PDF Viewer

---

We're so glad you're here! Please use this manual as your reference for using and enjoying the cabin amenities.

Refer to House Rules for the “do-not’s.” This manual is written as pro tips and an insider’s guide from all of us at Team Aurora.

🚗 Parking

Parking is available directly in front of the cabin. Please leave 15 ft. of space open on the right (when looking at the front door) for water and fuel deliveries. 

During winter months you will find a blue extension cord at the front door for plugging in your car heater (make sure you know where this is on your car). Please do not remove the illuminated plug end! This lets you know the plug is active, a vital piece of information for sub-zero temperatures. 

* Always unplug before you start your car! Missing or damaged plug illuminators and cords will be billed back to you.

💡Cabin Outdoor Lights - Aurora Photos 

When capturing the Auroras the lights under the eaves should be turned off for your best photos. We’ve placed a magic button at the side door. Push the lower button to turn off the outdoor lighting (the dome is separate and at a low enough setting it will not effect your pictures). To turn the lights back on, simply push the top button.

🍽️ Kitchen & Dining

Water conservation is critical outside the city limits in Alaska. Aurora has been designed to balance comfort and conservation. Please help by not running water without direct use.
A primary usage of water is washing dishes. We’ve installed the most current energy star dishwasher for this reason. Do not pre-wash or rinse dishes. Scrape all food scraps into the garbage, place all dishes in the dishwasher, ONLY USE “AUTO” allowing the dishwasher to do the rest. Only run a full load, no partial or quick rinse loads. Thank you! :)

☀️🌡️🥵 Summer Time

Although it can get hot in the summer, the amount of hot days is very minimal, therefore we do not have a/c. We do provide portable fans. If you’re concerned about heat during your stay please let us know.

🔥 Heating & Pellet Stove

Furnace Thermostat : Across from the bathroom door is the thermostat for the boiler, controlling the radiant floor heating. This is a modern intuitive touchscreen that makes it easy to change temperature. It is very important you do not modify the programmed settings. However please feel free to set a temperature that’s comfortable for you.  *see NOTE for winter use*

NOTES: You can expect average temperatures in the winter to fluctuate between 10 f. and -10 f. with occasional dips down in the -20 f. range. With these extremes come a few limitations. We’ve lived through the frigid cold with the cabin freezing twice, to a point all pipes and boiler had to be replaced. We’ve learned a lot to help make sure your stay is warm and comfortable. The following are our tips to help make sure your stay is comfortable and you’re able to easily make any adjustments to the heat in the most effective ways possible. 

1. When temperatures dip below zero the boiler, controlled by the thermostat on the wall is not able to keep up with heating the cabin without help.
2. The pellet stove is a new addition to our heating system. It is necessary to keep temperatures in the cabin above 65 degrees after outside temperatures dip below zero. 
3. The boiler is always set to 70 degrees. The pellet stove should be used to increase temperatures inside if a temperature over 68/69 is preferred, and when outside temperatures are below zero degrees.
4. The City of Fairbanks, specifically lower elevations experience significant air quality problems during extreme cold temperatures! Boiler systems use diesel heating oil. Pellet stoves use compressed wood from renewable sources and produce fewer greenhouse gases and pollutants over diesel, wood stoves and fireplaces. The pellet stove we use is EPA certified and is the best option considering air quality and indoor comfort. Please consider this when selecting which heating source to provide the bulk of heat during your stay. The pellet stove is #1 👍🌲
   
   PRO TIP: we find setting the pellet stove at 76 deg is the perfect mix of floor heat and room temperature.
   
   Note: the smell of a fireplace is normal each time the pellet stove starts. 

Pellet Stove: NOTE: It can take 5+ minutes for the stove to start burning pellets. Built-in safety features cycle through a cleaning and warm up period before you see a fire burning.
*Do Not attempt to light the pellets or another combustibles in the stove!
*Do Not open the door to the fire box during operation!
*Do Not attempt to burn or cook anything in the pellet stove!
*Only adjust temperatures up and down. Do Not adjust other settings. The stove has been carefully calibrated for its best performance in the cabin.

Pellet stoves can be finicky, if you’re experiencing any problems with the stove please stop and send us a message on Airbnb (or similar).

Operating the Pellet Stove - If the stove is off: To turn the stove on push and hold the power button for 3 seconds (far left bottom button). NOTE: Push the power button firmly - it will feel like a double click. NOTE: the stove and red light only come on after you release your finger following the 3 second hold.

Adjust the temperature with the up and down buttons followed by the thumbs up button. Enjoy!

When leaving, please set the pellet stove temperature to 65 degrees. 

Important: do not un-plug the stove or switch the manual power off. This interrupts the safety programs to cool, exhaust and clean. The only exception is if the stove is not responding to the display panel and you feel there is a safety concern. If you don’t want the stove running during your stay just turn its temperature down to 65 degrees.

