Alaska Botanical Garden offers a winter wonderland

Rays of winter sunshine slanted through trees as I stood, shivering, near a moose gate marking the entrance to the Alaska Botanical Garden. Post-snowfall, the garden's inner sanctum was a muted version of what I normally viewed through the squares of metal — odd shapes of garden art, leafless branches and the remnants of pots and containers used for transplanting.

No one else was around, and for a brief few minutes, I wondered if I was even allowed to be here. After all, a garden is a garden only if it's currently growing, right?

This 110-acre, fenced slice of Alaska horticulture is actually a four-season destination, says botanical garden executive director Robin Dublin, who soothed any anxiety about a wintertime visit with an enthusiastic reply to my query. Stuff is always happening within the perimeter and beyond, she told me. You simply have to show up.

Winter in any garden, professionally managed or not, is full of surprises. Clicking into my nordic skis and grabbing a trail map near the admission box ($7/adults, $5/kids, 4 and under free), the silence and as-yet untracked trails called with a calm voice of solitude, even as busy Tudor Road traffic still reached my ears.

Dublin is a fan of winter in the garden and hopes others will be too. The combination of snow, trails and interpretive information make for an interesting outing, particularly with kids.

"Winter at ABG is simply magical," she said. "Thanks to the moose fence you won't need to worry about meeting a moose on the trail, and after a snowfall, it is a great place to find critter and bird tracks. Since no dogs are allowed in the garden, tracks of other animals stand out."

It was, in fact, very easy to find the marks of several creatures crisscrossing the trails ahead of me, and I wished I had had the foresight to bring along a pocket edition of a tracking book with me. Birds twittered in the branches overhead, and as the busy sounds of traffic faded, their voices became louder.

Alaska Botanical Garden maintains 11 separate garden areas and trails on the property during the non-snow months, but in the winter, only a short, half-mile loop Dublin called the "main trail" within the fenced area is actually kept clear for visitors. The rest, I found out, is a pure, untracked gateway to a delightful family outing.

Taking the kids

A major reason the garden is attractive for families is its accessibility and quiet opportunity for new skiers or snowshoers. Free from the crowds that often appear on Anchorage's other popular trails, the botanical garden is definitely meant for meandering, something most kids prefer to do.

It's a place to explore deep snow's relationship to cross-country skis and snowshoes, or its placement upon plants that have "gone to sleep" between October and April. By keeping the snow relatively untouched, the garden's natural processes can be witnessed and explained, and hopefully inspire a visit during the lush, blooming months of summer.

[Summer kids gardening program details]

Within the high perimeter fence, several trails beckon. My favorite is a trek up the short Wildflower Trail just past the main entrance, where an enormous glacier erratic, a boulder pushed down from the Chugach Mountains by a long-ago glacier, sits in expectation of a youngster's touch.

From there, take a left near the Junior Master Garden plot (another summertime benefit for kids, Alaska Botanical Garden has a marvelous opportunity for youngsters to learn about growing their own gardens) and head up to the Anchorage Heritage Garden.

Created to celebrate the 2015 Anchorage Centennial, visitors are welcomed by a vintage pick-up truck and interpretive signs outlining the types of vegetables and flowers from seeds commonly found in our city between 1915-1950. Swing beyond that and you'll see Ursus botanicus, the garden's "Bears On Parade" bear painted for the Centennial party.

Looking for a longer trek? The 1.1-mile Lowenfels-Hoersting Family Nature Trail connects skiers or snowshoers with a beyond-perimeter trail that leads down a hill toward Campbell Creek. The hill is actually a set of stairs in summer, but this time of year, it is a non-maintained slope that proves challenging but not out of range for most adventurous kids. As you cross through the perimeter gate, watch for dog teams — the local mushing network of trails passes directly across the trail.

As you return to the main trail leading back to the entrance area, take note of several pieces of garden art that show off quite well with a coating of fresh snow or ice. Ask your kids what they think the sculptures represent, and hand over the smartphone for their best photo.

Wherever you choose to roam within the garden, remember to pick up a map near the admission slot. It will assist greatly in navigating your adventure, and can be a fun way to let kids lead instead of following. Take your time. Look, listen and feel the changes winter brings to this corner of Alaska.

Alaska Botanical Garden details

Getting In: Admission to the Alaska Botanical Garden helps maintain the nonprofit organization, Dublin says. While it may seem a high price to pay for a winter visit without seeing any flowers ($7 adults, $5 children Sept. 13-May 11), it's worth it. Also worth the price is an annual membership for the entire family for only $75. With each membership level (there are several), Dublin says free admission is a constant.

Location: Find the garden just off Tudor Road and Campbell Airstrip Road, near Benny Benson Secondary School. Parking is free. While the garden gate may look as if the property is closed, Dublin says the purpose is to deter moose, not people. Walk on through the heavy gate and pay admission, pick up a map, and put on your skis or snowshoes before taking off into the quiet wilderness.

Classes: Participate in ongoing events and classes throughout the winter, including the popular Ice Candle/Luminaria session on Feb. 11. This class is for tweens and teens —and their parents. Sign up at the Alaska Botanical Garden website.

Hours: Garden offices open Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. During those times, restrooms are accessible. Otherwise, there is a portable restroom near the Lowenfels-Hoersting Family Nature Trail.

What to Bring: Water and snacks. Be sure to clean up after yourselves to maintain the pristine nature of this beautiful spot. You might also choose to pick up a copy of a tracking book — I like "Animal Tracks of Alaska" by Tamara Hartson. The Alaska Department of Fish and Game is also a great resource for all things animals and birds, including an interesting listing of birds you might find during the winter months.

Erin Kirkland is author of Alaska On the Go: exploring the 49th state with children, and publisher of AKontheGO.com, a family travel and outdoor adventure resource.