White Pass

White Pass is a mountain crossing between Skagway, Alaska and British Columbia, Canada, traversed by a narrow-gauge railway line. The route climbs through steep terrain and crosses multiple tunnels and wooden trestles built into the coastal mountain range.

This mountain crossing became a major route during the Klondike Gold Rush of 1898, when thousands of prospectors headed toward Yukon gold fields. The narrow-gauge railway was completed in 1900 to provide a safer alternative to the treacherous mountain trails.

The construction of the White Pass and Yukon Route railroad in 1900 established a permanent transportation link between coastal Alaska and interior Canadian territories.

The railway offers regular passenger service with customs checks required at the border station. Visitors should bring warm clothing and be prepared for changing weather conditions in the mountains.

The line was built with remarkable engineering, including a tunnel blasted directly through solid rock. Some sections of the original trail used by gold seekers in the 1890s are still visible alongside the modern railway.

Location: Skagway

Location: British Columbia

Elevation above the sea: 873 m

Part of: Canada–United States border

GPS coordinates: 59.62472,-135.13806

Latest update: December 6, 2025 16:01