The best part of Alaska winter traveling is enjoying an outdoor hot spring with an aurora. 
Located 56 miles northwest of downtown Fairbanks, Chena Hot Springs Resort is a popular century old rustic lodge and resort complex.

Last time I showed you Chena Hot Springs in the winter covered with snow in the posting below. This time I will show you different parts of Chena Hot Springs Resort without snow.

- Chena Hot Springs Resort- Enjoying the Hot Springs in the Freezing Temperature

Chena Hot Springs Resort offers great views of the Aurora Borealis in the winter. Many Japanese people visit Chena Hot Springs Resort since there is a belief in Japan that facing a new year with an aurora brings good luck in that year and a newlywed couple will bear a son if they are with an aurora. So Chena Hot Springs Resort is one of the most attractive winter Alaska destinations.
 

I visited Chena Hot Springs Resort with my friends. 



Chena Hot Springs has regular rooms and family rooms, but the room rates are rather pricey. So staying in Fairbanks for lodging and just visiting here can be another option.  





My friends headed to the hot springs after checking-in.



If you are staying at Chena Hot Springs resort, using the hot springs is free while you are staying. Towels are provided for free as well for staying guests.



Here’s the rate for Chena Hot Springs (non-resort guests).



If you want to use a locker, you need to bring a 25-cent coin.



There was liquid soap in the shower booths.



There was an indoor pool and hot tub so you can warm up here before you go to the outdoor pool.



There is an outdoor hot tub as well.



This is the outdoor natural hot springs rock lake.





Hot spring water does not stay in the lake. It is running constantly to the creek next to it.



Ducks and geese were enjoying a hot spring bath in the creek for free. 
What lucky ducks and geese! ;)



Using heat from the land, various vegetables and fruits are growing in the green house.



This is Aurora Ice Museum in Chena Hot Springs Resort.

Fairbanks is the world capital of ice art and home to the World Ice Art Championships, and many of the world’s best ice artists live in Fairbanks. Chena Hot Springs erected its first version of the Aurora Ice Hotel (now called the Aurora Ice Museum) in 2004. It was the first of its kind in America and one of just a few in the entire world.

Aurora Ice Museum features a gallery and ice bar, overhead chandeliers made of individually carved ice crystals (changing color every few seconds to mimic an aurora), and many sculptures, including a huge ice chess set and life-sized jousting knights. It also has an ice fireplace and 4 different themed art galleries.



This is the only restaurant in Chena Hot Springs Resort, and sometimes bears who smell the food show up here.



This is where visitors can make reservations for various outdoor activities.



This is inside the café where visitors can buy food and vegetables produced in the green house.

My hot spring experiences always conclude with having an ice cream here after bathing. ;)