Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Alaska ALASKA HIGHWAY OPEN?

What are the chances of driving across Canada to Tok and points beyond? Will Canada allow a tourist through? What if you are going to inspect property in Alaska that you wish to buy??

Not a chance right now, some talk in the near future, probably just essential travel in the near future. Tough on everyone.

The Canadian Borders are difficult at this time......very difficult!

Even if you own land in Alaska but not a resident, no entry!

Proof of employment or resident to travel to Alaska. Take a slime line job online, document it, drive up..............maybe show up to work?

This is the year I planned to do it. Now It may never open back up. It's their country.

i ve seen americans driving on the alcan everyday from the south and from the north. you re not supposed to go dowtown. and some idiots will report you if not throwing you stones.

the best way to go to alaska from the lower 48 today is flight for you and barge from seatlle if fixed.

good luck.

I'm quite surprised by the amount of American vehicles I see on the roads here.

Well, what does it take for me to traverse Canada? Anyone know? It doesn't seem that you can pick up a phone and call a border crossing. Does anybody have a phone number for a Montana or ND crossing station.

Back in the '70s I hunted deer and black bear from Chesaw and frequently crossed the border "by mistake" and now it looks like all those roads have disappeared??? and the creeks must pop out of the ground as artesians right at the medicine line??? Will wonders never cease?

Prolly the best advice

We had a girl in the office move back to San Diego in mid-February so she could take care of her parents. My boss had to get her proof of new employment outside of Alaska. Her and her husband got the required Covid tests to enter, only to be stopped and turned around at the border so they had to spend 3 more days in Tok and get another Covid test. When they finally were allowed in, she said RCMP were very rude and threatened to arrest them entering and exiting Canada . They had 3 days to get completely through, which they did make, but she said it was still hell. Also you can only stay at certain hotels and they are expensive she said. She said all in all it was a horrible experience and left a really bitter taste in her mouth of Canada.

Regionalize people. Separate them. Keep them from traveling and interacting. Keep them in fear and under control.

I know "tinfoil hat".

But I sure do love this forum compared to another OUTDOORS one which will remain nameless... on which the major topic of conversation is COVID, masks, vaccines, social distancing, etc.

I was sure looking forward to the drive across Canada as a once in a lifetime experience. Flying up to Alaska and renting a vehicle wouldn't be the same. Have done that 3 times. I have an idea that most Canadians don't approve of shutting the border. At least non urban Canadians.

Hastings, maybe (real maybe) non urban Canadians but I don't think the majority of Canadians would want the border open, yet.

Coming into Canada s a tourist right now aint happening, but I see folks going to Alaska every day. Getting across the border into Alaska right now is no problem if you are an American. According to the US customs I talked to there are no restrictions going into Alaska right now if you are an American. A buddy of mine has made several trips to Alaska this winter to visit his kids who live there. He is a dual citizen. Only problem he has had is getting back to Canada. He's under quarantine right now

We were planning on driving to Alaska last year and it didn't work out, looks like it isn't going to work out this year either. We've decided to do an early fall trip to Yellowstone and Glacier.

Well, I'm a non-urban Canadian... And my personal feelings are that if health "authorities" are making it as difficult as they can for me to go see family in the Southern half of the province, I sure as hell don't want to see someone drive across the entire province on a sight seeing trip with the excuse of "because I wanna".
That said, if you do go by all means I hope you have the best trip possible. Just bear in mind that the provincial government is constantly telling people they can't leave their home health regions, stay home, don't visit family, etc. Lots of people are not going to be thrilled seeing someone drive through regardless of the why of it when they are being threatened with fines for travelling a few hours away from home.

And I have to say, as someone who lives close to the ALCAN, that won't be the trip you are hoping to have right now. There is the very real possibility it will be a less than pleasant trip. I talked to a guy (American) a year ago March for about 40 minutes at the gas station about the new pickup he'd bought in California and was driving back up to Anchorage. He was saying that some places he stopped it was less than a warm reception. I was surprised to see the plates and he was fair pleasant to talk to, but I would think that the reception now along the way would be less than pleasant in a lot of fuel stops.

I do know that there ARE problems occasionally crossing provincial boundaries between BC and Alberta (lots of locals go to Grand Prairie Costco, doctors, etc) and there have been lots of nasty notes left on vehicles and the occasional slashed tire due to out of province licence plates. And even for provincial residents there are travel restrictions to other parts of the province (ferry accessible places mostly though) where if you don't have a local address you will be turned back and denied entry to the community.

Just put the trip off for a year or so and save your money. With the fuel price increases that are occuring daily you will not a lot more money for fuel in a year or so.

The Alcan trip is nice but not under present circumstances.

drover

We get what we accept. A lot of Canadians need to get out from under their bed and realize that the sky isnt falling. The beaches in Florida are full. Friends in eastern Montana are living a normal life, and have been for months. Family in MO. traveled halfway across the country to a lake they have been going to for decades. As we speak they are having the time of their life, catching lots of fish, having fish fries with friends, and just living. Guess what ? Those people are not dying in the streets. The virus has a survival rate that mirrors the flu. It isnt ebola. If you are 70 or under, and relatively healthy, you have nothing to fear. If you are older, or have health problems protect yourself. Stay home if you must, but stop trying to grind the world to a halt because you're scared.

