Bike, Ski, and RV: Yukon to Southeast Alaska
We’re used to dirtbagging it on our trips, whether that’s sleeping in tents, cars, or under the stars. But when the opportunity came up to travel through the Yukon and Southeast Alaska in an RV, we couldn’t pass it up! We’ve been to the Yukon several times in the past, for work and for play, and every time we’ve fallen further in love with the landscapes of the north. Endless mountain ranges, roads that reach above treeline, and friendly people made it an easy decision to come visit again—not to mention we had a wedding to attend in Juneau along the way.
IT ISN’T ABOUT ESCAPING LIFE, IT’S ABOUT FINDING IT.
A dream road trip for the adventure junkie
We had never stayed in an RV before, and we always thought to ourselves, ‘how much better than tent camping could it really be?’ It turns out: WAY better. The stove, oven, fridge, running water, and other creature comforts add up to a great experience, but never having to pitch a tent or break down camp is what really pushed it over the edge. The sun rises super early and sets super late in the north (4:30am and 11pm, anyone?) and spring skiing needs to happen early—travel is easiest and safest while the snow is still frozen up in the morning. Having the convenience of the RV to camp, cook, and live in made it possible to climb and ski the mountains we saw from the road, and gave us a comfortable space to spend the down time. We also appreciated that our itinerary never had us driving for more than a couple of hours at a time: it never felt like we had a ‘travel day,’ which means that it felt like all play!
We had never stayed in an RV before, and we always thought to ourselves, ‘how much better than tent camping could it really be?’ It turns out: WAY better. The stove, oven, fridge, running water, and other creature comforts add up to a great experience, but never having to pitch a tent or break down camp is what really pushed it over the edge. The sun rises super early and sets super late in the north (4:30am and 11pm, anyone?) and spring skiing needs to happen early—travel is easiest and safest while the snow is still frozen up in the morning. Having the convenience of the RV to camp, cook, and live in made it possible to climb and ski the mountains we saw from the road, and gave us a comfortable space to spend the down time. We also appreciated that our itinerary never had us driving for more than a couple of hours at a time: it never felt like we had a ‘travel day,’ which means that it felt like all play!
Follow Zanny & Peter’s Route:
We started and finished our trip in Whitehorse, Yukon, and drove a loop including two beautiful ferry rides in Alaska. Some highlights and recommendations:- Dyea Flat (Skagway, AK)
- Mendenhall Glacier (Juneau, AK)
- Haines Pass (AK / Canada border near Haines, AK)
- Kathleen Lake (Haines Junction, Yukon)
Zanny & Peter’s Pro RV Tips
An RV might be the perfect base camp for adventuring: imagine a small hotel room on wheels, with all the amenities, parked right at the trailhead. Considerably more comfortable than a tent in any weather, with zero setup time, and complete with a bed, fridge, stove, running water, and all-important bug-nets in the windows. But there are also a lot of ways in which RVs are decidedly not hotel rooms—they’re much smaller, and there’s no housekeeping service to clean it while you’re away. Here are a few tips to keep in mind to make the most of your RV for adventuring.- Look for trailheads where you can camp! Staying multiple nights in one campsite brings on another level of comfort and relaxation, and being able to decompress from the day without driving anywhere is amazing. Whether you’re skiing, climbing, hiking, or biking, you’ll love waking up or falling asleep at the trailhead.
- Not all trailheads allow camping, and not all campsites have great access to trails or mountains or beaches—but we promise it’s worth looking for places that have both!
- The nicest times of day are sunrise and sunset. Waking up a couple hours earlier will make your whole day—especially if you chose your campsite well. Compensate mid-adventure with a nap someplace further from the road.
- Managing wet stuff is challenging, but extra important in a small space. Designate a space for hanging wet gear (we used the bathroom, since it’s waterproof and easy to clean.) Run a fan and keep the windows cracked for good air circulation, and you’ll be surprised how well things dry.
- We can’t believe we have to say this, but if you’re staying at campsites with bathrooms, don’t poo in the RV. That’s your gear-drying closet! The outhouse isn’t as far as you think, and you could probably use the fresh air—save the bathroom inside your RV for when there’s not an outhouse handy.
- Storage is everywhere. Organize your equipment by activity and by dirt-factor, to make it easy to keep track of that one last clean pair of ski socks.
- Pay attention to the orientation of your camper! Think about where the sun will set and rise, and park accordingly. On a hot day you’ll appreciate afternoon shade cast by the RV, and in bad weather it’ll make a great windbreak.
- Finally, the RV doesn’t end at its doors. Treat it like a closet, a kitchen, and a place to sleep, but don’t mistake it for the star of the show. No matter how comfortable you are in the RV, the whole point of traveling in an RV is to maximize your adventure time, and you won’t regret spending more time outside.
Live Your Wildhood
The philosophy of Wildhood is borne of the notion that we, as humans, have a fundamental desire to connect with one another, and connect with the natural world. We are curious. We are moved by wanderlust. Our most powerful memories are of moments we share with the ones we love, or of places that fill us with awe and wonder. Preferably both at the same time. These are the moments of magic: big or small, they are the moments that enrich our lives. Wildhood is then, not a construct, but an expression of who we are and a recognition of what gives us joy. Watch the Live Your Wildhood story here.
