Glaciers and fjords in Skagway
Skagway's glaciers are close to town. A 1.5-hour helicopter flight takes in the glaciers above the town, and a drive up the Klondike Highway shows several more from the road.
Places to go
Skagway glaciers by helicopter
A helicopter flight over the glaciers that ring Skagway, seen from the air across ice fields and peaks. It is booked as a tour rather than arranged on your own.
White Pass & Yukon Route Railway
The White Pass and Yukon Route is a narrow-gauge railway that climbs out of Skagway toward the White Pass. Riders get long views of the train winding along the mountainside above the river.
Tours to book
Prices are per person, booked with our partner, Shore Excursions Group.
What to expect
The most direct way to see the glaciers is the helicopter flight. It lasts about 1.5 hours and circles the Skagway glaciers from the air. You are booked onto it as a tour, so you do not plan the route yourself.
If you would rather stay on the ground, the Klondike Highway drive goes from the summit down to Skagway. Along the way you pass several glaciers and waterfalls, and you can glimpse the White Pass Railway and the old pass trail. Seeing it from a road means a car or a bus, so it is usually a tour. Glacier walks are also offered on White Pass backcountry hikes, but these are short trips rather than full days on the ice.
Where to go
- Klondike Highway pass drive. The drive from the summit down to Skagway passes several glaciers and waterfalls seen from the road, with glimpses of the White Pass Railway. By tour bus or car.
Getting there
The glacier helicopter flight leaves from the town area. The highway drive starts at the Klondike Highway pass summit and runs down to Skagway, so it is usually taken as a tour bus trip.
When to go
The glacier flights and the highway trips run in the summer season, from May to October. The White Pass train runs from May to early October.
Good to know
- The helicopter flight is booked ahead as a tour.
- Skagway is a few blocks wide, so walking around town works well.
- The free Skagway Visitor Center on Broadway has area guides and hiking maps.
- Bring a warm layer, since the air near the glaciers is cooler than the town.
Questions
How long is the helicopter flight over the Skagway glaciers?
The flight itself lasts about 1.5 hours and goes over the Skagway glaciers.
Can you see glaciers in Skagway without a helicopter?
Yes. The Klondike Highway drive from the pass summit to Skagway passes several glaciers and waterfalls seen from the road. You need a car or a tour bus for this trip.
When is the glacier season in Skagway?
The glacier flights and highway trips run in summer, from May to October. The White Pass train also runs from May to early October.
