Chena Hot Springs Resort

Welcome to the Chena (CHEE-nuh) Hot Springs Resort, a sprawling four-hundred-and-forty-acre enclave of warmth situated deep within the frozen interior of Alaska. Located approximately sixty miles northeast of Fairbanks, reaching…

Our exploration begins at the main Activity Center, the functional heart of the resort. Stepping inside, the ambiance is distinctly utilitarian, reminiscent of a classic, slightly weathered recreational center. …

As we walk the grounds, moving past the main buildings, it is critical to address the impressive engineering feat that allows this resort to function. Operating a massive facility in an environment that reaches negative sixty…

We now approach a structure that defies the traditional boundaries of architecture: the Aurora Ice Museum. Housed within a massive, corrugated metal shell designed to look like a giant igloo, this museum is recognized as one of…

Deep within the Aurora Ice Museum lies its most famous and interactive exhibit: the Ice Bar. This is not merely a display, but a fully operational tavern sculpted entirely from frozen water. …

We arrive now at the primary attraction of the resort: the natural hot springs rock pool. This sprawling, adults-only outdoor lake is a masterpiece of landscape design seamlessly integrated with active geology. …

Adjacent to the hot springs and set slightly away from the ambient light of the main resort buildings, we find the designated aurora viewing areas, often featuring traditional, teepee-like structures known as Lavus (LAH-voos).…

As our tour of the Chena Hot Springs Resort concludes, take a moment to absorb the unique juxtaposition of elements that define this place. We are standing in one of the most unforgiving, frigid environments on Earth, yet we are…