Skagway, Alaska's historic White Pass and Yukon Route railroad offers a 40-mile, 3- to 3 1/2-hour round trip tour. The train climbs from "tidewater at Skagway to the summit of the White Pass," according to the Alaska Tours website. The climb is a 2,865 rise in elevation. This narrow-gauge railroad was built during the 1898 Klondike Gold Rush and is an International Historic Civil Engineering landmark. The tour offers views of mountains, glaciers, gorges, tunnels, trestles, waterfalls and assorted historic sites from the comfort of vintage-era parlor cars. In 2010, tours depart from Skagway at 8:15 a.m. and 12:45 p.m., Monday through Saturday. Tours departing from Skagway at 4:30 p.m. are available on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, and in 2010, tickets are $110 for adults and $55 for children ages 3 to 12. Tours run from May 5 through September 24 in 2010.
Alaska Tours
413 G Street
Anchorage, Alaska 99501
907-227-3000
alaskatours.com
A steam locomotive will take you to Fraser Meadows, British Columbia, located six miles beyond the White Pass Summit in some of North Alaska's most rugged terrain. The tour starts from Skagway on May 29 through September 13 and is available only on Mondays and Fridays. The train climbs nearly 3,000 feet during its 26-mile trek that includes "steep grades and a cliff hanging turn," according to the Alaska Tours website. Tickets are $145 for adults and $73 for children ages three to 12. Passports are required for this tour. The tour departs at noon and is four hours long.
Alaska Tours
413 G Street
Anchorage, Alaska 99501
907-227-3000
alaskatours.com
The Yukon Rail Adventure tour "follows the trail of the Sourdoughs," according to the Alaska Tours website, between Skagway, Alaska and Carcross, Yukon on the historic White Pass and Yukon Route Railroad. The train travels up the Skagway River up to White Pass Summit and then down to the restored 1903 Lake Bennett train station in British Columbia. A one-hour, 45-minute layover in Lake Bennett offers travelers the opportunity to lunch (included with the tour) and explore the historic town while enjoying the scenery. The train then re-boards and carries on to the town of Carcross where travelers can enjoy views of a mountain-girt lake, meaning the mountains seem to rise up out of the water. In Carcross you will board a motorcoach for the return trip to Skagway which stops at the Emerald Lake along the way. The tour is 8 1/2 hours long and in 2010 departs at 7:30 a.m., Sunday through Friday, May 20 through September 1. Passports are required for this tour. Adult tickets are $239 and kids tickets (ages 3-12) are $159 (all 2010 prices).
Alaska Tours
413 G Street
Anchorage, Alaska 99501
907-227-3000
alaskatours.com
Three routes of the Alaskan railroad, the "Coastal Classic" from Anchorage to Girdwood to Seward, the "Glacier Discovery" from Anchorage to Girdwood, Whittier, Portage and Spencer and the "Denali Star" from Wasilla to Talkeettna to Denali and Fairbanks are traveled by several railroad companies, including Alaska Railroad and Holland America. Book the Princess Midnight Sun Express Denali Star route tour through either of these companies; however, these trips generally run over several days. You can travel the Alaska Railroad's Coastal Classic in an 8 1/2-hour day, which includes visiting the town of Girdwood for dog sledding and "flightseeing," the opportunity to visit national parks and view glaciers by air. In 2010, the Coastal Classic departs from Anchorage at 6:45 a.m., May 15 through September 12. Ticket prices in 2010 range from $59 to $75 depending on length of tour.
Alaska Railroad
327 W. Ship Creek Avenue
Anchorage, Alaska 99501
907-265-2494
800-544-0552
alaskarailroad.com