🌲 Outdoor Spaces

Note: With the exception of the Aurora Lounge (dome) and Chiminea all other outdoor amenities are available June through October.

Aurora Lounge / Dome: A great place for coffee in the morning and relaxing in the evening. After much trial and error, we settled on the little pellet stove for heat. Please only have this stove running if you are in the dome. Also, please help keep the pellet hopper full by using the provided bucket with pellets.

Chiminea - Outdoor Clay Firepit: You will need to remove the black chimney cap before use. We do our best to provide firewood, however this is not promised. You can always pick up a bundle of firewood at Fred Meyers or local hardware stores like Lowes and Home Depot. Please put the Chimney Cap back on after each use. 

For summer stays the side deck and back deck areas are ideal for dining and relaxing. Great for a BBQ and dining, along with nighttime games and drinks.

BBQ Grill: Propane provided (please clean and turn off propane after use)

Fire Pit Area:
To use the propane fire pit/heater:

1. Make sure the propane is on by removing the front cover.
2. Push the “Light” button on the left, followed by pushing in the dial on the right to the light position.
3. Keep pushing this dial in for about 30 seconds to allow the burner to warm up.

The manual for the fire pit heater is next to the propane tank if you need further reference.
To turn it off: Push in on the right dial, turning it clockwise until the dial stops and the fire goes out.

🛏️ Bedding & Linens

Please place all decorative pillows in the provided storage baskets towards the end of each bed, not on the floor. * When appropriate please use the provided dark towels, avoiding staining sheets and additional cleaning fees.

🛌 Sleeping Arrangements for Entertainment Room 

Reference the image to help you configure the sofa into a comfy sleeping set up. Please make sure to use the quilted mattress protector as the base layer. The mattress protector, set of flat sheets, a waffle blanket, pillows and a comforter are all stored in the clear storage bins close to the foosball table and entrance to the room. Kindly keep used sheets, pillows and comforter off the floor.

🚿 Bathrooms

Toiletries and spa soaps are filled before each stay. If you have any additional needs for longer stays, please let us know. 

Please help us conserve water by being intentional with usage.
*Tips: turn water off while brushing, keep showers as a functional use only.

For Makeup Removal: please use the provided Navy Blue towels.

🧺 Optional Washer and Dryer Use

Aurora operates on a limited water system supplied by an on-site water tank 💧. To preserve water for essential use, washer and dryer access is limited to guests staying 6+ nights and available by request only.

🔑 Availability

• Washer and dryer use is available by request for stays of 6 nights or longer
• Access requires a temporary door code
• The washer and dryer are located in a locked mechanical room

⚠️ Important Use Rules

By requesting access, guests acknowledge and agree to the following:

• Laundry use is limited to one load per person per stay (for stays of 6 nights or longer)
• The mechanical room is not child-friendly and contains very hot pipes and equipment 🔥
• Children are not permitted in the mechanical room at any time
• The door must remain closed and locked at all times if children are staying at the cabin
• The space is for laundry use only and not for storage or extended access

📷 Security Disclosure

For safety and property protection, a security camera is located inside the mechanical room.
This camera only records and monitors the mechanical room, to include the washer and dryer. 

💬 How to Request Access

Please message us through Airbnb if you’d like to request washer and dryer access during your stay. Thank you for your understanding of our limited resources in Alaska!

For shorter stays with personal laundry needs we recommend the following laundromats 

1. B&C Laundromat 3677 College Rd Fairbanks
2. Fairbanks Laundry 906 Old Steese Hwy Fairbanks
3. Cushman Plaza Laundry 2301 S Cushman St Fairbanks

🚨 Safety & Emergencies

• Fire extinguishers 1. Next to the kitchen oven. 2. Next to the cabin pellet stove
  3. Next to the dome pellet stove.
• First aid kit is located in the main floor bathroom on the shelving unit below the mirror.
• Closest Hospital:
  Fairbanks Memorial Hospital Emergency Room
  1650 Cowles St. Fairbanks AK 99701
  📞 907-452-8181

🗑️ Trash & Recycling

You can leave the trash in all provided bins inside the cabin. Our cleaning team appreciates those bags being tied shut, but it’s not mandatory. Do not leave garbage sitting outside the cabin. This will attract wildlife and may result in added cleaning fees.

Most recycling is sadly not provided locally. If you wish to take recyclables with you, Mother Earth thanks you!

📞 Questions or Assistance

We're here to help! If you have questions, or if anything about your stay is not to your Gold 5 Star standard, please message us through Airbnb or the booking platform you used. You can also call or text us directly.

Thank you for choosing Spruce & Pine Retreats.
Enjoy your peaceful retreat in the beautiful hills of Fairbanks Alaska!