Breaking the Ice: Alaska’s Nenana Ice Classic Partnering with Holland America

In 1917, a unique tradition was born. A team of railroad engineers and locals set aside math and measurement, trusted instinct over precision and let luck take the lead. The rest is Alaska history.

Welcome to the Nenana Ice Classic.

For more than a century, the Nenana Ice Classic has been the main event in Nenana, Alaska, where predicting the river’s breakup has become a gamble for good. This year, the Nenana Ice Classic is partnering with Holland America, the Alaska experts since 1947. Together, we’re celebrating the spirit of the Great Land by offering you a chance to win a Holland America Alaska cruise for two. Even better, for every entry, Holland America will donate $1 to support the Nenana community.

Now that the suspense has thawed, let’s rewind to where it all began.

As locals, along with the engineers building the Alaska Railroad wagered $800 (about $20,000 today) on the exact moment the Tanana River would break, they unknowingly launched a tradition that would delight generations. Each spring, participants predict the precise minute the tripod, a simple wooden frame set on the frozen Tanana River, shifts 100 feet downstream as the ice breaks and triggers the pulley‑and‑clock system that records the winning time. Tripod Days in early March marks its ceremonial raising. Last year’s jackpot topped $211,000, and nearly $16 million has been awarded since its inception, supporting communities across Alaska.

The same river that defines Nenana flows behind Holland America’s Denali Lodge, where scenic river walks, fireside s’mores, and even sled dog puppy visits bring the spirit of Alaska to life. Many cruisetours pause in Nenana on the journey inland, connecting guests to the wild heart of Denali National Park & Preserve. With a presence in Alaska since 1947, long before statehood, Holland America brings nearly eight decades of deep relationships and destination expertise to the Great Land.

As the #1 cruise line in Alaska Wildlife & Wilderness Tours, Holland America offers more access to Alaska’s iconic wildlife than any other cruise line, with 200+ animal sanctuary and sightseeing opportunities. Through its exclusive partnership with the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center, guests can go behind the scenes to observe moose, grizzly bears, and caribou — three members of the Alaska Big 5 — along with other native species, all while learning about conservation efforts that protect Alaska’s treasured wildlife.

From glacier-carved coastlines to Alaska’s sweeping marine wilderness, every Holland America Alaska cruise includes a celebrated Glacier Day with lingering 360° views of towering ice and immersive onboard programming. With the exclusive Holland America Glacier Guarantee™, you are guaranteed to see an Alaska glacier or receive a Future Cruise Credit equal to 15% off your cruise fare. Destinations Up Close presentations and Native Voices storytelling further illuminate Alaska’s cultures, wildlife, and history, bringing the landscape to life both on board and ashore.

Guests who want to venture farther inland can choose Holland America’s Alaska and Yukon cruisetours, which pair an Alaska cruise with extended exploration into Denali National Park & Preserve and beyond. Cruisetours include stays at the riverside Holland America Denali Lodge near the entrance to the Denali, plus the chance to travel deep into the park on the Tundra Wilderness Tour. Select itineraries continue into the Yukon, offering additional immersion in Alaska and Canada’s interior landscapes.

Those looking for even more frontier spirit will find it on Yukon cruisetours, which extend the adventure deeper into Gold Rush country with exclusive overnights in Dawson City, where evenings at Diamond Tooth Gertie’s and tales of Klondike ambition keep the Yukon’s untamed legacy alive. Travelers can also trace the Klondike Highway and explore historic sites and museums that bring the boomtown era to life, adding a rich cultural dimension to the journey.

Watch the live stream and enter for your chance to win a Holland America Alaska cruise for two. When the crack echoes and the clock freezes, guesses become legend.

Enter for a Chance to Win