Ride one of the world's most celebrated narrow-gauge railways to the summit of the White Pass, tracing the exact trail used by desperate Klondike Gold Rush prospectors in 1898. Sheer cliff-edge scenery and living history combine for an unmissable journey.
What to expect
The train departs from the historic downtown depot and immediately begins its dramatic ascent through switchbacks carved into sheer granite walls. The route climbs nearly 3,000 feet in just 20 miles, passing over precipitous trestles and through tunnels blasted by hand. Your guide narrates the extraordinary engineering feat and the brutal human drama of the Gold Rush as the scenery transitions from coastal rainforest to dramatic alpine tundra. At the summit you're rewarded with sweeping views into British Columbia and the Yukon — on a clear day, an absolutely staggering panorama.
Good to know
The railroad operates seasonally (May–September); book the parlour car well in advance as it is extremely limited. The round-trip Summit Excursion runs approximately 3 hours — one of the best time-to-wow ratios of any shore excursion. Dress in warm layers; summit temperatures can be 15–20°F cooler than at the port. Trains depart steps from the pier, making timing straightforward.