A place like no other near Skagway in Alaska
The White Pass and Yukon Route is a historic narrow-gauge railroad that climbs through some of the most dramatic mountain terrain in North America. Built during the Klondike Gold Rush in 1898, this engineering marvel carries passengers along steep cliffs, past cascading waterfalls, and through hand-cut tunnels carved into the mountainside. Today, the railway offers one of the most unforgettable scenic excursions in Alaska, threading through the White Pass Summit at an elevation of nearly 3,000 feet where towering peaks and glaciers come into view around every bend.
The sensation of riding the White Pass and Yukon Route is unlike any other Alaskan adventure. The train cars tilt slightly on the curves, adding an element of excitement as you cling to the windows watching the landscape drop away into the valleys below. The locomotive whistles echo off the granite walls of the Taiya River Canyon, and on clear days you can see all the way to the glaciers cradled in the surrounding peaks.
History and Culture
The story of the White Pass and Yukon Route begins with the Klondike Gold Rush of 1897. As thousands of prospectors made their way to Skagway, two competing railroad companies raced to build a line over the mountains and into the Yukon. The White Pass and Yukon Company ultimately succeeded, constructing the railway through extraordinarily difficult terrain in just 26 months using thousands of workers, many of them immigrants who endured grueling conditions.
The railway was an engineering feat for its time. Workers carved pathways out of solid granite, using explosives to blast tunnels through the mountainside. The route features an impressive 10 miles of switchbacks, 40 bridges, and dozens of snowsheds that protect the track from avalanches. Despite using only hand tools and modest machinery, the builders achieved grades steeper than any other railroad in North America.
The railway ceased commercial operations in 1982 but was revived as a tourist attraction in 1988. The locomotives and passenger cars have been carefully restored to their early 20th-century appearance, complete with antique wood paneling and brass fixtures that transport riders back to the golden age of rail travel.
What to Do
Riding the train itself is the primary activity, and there are several options depending on how deep you want to go into the wilderness. The most popular route is the Scenic Railway, a 3-hour round-trip journey from Skagway to the summit and back. This narrated excursion covers 18 miles of mountain track and is fully narrated by knowledgeable guides who share stories of Gold Rush-era construction crews and the geology of the surrounding region.
For a longer adventure, the Yukon Route continues into the Yukon Territory, connecting Skagway with the historic town of Carcross in Canada’s Yukon. This full-day excursion crosses the continental divide at White Pass Summit and travels through the dramatic Kluane National Park region. Passengers see glacial lakes, alpine meadows, and wildlife including Dall sheep and mountain goats visible on the steeper slopes.
Photography stops are built into the schedule at the most scenic overlooks, giving passengers ample opportunity to capture images of the rugged landscape, trestle bridges, and the famous Brady Train Bridge, a curved steel span that is one of the most photographed railroad bridges in the world.
What to See
From the train windows, the landscape tells a story of geological forces and human endurance. Glacier Point offers views of the massive glaciers that carved the valleys the railway now traverses. The Miles Canyon area showcases columns of basalt rock formed by ancient volcanic activity, while the ** Tutshi Lake** region reveals dense forests of spruce and hemlock covering the mountainsides.
The historic Skagway Station where the journey begins is itself worth exploring. The depot features original station architecture from 1889, including a restored waiting room adorned with period photographs and artifacts from the railroad’s construction era. Gold Rush-era railroad equipment is displayed on the platform, including one of the original steam locomotives that weathered decades of mountain winters.
The Scenic Tunnel section of the route passes through a hand-cut granite tunnel that took workers months to complete, emerging to reveal panoramic views of the surrounding peaks. At the summit, the White Pass Summit Station has a small interpretive center where passengers can stretch their legs and learn about the extreme conditions the builders faced.
Outdoor Recreation
While the railway is the main attraction, the White Pass corridor offers excellent opportunities for outdoor activities beyond the train itself. The Chilkoot Trail, which the railway parallels for much of its route, is a historic hiking path that follows the Gold Rush route over the mountains. Hikers can walk portions of this trail to experience the same terrain that stampeders navigated more than a century ago.
In winter, the White Pass Nordic Ski Area maintains groomed trails along the railway grade, offering cross-country skiing and snowshoeing through pristine alpine terrain. The snowfall in the pass is reliable and deep, making it a popular destination for backcountry enthusiasts who want to explore areas the train passes through during warmer months.
Attractions
The railroad operates several themed excursions throughout the year. The Fall Leaf Photo Special in September takes advantage of the spectacular autumn colors in the surrounding boreal forest, with longer stops at the most scenic overlooks. The Holiday Express in December features decorated cars and a visit from Santa Claus, making it a popular family event.
At the Skagway depot, the Railroad Museum houses an extensive collection of historic railroad artifacts, including original construction photographs, vintage tools used by the builders, and detailed models of the various locomotive types that have served the line over the decades.
When to Visit
The White Pass and Yukon Route operates from mid-May through mid-September, coinciding with Alaska’s peak tourism season and the cruise ship schedule in Skagway. June through August offers the most reliable weather and the widest selection of departure times, though these months also coincide with the highest volume of visitors.
September can be an excellent time to visit, as the summer crowds thin and the surrounding mountains begin to show patches of autumn color. The weather remains mild, and the train rides are less crowded. Early May openings feature special promotional fares, though some high-elevation sections may still have snow visible from the windows.