Those hoping for a promised May long weekend road trip into Alaska via the Yukon’s northerly international border crossing on the Top of the World Highway will have to postpone until at least May 19 as weather has delayed the planned opening. 

A May 16 notice from the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) states that the opening of the Little Gold Creek port of entry, located 105 kilometres west of Dawson City on the seasonal highway, planned for 9 a.m. May 17 is being pushed. 

“As the Top of the World Highway remained closed longer than anticipated due to weather conditions, access to the port of entry was delayed, making it impossible to open on May 17 as originally planned. CBSA staff and contractors have now accessed the site and are preparing the facility for an expected opening on May 19,” the statement reads. 

Earlier this spring, the news that the border crossing would open earlier than in recent years was greeted warmly by Yukon officials. In 2022 and 2023, it opened June 1 and closed in early September.

Dawson City Mayor Bill Kendrick identified room for improvement even with the expanded 2024 schedule, noting that before the COVID-19 pandemic the border was open until 9 p.m. and stayed open through most of September. 

Once the crossing does open, travellers will be able to enter and exit Canada from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. The port of entry’s season will run until Sept. 15. According to CBSA, 11,000 travellers entered Canada via the crossing last summer. 

— With files from Matthew Bossons

Contact Jim Elliot at jim.elliot@yukon-news.com