What are some of the endangered species that call Alaska home?  We’re glad you asked.  Here are stunning photos of Alaska’s most precious residents.

Polar Bear

Conservation status: Vulnerable

Habitat: North & northwest Alaska

There are only about 20,000 Polar Bears in the world today, and sadly ecologists report their population is in decline.  Climate change is rapidly eroding their natural habitat, making hunting grounds smaller and more competitive.  Hopefully conservation efforts will reverse this alarming trend.

Short-tailed Albatross

Conservation status: Vulnerable

Habitat: Alaska coastline along Bering Sea

While Short-Tailed Albatross are still categorized as a “Vulnerable” species, they have rebounded from being at the edge of extinction in the early 1800s due to over-hunting.  Their numbers have risen dramatically and the Wildlife Protection Industry is still working to guard their habitats.

Eskimo Curlew

Conservation status: Critically endangered

Habitat: No recent sightings in Alaska

Sadly, many consider the Eskimo curlew to be extinct, after centuries of over-hunting at the hands of humans.  While some still hold out hope for this peculiar-beaked bird, no confirmed sightings have occurred since 1981.

Stellar Sea Lion

Conservation status: Endangered

Habitat: Coastline around Bering Sea, Gulf of Alaska

The stellar sea lion is the third largest sea lion species.  Its males can weigh up to 2500 pounds, nearly four times the average weight of females.  Unfortunately, stellar sea lion populations have dropped by 80% in Alaska’s Aleutian Islands since the 70s, and are now considered an endangered species.

Wood Bison

Conservation status: Endangered

Habitat: East-central Alaska near Fairbanks

Wood bison are the largest land-based animals in North America, with the male wood bison tipping the scales at over 2000 pounds.  Unfortunately, only 3000 wood bison exist in North America today, making them an endangered species.

Humpback Whale

Conservation Status: Least concern

Habitat: Waters around Alaska below Arctic Circle

Humpback whales have made a remarkable comeback over the past century.  While once being hunted to the brink of extinction with a global population of just 1,500, today there are over 80,000 humpbacks worldwide.  They were reclassified as a species of “least concern” in 2008.

 Sea Otter

Conservation status: Endangered

Habitat: Southern Alaska coastline

Sea otter populations fell victim to human poachers in the 1800s, but they have made a strong comeback in the last century.  Despite their resurgent numbers, sea otters are still classified as an endangered species and are protected by conservation agencies around the world.

It means the return of daylight to northern areas of the state that experience perpetual darkness in the wintertime.  It’s also a time when Alaska goes through a remarkable transformation from white to green; all while native species emerge from their winter hibernation.

Words only go so far in describing the beauty of spring time in Alaska, so we’ll let the images do the talking.  Here’s a closer look at this wonderful time to visit The Last Frontier.

An Arctic Fox searches for small prey after enduring the cold winter.

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Alaskan wildflowers come out in full bloom in the spring.  Shown here are pale blue Forget-Me-Nots, the Alaska state flower.

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What was once a large ice field melts away to reveal a beautiful alpine lake.

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A mama grizzly with her cubs might be the most adorable Alaska springtime scene… until you’re standing between them.

Tourist vessels navigate among floating chunks of ice in Kenai Fjords National Park.

A moose calf gnaws on a sapling in the first spring of its life.

Muskoxen are known to roam some of the most remote areas of northern Alaska.

Alaska is by far the biggest (more than twice the size of Texas), has the most miles of coast line, and holds the northernmost and westernmost points of any state in America.   But perhaps most notably of all, it also has the tallest mountains.

If you were to make a list of the top five highest peaks in America, all five of them would be in Alaska.  So let’s take a look at these majestic peaks and find out why so many mountaineers fall in love with the Last Frontier.

Mt. McKinley

•    Height: 20,320 ft.
•    Tallest peak in North America
•    First ascent: 1913

Mt. Saint Elias

(Photo credit: Wikimedia Commons)
•    Height: 18,008 ft
•    Second tallest peak in Saint Elias Mountain Range
•    First ascent: 1897

Mt. Foraker

(Photo credit: summitpost.org)
•    Height: 17,400 ft
•    Second-tallest peak in the Alaska Mountain Range
•    First ascent: 1934

Mt. Bona

(Photo credit: peakery.com)
•    Height: 16,550 ft
•    Tallest volcano in the United States
•    First ascent: 1930

Mt. Blackburn

•    Height: 16,390 ft
•    Tallest peak in the Wrangell Mountain Range
•    First ascent: 1958

What’s one of the best aspects of working seasonal jobs in Alaska? Why, the off-season of course! Alaska has a multitude of enticing activities for employees to enjoy during their time off, but one of the most popular draws is the abundant ski opportunities.

From the state capital of Juneau to the northern reaches of Fairbanks, there are enviable ski hills around every corner. Here’s a look at a few of the most popular ski hills in Alaska:

Alyeska Ski Resort

(From Alaska-in-pictures)

Alyeska ski resort, located 40 miles from Anchorage, is one of the state’s best ski areas. With efficient chairlifts, over 1400 skiable acres, and 650 inches of snow fall a year, Alyeska is a skier’s paradise. Throw in an excellent balance of beginner, intermediate, and expert ski runs, and you’ve got a ski resort you and all your friends will enjoy.

Eaglecrest Ski Area

(From skijuneau.com)

Located just 12 miles from the state capital Juneau, Eaglecrest ski area is a favorite among Alaskan skiers. With 34 different alpine trails to choose from, you can ski all day and not do the same run twice. Added bonus: lift tickets only cost $43 for adults, so you don’t have to break the bank to get your runs in.

Mt. Aurora Skiland

(From wolfsnowboarding.com)

Mt. Aurora Skiland, located 10 miles from Fairbanks, provides a truly one-of-a-kind experience to skiers. That’s because you can spend the daylight hours riding the northernmost chairlift in the continent and skiing your heart out, and at night you can curl up with a mug of hot chocolate and marvel at a fantastic display of the Northern Lights. Now that’s sounds like a pretty good day off!

Alpine Valley Ski Area

(From thesnowjunkies.com)

Arctic Valley Ski Area is perfect for people who love skiing but like to avoid crowds. While it’s only 10 miles away from Anchorage, Arctic Valley is off the beaten path of tourists and can provide a beautiful day on the slopes without anyone getting in your way. With a great selection of alpine runs and tele-mark ski trails, Arctic Valley is a must visit for Alaskan skiers.

No matter where choose to ski in Alaska, just make sure you take the daylight hours into account. The extreme northerly latitudes cause some short days in the dead of winter, so make sure to milk every hour of that precious sunlight. Happy skiing!

University of Alaska, Anchorage

Wed, March 7th from 9 AM – 12 PM

ACTEC Student Service Center

519 Fourth Ave.

10 a.m. until 2 p.m.

The expo will take place at The Restaurant at Kellogg Ranch.

Feb. 16 - 10AM – 5 PM

The event is being held on the UAA campus, at the Wells Fargo Sports Complex.

Taylorsville Redwood Campus

Salt Lake City, UT