UAA students embrace record January snowfall

ANCHORAGE, Alaska (KTUU) - University of Alaska Anchorage stayed open until 2 p.m. on Tuesday, leaving students to navigate challenging winter conditions to get to class.

For many students, the trek through deep snow was just part of embracing Alaska winter — especially after last year’s snow-starved January.

Brian, a computer science student, bikes to campus — even in heavy snowfall.

“I bike, so it’s a little bit of an effort, but thankfully I don’t live too far away from the university,” Brian said. “But it’s what it is, it’s like a challenge. You just have to wear layers.”

Brian, an international student, said the snow doesn’t stop him. In fact, he embraces it.

“If I know it was going to be this tall, I could have skied here,” he said.

The hardest part, he explained, is when the snow gets too deep for his bike — which isn’t a fat-tire bike.

Despite the challenges, Brian said he enjoys Alaska’s cold weather and plans to go cross-country skiing when he has time off from homework.

His advice for fellow Alaskans?

“Try to enjoy the snow, do something outside because I think seasonal depression could be, it’s real for some people. So, it is important to take care of yourself,” Brian said.

Pearamour, a chemistry student from Alaska, said she woke up to about a foot of snow at her house and had to rethink her outfit choice.

“I kind of wanted to wear my clogs, but it was like 1 foot by my house,” she said.

Despite the inconvenience, Pearamour called the snowfall a welcome sight.

“It’s just honestly just like a beautiful blessing to have snow in total. Because it could have been, like we could have like awful slush and ice,” Pearamour said.

She said she loves when everything is covered in white, especially after last year’s minimal snowfall.

“I honestly really like snow. I’m not sure how many people do, but I think it’s honestly just a blessing to have all this,” Pearamour said.

Pearamour said she drives to campus and is always cautious of other drivers on snowy days.

Erin Hall, another UAA student, said she received a message while at the gym that campus would close at 2 p.m.

Hall said this is the third time UAA has closed early this January alone due to weather.

“We haven’t had a winter like this in a while, so that’s probably why. But this semester, I think it’s already been three times that campus has been closed. And it’s like the first month of the semester,” Hall said.

Despite the driving challenges, Hall said she appreciates the snow.

“Oh, it was beautiful. I love the snow. I love when everything is covered in white, especially when I do have the option to stay home,” Hall said.

After last year’s unusually low snowfall, students say this January’s near-record snow is what Alaska winter should look like—even if it means extra work getting to class.

For UAA students, that means navigating unplowed roads, trudging through deep snow, and helping each other when cars get stuck. But it also means embracing what makes Alaska special: real winter weather.

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