How to Survive Your First Alaskan

Winter as a Homeowner

By Alaska House Hunting

If you’ve recently bought a home in Alaska, first of all... Congratulations!
Second of all… have you met winter yet?

Here in Alaska, winter isn’t just a season. It’s a full-time roommate with a strong personality.
A very cold, very persistent roommate who shows up early, stays late, and expects you to keep the place warm.

But don’t worry. I’ve got you.

Here’s your friendly, local guide to surviving (and even loving) your first Alaskan winter as a homeowner.

1. Know Thy Furnace: Heating Systems 101

Let’s start with the heart of your home—the furnace.
In Alaska, heating isn’t optional. It’s survival.

You’ll typically see:

• Natural gas furnaces (most common in Anchorage + Mat-Su)

• Fuel oil heaters (common in older homes and rural areas)

• Wood/pellet stoves (beloved backup heat sources)

Local tip:
Get your system serviced in early fall. Alaskans don’t gamble with a furnace going out in January.

If your furnace makes a weird sound, don’t ignore it—this is not the place to “wait and see.”

2. Insulation: Your Home’s Cozy Winter Coat

Good insulation makes the difference between a warm home and a home that says, “Hey, maybe wear two pairs of socks.”

Things to check:

• Attic insulation levels

• Weatherstripping around doors

• Window seal quality

• Drafts along the floorboard

The better your insulation, the lower your heating bill.
(Your wallet will send warm wishes.)

3. Frozen Pipes: The Unwanted Winter Surprise

If you’ve never lived somewhere cold, “frozen pipes” might sound like something that happens to other people.

Not here.

Prevent frozen pipes by:

• Keeping a steady temperature in the home

• Wrapping exposed pipes

• Opening cabinet doors on extra-cold nights

• Letting a slow drip run when temps hit “oh no” levels

If your pipes do freeze, turn off the water and thaw gently—no open flames, no hero moves.

4. Your Car Needs Winter Prep Too

Your home isn’t the only thing adjusting to the cold—your car is about to experience character development.

Essentials:

• Block heater (yes, the cord hanging out of your neighbor’s bumper is normal)

• Battery blanket (batteries do NOT love –20°F)

• Studded or winter tires

• Windshield washer fluid rated for freezing temps

You’ll also want a snow brush that looks like it could sweep the deck of a ship.

5. Snow Management: Welcome to the Workout You Didn’t Ask For

Snow removal is a rite of passage. Whether you're using:

• A shovel

• A snowblower

• A roof rake

• Or sheer determination

…you’re going to become intimately familiar with snow.

Roof care

If you see massive snow buildup, rake it off before it becomes a roof-level drama.

Walkways

Ice melt or sand is your friend. Your tailbone will thank you.

6. Darkness Happens — Prepare Your Mood as Much as Your Home

Yes, winter is dark. Really dark.
But don’t worry — Alaskans have mastered the art of staying happy through the dim months.

Mood-boosting tools:

• Light therapy lamps

• Vitamin D supplements

• Cozy routines (tea, blankets, good books)

• Social activities (don’t hibernate too hard!)

Think hygge — but with moose outside.

7. Build a Winter Emergency Kit

It doesn’t have to be doomsday-prepper level. Just smart.

Inside your home, include:

• Backup heat source (generator, wood stove, propane heater)

• Flashlights + batteries

• Blankets

• Nonperishable snacks

• First aid kit

• Backup phone chargers

If the power flickers out during a storm, you’ll be calm, comfortable, and well-fed.

8. Stock Up Before the Deep Cold Hits

Most Alaskans do what we lovingly call “the winter stock-up.”

Common items:

• Firewood or pellets

• Rock salt / ice melt

• Winter clothes

• Pantry staples

• Emergency candles

• Extra blankets

Trust me — you do NOT want to be driving across town in a blizzard because you ran out of hot cocoa.

9. Make Your Home Cozy — Lean Into It

Winter is long, but that’s kind of the charm.
Make your home a place you want to be.

Ideas:

• Warm lighting

• Soft blankets

• Scented candles (pine, vanilla, cinnamon ?)

• Indoor plants

• A good Netflix queue

Winter is easier when your home feels like a retreat, not a refrigerator.

10. Remember: Alaskans Thrive in Winter — And You Will Too

Your first winter might feel intense. That’s normal.
Every longtime Alaskan has their “first winter story,” usually involving snow up to the windows, a stuck truck, or their first moose encounter.

But here’s the truth:
You’ll adapt faster than you think.
You’ll learn what gear works, what routines keep you cozy, and how to appreciate the quiet beauty of snow-covered mountains.

And by spring, you’ll feel like you’ve earned honorary Alaskan status.

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