Deep winter snows provide the moisture needed to maintain the region's lush vegetation. The Alaska Peninsula and Aleutian Islands comprise a bleak, stark land with few trees and sparse wildlife. Born of a chain of volcanoes, the Aleutians still experience volcanic upheavals on a regular basis. Access is limited to plane and boat, as no roads connect this remote region with the rest of Alaska. The weather here can be notably foul, with rainstorms being the rule rather than the exception.
Winters are relatively mild, with frequent rains and wet snow.
The Copper River Basin is tucked between the Alaska Range to the north and the Wrangell Mountains to the east. A broad, forested bowl, the Copper River Basin often experiences sunny weather even when the surrounding mountains are veiled in clouds. Remote from the larger towns but still accessible by highway, this region is sparsely populated, but contains a rich diversity of wildlife. The interior of Alaska extends along the great Yukon Basin from the Yukon border west to the Bering Sea. Miles and miles of uninterrupted boreal forest characterize the region, which is also known for its low hills mantled in loess, or windblown glacial dust.