The "Welcome to Alaska" Sign Tour, Skagway

About this activity

The international border between the United States and Canada lies only fourteen miles from downtown Skagway. Travelers from all over the world yearn to capture that special image of themselves and their traveling companions standing in front of the Welcome to Alaska sign which marks this border. This small group tour is designed to do just that.

Most of the day, the Welcome to Alaska sign is crowded with tour groups jostling and competing for the famous photo. That is why we only offer this tour in the late afternoon, when the crowds are gone.

The tour leaves Skagway and quickly climbs into the surrounding mountain corridor, offering pristine views of the glacial carved valley and rushing waterfalls. At the summit, we guarantee that we will stop at the Welcome to Alaska sign! The exploration continues as your guide selects a few of their favorite pullouts where you can witness the rugged mountains, cobalt lakes and stunted forests that take your breath away.

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At a glance

Duration: 3 hours
Confirmation: Confirmed within 48 hours
Ticket: Mobile or paper ticket accepted
Group: Up to 10 people
People per booking: 1–10
Operated by: Rainbow Glacier Adventures

Ages: Infants (0–1 years) · Children (2–12 years) · Adults (13–120 years)

What is included

Included

Included: Entry into Canada - Passports Required for all guests.
Included: Pick up and drop off at dock
Included: Knowledgeable guide

Not included

Not included: Guide Gratuities

Itinerary

Skagway Alaska Downtown

30 min

Your journey begins at the cruise ship dock, where you will be welcomed by a friendly local guide and escorted to a comfortable tour vehicle. As you drive through the peaceful streets of Skagway’s historic district, you’ll hear stories of the town’s lawless Gold Rush past, filled with fortune-seekers, con artists, and legendary figures.
British Columbia

one hour

With the roads nearly empty, your experience is unhurried and deeply personal. The tour continues beyond the town into the surrounding mountain corridor, offering pristine views and a calm atmosphere rarely experienced during the busy hours.

As we make our way up the Klondike Highway, we’ll cross the Denali Fault Line, a powerful geological feature that marks the meeting point of two shifting tectonic plates. From there, the road winds into the dramatic terrain of the White Pass, where rugged mountains and glacier-carved valleys begin to rise all around us.
Skagway

30 min

Throughout the tour, your guide shares stories that weave together the area’s Indigenous history, natural wonders, and the resilient spirit of Skagway’s local community. Whether you're drawn to quiet landscapes, rich storytelling, or meaningful travel experiences, this afternoon adventure reveals a side of Skagway that few ever see.

Drive back to Skagway with golden hour views and final photo opportunities along the way. Arrive back at cruise dock or your hotel.

Meeting point and pickup

The operator picks every participant up from their accommodation or the points below.

Pickup points

Historic Skagway Inn
Holland America Skagway Inn
Skagway Municipal Airport

There are three docks in Skagway and three different meeting locations.

1. If your ship is docked at the RAILROAD Dock (next to the rock cliff with the landslide), you will either take a shuttle bus or a tender (small boat) from your ship to the tour guide greeting location. Tendered guests will step off the boat and walk up the ramp to meet the guide. Shuttled guests will find the guide waiting at the Ship Shuttle drop-off area. Regardless of the location, your guide will be holding a Rainbow Glacier Adventures sign. DO NOT WALK TOWARDS TOWN.

Once your guide has met all members of your group, they will then escort you to your tour vehicle. If you do not immediately see a Rainbow Glacier Adventures guide, stay and wait at the greeting area.

2. If your ship is docked at the BROADWAY Dock (in the center of town), walk to the greeting area at the end of the pier. Your guide will be holding a Rainbow Glacier Adventures sign.

Once your guide has met all members of your group, they will then escort you to your tour vehicle. If you do not immediately see a Rainbow Glacier Adventures guide, stay and wait at the greeting area. DO NOT WALK TOWARDS TOWN.

3. If your ship is docked at the ORE Dock, walk across the wooden pier to the greeting area. Your guide will be there holding a Rainbow Glacier Adventures sign. DO NOT WALK TOWARDS TOWN.

Once your guide has met all members of your group, they will then escort you to your tour vehicle. If you do not immediately see a Rainbow Glacier Adventures guide, stay and wait at the greeting area.

4. Hotel and B&B Guests:

This tour departs from in front of your lodging. Watch for the van with the Rainbow Glacier Adventures logo.

PLEASE DO NOT FORGET TO BRING YOUR PASSPORTS AND/OR OTHER REQUIRED DOCUMENTATION!

This is an international tour and guests will not be allowed in the vehicle without the correct documentation. Canada will only accept Official Passports or Passport cards. Our tours leave at the appointed time and there will not be time for you to go back to the ship to get your documents. Your assistance in this matter will help guarantee an on-time departure.

If you do not see the guide by 15 minutes prior to the tour, please call the tour operator.

Using your ticket

There are three docks in Skagway and three different meeting locations.

1. If your ship is docked at the RAILROAD Dock (next to the rock cliff with the landslide), you will either take a shuttle bus or a tender (small boat) from your ship to the tour guide greeting location. Tendered guests will disembark the boat and walk up the ramp to meet the guide. Shuttled guests will find the guide waiting at the Ship Shuttle drop-off area. Your guide will be holding a Rainbow Glacier Adventures sign. DO NOT WALK TOWARDS TOWN.

2. If your ship is docked at the BROADWAY Dock (in the center of town), walk to the greeting area at the end of the pier. Your guide will be holding a Rainbow Glacier Adventures sign. DO NOT WALK TOWARDS TOWN.

3. If your ship is docked at the ORE Dock, walk across the wooden pier to the greeting area. Your guide will be there holding a Rainbow Glacier Adventures sign. DO NOT WALK TOWARDS TOWN.

Once your guide has met all members of your group, they will then escort you to your tour vehicle. If you do not immediately see a Rainbow Glacier Adventures guide, stay and wait at the greeting area.

4. Hotel and B&B Guests:

This tour departs from in front of your lodging. Watch for the van with the Rainbow Glacier Adventures logo.

PLEASE DO NOT FORGET TO BRING YOUR PASSPORTS AND/OR OTHER REQUIRED DOCUMENTATION!

This is an international tour and guests will not be allowed in the vehicle without the correct documentation. Canada will only accept Official Passports or Passport cards. Our tours leave at the appointed time and there will not be time for you to go back to the ship to get your documents. Your assistance in this matter will help guarantee an on-time departure.

If you do not see the guide by 15 minutes prior to the tour, please call the tour operator.