The breathtaking beauty of Alaska sometimes hides the fact its winters can be incredibly harsh, especially for those who live in the state's outlying areas.
EPISODE 1
Before the Freeze
Meet the Kilcher family, who live off the land in the frontier wilderness of southern Alaska. The Kilchers maintain a subsistence lifestyle with few modern conveniences.
EPISODE 2
Fueling the Fire
The Kilchers prepare for winter's first snow storm; Atz Sr. leads a herd of cattle across glacial rivers.
EPISODE 3
Snow, Cold and Darkness
The storms hit earlier than expected; search for a newborn calf and its mother; Otto builds shelter for his herd.
Dead of Winter
The extended Kilcher family struggle to get through a record-breaking harsh winter; desperate for food, Atz Lee and Jane venture onto the ice to try fishing; patriarchs Otto and Atz embark on a dangerous mission to bring aid to a fellow homesteader.
Spring Has Sprung
Spring finally arrives on the homestead; Eivin mills lumber, builds a large chicken house from scratch and helps wife Eve take out a rogue cannibal hen; desperate for food, Jane goes fishing for king salmon solo while husband Atz Lee hunts for black bear.
Cattle Drive
Otto and family battle the elements and predators to drive their cattle to summer pasture; a missing calf causes Otto and Eivin to head off for a dangerous late night rescue mission.
Atz Kilcher
Atz Lee Kilcher
Otto Kilcher
Eivin Kilcher
Brigham Cottam
Molly Mayock
Sandy Varo
Suzanne Rauscher
Gretchen Morning
John Slaughter
Justin Inda
