Arctic Hive Packing List

Wondering what you'll need to visit Arctic Hive? We have a packing list that we send out to guests that is a reflection of the clothing and gear that we use, living here! 
​

Travel Insurance

*THIS IS A MUST*
If you haven’t already booked coverage for your trip, including transport to Fairbanks, your stay at Arctic Hive, and everything in between, we suggest checking out Wanderwell (CLICK HERE FOR OUR LINK!) for peace of mind.
While we can’t speak for the company in every situation, past guests who had to cancel shared very positive feedback about their claims experience. We recommend purchasing travel insurance sooner rather than later!

---

Luggage & Packs

Checked Bag

• Limit yourself to one checked bag + one carry-on. Space is limited.
• Ideal: a duffel that converts to a backpack or has a shoulder strap.
• Avoid: wheeled suitcases (unless they’re hard-shell Pelicans).
• Summer/fall: duffels are much easier since you’ll haul gear yourself. We love Osprey duffels — ours are going strong after 8+ years.

​Day Pack

• A 36–46L pack is perfect for water, layers, food, and camera gear.
  
• Pro tip: Use this as your carry-on on your flights to reduce extra luggage.

​WINTER PACKING
(Layering Guide)

Season-dependent — once you’re booked, we’ll give you exact recommendations.
Layering on Top
The key is space between layers — don’t sausage yourself in. Your outer layer may need to be sized up.

• Baselayer top: Tighter-fitting, non-cotton.
  • Mollie loves Youer fleece hoodies/tops/dresses (Code MOLLIE = 10% off)
  • Sean: 686 Ultra Thermal Fleece Hoodie
• Puffy layer: Down or synthetic.
  • Mollie loves Skhoop puffies (Code MOLLIE = 15% off full-price)
• Shell layer: Wind-breaking, ideally GORE-TEX ski/snowboard jacket.
  • 686 Smarty jackets are awesome (built-in removable mid-layer).
• Optional 4th layer: Big puffy (Skhoop Pia Poncho) or a thick fleece.

Layering on Bottom

• Baselayer bottoms: Non-cotton.
  • Mollie: Youer Go There Fleece Pants (Code MOLLIE = 10% off)
  • Sean: Kirkland baselayers + 686 merino-lined Everywhere Pant
• Mid-layer pants: Down or fleece.
  • Skhoop makes great mid-layer pants (Code MOLLIE = 15% off)
• Outer layer: Snowpants (bibs preferred).
  • We both wear the 686 Dispatch Bib daily.

Winter Boots
You’ll wear these the whole trip. A high calf is a must — snow can be deep.

Options:

• Budget-friendly: Insulated Bogs with wiggle room (tight boots = cold feet).
  
• Warmest: Alaska Gear Company Bunny Boots (heavy, but unbeatable).
  
• Mukluks: Steger Mukluks = extremely warm, not fully waterproof.
  
  • Great for dry, cold days
    
  • Not ideal for dog mushing or slushy overflow
    
  • Must order far in advance
    
  • Use their waterproofing spray!

Winter Boots
You will be wearing these for pretty much the whole trip, so they're one of the biggest investments! Something that is high on your calves is a MUST due to potential deep snow. 

• For a wallet-friendly option, consider super insulated Bogs with room for your feet to move! Remember that the tighter the boots are on your feet, the colder your feet will be.
• We wear Alaska Gear Company Bunny Boots, and although they are heavy and take some conditioning to get used to, they are THE WARMEST, and great for all conditions.
• We also recommend Steger Mukluks. They’re not necessarily waterproof (although definitely use the waterproofing spray Steger sells!), but they are extremely warm. If you’re coming dog mushing, we recommend something sturdier like Bogs or Bunny Boot, especially because as the winter warms up, we will be mushing through slush/overflow. Mukluks are great as long as you don't encounter water! You usually have to order Mukluks far in advance, so don’t wait!

Winter Accessories:

• Mittens - best to bring two pairs. Search 686 Gortex Linear Mitt— these are exactly what we wear daily. We don't recommend gloves... mittens are warmer. A second pair could be a thinner glove that is easier to operate a phone — Costco sells these during winter.
• Hand and Foot Warmers: We recommend bringing enough to have one set of these per day for both hands and feet! Buy the brand Hot Hands… avoid “Little Hotties” if you can. Hot Hands are superior! We'll have spares, but best to bring a set for yourself so you're fully prepared!
• Winter Hats and Neck Gaiters / Baclava - we usually wear beanies 24/7, and a neck gaiter with merino or fleece against our faces, and a full face mask / baclava when it's super windy. We wear a mix of 686 and Mollie also wears Skida for pops of pattern and color! (Use code MOLLIE15 for 15% off your Skida order!) It's nice to have a spare one of each if one is damp from a day's adventures!
• A few pairs of warm wool socks — wool, or merino wool, is key! 
• Some sort of lightweight slippers that can travel with you in your pack — this is probably the MOST IMPORTANT indoor item to bring for yourself, as the cabins have cold floors. We have some rugs, but due to the cabins being lifted off the tundra and the base below the platform not being enclosed. If we enclosed them, the permafrost would melt, which doesn't make for an ideal spot for a house!

Odds and Ends:

• Camera or phone for documenting your trip! Bring charge cables - every cabin will be able to charge your USB devices and small plug-in devices. If you have a new iPhone that uses USB-C, make sure you bring an old regular USB cable to plug into our solar system. The systems in the cabins also have regular outlets where you can plug to charge, too. Each cabin has 600 watts of power, which can get recharged every few days. That is more than enough power to load up your phones/small devices. Just please no computers or big tablets (and no heated blankets, or other devices with a heat element) that draw a lot of power. When in doubt, please just ask us any questions before you come! If you have your own personal battery bank charger (the small ones), feel free to bring it! We will have run time on our gas generator daily to help you get charged up, too.
• Toothbrush/paste
• 2 lightweight water bottles (Nalgenes or the equivalent... stainless steel ones are heavy to haul around, BUT they do keep water from freezing when we're out on a hike. I like to have one insulated water bottle and one not. Make sure both have a well-sealing lid)
• Headlamp and extra batteries
• An insulated coffee mug... this isn't required, but could be a bonus if you like hot drinks in cold weather! Our favorite mugs are Yeti Travel mugs.
• Clothing to sleep in + undergarments: T-shirt and lightweight pants. Cabins are warm (usually 65F-75F depending on your desired sleeping temperature) so you'll be plenty comfortable! A hoodie/fleece is always nice too.​​
• Chapstick
• Sunscreen and sunglasses (unless you’re here in December/January, ha!)

Here are a few things you DO NOT need, as we will provide:

• You do not need any drinkware or eating utensils/plates
• Linens or pillows
• Dry Shampoo — we have some great Aveda dry shampoo in every cabin
• Body Wipes — each cabin has an abundance of unscented baby wipes for a quick refresh if you need it! So many folks are surprised by how fresh they feel after 5+ days keeping clean with baby wipes.
• Face wipes — we have face wipes in every cabin
• Water filter or water — we provide filtered water in every cabin for your use. You’ll have access to all the clean mountain water you could ever need
• A yoga mat, meditation cushion, yoga props — we have B-yoga Mats and Halfmoon bolsters, cushions, blankets, blocks and straps for your use
• ​Hand towels - if you need one for washing your face, etc, we provide!

What to do in Fairbanks...

Staying in Fairbanks before or after your trip to Arctic Hive? Click the link to view our blog post with all our recommendations from lodging, to sights, to restaurants and more!

Show me the post!