I loved Alaska, a different way of life where the mosquito is the state bird. Dividend was nice too. Drove the ALCAN highway in the winter (best time to do it) and took the ferry from Haines to Bellingham when I left. As far as the cold...."it's a dry cold" lol. The coldest I have ever been in my life was in the Yukon training area (Eielson AFB) where it reach -65F with nothing to keep me warm besides a sleeping bag when I had the opportunity to use it.