Meanwhile while our southern neighbours are getting back to normal we are living in what is quickly turning into a communist country. The vast majority of Canadians believe everything CBC tells them. They leave nasty messages on any vehicle they see that isnt local. More than one US soldier traveling to AK has had their cars vandalized by locals along the way. I guess they dont realize how important tourism is to the north, because the Americans who have traveled the Alcan during this [bleep] show will probably never come back.

Easy now. Careful about making assumptions about people. I am not scared of anything, much less a cold that pretty near everyone survives. The only aspect of MY life that has changed is that I have to wear a mask to go in the grocery store. Nothing else has changed for me. And I'm fairly certain I haven't listened to the CBC in over a decade, nor watched the news, any news, in well over 10 months. My own take on it is if it was anywhere near as dangerous as the government and media made it out to be there would be street sweepers out at night sweeping all the dead homeless people out of the gutters, because if ever there was a group of people that should have been decimated, it is hobo's.
I do suppose though, that the first sentence in my post could be misread, so my error there. My point was that if provincial/regional health authorities are making it difficult for me to travel as per my whim, then someone crossing from another country is going to run into stress from multiple angles. And yes, if someone can cross an international border into the country and travel, damn straight I am going to be irritated about it when if I did the same thing going the same direction I would be held against my will in a "covid hotel" for 2 weeks by the government.

My MAIN point though, was that he is REAL likely to encounter animosity along the way when provincial residents are being threatened by the government for travel, so an out of country plate will absolutely attract attention. Now is not going to be a pleasant time to take a sight seeing trip in another country, purely from the standpoint that it won't be relaxing if every time you stop somewhere you have to wonder if there will be a rock through your windshield or your tires slashed. Like it or not, people are going stir crazy and acting out.

Feeling sorry for the Canucks, and for the folks who just want to travel through Canada. Oh, and for Queen AQ-D's subjects too.

I wonder how much cross border smuggling has happened during Covid. I have 3 nephews truckers that cross the Canada/ US border on a regular basis. They say all the border guards want is your paperwork and send you on your way.

Just had family friends return to Alaska no problem. A few protocols and a negative test and it took 30 minutes to get through.

Returning from vacation (road trip around the US).

I believe your advice is best, but I doubt this Corona scare will ever be over. Until I read some of the Canadian's comments I would have not thought the average Canadian would be averse to a traveler coming through and spending money at the various roadhouses along the way. They are talking stoning and vandalizing. I could just drive through one our ghettos if that is to be expected. Looks like I can cross this off my list.

Fugg the government scamdemic on both sides of the border. I’ll keep my azz and my money on my side of the border. It has been refreshing not to fight Canasians for parking at Costco. I’m sure Trudeau would welcome some of our illegals, of which we have a bate.

This is kind of stupid but it is THEIR country. The Corona-19 virus is well established in both countries and although less than the usual number we still have a substantial per-cent of the Canadian population spending the winter with us. I'll find somewhere else to go. I would sure like having my own 4WD GMC in Alaska so as not to have to abide by rental vehicle restrictions, such as the Denali Highway, and Steese Highway. I don't imagine Hertz would agree to the road from Tok to Eagle either. Oh well.

Don't get yer panties in a wad. They can't afford not to have tourism much longer. Wait a year or two and it'll be wide open and people will still be getting covid and living...

Rumor has it some news 4-21 hoping its true

A year of two? LOL!

Do tell.

PM if you prefer. 😉

Apparently Mr dressup said yesterday that the border is closed 'indefinitely'. What that means is anyones guess. Some are saying it will start to open this winter. I do know a lot of US hunters with hunts booked here this year have already been told by their outfitter that their hunts have been canceled again. We had to cancel all of our fishing trips as well. Really sucks. Going to be fewer places to go once this is over.

Going to be a lot of outfitters losing their territories over this I bet. Which will make it a lot easier to portion up areas for redistribution if there isn't anyone left to fight to hang onto them.

When a disease is already in a country what does closing the border accomplish. Maybe U.S.A. Americans are harder to control and don't consider themselves subjects?

It’s all about control.

Logic doesn’t apply

The financial impact on friends in YT is BAD!

A lot of good folks facing extreme financial hardship.

I think the recent Territorial Election resulted in another liberal win.

bad is really that bad and the election will bring more catastrophic issues very soon ...

I just talked to some Alaskans that just traveled through Canada and they said: "Never Again".

Regulations were inconsistent in application. Mandatory hotels were expensive and crummy.
They weren't allowed to use their camper. They were tracked via cell phone ping consistently.
Treated poorly by locals in some areas.

How is it pinged if it’s turned off and wrapped in foil?

I've talked to a few Americans traveling through lately with the same stories. Its disgusting how some are treated. Its like the 'pack' mentality has kicked into overdrive.

To many Yukoner's work for the government, and the government has allowed them to work from home in many cases. Those people havent missed a paycheck and dont want it to end. They are going to ride the gravy train as long as possible.

