A moose in alaska eating leaves and looking like a joker — *Alaska jokes // Shutterstock*

Alaska is a weird place. The state bird is a mosquito, 60 degrees is hot, and mud boots are considered high fashion. After years working and filming across Alaska on shows like Deadliest Catch, Life Below Zero, and Port Protection, we’ve learned one thing fast: Alaskans cope with the chaos through humor.

These are the funniest Alaska jokes, puns, sayings, and one-liners we’ve heard from locals, fishermen, bush pilots, bartenders, deckhands, and exhausted tourists who underestimated mosquito season.

Alaska Jokes

Funny Alaska Sayings & Local Expressions

One of the funniest things about Alaska is that locals casually say things that sound completely insane to outsiders.

After spending enough time in the state, you stop questioning phrases like “termination dust” or “the mountain is out” and just accept them as part of daily life. Alaska has its own weird little language built around weather, isolation, fishing, tourism, and surviving winter without completely losing your mind.

Here are some of the funniest Alaska sayings and expressions you’ll hear from locals:

“The mountain is out.”

Used when Denali is actually visible through the clouds.

“Breakup season”

No, not relationship drama. Breakup season is when winter snow and ice start melting into muddy chaos. Roads turn into slush, parking lots become lakes, and everyone suddenly realizes how filthy their car actually is.

“Outside”

What Alaskans call the rest of the United States. As in:

“Yeah, I bought it Outside.”
“My cousin moved Outside.”
“We’re taking a trip Outside this winter.”

“Termination dust”

The first snow that appears on the mountains at the end of summer. This is Alaska’s official warning that your happiness has an expiration date.

“Sourdough”

A longtime Alaskan local. And I have no idea why Alaskans refer to old timers as a loaves of bread. Maybe because after all those frigid winters they get a little crusty?

“Snowmachine”

Not snowmobile. Snowmachine. If you mess this up, everyone will instantly know you’re from “outside“

“The salmon are running.”

A phrase capable of instantly destroying productivity across the entire state. People will leave work, disappear for 12 hours, and return covered in fish slime acting like this is completely normal behavior.

Because in Alaska… it is. And so are all of these silly sayings.

"Slow children and elders at play" sign in Kotzebue, Alaska

Jeff Foxworthy-esque Alaska Jokes

Jeff fox worthy became famous for his “You might be a red-neck if..” quips. Here’s a few Alaska sayings in the same vein. You might be an Alaskan if…

You might be an Alaskan if… you learned to swim indoors
You might be an Alaskan if… an eagle has stolen your pet
You might be an Alaskan if… you wake up from a nap and have no idea if it’s AM or PM
You might be an Alaskan if… you owe more money on your snow-machine than your car
You might be an Alaskan if… your four seasons are: 1. Almost Winter 2. Winter 3. Still Winter 4. Construction
You might be an Alaskan if… your “nice” boots are Xtra Tuffs
You might be an Alaskan if… you wear sunglasses at 10pm
You might be an Alaskan if… the trunk of your car doubles as a deep freezer
You might be an Alaskan if… you design your Halloween costumes to fit over a snowsuit
You might be an Alaskan if… you have more than one favorite recipe for moose meat
You might be an Alaskan if… your idea of sexy lingerie is fleece socks and a flannel shirt with 2 buttons
You might be an Alaskan if… driving in the winter is easier because the potholes are filled with snow
You might be an Alaskan if… you’ve ever covered your bedroom windows with aluminum foil
You might be an Alaskan if… your toilet seat is made out of styrofoam

Alaska Jokes about Wildlife

Alaska Brown bear looking silly — 42 HILARIOUS Alaska Jokes // Shutterstock

Alaska is full of wildlife, from bears to moose to whales, there’s no shortage of crazy critters in the last frontier. So in their honor here are some fun ways to pick fun at them with these Alaska jokes about wildlife:

What do you call fifty penguins in Alaska? Lost….Really Lost! (penguins live in Antarctica)
“It’s important to remember your survival training when hiking in Alaska: Run like hell and hope you’re faster than your friend!”
What song do Alaskans sing when they get excited? “Who let the sled dogs out?! Who, who who“
What do you call a fish with no eyes? FSH
Why do Alaskans go fishing? For the Halibut (hell of it)

Alaska Puns

Who doesn’t like a good pun, aren’t they fun?

Juneau what I mean?
Nome is where the heart is.
I’m having a Fairbanks day.
Don’t get all Anchorage-y about it.
Kodiak moment there.
Talkeetna minute to think about this.
Sitka yourself down.
Oh buoy, another fishing joke.
This place is un-brrr-lievable.

Sarah Palin Jokes

If you’re from Alaska you’ve probably heard enough Alaska jokes about Sarah Palin, but for everyone else she remains an infamous figure and an endless source of humor. Here are some Alaska jokes about the one time vice presidential candidate.

Sarah Palin with a big gulp looking like a joke Alaskan politician — Sarah Palin with her Big Gulp // courtesy google // 42 HILARIOUS Alaska Jokes

What does Sarah Palin do when she’s having marriage troubles? She sends her husband hunting with Dick Cheney
Why do Alaskans want Russia to hold the next Olympics? Because if you have Sarah Palin’s eyesight you can watch the games from home
Sarah Palin said that God helped Trump win the presidential election. When he heard this, a furious Satan said, “Don’t I get credit for anything?” –Conan O’Brien
Sarah Palin gave a speech in South Korea. Just what the Koreans needed: Two crazy dictators in fashionable lady’s glasses. –Conan O’Brien
Who did President Obama thank first for helping him win the 2008 election? Sarah Palin
What’s Sarah Palin’s favorite water sport? Para sailing

That’s all the Alaska jokes about Sarah Palin we wanna do. We don’t wanna get in trouble like David letterman. Yeah, apparently he went too far with his Alaska jokes.

