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Winter travel in whitehorse

Perth, Australia
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7 posts
21 reviews
50 helpful votes
Winter travel in whitehorse
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We are planning to spend christmas in whitehorse and then on to skagway and ferry onwards to anchorage- is there any form of transport to get to skagway or other port on marine highway from whitehorse in December- we definitely do not want to drive- have absolutely no experience driving in snow.

Whitehorse, Canada
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1,393 posts
39 reviews
15 helpful votes
1. Re: Winter travel in whitehorse
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There is no ferry to Anchorage (never been) and no winter transport from Whitehorse to an Alaskan (SKG or HNS) port (except summer with White Pass Yukon Route). Too bad. Alaska Direct Bus Line may still have Whitehorse to Anchorage.

whitehorse
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4 posts
6 reviews
2. Re: Winter travel in whitehorse
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Please do not be misled by the previous poster... the Alaska Marine Highway runs the ferry year round. I'm not sure who you could hire to drive you to Skagway at that time of year but I am sure there will be someone you can find. Have you tried to ask the hotel where you are staying at in Whitehorse? They might have some suggestions for you.

Sydney, Australia
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3,174 posts
89 reviews
67 helpful votes
3. Re: Winter travel in whitehorse
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We wanted to travel from Alaska to Whitehorse during winter, but were unable to find anyway to do it other than flying back to Vancouver.

We ended up giving up, and will only stay in Whitehorse. We also found no way to hire any winter clothing in Alaska. Indeed, we could get little help in planning a trip in Alaska, so we gave up. One operator suggested we buy the necessary clothing in Sydney, and bring it with us. Not a lot of shops here selling that sort of clothing.

Perth, Australia
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7 posts
21 reviews
50 helpful votes
4. Re: Winter travel in whitehorse
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Thank you for all your comments- I am still persisting with this itinerary-nothing like a challenge. will try the hotel in Whitehorse for advice- otherwise may have to fly back to Vancouver.

Perth, Australia
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7 posts
21 reviews
50 helpful votes
5. Re: Winter travel in whitehorse
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We went to Iceland and the top of Norway last year during northern winter- we found the boots and clothing at Main Peak - we were in -35C - and all worked well- lots of layers. http://www.mainpeak.com.au/

Whitehorse, Canada
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1,393 posts
39 reviews
15 helpful votes
6. Re: Winter travel in whitehorse
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I stand by my reply except the summer bus from Whitehorse to Skagway could be with Holland America, not 100% sure. If I had to go to Anchorage, I would call Alaska Bus Direct ;) If you had a ride to Skagway, you could ferry to and visit Juneau then fly to Anchorage.

Edited: 10 years ago
Sydney, Australia
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3,174 posts
89 reviews
67 helpful votes
7. Re: Winter travel in whitehorse
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We were in Whitehorse last winter, and there was a 20kg luggage limit, along with a very small - and enforced - cabin luggage limit, for our flight from Vancouver to Whitehorse. That excluded bringing lots of winter clothes.

We found all the Whitehorse people very accommodating in hiring out clothing.

Perth, Australia
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7 posts
21 reviews
50 helpful votes
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This is good to know Thank you

Haines, Alaska
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for Haines
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8,904 posts
53 reviews
51 helpful votes
9. Re: Winter travel in whitehorse
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Etrefal is right about the ferry, Sherre

There is no ferry from Skagway to Anchorage, ever........In the summer you can ferry Skagway to Juneau, change ferries and continue over to Whittier (a couple hours drive south of Anchorage).......that cross sound ferry route from Juneau to Whittier only runs a couple days a week during the summer and the trip takes about 3 days......it does NOT run that route during the winter.........

You would need to make other arrangements to get to Anchorage, maybe ferry to Juneau or even further to Sitka and then fly to Anchorage from one of those towns......Alaska Air is the only air service.......

The drive from Whitehorse to Anchorage would take a minimum of 14 hours if the weather cooperates, but I sure wouldn't try that in December.......

Why do you want to go to Anchorage ?......If it is only to return to Vancouver, Alaska Airlines also flies south to Seattle from Juneau, Sitka and Ketchikan and you could transfer from SeaTac to Vancouver.......

The ferry also has a weekly route south ending up in either Bellingham Washington or Prince Rupert British Columbia.......maybe you could to find connections from either of those to Vancouver........

Here is the ferry schedule that should give you some more information....

http://www.dot.state.ak.us/amhs/

Whitehorse, Canada
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320 posts
1 review
3 helpful votes
10. Re: Winter travel in whitehorse
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I'm pretty sure Alaska Direct isn't operating out of Whitehorse anymore. A good friend of mine was their main driver.

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