Life Below Zero

As winter returns to the Arctic, preparation is crucial for Alaskans to survive the coming months. For the Hailstones, the window to hunt big game animals grows shorter with each passing day.

In the early days of Dark Winter, falling temperatures and a heavy snowfall forces Alaskans to quickly finish their projects, or risk falling behind.

As the arctic continues to freeze, uncertainty forces Alaskans to change their plans on the fly to survive.

With Dark winter descending upon the Arctic, unseasonably warm temperatures cause the frozen tundra to become an unpredictable environment.

Sue experiments with a primitive hunting method for ptarmigan. Andy adjusts the new puppies to his sled team. Ricko discovers bear sign in his cabin. The Hailstones take baby Wade to snare rabbits.

Sue assesses the conditions of her new property at Chena River. Ricko traps for beaver. Jessie trains new puppies for the dog team. Agnes, Edward, and Idi embark on a wood gathering trip.

Chip Hailstone teaches his daughter Carol new survival skills as they hunt for small game. Ricko DeWilde reconnects with his past, and attempts to open a pathway to receive messages.

As the weather shifts across the Arctic, Alaska's inhabitants cope with severe conditions while searching for vital resources.

For Alaskans, utilizing the frozen trails to secure resources is a requirement for survival in dark winter. At the family hunting grounds in Kiwalik, Chip Hailstone follows a trail of wolves.

Jessie runs the race of a lifetime at the Iditarod. Ricko hunts for small game. The Hailstones go on a family rabbit hunt. Sue clears snow from her rooftops.

Sue settles back into life at Kavik. Ricko replaces the cabin stove. Jessie struggles to free his four-wheeler from the frozen mud. Chip and Agnes hunt an apex predator.