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Skagway
When in Skagway visit the Gold Rush Cemetery; Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park; Chilkoot Trail Center; Soapy Smith’s Parlor; Brothel Tour; Haunted Red Light Walking Tour; Corrington Museum; Skagway Museum and Archive.
Cultural events in Skagway include the Buckwheat Ski Classic (March); Mini Folk Festival (April); Euchulon/Hooligan Run (April); Skagway Film Festival (May); Quilter’s Wholesale Market (May); Summer Solstice (June); the International Softball Tournament (July); Fourth of July; Eastern Star Flower Show (August); Klondike Trail of ’98 Road Relay (Sept); and the Victorian Yuletide Weekend (Dec).
Overview
Skagway with a population of 860 is predominantly a tourist community, with historical Tlingit influences. Downtown buildings have been colorfully restored to reflect the history of the gold rush through the Chilkoot Pass. “Skagua” was the Tlingit name, which means “the place where the north wind blows.” Captain William Moore and Skookum Jim, a Tlingit from the Carcross-Tagish area of the Yukon Territory, made popular the White Pass route into Interior Canada in June 1887.
Transportation
Skagway is located 90 miles northeast of Juneau at the northernmost end of Lynn Canal, at the head of Taiya Inlet. It lies 108 road miles south of Whitehorse, just west of the Canadian border at British Columbia. Skagway is accessible via ferry, automobile or plane. If driving, the Alaska Highway connects to the Klondike Highway. To arrive by water, the Alaska’s Marine Highway System services the Skagway area. Juneau is the primary domestic air entry point for Southeast Alaska and travelers on the Inside Passage and is a 45-minute commuter flight from Skagway on Skagway Air or Wings of Alaska. Skagway is also accessible from Haines or Juneau via the Haines-Skagway Water Taxi and the Chilkat Cruises fast ferry.
Services
Skagway is a full service SEAtrails community with a range of accommodations, eateries, rental facilities for both vehicles and outdoor equipment, and medical and emergency facilities.
Weather
Skagway has a cool, temperate marine environment with the temperature being 10 degrees cooler than Seattle in both the summer and winter. The rain/snowfall is approximately 33.09″ per year. The name Skagway means “Home of the North Wind” in Tlingit (Indian) and is appropriate for the winds that can significantly lower temperatures with a wind-chill factor.
Local Contacts
For information about Skagway contact the Skagway Convention & Visitors Bureau P.O. Box 1029 Skagway, Alaska 99840, (907) 983-2854, or email at . Skagway’s Convention and Visitors Bureau has numerous publications available that can be picked up in Skagway during your visit, mailed to you, or viewed online for downloading and printing.
You can also contact the Skagway Chamber of Commerce at P.O. Box 194, Skagway, AK 99840, (907) 983-1898, or email at .
The National Park Service operates the Klondike Goldrush National Historical Park Visitor Center on 2nd and Broadway, 907-983-2921.