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!
The Hailstone family rushes to prepare camp for a possible storm. Winds jeopardize Sue's camp and livelihood, and as goose season opens, Ricko teaches his daughter to hunt. Meanwhile, Glenn heads out to replenish his family's meat supply.
The episode was rated 7.70 from 88 votes.
Chip Hailstone goes on a duck hunt while Agnes and the girls pick berries. Sue looks out for some caribou meat. Jessie goes looking for a big bear. Andy and Denise collect water with hope of restoring the greenhouse.
The episode was rated 7.75 from 75 votes.
Sue sharpens her survival skills; Jessie sets out for food and medicine; Glenn burns a manmade structure to the ground so that nature can reclaim its rightful place; the Hailstones embark on a traditional hunt for valued seal meat and oil.
The episode was rated 7.88 from 89 votes.
Jessie collects logs in anticipation of the coming winter. The Hailstones prepare themselves for the coming fish run. Ricko teaches his younger children to hunt and fish. Sue tests her mettle against the capricious, flooding tundra.
The episode was rated 7.93 from 80 votes.
At the edge of the warm season, Alaskans prepare to pay winter's cost; Ricko DeWilde heads out on a proxy moose hunt to aid a village elder; Sue Aikens builds an arctic entryway; Jessie Holmes works to finish his dream cabin before conditions worsen.
The episode was rated 7.97 from 34 votes.
The Hailstones pull together to build a footbridge; Jessie goes fishing while looking out for some good spruce trees; Ricko has his children over to stay plus an extra surprise guest.
The episode was rated 7.98 from 82 votes.
To survive in the Arctic, Alaskans must battle Father Time to harvest the last of summer's bounty. Sue tracks a lone predator. The Hailstones have a chance at a key resource. Jessie builds a new cabin, and Andy fights the clock.
The episode was rated 8.00 from 68 votes.
The Hailstones build a new temporary structure in the Kiwalik region. Ricko teaches his younger children survival skills. Sue races against the clock to renovate a key camp fixture. Jessie battles weather and chance to secure a meal.
The episode was rated 8.00 from 76 votes.
With the summer ending, Alaskans must overcome exhaustion, injury and failure; after seeking medical aid, Andy returns home to pick up the pieces; Jessie harvests salmon; Sue searches for winter food; the Hailstones gather key resources.
The episode was rated 8.02 from 84 votes.
In Alaska, summer is spent preparing for what lies ahead; the Hailstones spend a night on the water; Sue Aikens battles river currents to source coal; Ricko DeWilde secures food with nets made by his late mother; Jessie Holmes gathers firewood.
The episode was rated 8.07 from 70 votes.
The Hailstones bind together for a family hunt. Jessie recuperates from a hard-fought Iditarod. Ricko finds an unexpected treasure. Sue's rush to clear the runway is interrupted by an unexpected breakdown.
The episode was rated 8.12 from 84 votes.
