The aurora is always out there (also in summer), but same as the weather, its activity has a forecast. The farther north you are, and the more time to allocate, the higher are your odds of snapping the perfect aurora picture. I recommend using this aurora forecast and this Facebook group to check the forecast and get live updates. Using these tools might enhance your chances of seeing the amazing, unforgettable show show in the sky. But remember: aurora hunting is about patience, darkness, and… luck. Usually, the best activity is during 12am-3am. Plan accordantly, but allocate yourself enough time. The aurora in unpredictable.
Find a good location, that is both scenic and doesn’t have light pollution, get your camera and lenses ready (bring extra battery) and keep your eyes open in the car. A good location I would recommend is near Knik river, on the way to Palmer (an hour north of Anchorage). A good spot is right here (see GoogleMaps, just 100 feet north of the pin, there is a parking area on the river. You will probably be driving on ice/snow, hence an AWD car is highly recommended.