenue, Fairbanks
OPEN SWIM TIMES, DECEMBER 22, 2018 - JANUARY 6, 2019
Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday & Friday: 3:30-4:45 pm & 6:30-8:45 pm Thursday: 3:30-4:45 pm Saturdays: 1:30-3:45 pm Sundays: 9:30-11:45 am
Holiday Closures: December 24-25, January 1 Pool Fees: Ages 0-3, Free / Ages 3-17, $4.00 / Ages 18-59, $6.00 / Ages 60 & over, $4.00
Visit us at http://www.co.fairbanks.ak.us/pr/Pages/Mary-Siah-Recreation-Center.aspx
Michaels Arts and Crafts 456-6046 34 College Road, Fairbanks
Schedules available the first of each month at the store or https://www.michaels.com/classes
Moose Mountain Ski Resort 459-8132 3840 Moose Mountain Road
Moose Mountain Ski Resort is interior Alaska’s largest alpine ski and snowboard area. With 750 acres, over a mile wide and a mile long, and 1300 vertical feet, “the Moose” has everything from a short beginner tow at the base lodge to long gentle cruisers and steep, narrow black diamond runs that can challenge the best skiers and boarders.
Moose Mountain has many south facing runs, allowing for sunny skiing above the inversion every day of the season. The average inversion is 20-30 degrees warmer than the flats of the Tanana Valley, and the views are impressive. The prevailing cold weather wind in winter is from the northeast, and southwest facing runs are fully sheltered with tree cover to the top of the mountain.
Moose Mountain is the only known ski area with the primary lift system a fleet of school buses, capable of 100 skiers per hour per bus. When they need to up the capacity, they add more buses. Enjoy a snack, post a pic of your last run on social media, chat with your friends, and unzip your coat. It is only a 10- minute ride, while a standard speed chairlift would take 13-15 minutes to get you there, unprotected from the elements. After 25 years, they have never had a compelling reason to change, and the buses allow them to remain one of the least expensive ski areas of their size.
Moose Mountain also has a new beginner tow, which is popular not just with the tourists waiting for darkness and aurora, but also with parents and kids from the Interior. It is right outside the lodge, so observers can watch in warmth and comfort.
RENTAL PACKAGES Skis/Boots/Poles or Snowboard/Boots $35.00 per day Kids Package (12 and under) $20.00
SINGLE ITEM EQUIPMENT RENTAL Ski helmets are available for loan thanks to the Zach Hanson Memorial Fund. Skis or Snowboard $25.00 per day Boots $25.00 per day Poles $25.00 per day
BUY YOUR SEASON PASS ONLINE! Adult $500.00 Military/EMS/Fire/Police & UAF full time (9+ hours) $450.00 Youth (13-18) $400.00 Child (7-12) $300.00 Child (6 and Under) & Senior (70+) $25.00
FULL DAY TICKET PRICES Adult $40.00 Active Military/EMS/Fire/Police/UAF full time (9+ hours) (ID Required for ALL) $35.00 Season pass holders from any Alaska ski resort & Youth (13-18) $30.00 Child (7-12) $25.00 Child (6 and Under) & Senior (70+) FREE
Call 459-8132 for snow conditions, hours of operation, and ski report, or visit www.shredthemoose.com.
Noel Wien Library Fairbanks 459-1052 1215 Cowles Street, Fairbanks
PLEASE NOTE: The Noel Wien Library will be closed Tuesday and Wednesday, December 24th and 25th. The Noel Wien Library will close at 6 pm on Tuesday, December 31st, and will be closed on Wednesday, January 1st.
Monday, Dec. 23: Button Making Stop by the Berry Room with a small photo (not Berry Room bigger than 2.5 inches) and have a button-pin made to wear or give as a gift. Free
Friday, Dec. 27 Movies @ Your Library Call the Berry Room @ 459-1052 to find out the 1:30 p.m. title of the movie being shown. Auditorium doors Auditorium open at 1:20 p.m. For children ages 3 and up. Free
Monday, Dec. 30 Drop-In Party Hat Craft Create a festive hat using colorful paper strips to 1:00 – 5:00 p.m. celebrate the New Year. All materials supplied by Berry Room the public library. For children ages 3 and up. Free
Tuesday, Dec. 31 Drop-In Mobile and Pick a shape for our die-cut machine, choose your 1:00 – 5:00 p.m. Garland Craft paper color, then decorate the results to Berry Room personalize a mobile or garland all for you. All materials supplied by the public library. For children ages 3 and up. Free
Thursday, Jan. 2 Drop-In Zoo Play Day Join us for a variety of self-paced activities 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. featuring animals you’d find in the wild or in a zoo! Berry Room Free
Friday, Jan. 3 Bricktastic An hour of toy brick building fun. This month’s 10:30 a.m. theme is jungle. We provide the toy bricks, you Berry Room provide the imagination! For ages 3 and up. Free
Friday, Jan. 3 Don Man Celebration Join us for a celebration of all things Dog Man, the 1:30 p.m. book series by Dav Pilkey. Free Berry Room
Monday, Jan. 3 Makers’ Club Think, design and build creative solutions to a 1:30 p.m. problem with materials proved by the library. For Berry Room children ages 8 and up. Free
North Pole Branch-Library 488-6101 656 North Pole High School Blvd., North Pole
Wednesday, Dec. 18 Holiday Movie Matinee Join us to watch some wonderful children’s 2:00 – 5:00 p.m. animated holiday classics. Enjoy a holiday treat while watching your favorites!
