Life Below Zero

Winter bears down on Alaskans who are making last minute preparations for the return of the freeze. In Noorvik, the Hailstones develop newly inherited land. In Nenana, the clock is ticking as moose hunting season is running out on Jessie Holmes. After being stranded in Fairbanks, Glenn Villeneuve braves bad weather to return home to his remote cabin in Chandalar. And in Kavik, signs of bear activity near camp have Sue Aikens on high alert

With winter on the way, Alaskans work tirelessly to prepare themselves for the upcoming brutal weather. In Noorvik, Chip Hailstone constructs a mobile tent frame for his family to use at their newly inherited lands. A power outage in Kavik leaves Sue Aikens scrambling to restore her communications. In Nenana, Jessie Holmes renovates his dog yard to prepare for winter racing season. And in Chandalar, Glenn Villeneuve sets out on his most crucial hunt of the year.

Winter planning begins to fall apart for Alaskans as they prepare for the impending freeze. In Noorvik, the Hailstones set out to hunt for caribou to stockpile meat for the winter ahead, but in battling the freezing river, they may have missed their chance. In Kavik, Sue fills 48 barrels of fuel for her winter heat and power while struggling to maintain her Bobcat. In Chandalar, Glenn must haul his moose meat back to camp by hand before predators get to it first. In Nenana, Jessie builds a fish rack to preserve his stockpile of salmon for himself and his dogs, but taking a shortcut in the process could be costly.

With the freeze underway, Alaskans must scramble to secure their livelihoods in the bush. In Noorvik, Chip and Carol Hailstone plan to take advantage of the newly flourishing rabbit population. In Nenana, Jessie Holmes breaks trail in order to prep his dog team for an upcoming race. In Chandalar, a rare ice condition out on the lake allows Glenn to search for a coveted dietary source. And Sue Aikens returns to Kavik to find a dangerous predator lurking just outside of camp

The Arctic's late freeze presents unique challenges for Alaskans as they attempt to gather food and resources for survival.

Alaskans struggle to get through the everyday grind as dark winter looms ahead. In Kavik, Sue Aikens secures camp with a blizzard heading toward her camp, but she heads out into the heart of the storm to complete a dangerous mission. In Noorvik, Chip Hailstone performs routine maintenance on his snow machine to prepare for winter travel. In Chandalar, Glenn Villeneuve builds a new camp in the Brooks Range in hopes of intercepting caribou as they migrate through the region. In Nenana, Jessie Holmes and his team of sled dogs head out on their first official dog race of the season.

The looming arrival of dark winter forces Alaskans to tackle various obstacles to ensure a prosperous season. Andy hunts in order to replenish his meat supply. Sue confronts her greatest fear head-on.

In the dead of winter, Alaskans travel high, far, and wide to obtain resources for survival. Glenn Villeneuve pursues caribou high in the mountains of the Brooks Range. Chip and Agnes Hailstone haul their tent frame on the frozen river to their newly acquired land. Andy Bassich breaks a new trail through the woods to avoid dangerous ice on the Yukon River. And Sue Aikens travels via snow machine on the tundra to gather a plant that can help make a healing ointment.

Alaskans must trap and hunt for essential food and fur to survive dark winter. In Kavik, Sue Aikens hunts for caribou and ptarmigan on the tundra. The Hailstones travel to Emonokrov to jig for fish under the ice and set traps to gauge the area’s productivity. In Chandalar, Glenn Villeneuve makes a blanket out of a caribou hide and continues to hunt the animals on the frozen lake. And in Eagle, Andy Bassich sets traps in the woods along the Yukon River in hopes of catching fur.

Alaskans pursue scarce resources in anticipation of the coming spring. In Kiwalik, Chip and Agnes Hailstone set up camp for future resource gathering. In Eagle, Andy's trip to his woodpile doesn't go as planned. In Chandalar, Glenn hunts for caribou along the lake and comes face to face with an apex predator. And in Kavik, a key food source becomes available for Sue at an unlikely time of year.

On the cusp of springtime, Alaskans encounter unexpected roadblocks in their struggle for survival. Sue Aikens gets stuck out on the tundra during her trek home with a new piece of equipment. Chip and Agnes Hailstone set out on a coveted hunt for musk ox using black powder weaponry. Andy Bassich discovers a valuable lynx on his final day of the trapping season. And Glenn Villeneuve injures his foot while traveling in deep snow.

As winter comes to a close, there are no shortcuts for alaskans as they wrap up the season.