To many Yukoner's work for the government, and the government has allowed them to work from home in many cases. Those people havent missed a paycheck and dont want it to end. They are going to ride the gravy train as long as possible. [/quote]
The election results from last week proved that.

I went to Terrace BC steelhead fishing 6 years ago and encountered more rude pricks in Canada than anywhere I've ever been. I have no desire to go back there for any reason.

Boss is coming through right now. Never needed a test until they got to the canadian border. They stayed in touch on regs every few days. Were refused. Had to turn around go back, get a USA negative test. THEN canada had to test them also...

They were at dawson creek last I heard, and had seen ONE none canadian plate.

Its hurting the hell out of Canada but the liberal government doesn't care. And enough canadians are brainwashed liberals from baby on up to not have a clue. Unfortunately.

Boss says last time they get his money too very likely.

Well were in Hotel California extended closure till May 21st! May be able to come North for essential travel but won't know for sure till you get to the border! You may get to Alaska but when if ever can you leave!

https://youtu.be/FVsbvFkhzY4

Only once in my life have I had a vehicle vandalized...deep-keyed in the dead of winter, central Alberta, visiting relatives for Christmas about five years ago.

Canadians are a mixed bag, in ways difficult to generalize. Similar to Hawaii in a way: some folks sullen and pissed at your presence, others as fine as can be. The coastal private fishermen are the funniest of the lot, glowering as we catch "their" chinooks heading for the Columbia. The guides, lodge hosts and rental owners seem to know better.

I just drove through on Alcan today. It was a real PITA,
hope they open soon. Most everything was closed.

I got something to eat at Fast Eddys. First non- drive through food in 5 days
Tok until Tomorrow

Drove it many times hauling stuff to Alaska . I'm sorry to hear the Canadians have been rude lately. The Liberal mentality. No one should stop if thier smart car breaks down apparently.

Fast Eddy’s isn’t too bad for “roadhouse” food. It just isn’t the same as the old roadhouses.

I really liked the years I did the Alaska run
People were fantastic. The -50 temperatures from time to time weren't so nice .

They gave me an 800 number to call if I couldn't meet my deadline. Worse than last year. People treated me just fine just the regulations that were crazy

its been a while since I've been in Canada. but in the past, some of the best folks I've ever been around for friendliness, were on the Canadian side of the border...

Haven't been down (or up) the road in a couple years, but in a number of runs over the years, I've never met a disgruntled Canadian. Their border cops have been head and shoulders above ours for politeness, etc. It's like ours don't want us back in our own country.

We have always driven straight through with only needful stops, so maybe that's a difference, but I doubt it.

With one exception, I've never met a Canuck who was not friendly. Many offered helpful suggestions while by hauling horses for places to stay.

A friend in YT texted me with the message that border closure has been extended to September.

Perhaps Yukon 254 can confirm this.

If you hear anything changes, please let me know. I don't want to get trapped with a vehicle in Canada or Alaska and not be able to drive it back to Louisiana. I've also got a 2005 Toyota with 285,000 miles on it that I could take and afford to abandon but I don't trust it to make the trip although my son and I did take it to Custer SD and back.

Canadian health people have called me constantly but all the calls went to voice mail because there is almost no phone coverage on the Alcan with AT&T. The bot finally got through this morning. They're worried about my quarantine and I'm not even in Canada. Their system doesn't account for people who were transiting only. Kinda hard to answer the questions when there was no right answer.

Most all the roadhouses on the Alcan are shuttered. I don't think you could make the trip on a motorcycle; too far between fuel stops. A couple were 300 miles. Only food was A&W and Tim Hortons with an occasional McDonald's

For the past many years the wife and I have traveled through Canada in the early spring and early winter. We usually spend 20 to 30 days in Canada a year, and spend quite a bit of money enjoying good food , entertainment, wonderful scenery as well as good shopping.
After the way our last trip went we have decided to convert a vehicle with the intention of continuing our travels through Canada (when open again) in a much more direct route without buying and/or spending any money. Our travel rig now consists of a 1ton 4wd diesel van set up for camping and cooking and an enclosed trailer. We should be able to travel for several days with road side turnouts as our only stops. This is of course subject to no breakdowns or other emergency. Our setup is something we could have used for a long time but never really had a good enough reason to justify the outlay.
Who knows maybe this could turn into something even more fun like a road trip to the southern tip of our continent, after covid .

So I'm getting a new truck for work, and it is in Fairbanks. I'll have to drive it down to Juneau before the fishing season starts in late June.
Anybody know what I should try to have with me for the border crossing?
What have the border crossing people been asking for recently?

TIA

A case of Puppers and a bag of Tim Hortons?

Wife knows a couple that came up in the last couple weeks from America. Crossed thru a small station. They were vaccinated. Required to show a neg ‘rona result though. Canadian crossing guard was very rude.

They had to turn around, go back to find a location for a test and await the results. 3 days for hers; 4 days for his.

They came back through with no problem. Same guard, but with a higher ranking fella with him. All very polite, and that was it.

You have a lot of home work to do before attempting this.