2026 Winterfest:
Passport to the Arctic
Friday, December 18 | 12–6 PM | Base-Wide at JBER
Snow Much Fun Awaits—Admission is 100% FREE!
Bundle up and celebrate the best of winter with your JBER family! Experience thrilling dog mushing, high-speed tubing runs, photos with Santa, creative craft workshops, and festive lounge specials across 673 FSS & 773 FSS locations.
Popular activity slots are limited and fill fast—reserve your family’s spots today!
(Individual activity times vary; browse the complete schedule below. Some food/drinks or rentals may have associated costs or require sign-ups.)
Activity Guide by Category
FAMILY FUN & HOLIDAY CHEER
Santa, Cookies & Hot Cocoa
AWEC Lounge
12–6 PM (Free Flowing)
Stop by for a cozy photo op with Santa, delicious cookies, and warm cocoa. (Bar operations will be open for adults starting in the afternoon!)
Opening Comments
Tree Voting & Music
AWEC – Susitna Room
Opening Comments Kick-Off • 10 AM
Enjoy holiday music, cast your vote in the tree decorating contest, and check out our festive games and informational booths!
Holiday Movie Marathon
Frontier Theater
12 PM until complete
(approx. 3 holiday movies back-to-back with intermissions)
Hosted by the BOSS program. FREE admission, holiday refreshments available, and open to the entire JBER community.
Aerial Tram Photo Booth
Arctic Oasis
12–6 PM (Free Flowing)
Take a family holiday photo with a stunning scenic winter backdrop.
Parent & Child
Make It and Take It Craft
Kodiak CDC
1–3 PM
Perfect for our littlest crafters and their parents to create a winter keepsake together.
OUTDOOR WINTER ADVENTURES
Tubing, Lift Tickets, Rentals & Gingerbread Houses
Hillberg Ski Area
Tubing time blocks at 10 AM, 12 PM, 2 PM, and 4 PM
Enjoy tubing, lift tickets, and ski/board rentals. Warm up indoors and craft your very own gingerbread masterpiece.
Walk-ins are welcome for lift tickets; however, sign-ups are required for tubing and rentals. Registration goes live on December 12 at 6 PM!
Cross Country Ski Lessons & Free Rentals
Eagle Glen Golf Course
Lessons 10 AM – 3:30 PM
(Rentals are first-come, first-served)
Classic ski lessons are available for ages 5 and up. Prefer to explore at your own pace? Grab a pair of free cross-country ski rentals! (Call ODR to sign up for lessons)
Dog Mushing Experience
Eagle Glen Golf Course
10 AM – 4 PM
Experience the bucket-list thrill of real dog mushing!
(Sign-up required)
Ice Fishing Demonstration
Hillberg Ski Area
Learn the basics of ice fishing from the experts (partnered with AKDFG).
Snowmachine Static Display
Arctic Warrior Events Center
Embrace the true Alaskan winter spirit with outdoor adventures.
ACTIVE PLAY & CREATIVE CRAFTS
Mini-Golf, Christmas Movies,
Bounce Land & Crafts
Arctic Oasis
12–6 PM (Free Flowing)
Put on your favorite holiday PJs and enjoy mini-golf, giant inflatable bounce houses (waiver required for Bounce Land), holiday crafts, and classic Christmas films playing all day on a giant inflatable screen!
Ceramic Mug Painting
Arts & Crafts Center
Sessions: 8:30 AM (Reserved for EFMP Families), 10:30 AM, and 2 PM
Paint a beautiful, personalized holiday ceramic mug. This activity offers dedicated sessions, including a morning block reserved specifically for EFMP Families.
(Advanced registration required via SignUp Genius)
Flight Simulator Mini Sessions
Arctic Oasis
2–7 PM
Experience the thrill of flight in our state-of-the-art simulators.
Sign-up in advance via SignUp Genius.
Snowball Fight (Dodgeball Tournament)
Elmendorf Fitness Center
12–2:30 PM and 2:30–4:30 PM
Dodge, duck, dip, and dive! Sign up in advance at the EFC front desk or by phone.
Solstice Run
Elmendorf Fitness Center
Embrace the winter chill with our annual fun run. Sign up at the EFC front desk or by phone.
Flight Simulator Mini Sessions
Arctic Oasis
2–7 PM
Take flight in our state-of-the-art simulator. Sign-up in advance via SignUp Genius.
Axe Throwing & Youth Open House
Kennecott Youth Center
3–6 PM
Holiday Bowling Party
Polar Bowl
1–2:30 PM and 3–4:30 PM
Strike up some holiday fun with the whole family.
ADULTS ONLY (18+) AND MEMBERS
Frosty Friday: Holiday Movie Character Party
Fireweed Lounge (AWEC)
Members-only event! Come dressed as your favorite holiday movie character to receive an extra Moolah ticket. Enjoy holiday-themed drink specials.
(18+ only)
Jingle Bell Blitz
Warrior Zone
12–5 PM
Compete across 8 rounds of mini-games with live leaderboard tracking! Prizes for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place, plus a door prize raffle for all participants. Refreshments provided.
(Open to ages 18+)
Karol-Oke (Holiday Karaoke)
Warrior Zone
9 PM – 1 AM
Sing your holiday-loving heart out at our themed karaoke night. Refreshments available.
(Open to ages 18+)