A common misconception that out-of-towners have about Alaska is that everyone lives in an igloo. This couldn’t be more wrong. Alaskans have normal houses, just like in the “lower 48.” Igloos were once temporary homes made by hunters, but the only time they’re really used to day is in emergency situations.
When an out-of-towner hears “snowmachine”, they instantly think of the giant snow makers on their local ski hills. In Alaska, the snowmachine is what locals call snowmobiles.
Yes, the Iditarod still runs in full strength every year, as racers travel well over 1,000 miles from Anchorage to Nome, pulled by sled dogs. However, this is really the only time most Alaskans will see this mode of transportation—adorable as it is.
It’s not uncommon for an out-of-towner to be shocked when they discover that Alaska is indeed connected to the World Wide Web. The Internet may be slow and expensive in the Last Frontier, but at this point, most of the populated places are able to get a connection.
In a state where many places are cut off from the rest of the country at times throughout the year, it’s important to make things last as long as humanly possible. Every Alaskan knows that duct tape fixes everything, and it’s not uncommon to see it on cars, houses, and even planes.
During the summer, days in Alaska tend to get super long with daylight stretching for 22 hours at times. This doesn’t change the schedule around town, as most people still try to sleep regular hours. Similarly, some days are short during the winter with less than 8 hours of sun.
During the longer days of summer, it’s pretty common for Alaskans to use aluminum foil to block out sunlight. It’s cheaper than black-out blinds and tends to work just as well.
Just because it’s cold and there’s usually snow on the ground doesn’t mean that everyone’s favorite tuxedoed bird prances around Alaskan towns. Penguins aren’t native to the Northern Hemisphere, meaning Alaskans have to go to the zoo to see their penguins just like everyone else.
Akutaq is a pretty normal dish in the last frontier. It’s made of whipped animal fat mixed with berries and the occasional fish or sugar added as well. Hey, don’t knock it ‘til you try it.
It’s much more fun to say “bunny boots” than “extreme cold vapor barrier boots”, and it’s also slightly less depressing. The footwear commonly referred to as “bunny boots” use a special insulation technique to help keep feet warm in extreme cold and are essential to an Alaskan lifestyle.
Also known as hardtack, this inexpensive bread similar to a cracker is known for lasting a really long time. Almost 98 percent of all “Sailor Boy” hardtack goes straight to Alaska, as it was originally brought there for the ease of transportation, but stayed by demand of the local taste buds.
Everything is bigger in Alaska, and summers might as well be known as giant mosquito season. It’s important that an out-of-towner always has a full bottle of bug spray with them, as a bad swarm of mosquitos could quickly make their trip miserable.
While a sighting would usually shock someone in the “lower 48,” it’s pretty common to see flocks of bald eagles in Alaska. These majestic creatures are everywhere, just more evidence that Alaska is a pretty badass place to be.
Instead of picking bald eagles to represent the state, the Alaskan state bird is something most out-of-towners probably can’t even pronounce. Part of the pheasant family, the willow ptarmigan was chosen as the state bird by a group of school children in the 1955 while the Alaskan constitution was being drafted.
Alaskans can often judge how cold it is outside by looking at how much frost is on their inside walls. A simple household heating system won’t cut it, as things like wood burning stoves must be used to keep homes warm.
While this nasal kiss originated as a way to greet without removing face coverings in icy cold weather, it’s rarely seen today.
In Alaska, the power tends to go out. Either things get too cold or there’s a problem somewhere with the many miles of wiring from one place to another. Alaskans don’t freak out if they lose their electricity, they’ve got plenty of ways to stay warm and a lot of the year they’ve got long daylight hours anyways.
In most places around Alaska, it’s possible to see the Northern Lights, giant swirling clouds of neon green and blue that fill the sky. When this happens, people say “the Lights are out” and run outside to see them as fast as possible. They never get old.
You can’t drive to Juneau, there’s no road to the city. Technically, you can put your car on a ferry and grab a ride to the state’s capital by boat, but it’s not your typical road trip. The best way to get there is to fly.
Every Alaskan needs espresso to start their day. There are tons of tiny shacks everywhere that are often packed with customers. On a cold winter’s morning, nothing gives you a quick kick like a straight shot of caffeine.
If the car starts on a cold day in Alaska, it stays running. There’s nothing worse than finally getting the car moving only to have it get too cold and freeze over at the grocery store miles away from home.
Some out-of-towners will experience jetlag when they travel to the Last Frontier, as 8 a.m. in New York is 4 a.m. in Alaska. Four hours might not seem like such a big deal, but when the business world starts so early on the East Coast, many Alaskan professionals have to kiss sleeping in goodbye.
In a place with so much wild snow-covered terrain, it should be obvious that some sort of four-wheel drive vehicle is essential to thriving. While it might not be quite as necessary in the more Southern areas of the state, it’s something every Alaskan would rather have and not need, than need and not have.
While a lot of the time, there’s snow on the ground in most of Alaska, some of the lower parts of the state experience a vibrant summer season. It’s still jacket weather a lot of the time, but at least the bunny boots usually get a few months off.
Contrary to popular belief, Alaska is not the North Pole. Reindeer aren’t even native to Alaska, as they were brought in from Siberia in the late 1800s to provide alternative food for whalers. Any out-of-towner headed to Alaska expecting a winter wonderland filled with candy canes and gingerbread men will be greatly disappointed. The snowcapped mountain peaks are pretty sweet though.
Alaska is home to tons of huge mammals, from moose to elk to even grizzly bears. While these animals are cool to observe from afar, they’re usually pretty aggressive species and can lead to tragic results when they encounter humans, especially when they wander onto roads. Which is why every Alaskan knows that if there’s a moose in the driveway, it’s best to call in sick for the day.
Alaska isn’t all rural, there are some big cities. Anchorage is shockingly familiar for most visitors, with tons of restaurants, huge buildings, and a nightlife to match.
Driving distance in Alaska is often measured by hours and some places are only accessible by plane. That being said, there are a lot of cities in Alaska that are hard to get to. The people living in those parts are used to being on their own and still thrive doing so.
The “everything’s bigger in Alaska” statement stands true about the seafood, as Alaskans are spoiled by amazing fish and enormous crabs. The seafood is better here than anywhere else in the country, giving Alaskans just another reason to love their state.
Sure, Alaska, might be a far-off, distant land to most out-of-towners that visit, but to every Alaskan it’s their home and they wouldn’t have it any other way. Surrounded by natural beauty as far as the eye can see, the Last Frontier is the most spectacular place in America to be. What have you had to explain to out-of-towners about Alaska? Tell us in the comments below!
