Here Are 13 Photos From The Coldest Town In America

When it comes to wintertime, some U.S. cities suffer more than others. Sure, temperatures drop to extreme lows from time to time in nearly every state, but there’s only one spot that can claim the title of America’s coldest inhabited city: Fairbanks, Alaska. With an average monthly minimum temperature of nearly -17 degrees Fahrenheit, you’ll certainly want to bundle up during your time in this town. Here are 13 fascinating photos detailing what life is like in this intensely cold community.

Don’t let those blue skies fool you: the weather in Fairbanks is no joke. Guests better hope this charming little hotel has a fully functional heating system!

Flickr/Steven Cysewski

Is this the real-life North Pole? Close enough! It’s Fairbanks in all its snowy glory.

Flickr/SeaAnita

The coldn can be brutal, but aurora borealis views make life in Fairbanks worth it.

Flickr/Kodachron

Have you ever seen soldiers in snowshoes? You’ll certainly find them Fairbanks.

Flickr/The U.S. Army

Frigid temps can’t stop this community from embracing public art.

Flckr/Kuruman

A Fairbanks Air Force officer uses a water pump to aid in ice bridge construction.

Flickr/PACAF

What a stunning place to enjoy an evening hike. The Chena River runs through Fairbanks and offers some truly gorgeous views.

Flickr/Mark Smith

It’s tough to beat the beauty of snow-covered trees. Fairbanks looks like a fairy tale.

Flickr/six-a

Most towns have sledding hills when it’s cold. Fairbanks has a Yukon Quest!

Flickr/fortwainwright

A peaceful, frozen city street after dark in downtown Fairbanks.

Flickr/Kevin Duffy

Gazing through an ice sculpture on a freezing Fairbanks evening.

Flickr/tjcowboy

The sun can be deceiving: when this photo was captured back in 2009, local temperatures in Fairbanks sat at -50 degrees.

Flickr/soleclin22

A sunset glows over the land, as captured from the University of Alaska at Fairbanks. One thing is for sure: Fairbanks’ weather is just as extreme as its beauty.

Flickr/Steve Betts

Have you visited Fairbanks? Were the frigid temperatures as tough to handle as you’d anticipated? Share your cold-weather experiences with us in the comment section below!