With so much uncertainty surrounding the coronavirus outbreak at the moment, jetting off on a last minute flight deal is simply not an option right now. But it does give you time to plan your dream holiday, complete with destination hopping, and unique experiences. One of these amazing trips to start planning is Alaska, giving yourself plenty of time to make sure you see and do everything. Below are the best times to visit Alaska throughout the year, you can visit at any time of the year for a completely different experience.

Cruising

Cruising is one of the easiest ways to see Alaska with some of the best views of Glacier Bay National Park. Ships run all summer long, but there are benefits to getting in early around May with quieter seas, drier weather, better wildlife spotting and in some cases lower fares. Other popular months include June and July with longer daylight hours and warmer temperatures. Holland American Cruises, Silverseas and Evergreen Cruises and Tours all cruise Alaska giving travellers the chance to have amazing experiences while only having to unpack once.

Aurora Borealis

Alaska is one of the best places to view the Aurora Borealis or Northern lights, the best time is from the end of August to the middle of April. Visibility is high across the whole state with clear night skies and Aurora activity.

National Parks

The summer months are the perfect time to visit some of Alaska's beautiful National Parks including Denali National Park and Glacier Bay National Park. The parks tend to be busier at the start of the season but remain open through September when visitors can enjoy a quieter and more remote experience for hiking and wildlife spotting. The other plus of visiting in September is seeing the season change and the colours changing from lush green to gold and bright red. Because of the location, it is important to book a guide as some of the roads are only accessible by private coach and tours.

Snow and Skiing

Visiting Alaska during the winter is a fantastic opportunity to see the landscape blanketed in snow and the perfect time for snowmobiling, Nordic skiing and classic Alaskan dog mushing.

Getting there

Qantas and American Airlines fly from Australia to Los Angeles and then onto Alsaka. Enjoy with the newly retrofitted Qantas A380 to LA with Qantas's premium economy in a 2-3-2 configuration. Read our review of the Qantas Dreamliner Premium Economy Class here.