Thursday, Jan. 2 Drop-In Craft Join us for an afternoon of fun and creativity! All 1:00 – 5:00 p.m. materials provided. No registration is required. All materials are provided.
Saturday, Jan 4 Brick-O-Mania Join us for an hour of Lego building fun. Our 2:00 – 3:00 p.m. theme this month is PIRATES! For ages 3 and up. Siblings or children under 2 years of age are welcome to play with our Duplo building blocks. All program materials provided by the library.
For more information, please call the library at 488-6101.
Alaska 2-1-1 – Parent Referral Assistance Statewide: 2-1-1 or 1-800-478-2221
Alaska Children’s Trust has partnered with Alaska 2-1-1 to offer comprehensive support to families. Through 2-1-1 you can connect with a specialist who can provide individualized information on:
• Link to local experts on parenting & child development • Community resources and services • Other parenting questions and concerns
2-1-1 does not provide ongoing counseling, but we do provide referrals to other appropriate agencies if callers are experiencing a crisis or need additional assistance.
Resource Center for Parents and Children 456-2866 726 26th Avenue, Suite 2, Fairbanks
RCPC knows parenting is hard, which is why they provide a wealth of resources available for families. The mission at the Resource Center for Parents and Children is to create a culture that values parenting and keeps children safe through education, respect, advocacy and strong families.
They welcome you to stop by their office, Monday-Friday, 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m., to browse the “Ma Poole” lending library and to check out books and videos on topics such as positive discipline, sibling rivalry, loving your teenager, becoming a new parent and so much more. If you need assistance with a specific parenting issue, the staff is always willing to assist.
For additional information visit RCPC on Facebook or visit https://www.rcpcfairbanks.org/. .
Ski Land 456-7669 2315 Skiland Road, Fairbanks
Skiing and Snowboarding opening Saturday, December 7th weather permitting. The season normally starts around early December and runs until around mid-April. Ski Land is closed until there is enough snow, please call 456-7669, or visit www.skilandfairbanks.com, for snow conditions, hours of operation, pass sales events, and ski report or check out Ski Land’s Facebook page.
Ski Land will be open 3 days a week this season (Saturdays, Sundays & Mondays) over the break for skiing and snowboarding. Lessons and rentals will be available. On the days it is open, Ski Land will also be running a shuttle from Fairbanks this season, which will be great for teens!
Ski Land offers the farthest north chairlift in North America, a day lodge with spectacular view, the Aurora Cafe serving up pastries, breakfast, snacks, soups, sandwiches, beverages, desserts, alpine and snowboard equipment rentals, and Ski Land is patrolled by National Ski Patrol.
Aurora Viewing 9:00 pm to 3:00 am every night of the week, mid-September through mid-April. (Open for the 2019/2020 season!)
UA Museum of the North 474-7505 1962 Yukon Drive, Fairbanks
The museum is open during winter break! Closed December 25-26 and January 1-2.
Try gallery scavenger hunts (bit.ly/uamnactivities). Watch a movie. Discover activities in the Family Room.
SPARKTACULAR – DECEMBER 31, 5:30 – 9:00 p.m. ***Free! Join us to watch the fireworks! Cookies and beverages will be available for sale from 5:30 – 8:00 PM. Museum galleries will be open until 9:00 PM. Fireworks start at 8:00 PM
Wescott Pool with Water Slide 488-9402 300 E. 8th Avenue, North Pole
OPEN SWIM TIMES w/ WATER SLIDES, DECEMBER 22, 2018-JANUARY 6, 2019
Weekdays; 1:30-3:45 pm and 7:00-9:00 pm Saturdays: 1:30-3:45 pm Sundays: 1:00-2:45 pm and 4:00-5:45pm
HOLIDAY SWIM: December 27 1:30-4:00 pm & 7:00-9:00 pm
Holiday Closures: December 24- 25, January 1 Pool Fees: Ages 0-3, Free / Ages 3-17, $4.20 / Ages 18-59, $6.30 / Ages 60 & over, $4.41
This resource list is provided for informational purposes only and does not reflect an endorsement of the programs or agencies by the Fairbanks North Star Borough School District or the 21st Century Community Learning Center’s After School Programs. Updated 11/19/2018
Brought to you by: Fairbanks North Star Borough School District 21st Century Alaska Community Learning Centers After School Programs