Six people separated by hundreds of miles, all joined by the common cause of surviving the winter in the Alaskan bush. In Noorvik, Chip races to set whitefish nets on thin ice for the last catch of the season. Fishing on the frozen river is deadly, but it's vital to haul enough fish to last through the winter. Andy tests the safety of the river surrounding his house that he uses as a link to the outside world. Without this winter lifeline, he is trapped and isolated.

After being away for several months due to an injury, Sue is finally on her way to her home at the Kavik River Camp. Though she thinks bears may have taken up residence there, she discovers a bigger surprise: thieves have robbed her fuel supply. If she runs out before weather makes a delivery possible, she'll freeze. In Noorvik, Chip and Agnes can't access their hunting grounds until their river freezes, forcing them to rely on bartering the supplies they have for the essential items they lack.

Winter is coming fast and six Alaskans living in the remote corners of the state are in a rush to prepare for the hard months ahead. Alone at the Kavik River Camp, a blizzard descends on Sue's camp as she sets up “hand lines” between her most critical buildings so she can find them in whiteout conditions. She also prepares firearms in case of a wildlife attack. In Wiseman, Erik tends to two critical tasks: collecting water and wood. If he's unsuccessful, he'll face trouble very quickly.

Mechanical breakdowns and invading predators threaten the lives of six people as they try to survive the dark and cold winter in Alaska. In Kavik, a familiar sound startles Sue. She soon realizes that a deadly wolf has approached her cabin. Nineteen miles north of the Arctic Circle, Chip's snow machine breaks down, threatening his own survival since without it he cannot fish, hunt or trade. In Wiseman, Erik hunts for lynx fur to earn money but the beast outsmarts him every time.

In Kavik, nearly 200 miles north of the Arctic Circle, Sue is becoming dangerously low on fuel. With only a seven-day supply left, she calls in for an air delivery, but mechanical trouble with the plane fleet and another impending winter storm leave her holding her breath that they'll be able to deliver before she freezes. In Wiseman, Erik is in a match of wits with a clever wolf that keeps stealing bait from his traps.

This week's episode of Life Below Zero puts the spotlight on couples. Kate joins Andy out in the wilderness for a challenging day of collecting lumber for their homestead. After a day filled with frustrations, Andy surprises Kate with a quick getaway to celebrate her birthday. In Noorvik, Chip and Agnes are working together on a major hunt that could determine their livelihood for the coming year. They'll use the tactics of Agnes' Inupiat ancestors in hopes of getting a leg up.

During winter in the corners of Alaska, every day can be fraught with challenges. Sue sees few hunting opportunities this time of year in Kavik, but after a group of ptarmigan birds takes up residence in her yard, her mouth is watering for a special meal … if she can just get her aim on target. While out setting traps, Erik crashes his snow machine. With no part stores within a hundred miles, he must make an unscheduled trip to Fairbanks for repairs, leaving his trap lines to go unchecked.

Sue encounters a predator outside her tent; Andy buys a new sawmill and must tow it home despite dangerous snowdrifts on the Taylor Highway.

Chip and Agnes track a wolf for its fur; Sue hunts for a moose; Kate and Andy prepare for a doomsday scenario.

Sue travels to Fairbanks to buy her Kavik River Camp; Andy and Kate move their dogs to a safe location before an ice breakup; Erik preps for grizzly-hunting season by renting out his property.