Folks,

Updated late April 30, 2026...

Clearing customs at Northway continues to be problematic due to CBP staffing shortages. Here's the latest from the Supervisory Agent at the ALCAN station, which is responsible for Northway GA aircraft:

• The "Tok Bypass" option has been denied due to weather several times in the past couple of weeks
• Understandably, CBP just can't have the situation develop where they clear someone to fuel at Tok, only to find out that person(s) couldn't proceed to Anchorage due to weather or other issues--then someone is in the U.S. without inspection by Customs on the same day as arrival
• In that regard, if CBP does approve a bypass to Tok, and the flight can't continue onward for clearance the same day, they will be required to return foreign, rather than staying in Tok for possibly days, uninspected
• Here's another option to consider if CBP can't meet you at Northway to clear:
o Consider flying to Dawson City CYDA for fuel, then file & clear at Fairbanks
o Dawson City does have 100LL fuel
o From Whitehorse (CYXY) to Dawson City (CYDA). HWY 2 follows this flight route generally speaking with several airports to stop along the way. Fairbanks International (PAFA) is easy & reliable to clear customs coming back into the US. Again, fuel is available in Dawson City? Both 100LL and JetA. Please note that Foreflight does not show that fuel is available (trying to get that updated). To get fuel in Dawson City (CYDA) pilots can please call Ed @ (867) 336-8531.
o Self-Serve Fuel is available 24/7 with no call out fee. Ed lives in Whitehorse so all this is done over the phone and yes there is good cell service. It works by calling Ed. He provides a Self-Serve Key Lock Combination to access the fuel pumps. He will ask for 2 pictures Start and Stop on the fuel meter - when completed and will then run your Credit Card. My recommendation is to call Ed before you leave Whitehorse and give him a heads up you will be needing fuel. If you forget Ed's number..no sweat the number is posted on the fuel pumps.
I'll continue to keep my site updated with new information should anything else develop.

As always, pilot reports (email me please) [email protected] are MUCH appreciated.

I just drove through the border at Alcan a few days ago on the way back to my home in Alaska. I can’t see any reason why a gravel airstrip can’t be installed near the border station, similar to the one at Beaver Creek. In fact, this would be a fine advocacy topic for the Alaska Airmen’s Association to support. Their show is about to begin! I will try to find someone to suggest this.

Or why not have US Customs and Immigration clear people into the US at Beaver Creek? As I recall, the strip is basically within sight of the border crossing.

The border station seen from the Beaver Creek airport is only the Canadian one.

The U.S. border station on the Alaskan Highway is quite a ways away, at least that’s my understanding. Please correct me if I’m wrong.

I was in Dawson City a while back on Straight Floats and it was a relatively short walk to town to get Ethanol Free Fuel. We were able to fuel the Seaplane on the dock.

Ted is right, the US border station is some distance from the Canadian station. Frankly, as Christina suggested, the best option would simply be a strip next to the US Border Station. Of course, since that would officially be a United States "airport", I shiver at what that could cost. BUt, it certainly makes sense.

For those who decide to go to Dawson, first of all, it is a fantastic stop, yes, it's touristy, but the folks are very friendly, and it's neat country. The city is right on the Yukon River, but the airport is ~ 26 kilometers north of town. There is fuel there. There is a Customs Officer who can clear you on wheels at the airport or in town at the City dock on the river.

From there, proceed west to Fairbanks, where Customs is in the main terminal building. When landing, tell tower you'll need Customs. FAI has a fantastic "Air Camper Park" on the north end of the east ramp. Camp spaces next to tiedowns, a shelter, showers and flush toilets. A very large Fred Myers general store is just around the corner from the airport entrance.

And, from there, you've got access to lots of Alaska.

The U.S. border station at Alcan is actually only a few hundred feet from the actual border. The Canada border station is about 20 driving miles away into Canada (part of the highway almost parallels the border). In between is “no man’s land”.
I’m not suggesting an elaborate airport. Just maybe a 2000’ gravel strip next to the U.S. border station. Bigger / faster aircraft can travel to Anchorage or Fairbanks.

Why can't you just land on the highway at the Alcan POE and clear there? My understanding is that landing on a highway in Alaska is not illegal. Looking at Google Earth it appears that there is 1200' of straight road right as you get to the station. I guess signs could be a hazard but otherwise looks wide enough for small planes.

I’ve talked to the supervisor at the ALCAN station about landing on the road there.

Apparently they are concerned about liability. They asked for letters approving such from the Alaska Dept of Transportation, the FAA and the Alaska State Troopers.

Impossible to get such letters. At best one might get a letter of “non-objection” which isn’t an approval letter.

tedwaltman wrote:I’ve talked to the supervisor at the ALCAN station about landing on the road there.

Apparently they are concerned about liability. They asked for letters approving such from the Alaska Dept of Transportation, the FAA and the Alaska State Troopers.

Impossible to get such letters. At best one might get a letter of “non-objection” which isn’t an approval letter.

Yeah, nobody's going to approve that kind of operation. And, I'm not sure it's still legal to land on highways in AK. Anyone know for sure?

Ted, thank you so much for taking the time to share all this info with the rest of us.

