Frequently Asked Questions
What's the best time to go for the best weather?
That is definitely the question we hear the most, and the one for which there is no simple answer. Your best bet is to go every year, and see all the same places in different conditions, different light, different colors. The last few years we have had lots of rainy days, but people traveling through the same places a week or two before or after hit good weather. Try to have a flexible plan and be able to linger a day or two to wait for the best. Places like Valdez, Seward, and Homer are incredible, but one would never know when clouds are cutting the peaks off at the knees. Mt. McKinley makes its own weather, so your chances of actually seeing the mountain from nearby (i.e. within 70 miles), is about 20%. Seasonally, we like to leave in late May because there is still lots of snow on the mountains. The Haines Highway is especially beautiful early, with an effect that looks like someone dripped chocolate on ice cream. Later, after the snow is long gone, the mountains are painted with a brush dipped in yellow-green paint as the mosses bloom. Go to Haines both early and late if you can. Several years ago there was so much smoke in the Anchorage bowl for three weeks that no one would have known that there were mountain peaks almost surrounding the city. The fire was over 300 miles away in the interior. Similar smoke conditions greeted us in Dawson City in 1999 and throughout Alaska in 2001. Smoke is an important but often overlooked component of the weather. Try to avoid it! Also see my comment at the end of the 2003 NOTES section. 2004 was one of the worst fire seasons on record!
Most are. Pavement in the north is usually tar and stones (seal coat), which we call macadam and use on our county and town roads. There is little concrete, but some blacktop. In the interior and north, gravel roads are better because they aren't as prone to frost heaving. In the south, there are pavement breaks in areas of discontinuous permafrost where a short section will not stay put. Breaks are dangerous because oncoming traffic will probably fail to slow down, hit the gravel going too fast, and throw stones at your windshield. Try to avoid passing an oncoming car on a pavement break. In frost heave areas, slow down to a reasonable speed (about 45 mph) to avoid constant braking. Watch your back, and pull over to allow vehicles to pass (it's the law in Alaska). Drive with your headlights on, even where not required, and always watch for wildlife on the road.
Is gas expensive? Are diesel and propane available?
Compared to what? East Coast natives who are used to relatively cheap gas will be shocked, while Californians will be quite pleased with prices. Gas in Canada is generally more expensive, but prices don't change as rapidly. And always remember to factor in the exchange rate to see what you are really paying. We used to use an average of $1.50/gal to plan, but $4.00 might be more reasonable with the recent price hikes. Anchorage gas used to be cheaper than what we pay in western Wisconsin, and Fairbanks about the same, but prices were somewhat higher in 2007. Kenai costs about ten cents more than Anchorage. Going east in Alaska gas is much higher in the Copper Basin/Valdez areas. In Canada, gas gets a bit more expensive as you leave Calgary and the prairies behind. There is a 15 cents/litre difference between Dawson Creek, which has to compete with Alberta's lower prices, and Fort St. John just 40 miles up the highway. From Fort Nelson to Beaver Creek prices vary by just a few cents. Some stations in between towns are lower, some higher. On the Yellowhead, prices drop around Smithers and Burns Lake, then go up again at Prince George. Diesel and propane are widely available, but we hesitate to indicate their availability here or on our maps because dealers can drop or add the products without warning. If you are worried about it just ask. Always drive on the top half of your tank. There is no reason to carry cans of gas. It just identifies you as a rookie, and puts a potential bomb on the highway. For the latest in US gas prices from AAA, go to www.fuelgaugereport.com. For Canada prices, go to www.mjervin.com and check the Whitehorse price. Fuel prices on the Alaska Highway will be close to that; prices up by Dawson City about 15 cents/liter more.
RV parks and campgrounds listed on this site run the full spread from free dry parking to full hookup expensive city sites. Most are more than adequate, some are remarkable. Prices are quite reasonable in the remote areas, but much higher in the larger cities. Americans, unfortunately, have a poor reputation as a group because some make asses of themselves haggling over the cost of a shower while driving a rig that cost six figures. Remember that all of the campground operators are in the hospitality business and will do everything to make your stay pleasant. But they are in business to stay in business, and have to contend with a short season and high operating costs. We are often amazed by the low cost of camping, and seldom if ever offended by an excessive price. Public facilities are even more reasonable, costing just $12-15CN in BC and Yukon, even less in Alaska. Alaska State parks campground prices were raised $5 across the board in 2004. Remember, coupons must be bought in advance now for BC campsites (not parks), and all Yukon campgrounds. Don't try to cheat the system, and don't park overnight in rest areas in Canada unless a sign specifically says you can. Since you'll only find such a sign at a few rest areas, such as on the Yellowhead Highway east of Prince George, just don't. Overnight parking is OK (so far) in Alaska unless posted otherwise.
NO! At least not your hand gun. Absolutely not. Long guns are OK if properly permitted and stored, with ammo apart from weapon. No altered guns like sawed-offs are permitted. It must be a typical hunting rifle or shotgun. If you want to take a long gun into Canada, call the Canadian authorities to be certain it's ok. Pepper sprays and mace are also illegal in Canada. Experiments with bears in southwest Alaska show that bears love pepper spray when it's sprayed on the ground (like a repellant). They roll in it like cats in catnip! One of our customers reports good luck calling 416-973-8022 for firearms informations. He actually got to speak to a live person rather than voice mail!
Is it difficult to go through customs?
