Still reeling from the earthquake, the Kilchers rush to make headway on time-sensitive projects, and Otto, Charlotte and Eivin travel to rescue a family relic. Meanwhile, the first fishing trip of the year leaves Eve and Jane lost at sea.
With Otto's surgery looming, the rush to complete projects becomes urgent. Elsewhere, Atz Lee and Jane reunite after a month apart when he brings her to his new homestead for the first time. However, she's less than impressed.
After years of putting it off, Otto makes the decision to have potentially life-threatening surgery. While Charlotte waits, Jane takes care of the farm, delivering her first calf alone, and Eivin and Atz Lee scout the head of the bay.
While Otto recovers from surgery, his son Levi comes to Alaska to lead the annual spring cattle drive with Eivin, but Otto's unwillingness to step aside puts him in danger. Meanwhile, Atz and Atz Lee test their survival skills.
The Kilchers gather for Thanksgiving dinner at the old family barn. Recognizing that the homestead is a community, the family shows thanks to the friends and family that have helped out in the past year by doing something nice for each of them.
Atz Sr. prepares for a very special visit from his daughter, singer-songwriter Jewel. Also on the homestead, Otto puts his recovery at risk to save a paralyzed cow, while Jane and Atz Lee put aside their differences to prepare for winter.
In a dangerous homestead first, Otto enlists the help of a helicopter to move a massive greenhouse. While Eivin is busy helping Otto, Eve learns a new skill to feed her family, and Atz Lee risks his recovery to continue his cabin build alone.
The Kilchers celebrate their most unforgettable Christmas ever with a homemade gift exchange, while Otto takes an explosive approach to lighting up the holidays, and Atz Sr. lets Mother Nature decide what gift he'll be giving.
Fall brings big changes to the Kilcher homestead as tensions flare between Otto and August in their last mission before August leaves for college. Elsewhere, Atz Lee, Atz Sr. and Jane work on Atz Lee's new cabin, but Jane still has her doubts.
The Kilchers feel the pressure to get jobs done before frigid temperatures sweep into southern Alaska. Otto and Eivin salvage the shores of Kachemak Bay, while Atz Lee pushes to put a roof on his cabin before snowfall, and Charlotte and Jane run into a predator.
After paying for his hernia surgery, Otto ends up with gold fever and travels to get a mine going again. Elsewhere, Jane and Eivin search a remote island for enough deer to last the winter, and Atz Lee faces down old fears as he races the freeze to complete his cabin.
The Kilchers look to the future as Atz Sr. passes on vital survival knowledge, while Atz Lee embarks on a risky solo hunt on a remote, dangerous island. Meanwhile, Eivin builds the ideal boat for his young family's adventures on the water.
Otto and Charlotte fight to round up their cattle as winter arrives in the form of a massive snowstorm. Meanwhile, Atz Lee and Jane come to a decision about his remote cabin, and Eivin and Eve take the new boat on its maiden fishing journey.