We highly recommend that you take the 2:45pm train, as there is often morning fog in the pass area, that burns off by afternoon.
You would meet one of us at 7:30am for the seven hour tour, or 8:30am, for the six hour morning tour. We’d take the tour, then come back to Fraser at 2:30pm, for the return train ride from Fraser to Skagway. This gets you back to Skagway at 4:30pm.
Reserve White’s Pass Train by calling 907-983-2217. Email us for further discussion about the $82 White’s Pass Train Ride that works in combination with our tour.
What are my options for the day I spend going “Beyond Skagway”?
Briefly, we’ll describe some options here; there are more details described on the Tours Page. You can design your tour with me in any way that you like!
You could: Enjoy the scenery from the comfort of our vehicle, stopping for photo opportunities from the Klondike Hwy. for as far as you’d like to go.
Take a backroad, so that you’ll get to see more remote wilderness areas of Alaska and the Yukon.
Take a picnic lunch to enjoy near a river or lake.
Enjoy lunch at one of three different Yukon Restaurants; you may choose the one that meets your dining style best.
Talk to a First Nation carver about his love of carving and the culture of his people.
Take the kids to pet husky puppies, take a dog cart ride and hear tales of winter dog sledding at Caribou Crossing.
Call Becky, at 907-612-0499, to ask about our new Winter Wonderland Opportunities! We are offering dog sledding, (day or overnight tours in a heated tent or cabin), cross country skiing, snowshoeing, ice fishing, trapline tours and/or viewing the Northern Lights, in Alaska and the Yukon! We will provide transportation and plan the week for you to enjoy one or all of the above winter opportunities with Yukon locals.
How do I pay for the tour?
Once we have emailed, you’ll pay a $200 deposit, on Pay Pal, found on our reserve page. Then, we will confirm your reservation. If you cancel prior to 48 hours before your tour, you’ll receive all but $20 of this deposit money. If you do not give us 48 hours notice, we will keep the deposit. Exceptions to that, is if your cruise ship does not arrive in Skagway. The balance of the tour amount, is due in cash or check at the end of the tour.
How should I dress?
Temperatures can vary greatly in the same day. The best way to dress, is in layers. Then you can shed a layer when warm or add a layer if cool. Wear a T-shirt, sweatshirt or fleece and a windproof jacket and you will be ready for what ever weather you might encounter.
What should I bring?
Passports are REQUIRED for border crossing into Canada, only 15 miles north of Skagway. For some nationalities, additional documentation may be required. Children accompanying parents should have an original or certified copy of their birth certificate or Passport. If one or both parents are not traveling with the child, a notarized letter of authorization from the absent parent(s) is also necessary to cross into Canada. If you have any questions regarding proper identification of the border crossing, please contact us.
Bring your camera. Binoculars are optional, as these are provided for you on the tour.
Will we see wildlife?
For wildlife sightings such as bear, moose, mountain goats and others, the Yukon is your best bet. About 50% of our Yukon excursions see some type of wildlife. Short of hiring a cousin to dress up in costume, I can not guarantee you’ll see wildlife, and yet, we often do!
What if we miss our ship after the tour?
We’ve never missed a ship yet, and plan to arrive back in Skagway more than an hour before your ship departure time. If, for some reason, we do not make it back in time, we will pay for transportation to the ship’s next port.
How soon should I book?
As soon as you can know the date of your tour, as we do fill up!
What is the best season to enjoy “Beyond Skagway”?
Each season has its benefits and drawbacks, but since you asked, we’ll try to give you some of our opinions as to what to expect each month you might visit “Beyond Skagway”.
May: There is still snow in White’s Pass, but not on the road! You’ll see Alaska as the year round residents do during much of the year, covered in white. But, you won’t see the emerald colors of Emerald Lake, as it will be frozen till mid-May. We enjoy some warm weather in May, but it can be stormy too! Bring layers. A shirt, fleece and waterproof jacket work great. Gloves and a warm hat are a good idea in May also.
June: The snow is mostly melted except on the slopes of the surrounding peaks. Bugs are hatching out this month, but they don’t get too bad. Bring some bug dope just in case. Temperatures can fluctuate; again, bring layers. Last summer, our June was sunny, while our July was cloudy, but that does not occur every summer. Brilliant blue Lupines line the Klondike Hwy and black bears often dine on brilliant yellow Dandelions along the roads edge.
July: Warmer temps, but as we just mentioned, our June was warmer than July was, last summer. Fireweed bloom profusely along the Klondike Hwy and the black bears are still coming out to dine on the Dandy’s.
August: We have some 80 degree days. But, you can’t count on those temperatures, so come prepared and bring your layers. No need for gloves or hats this month. The salmon start running. Grizzly bears come to Dyea to feed on them during the latter part of this month.
September: Our best Fall colors in the Yukon are during this month. Those Aspen Trees Golds are brilliant to behold! Temps are cooling down some, of course, but the bugs are gone. Our first snow in the Pass comes just at the end of September, normally as the last cruise ship of the season departs.
Our other season: Winter settles over us slowly, snowing on and off through October and November, but finally staying in our valley by the end of November. When our daylight hours lengthen in Feb, March and April, you’ll find beauty in each day that you choose to explore the beauty of an Alaskan/Yukon winter. Fly or ferry to Skagway and we’ll plan a winter wonderland tour just for you.
Whatever the month you arrive, you’ll be amazed at the beauty of the Alaskan and Canadian wilderness. Each season sports beauty of a different kind. What ever month you come, you’ll love what The Last Frontier has to offer!
What do you do during the winter months?
We get asked this question more often then any other! Our winters vary, but always include doing some of our favorite things. We might choose a flight to warmer climates or a road trip to visit family and friends. Some of us are finishing grad school during the winter months! Like the caribou, below… we are on the move during the winter months. Caribou migrate, n so do we!
