
Laughton Glacier Hike and White Pass Rail Adventure
Traveler rating
5.0/5
Based on 74 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is Laughton Glacier Hike and White Pass Rail Adventure worth booking?
Laughton Glacier Hike and White Pass Rail Adventure is a 9.8-hour experience in Skagway, United States, from $420 per person. It scores 79 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Strongly Recommended”, based on a 5/5 rating across 74 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 79 / 100
- Rating
- 5/5 (74)
- Duration
- 9.8 hours
- From
- $420 per person
Your trip to the Laughton Glacier combines a scenic train ride aboard the historic White Pass & Yukon Route Railway with a wilderness hike to the magnificent Laughton Glacier where you have an opportunity to HIKE ON A GLACIER! This is an out-and-back trail through the Tongass National Forest. The hiking speed of each tour determines the length of the hike, typically the whole hike is 6-8 miles. For 33 Years Packer Expeditions has been Skagway's premiere Eco Tourism Agency! We've grown alongside Alaska's robust tourism and cruise community and have dialed in our services to be THE BEST Eco tour, ANYWHERE in the world! The Laughton Glacier trail is world-class, not only because of the hard work and dedication of the Juneau Ranger District of the Tongass National Forest but also because Packer Expeditions has invested countless days into trail improvements and maintenance. This trail exists as a testament to the care and love that our guides have poured in over 3 decades of tours!
What you get
About this experience
Your trip to the Laughton Glacier combines a scenic train ride aboard the historic White Pass & Yukon Route Railway with a wilderness hike to the magnificent Laughton Glacier where you have an opportunity to HIKE ON A GLACIER! This is an out-and-back trail through the Tongass National Forest. The hiking speed of each tour determines the length of the hike, typically the whole hike is 6-8 miles. For 33 Years Packer Expeditions has been Skagway's premiere Eco Tourism Agency! We've grown alongside Alaska's robust tourism and cruise community and have dialed in our services to be THE BEST Eco tour, ANYWHERE in the world! The Laughton Glacier trail is world-class, not only because of the hard work and dedication of the Juneau Ranger District of the Tongass National Forest but also because Packer Expeditions has invested countless days into trail improvements and maintenance. This trail exists as a testament to the care and love that our guides have poured in over 3 decades of tours!
What's included
Included
- Lunch
- We provide lumbar packs as well as ice creepers, trekking poles, rain gear and warm layers.
- **PASSPORTS ARE REQUIRED**
- On-board restrooms
- Snacks
What you'll see and do
White Pass & Yukon Route Railway
All Aboard! Our journey begins on the White Pass & Yukon Route Railroad, the only way to get to the Laughton Glacier Trailhead without chartering a helicopter. While on board, you will receive your lunch sandwich, snacks and water in a provided lumbar pack to bring with you on your journey. Enjoy the breathtaking mountain views from the train as you ride along this historic railroad. Get to know your guide, listen in to the world class narration on board and get ready to go hiking! At the end of our hike we will ride the same train back to Skagway, so sit back, relax and enjoy the ride!
90 minutes here · Admission included
Once the WP&YR drops us off at the trailhead, we will gear up to get going! After a brief safety talk, get outfitted with what you need to succeed on the trail! (All clients are provided with ice creepers for traversing the glacier ice, and trekking poles if they desire.) At the end of our hike, we will stow our gear and take a much deserved rest as we await the WP&YR to pick us up and take us back to Skagway.
30 minutes here
The Laughton Glacier sits approximately 3 miles from the Laughton Glacier Trailhead. Our tour hikes to the Glacier where we then gear up with provided Ice Creepers and then hike on the glacier! We explore the glacier and all the amazing features it has to offer. From bubbling glacier water flows, moulins plunging into the darkness, crevasses scarring the glacial landscape and even sometimes mysterious fountains of ice water. After we take a rest to enjoy the stunning landscape and eat lunch, we start our journey back to the trailhead to catch our train back to Skagway.
120 minutes here
Where it starts and ends
Meeting point
Skagway
Meet your guide near the Centennial Statue, next to the Locomotive 52 Display on Broadway. Please be 10 minutes early so one of our guides can meet you there, verify your tickets, see your Passports and then the adventure begins!