Kurt

Thank you for the words of encouragement Kurt & others.

I’m going to talk to folks, including staff (?) at the city of Beaver Creek to see about them perhaps getting self-serve fuel at the Beaver Creek airport. Other cities found ways to make the installation & operation pay off…maybe Beaver Creek can, with a bit of encouragement, find a way too.

I’ve had a few experiences with this, including getting stuck in Tok after bypassing Northway.

Just two things I’ll mention.

First, flying from the Yukon into Fairbanks—at least in my experience—they’ve been very strict about only clearing during their business hours. With me they made it clear that after-hours isn’t an option.

Second, if you need to wait out weather or make a call here is a spot, (South of Beaver Creek) where you can get on Wi-Fi and update your arrival time with customs. I’ve used this spot before—it’s extremely rare they get aircraft landing there, but they’ve been very friendly about letting me land and use Wi-Fi:

https://maps.app.goo.gl/g4DPASwC6YKu5Tkr7

We also had good 5G reception on the ramp at Beaver Creek, and the lounge there is comfortable if you to wait a while for the weather to clear enough to make it to Anchorage or Fairbanks. On the particular day we were flying, Dawson City wasn't an option due to weather.

Having fuel available a Beaver would be helpful, because it would eliminate the need to stop in Tok if the weather is good enough to scoot down to Anchorage. A strip next to the U.S. border crossing station would be the best, by far. It's ironic that the government is concerned about liability for using the road, but not about the risk that something goes wrong while we're trying to make it all of the way to Anchorage or Fairbanks and then get turned around by weather.

I just tried calling Ed in White Horse. Recording said try later. I am planning a trip to Alaska later this year. I would hate to be in Dawson City and get that recording.

I haven’t made any progress interesting anyone in establishing self serve fuel at Beaver Creek.

The gentleman who owns the Dawson Creek fuel (privately owned, not city) didn’t return my calls. I reached out to a couple of other folks I know in the Yukon with no success.

I was able to talk to Ed (lives in Whitehorse and manages fuel access in Dawson City). Like each of us, everyone is occasionally away from their phone.

An additional word of caution to anyone attempting this route who isn’t a US citizen. Obtaining a bypass at Northway and proceeding to Anchorage can get really complicated if, for any reason, one is denied entry upon arrival in Anchorage. You’ll be instructed to return to Canada, and it’s not hard to imagine all the reasons that may not be practical or safe. Putting yourself in a position where return is impractical if entry is denied at any port of entry is not a formula for happiness. Just sayin.

I make this trip often. Best intentions of filing your EAPIS from Whitehorse, you check weather, do your due diligence, leave with FULL tanks, call Northway with possible ETA....... They tell you. "We can only be there from such and such hours", which usually doesn't correspond to when any reasonable departure plan would put you coming through. Ask them for a clearance deviation to either Anchorage, or if you're going more north, to Fairbanks. It's usually not a problem. They're pretty reasonable. They understand the issue, They so far have always accommodated me. It's not that big of a deal. If you have to stop for fuel, STOP for fuel. It'll be expensive no matter where. We're not curing cancer here. Stop for fuel and continue. There's no radar out here. Do what you have to do for safety of flight.
Some tips:
Pick a good weather day. You can short cut if a beautiful, clear day as far as you can see, but it's over remote, snow covered mountains...
Get your Alaska Supplement book out and get familiar with Anchorage Airspace. Very dense, busy, complicated. Restricted area near JBER. Have a basic understanding and link up with Anch Apprch early. Let them know you're not experienced with the airspace, they'll take care of you. You're landing between 747s!! Ground will direct you over to customs.
If you have some time, stop and walk over to the Lake Hood Seaplane Base and watch the comings and goings, have a good time!

abnranger69 wrote:I make this trip often. Best intentions of filing your EAPIS from Whitehorse, you check weather, do your due diligence, leave with FULL tanks, call Northway with possible ETA....... They tell you. "We can only be there from such and such hours", which usually doesn't correspond to when any reasonable departure plan would put you coming through. Ask them for a clearance deviation to either Anchorage, or if you're going more north, to Fairbanks. It's usually not a problem. They're pretty reasonable. They understand the issue, They so far have always accommodated me. It's not that big of a deal. If you have to stop for fuel, STOP for fuel. It'll be expensive no matter where. We're not curing cancer here. Stop for fuel and continue. There's no radar out here. Do what you have to do for safety of flight.
Some tips:
Pick a good weather day. You can short cut if a beautiful, clear day as far as you can see, but it's over remote, snow covered mountains...
Get your Alaska Supplement book out and get familiar with Anchorage Airspace. Very dense, busy, complicated. Restricted area near JBER. Have a basic understanding and link up with Anch Apprch early. Let them know you're not experienced with the airspace, they'll take care of you. You're landing between 747s!! Ground will direct you over to customs.
If you have some time, stop and walk over to the Lake Hood Seaplane Base and watch the comings and goings, have a good time!

Very good advice here. Anchorage is under Part 93 airspace rules. He's NOT kidding about it being complex and busy. That said, the controllers there will take you by the hand to keep you safe, IF you tell them. But, do your homework FIRST if you're going into ANC.