For a full breakdown of all the famous folks from Alaska, check out our article: 49th State Icons: Celebrating the Famous People from Alaska

Alaska Joke Gift Ideas

The original Alaska gift gag. It never gets old

Never stop laughing, even on the can.

Keep the laughs rolling with 101 hunting jokes.

Alaska Jokes about Weather

Alaska’s extreme weather, ranging from freezing temperatures to sudden bursts of sunshine, lends itself to a plethora of humorous anecdotes and jokes. We hope you enjoy these silly Alaskan quips about weather.

What is Alaska’s official state Novel? “Fifty Shades of Grey“
Why did the glacier go to therapy? It had a meltdown.
I went to a fancy restaurant in Alaska. The waiter asked me if I wanted my steak rare, medium, or well done. I said “Doesn’t matter, it’ll be frozen by the time I get it“
What did the Alaskan say when he won the lottery? “Time to move to Florida“
What do you call an Alaskan cat on ice? Purr-ma-frost
How do Alaskans get a great upper body workout? By shoveling their driveways

More Alaska Jokes

Here are some more silly jokes about Alaska and living there:

A female’s perspective on dating in Alaska: The odds are good, but the goods are odd.
Nobody in Alaska dates during the winter, it’s hard to break the ice.
How do you tick off a Texan obsessed with being the biggest? Slice Alaska in two, and watch ’em drop to third
I thought I saw an eye doctor on an Alaskan island, but it turned out to be an optical Aleutian.
Dad: “What’s the capital of Alaska?” Me: “Juneau.” Dad: “No, I don’t. That’s why I’m asking you.“

Long Form Story Alaska Jokes

Here are some good Alaska Jokes that you can embellish and make your own. Kill some time telling these Alaska jokes on a hike or around your campfire.

A “Real Man” Alaska Joke

So, there’s this macho man, let’s call him Bob, who finds himself in Alaska on a business trip. He saunters into a local bar, chest puffed out, boasting about how everything’s bigger, better, and tougher where he’s from. Well, the Alaskan locals aren’t having any of it.

One of them leans over and says, “Hey, Bob, in Alaska, you ain’t considered a REAL MAN unless you can chug a fifth of whiskey, wrestle a bear, and make love to a local gal all in one day.” Bob, never one to back down from a challenge, nods with a grin and grabs the bottle, gulps it down like tap water. Then, with a shaky swagger, he follows the locals into the woods.

They tell him they can hear a bear nearby, and Bob, with a fearless gleam in his eye, charges in. Half an hour later, Bob staggers out, clothes in tatters, blood dripping from different cuts and bites. He looks at the locals and slurs, “Alright, where’s this local lady I’m supposed to wrestle?”

Alaska Recreational PSA joke

Dear Campers,

As you prepare for your outdoor adventure this summer, the Alaska Recreational Department would like to remind you of some important safety measures, especially when venturing into bear country.

When hiking in areas known to inhabit various bear species, including brown and black bears, it is recommended to wear small bells on your clothing. These bells serve as an audible warning to most bears, alerting them to your presence and reducing the likelihood of unexpected encounters.

However, it’s crucial to note that Grizzly Bears, also known as Ursus arctos horribilis, may not be deterred by these bells. Therefore, while enjoying your scenic hikes, please remain vigilant and watch for signs of Grizzly activity. One telltale sign of Grizzly activity is the presence of bear scat along the trail. Grizzly Bear droppings can be identified by the distinct shine of tiny bells through the feces.

Your safety is our top priority, and by following these guidelines and staying informed, we can ensure a memorable and secure outdoor experience for all.

Happy trails!

“Honeymoon Hotel” in the Alaska backcountry // Shutterstock // 42 HILARIOUS Alaska Jokes

My Experience with Alaska Jokes

I’ve spent the majority of my career in the remote stretches of the Alaskan bush. While it’s been one hell of an adventure, it hasn’t always been glamorous. Often times I have to rely on humor to get me through the more arduous parts of filming television in Alaska. Alaska jokes, and joking about how silly our job is helps me and my crews to push on.

Whether it’s nagging mosquitoes sucking my blood through my jeans, or my fingers being so frozen they can barely hit the record button; a good Alaska joke can get me through the day. A lot of these jokes have, and I hope they help bring a smile to you as well.

Alaska Joke Shirts

Final Thoughts on Alaska Humor

Alaska humor exists because Alaska is hard.

The weather is unpredictable. The winters are dark. Moose walk into traffic like they pay taxes. Tourists show up wearing hoodies in freezing rain. Entire towns disappear into fog for days at a time.

Sometimes the only thing you can do in a situation is laugh.

After spending years filming across the state, we’ve found that Alaska’s sense of humor is a mix of survival instinct, small-town weirdness, and people trying to stay sane during a six-month winter.

If you enjoyed these Alaska jokes, you might also like our guides to Alaska culture, famous Alaskans, Alaska movies, wildlife, and the weird realities of living in the Last Frontier.

The Funniest Alaska Jokes, Puns & Sayings