Fur Rondy 2026 · Signature Event
Fur Auction
The original purpose of the Rendezvous — Alaska's historic fur trade, live
When
During Fur Rondy week
Where
Anchorage (venue varies)
History
Since 1935 — the founding purpose of Rondy
Viewing
Open to the public
The Fur Auction is the event that gave Fur Rondy its name and its historical roots. When the Anchorage Fur Rendezvous was founded in 1935, it was primarily a gathering point for trappers, traders, and buyers who came together in midwinter to sell furs from the season's harvest. The fur auction continues today as one of the few remaining public venues in the US where raw pelts from Alaska trappers are sold at open auction, connecting the modern festival to its frontier origins.
The history
In 1935, Anchorage organized the first Fur Rendezvous as a midwinter economic and social event for the trapping community — a time when fur was one of Alaska's most important industries. Trappers brought their season's harvest from remote cabins; buyers and traders came from across the territory. The festival grew around that core event.
What's auctioned
Pelts from Alaska trappers — wolf, lynx, beaver, mink, marten, and other furbearers depending on the season and what trappers have harvested. The auction is a real commercial event, not a demonstration, and prices reflect the actual market for quality Alaska fur.
Cultural context
Fur trapping is a legal, regulated, and culturally significant activity in Alaska with deep roots in both Alaska Native traditions and frontier history. The fur auction represents that history directly and in living form.
Pro tip
Even if you're not a buyer, attending as a spectator gives you a window into an economic tradition most Americans have never seen — a genuinely unique Alaska experience.
More Fur Rondy events
Running of the Reindeer
Costumed runners sprint down 4th Avenue alongside live reindeer — Rondy's wildest spectacle
World Championship Sled Dog Sprint
Elite sprint mushing through downtown Anchorage — the fastest dogs on the planet
Outhouse Races
Decorated outhouses on wheels, raced through downtown Anchorage — Alaska at its finest
Snow Sculpture Competition
Teams carve towering snow sculptures downtown — weeks of craft in one weekend
Fur Rondy Grand Parade
One of Alaska's largest parades — floats, dog teams, and bands through downtown Anchorage