When bears, wolves and foxes are your only neighbors, life can be pretty lonely. Add minus-60-degree days and a constant battle for the most basic necessities, and you have the daily challenges of people who live in remote corners of Alaska. This series takes viewers deep into an Alaskan winter to meet six tough and resilient residents as they try to stay one step ahead of storms and man-eating beasts to make it through to spring. The closest neighbor to Sue Aikens is more than 300 miles away. Eric Salitan subsists solely on what he hunts and forages. Chip and Agnes Hailstone catch fish for currency in bartering for supplies, and Andy and Kate Bassich use their pack of sled dogs for transportation.
Written by Sophie and last updated on feb 08, 2023.
PS: The following content contains spoilers!
PPS: I will admit that parts of this page was written with the help of AI - it makes my work so much easier to not start from a blank page!
After being away for several months due to an injury, Sue is finally on her way to her home at the Kavik River Camp. Though she thinks bears may have taken up residence there, she discovers a bigger surprise: thieves have robbed her fuel supply. If she runs out before weather makes a delivery possible, she'll freeze. In Noorvik, Chip and Agnes can't access their hunting grounds until their river freezes, forcing them to rely on bartering the supplies they have for the essential items they lack.
The episode was rated 7.46 from 185 votes.
Six people separated by hundreds of miles, all joined by the common cause of surviving the winter in the Alaskan bush. In Noorvik, Chip races to set whitefish nets on thin ice for the last catch of the season. Fishing on the frozen river is deadly, but it's vital to haul enough fish to last through the winter. Andy tests the safety of the river surrounding his house that he uses as a link to the outside world. Without this winter lifeline, he is trapped and isolated.
The episode was rated 7.50 from 261 votes.
Sue encounters a predator outside her tent; Andy buys a new sawmill and must tow it home despite dangerous snowdrifts on the Taylor Highway.
The episode was rated 7.56 from 118 votes.
Mechanical breakdowns and invading predators threaten the lives of six people as they try to survive the dark and cold winter in Alaska. In Kavik, a familiar sound startles Sue. She soon realizes that a deadly wolf has approached her cabin. Nineteen miles north of the Arctic Circle, Chip's snow machine breaks down, threatening his own survival since without it he cannot fish, hunt or trade. In Wiseman, Erik hunts for lynx fur to earn money but the beast outsmarts him every time.
The episode was rated 7.57 from 154 votes.
In Kavik, nearly 200 miles north of the Arctic Circle, Sue is becoming dangerously low on fuel. With only a seven-day supply left, she calls in for an air delivery, but mechanical trouble with the plane fleet and another impending winter storm leave her holding her breath that they'll be able to deliver before she freezes. In Wiseman, Erik is in a match of wits with a clever wolf that keeps stealing bait from his traps.
The episode was rated 7.62 from 146 votes.
Winter is coming fast and six Alaskans living in the remote corners of the state are in a rush to prepare for the hard months ahead. Alone at the Kavik River Camp, a blizzard descends on Sue's camp as she sets up Βhand linesΒ between her most critical buildings so she can find them in whiteout conditions. She also prepares firearms in case of a wildlife attack. In Wiseman, Erik tends to two critical tasks: collecting water and wood. If he's unsuccessful, he'll face trouble very quickly.
The episode was rated 7.66 from 161 votes.
Chip and Agnes track a wolf for its fur; Sue hunts for a moose; Kate and Andy prepare for a doomsday scenario.
The episode was rated 7.68 from 103 votes.
During winter in the corners of Alaska, every day can be fraught with challenges. Sue sees few hunting opportunities this time of year in Kavik, but after a group of ptarmigan birds takes up residence in her yard, her mouth is watering for a special meal Β if she can just get her aim on target. While out setting traps, Erik crashes his snow machine. With no part stores within a hundred miles, he must make an unscheduled trip to Fairbanks for repairs, leaving his trap lines to go unchecked.
The episode was rated 7.79 from 120 votes.
This week's episode of Life Below Zero puts the spotlight on couples. Kate joins Andy out in the wilderness for a challenging day of collecting lumber for their homestead. After a day filled with frustrations, Andy surprises Kate with a quick getaway to celebrate her birthday. In Noorvik, Chip and Agnes are working together on a major hunt that could determine their livelihood for the coming year. They'll use the tactics of Agnes' Inupiat ancestors in hopes of getting a leg up.
The episode was rated 7.92 from 116 votes.
Sue travels to Fairbanks to buy her Kavik River Camp; Andy and Kate move their dogs to a safe location before an ice breakup; Erik preps for grizzly-hunting season by renting out his property.
The episode was rated 7.98 from 99 votes.