Hotel pickup
No pickup: everyone meets at the start point.
Ends at
We can provide transfers for any and all guests who would like a ride back to their ship at the end of the tour.
Ends at
The White Pass and Yukon Route Railroad drops us off at 12th and Spring. This is a great location to walk into Historic Downtown Skagway from if you want to explore everything Skagway has to offer.
Before you book
- Cancellation
- For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
- Languages
- en
- Ticket
- Mobile Only
- Runs on
- Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat
- Group size
- Up to 12 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- Packer Expeditions - Day Tours
Know before you go
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
- Not recommended for pregnant travelers
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
Photos






What travelers are saying
Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 74 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.
Knowledge and storytelling
7 mentionsReviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.
Physical effort
7 mentionsExpect real walking or climbing: reviewers mention the effort involved.
Food and drink
5 mentionsThe tastings and food stops are a highlight for most reviewers.
The guide
4 mentionsTravelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
Photo opportunities
3 mentionsThe views and photo stops come up again and again.
Traveler reviews
74 verified traveler reviews for Laughton Glacier Hike and White Pass Rail Adventure. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Good
Good experience good feels. Got a good deal
via Tripadvisor
This is THE excursion to book in Skagway!
Incredible experience with Austin and Sam. From start to finish, the tour was excellent. If you have a day in Skagway, this is the excursion to book!!
via Tripadvisor
Incredible. Book this tour!
Five stars! An incredible day started out with a quick trip on the White Pass train and then spent exploring the breathtaking Tongass forest and Laughton Glacier. The hike was very manageable for us and we loved spending time exploring the glacier. Lunch, snacks and equipment were great. Austin was incredibly knowledgeable, passionate and a joy to spend the day with. Fab chats during our hike about anything and everything. If you have limited time in Skagway book this it’s the one excursion you cannot afford to miss!
via Tripadvisor
Incredible. Book this tour!
Five stars! An incredible day exploring the breathtaking Tongass forest and Laughton glacier. The hike was very manageable for us and we loved spending time exploring the glacier. Lunch, snacks and equipment were great. Austin was incredibly knowledgeable, passionate and a joy to spend the day with. Fab chats during our hike about anything and everything. If you have limited time in Skagway book this it’s the one excursion you cannot afford to miss!
via Viator
Outstanding!
Great hike to an incredible glacier. Austin was so patient with our kids (8 and 11) and was a very knowledgeable and engaging guide. Milage was a reasonable 6 miles and we hiked all day. Coming from the cruise port, it's about a 5 min walk to the meeting spot. Being late in the season, we pretty much had the train car to ourselves (hikers are in a different car then the train guests on other excursions), so no crowds! 100% would recommend to other active families visiting Skagway.
via Viator
Good to know
- Duration
- 9.8 hours
- Free cancellation
- Up to 24h before
- Minimum age to book
- All ages
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Runs on
- Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat
- Hotel pickup
- No pickup, meet at start point
- Booked in 30 days
- 26
- Verdict
- Strongly Recommended
Why this scores 79
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
Laughton Glacier Hike and White Pass Rail Adventure: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Skagway.
How much does Laughton Glacier Hike and White Pass Rail Adventure cost?
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Prices start at $420 per person. The final price depends on the date, the time slot and the number of travelers, and peak weekends in Skagway usually price higher than midweek mornings. Live pricing and remaining availability are confirmed on the booking screen before you pay.
How long does Laughton Glacier Hike and White Pass Rail Adventure take?
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Plan for about 9.8 hours from start to finish, not counting travel to the meeting point. Most travelers leave another 30 minutes on either side so the rest of the day in Skagway is not rushed.
Is Laughton Glacier Hike and White Pass Rail Adventure worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 79 out of 100, which we label "Strongly Recommended". That score blends traveler sentiment (5/5 across 74 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable last minute in Skagway, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.
Can I cancel or reschedule Laughton Glacier Hike and White Pass Rail Adventure?
