The "Welcome to Alaska" Sign Tour
Traveler rating
5.0/5
Based on 8 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is The "Welcome to Alaska" Sign Tour worth booking?
The "Welcome to Alaska" Sign Tour is a 3-hour experience in Skagway, United States, from $109 per person. It scores 65 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Solid Choice”, based on a 5/5 rating across 8 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 65 / 100
- Rating
- 5/5 (8)
- Duration
- 3 hours
- From
- $109 per person
The international border between the United States and Canada lies only fourteen miles from downtown Skagway. Travelers from all over the world yearn to capture that special image of themselves and their traveling companions standing in front of the Welcome to Alaska sign which marks this border. This small group tour is designed to do just that. Most of the day, the Welcome to Alaska sign is crowded with tour groups jostling and competing for the famous photo. That is why we only offer this tour in the late afternoon, when the crowds are gone. The tour leaves Skagway and quickly climbs into the surrounding mountain corridor, offering pristine views of the glacial carved valley and rushing waterfalls. At the summit, we guarantee that we will stop at the Welcome to Alaska sign! The exploration continues as your guide selects a few of their favorite pullouts where you can witness the rugged mountains, cobalt lakes and stunted forests that take your breath away.
What you get
About this experience
The international border between the United States and Canada lies only fourteen miles from downtown Skagway. Travelers from all over the world yearn to capture that special image of themselves and their traveling companions standing in front of the Welcome to Alaska sign which marks this border. This small group tour is designed to do just that. Most of the day, the Welcome to Alaska sign is crowded with tour groups jostling and competing for the famous photo. That is why we only offer this tour in the late afternoon, when the crowds are gone. The tour leaves Skagway and quickly climbs into the surrounding mountain corridor, offering pristine views of the glacial carved valley and rushing waterfalls. At the summit, we guarantee that we will stop at the Welcome to Alaska sign! The exploration continues as your guide selects a few of their favorite pullouts where you can witness the rugged mountains, cobalt lakes and stunted forests that take your breath away.
What travelers are saying
Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 8 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.
The guide
7 mentionsTravelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
Knowledge and storytelling
6 mentionsReviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.
Photo opportunities
6 mentionsThe views and photo stops come up again and again.
Small groups
3 mentionsThe group size is repeatedly described as intimate rather than packed.
Value for money
2 mentionsTravelers feel they got more than they paid for.
Traveler reviews
8 verified traveler reviews for The "Welcome to Alaska" Sign Tour. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Breathtaking sights on the Hidden Gems tour!
My husband and I took the three hour Hidden Gems of Skagway tour and it was fabulous! Our guide, Gil, was absolutely fantastic! He took us to places we would not have had the chance to go to on our own and we were able to stop at many spots along the way to enjoy the gorgeous natural beauty and take photos. Gil is very knowledgeable and we came away with a deeper feel for the history, nature and stories of Skagway. We are so glad we had the opportunity to go on this memorable tour and would highly recommend it to anyone!
via Tripadvisor
Take this Tour! We loved it!
This was a spectacular tour! Our guide was outstanding and as a photographer, she helped us to see things through her eyes. We loved the pace and the views are “a postcard at every turn!” Take this tour! Afternoon is the perfect time to go. No crowds - small group experience - so we bantered about life in Alaska along the way. We saw a beaver and she turned around to see one swimming and diving into their den. (See picture). She taught is how to take the waterfall shot. They communicated well and made it easy. We loved this trip - worth every penny!
Response from the operator: Thanks so much for this great review. This Skagway's Hidden Gem tour is a new tour for RGA this year. It is helpful to get reviews like this! My idea on this tour is to take advantage of a quiet and beautiful time of day at the White Pass summit and surrounding area. This tour is only available for guests who are on cruises that depart Skagway at 8pm, so not everyone can take advantage of this time slot. But most of the ships in Skagway are in port until 8pm, so this is an option for most of those who come to Skagway by ship. Thanks again.
via Viator
Mikey for the Skagway SAVE!
We arrived in Skagway in late May and were part of a 4 cruise ship slam on this tiny Alaskan town. The weather was EXTREME (and I am actually an Alaskan who has endured my unfair share of wild weather in my years here) We had a high wind warning and we were bombarded by freezing rain that sliced us sideways. At one point it even turned to snow. Our guide, Mikey, got us safely to the summit of one of the most spectacular highways in the world. He shared all sorts of great information that was even new to me. While the top of the mountain was socked in solid we persevered to the other side and the weather gave us a bit of a break. And wow! We saw a bear, two caribou and even got a peak at the peaks on the way back. Because we were just a group of 4 we also had a bit of time to have Mikey take us around the town of Skagway where we got to experience even more hidden gems of history and gold rush hysteria. Boat people? My best advice - skip the industrial, rip off tours the cruise lines try to sell you on and go with the locals whenever possible. And in Skagway - go for the great group of guides with Rainbow Glacier Adventures. Thank you Mikey for making a miserable day one of the most marvelous days we had on the cruise!
via Viator
A gifted guide who made us feel very lucky to be on her tour!
We took the Skagway Hidden Gems tour with Nicole. She was absolutely a gem herself! We were the only 2people on the tour and she took us to amazing viewpoints, pointed out wildlife including a beaver hanging out in his den by his dam. So cool! Then spied a porcupine that she had seen previously, pulled over so we could get photos. We saw beautiful waterfalls, lakes, tundra areas, rainforest and so much more. She shared her vast knowledge of it all, as well as many stories about the area and the indigenous peoples. We felt so special and learned so much! Thank you Nicole!
Response from the operator: Thanks for this great review. Nicole is a gem and she is a great guide for our Hidden Gem tour. The Hidden Gem tour is a new tour for us this year. Our photography guides noticed that the White Pass Summit is practically empty during our 4-7pm photo tours . So we decided to open this time slot for independent travelers and non-photographers. Since this is a new tour, bookings are just starting to gain traction .So this is a tour where the group sizes are even smaller than our typical RGA tour.
via Tripadvisor
Excellent photo trip
We did the 3 hr photo trip with Joe Uchyti out of Skagway into the mountains. Highly recommend. Joe was a great guide and informative. He stopped at many waterfalls and incredible lakes into BC Canada. Most people had cell phone cameras or point and shoots. This was definitely a highlight of our Alaskan cruise. Well worth it.
via Tripadvisor
Good to know
- Duration
- 3 hours
- Free cancellation
- Up to 24h before
- Minimum age to book
- All ages
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Runs on
- Every day
- Booked in 30 days
- 3
- Verdict
- Solid Choice
Why this scores 65
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
The "Welcome to Alaska" Sign Tour: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Skagway.
How much does The "Welcome to Alaska" Sign Tour cost?
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Prices start at $109 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 The "Welcome to Alaska" Sign Tour take?
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Plan for about 3 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 The "Welcome to Alaska" Sign Tour worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 65 out of 100, which we label "Solid Choice". That score blends traveler sentiment (5/5 across 8 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 The "Welcome to Alaska" Sign Tour?
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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 The "Welcome to Alaska" Sign Tour suitable for kids and families?
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Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 3-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.
How far in advance should I book The "Welcome to Alaska" Sign Tour?
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Around 3 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 3-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does The "Welcome to Alaska" Sign Tour 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 happens to The "Welcome to Alaska" Sign Tour 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 The "Welcome to Alaska" Sign Tour?
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Across 8 reviews averaging 5.0 out of 5, recurring themes include the guide, knowledge and storytelling, photo opportunities. Travelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
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