Shouldn't be. Mostly you'll be asked a few questions about your citizenship, origin, destination, expected time in Canada, and always if you have a gun. You might also be asked about alcohol, tobacco, and certain fruits and meats. Just give honest answers. Travelers from the states that border with Mexico are given a closer look, as are young people and people who appear to be indigent. Some are asked to show that they have enough money to complete the trip. Everyone, including all children, must have their birth certificates with them. Small animals are OK with proper shots and documents. Ask your vet. At the U.S. Customs entering Alaska you might be asked if you are carrying over $10,000 in cash. That always cracks us up. Lucky for us all of the agents (so far) have had a sense of humor too. In 1999 we were asked to produce documents for the first time, and in 2001 and 2005 our vehicle was searched crossing the border north of Haines. Have along a birth certificate for proof of U.S. citizenship, an insurance card (this is a printout available free from your agent showing liability good in Canada. It does not mean the card you normally carry as proof of insurance), and a photo ID. At present it sounds like passports will be required for 2008, and it takes a long time to get one. Be sure your license and registration are current and won't expire while you're gone. Note time limits on opening of crossings to Skagway, Haines, and the Top of the World Highway. Canada has a sales tax on almost everything. You can get a refund on some of it. Ask for a brochure when you enter Canada, and save all of your receipts. Stop at Canada Customs when leaving to have reciepts stamped and pick up forms. When buying souvenirs in Alaska, remember that some things that can be legally bought in Alaska cannot be legally carried through Canada. Ask the sales person, you may have to ship some things home. Our Louisiana friends (see 2003 NOTES) were searched reentering the US and some sausage containing beef was seized. With the recent mad cow scare on our side of the border, expect the Canadian customs people to react accordingly.
How far is it? How hot (or cold) is it? How much is it? How tall is it?
These are the questions I get from my immediate right driving down the highway. Remember Canada uses the metric system. One kilometer equals .6 miles, and one mile equals 1.6km. Easiest way is to look at your speedometer. Canadian Celsius temperatures are a bit tougher. The rule is to multiply the c. temperature by 1.8, then add 32. Ten degrees c. = about 50F; 25c. is a pleasant 77F.
Canada dollars have been getting stronger against US since 2003. As of October, 2007, the rate is about at par, meaning US and Canadian dollars have pretty much the same value. Check the exchange rate on one of the many Internet sites that offer it before leaving home. Best bet is to carry a little cash and make most purchase with a debit or credit card. Keep a running estimate of the cost in US dollars after the exchange. Your bank statement or credit card bill will show the amount after converting to US at the rate on the day of the transaction. I see that some cards now tack on a foreign currency exchange fee. You can easily get Canadian dollars using your debit card in a Canadian ATM. No need to wait in line at the bank any more.
Calculating the cost of gasoline is a bit stickier. Gas is sold in liters at a price per liter in Canadian dollars. Multiply the pump liter price X 3.785, then divide by the exchange rate to get price per U.S. gallon in U.S. dollars. At the present (par) rate of exchange, you should expect to pay about $4.50 per gallon in Canada depending on the remoteness of the area.
For altitudes of mountains, we have added the heights of prominant peaks visible from the road to our maps, along with altitude, population, and important phone numbers for most cities and towns. The highest passes are not much over 4,000 feet.
We are often asked about taking pets along on the trip. Some people just can't bear to part with their little darling, but we wonder if they are thinking more of themselves then the welfare of the animal. I'd say that if you're a full-timer used to traveling with a pet, go ahead. You won't have any difficulties. Just don't show up with it at Saturday Market in Anchorage. I hate that. It's turning into a real dog show. Having lived in Italy, we know that some cultures have genuine fears about strange dogs, and while some of us may consider that unreasonable, their fears are real. A few years ago we bought a puppy in Tok and it died within a few days. We read the symptoms as roundworm, which we were familiar with from our husky kennel days. The vet in Valdez said a virus, but the puppy died at the emergency clinic in Anchorage from a microscopic parasite that could have been cleared up easily if properly diagnosed. Apparently this little bug is common in kennels, while there are no roundworms in Alaska. Before you decide, think of all the things you want to do, and how many of them will require you to leave your pet behind in the RV or a kennel. I think the sign below pretty well sums it up.
We don't fish much any more. No time. I like to fish for kings at Ship Creek in Anchorage because its relatively uncrowded, convenient, and always something on the line. On the south side of the city there are a couple of small lakes stocked with trout that we take our grandchildren to. Think of being seven and landing a ten inch trout for your first fish! There are many other stocked lakes in the state, and of course the famous Kenai salmon fishery and Homer halibut charters. We have gone so far as to put symbols on our maps to show where access to water is available. That's about as much as we care to say about it. There are lots of other sources. The fish below, left, was taken from the mouth of Ship Creek and weighed about 20 pounds. Most people wouldn't keep a king this small because you only get to keep one a day. But this one was fresh (silver, not turning red) and made good eating. Emma's first fish came from Jewell Lake, south Anchorage. A fishing license is still the best bargain in Alaska. Photo tip: Hold fish as close to camera as possible.
If you have any other general or specific questions, E-mail us anytime between September and Early May. Otherwise look for a black Chevy Express van with Wisconsin plates. That's our office.
Because our maps contain so much detailed information about RV/campground facilities, services, contact numbers etc. there are always lots of changes to be made. That's why we have to make the 15,000 mile trip every year. (It's a tough job, but someone has to do it!) For general updates, like road conditions, business openings and closings, new attractions, approach routes, our recommendations, etc. see our NOTES page. For details like phone number and E-mail changes, addition of upgraded services, changes in ownership, etc. check the individual RV/campground listings. Pay special attention to notes we have inserved in yellow or magenta. You should also read over the introductory material on the gateway pages for the various major sections, i.e. Alaska, Yukon, BC, Alaska Highway. Finally, if you have a specific questions or need clarifcation you can always E-mail us.