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Yes. Cancel free up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Inside that window the booking is non-refundable, and no-shows are not refunded.
Is Laughton Glacier Hike and White Pass Rail Adventure suitable for kids and families?
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Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 9.8-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.
How far in advance should I book Laughton Glacier Hike and White Pass Rail Adventure?
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Around 26 people booked this in the last 30 days, so popular slots go early. Two to three weeks ahead is comfortable in shoulder season, while summer weekends and holidays in Skagway can sell out a month out. Same-day spots do open up when other travelers cancel, so it is worth checking if you are already in town.
What should I bring or wear?
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Bring photo ID, your booking confirmation on your phone, a refillable water bottle and comfortable shoes. Dress for the weather in Skagway and add a light layer if any part of the 9.8-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does Laughton Glacier Hike and White Pass Rail Adventure start and how do I get there?
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The exact meeting point and directions are on your voucher once you book, and they sit in central Skagway within reach of public transport. Arrive 15 minutes early: late arrivals are treated as no-shows by most operators.
What are the best things to do in Skagway?
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Skagway is a Klondike Gold Rush town built for excursions: White Pass and Yukon Route rail trips, Yukon border drives, glacier flights, dog sledding on ice fields and gold panning. On Outty we rank every Skagway experience on the same 0 to 100 scale, and alongside this one the highest scorers right now include Skagway Shore Excursion: Full-Day Tour of the Yukon, Skagway City and Summit Tour, Skagway Shore Excursion: Half-Day Tour to the Yukon Border and Suspension Bridge. The city page groups everything into most popular, highest reviewed, last minute and family-friendly so you can build a day around what actually delivers.
When is the best time to visit Skagway?
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May to September, the cruise season. Booking patterns follow the same curve: prices and queues climb in peak weeks, while shoulder season gives you better availability on the top-ranked experiences and more room to change plans.
How many days do you need in Skagway?
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Three full days covers the headline sights without sprinting. A workable rhythm is one anchor experience each morning, such as this one, an unhurried afternoon in a single neighborhood, then a food or nightlife booking in the evening. Five days lets you add a day trip outside the city.
Do I book through Outty or through the operator?
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Outty ranks and explains the experiences, then hands you to Viator to complete the booking with the operator directly. The price is the same as booking on Viator yourself, and Outty earns an affiliate commission on the referral, which is how the rankings stay free to read.
What is included in Laughton Glacier Hike and White Pass Rail Adventure?
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Included: Lunch; We provide lumbar packs as well as ice creepers, trekking poles, rain gear and warm layers; **PASSPORTS ARE REQUIRED**; On-board restrooms; and Snacks. Always check the voucher for the final list before you travel.
Where is the meeting point for Laughton Glacier Hike and White Pass Rail Adventure?
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Meet your guide near the Centennial Statue, next to the Locomotive 52 Display on Broadway. Please be 10 minutes early so one of our guides can meet you there, verify your tickets. Hotel pickup is not included, so plan your own transport and arrive 15 minutes early.
What languages is Laughton Glacier Hike and White Pass Rail Adventure offered in?
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It runs in English. Pick your language when choosing a date and time, as not every departure runs in every language.
Will I get instant confirmation and a mobile ticket for Laughton Glacier Hike and White Pass Rail Adventure?
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Confirmation is sent by the operator after booking, usually within 48 hours; if it is not confirmed you are not charged. Mobile tickets are accepted, so you can show the voucher on your phone.
Is Laughton Glacier Hike and White Pass Rail Adventure wheelchair or stroller accessible?
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The operator notes: Not recommended for pregnant travelers. If accessibility is critical, contact the operator after booking to confirm arrangements for your date.
What happens to Laughton Glacier Hike and White Pass Rail Adventure if the weather is bad?
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It generally runs rain or shine, so dress for the forecast in Skagway. Standard cancellation terms apply: free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start.
What do travelers say about Laughton Glacier Hike and White Pass Rail Adventure?
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Across 74 reviews averaging 5.0 out of 5, recurring themes include knowledge and storytelling, food and drink, the guide. Reviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted. One thing to know: Expect real walking or climbing: reviewers mention the effort involved.
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