For Alaskans going S... is snowbirding essential travel?

[sidney]

Last spring we were very concerned about being allowed to drive home from the lower 48 to our home in Alaska. Thankfully the Canadian BSO let us cross the border. We did not have an RV... just traveling in our truck. We drove straight through in 3 days... only stopping for fuel. It was not a fun trip.

Ay that time I never imagined I would be worried we might not be able to drive through Canada this fall to our winter 5th wheel home.

My understanding is the Canadian BSO makes the decision to allow entry on a case by case basis at the border. BEFORE we drive 400+ miles to get to the border we sure would like to know if we will be allowed entry to drive straight through to the lower 48.

We will be traveling in our truck again with no RV.

Please... if anyone has additional information regarding if snowbird travel from AK is allowed please share.

[valhalla360]

alfredmay wrote:
Don't call, write to them. Ask for a response in writing. If the answer is yes then bring the letter with you to the border when you cross. You will then have written permission and there will be no doubt as to who said what on the phone.

I would do both. Yes, I would prefer it in writing but fairly good chance a written correspondence goes into a black hole never to be seen again, plus it will probably still include the caviots that the border agent has the final call. If you talk to someone, they will likely give you a more honest answer.

Of course, if you aren't leaving for a month or more, the rules can always change.

[alfredmay]

Don't call, write to them. Ask for a response in writing. If the answer is yes then bring the letter with you to the border when you cross. You will then have written permission and there will be no doubt as to who said what on the phone.

[sidney]

Flyboy320 wrote:

sidney wrote:

SAR Tracker wrote:
Beaver Creek YT crossing info (including phone)

I appreciate you posting the info but your link is for the US border station... staffed by US border agents. When you leave AK you drive right past this station without stopping.

The Canadian station is a different facility about 10 miles east of the US station. This is where you are stopped and inspected and granted permission.

I haven’t been able to find a Canadian phone number to contact the Canadian border agents... that is who I need to call.

Maybe one of our Canadian forum members can find the phone number?

I would really appreciate it.

Thanks

I can only find the US Border Svc number. For the Canadian side I can only find their postal address. May I suggest you call the US Border svc # and see if they have a contact # for the Canadian side. Otherwise you may have to send them a letter ASAP.
Best I can do......

Yes... that's what I ws thinking too... call the US side for the number.

Will see

Thanks for helping

[Flyboy320]

sidney wrote:

SAR Tracker wrote:
Beaver Creek YT crossing info (including phone)

I appreciate you posting the info but your link is for the US border station... staffed by US border agents. When you leave AK you drive right past this station without stopping.

The Canadian station is a different facility about 10 miles east of the US station. This is where you are stopped and inspected and granted permission.

I haven’t been able to find a Canadian phone number to contact the Canadian border agents... that is who I need to call.

Maybe one of our Canadian forum members can find the phone number?

I would really appreciate it.

Thanks

I can only find the US Border Svc number. For the Canadian side I can only find their postal address. May I suggest you call the US Border svc # and see if they have a contact # for the Canadian side. Otherwise you may have to send them a letter ASAP.
Best I can do......

[sidney]

SAR Tracker wrote:
Beaver Creek YT crossing info (including phone)

I appreciate you posting the info but your link is for the US border station... staffed by US border agents. When you leave AK you drive right past this station without stopping.

The Canadian station is a different facility about 10 miles east of the US station. This is where you are stopped and inspected and granted permission.

I haven’t been able to find a Canadian phone number to contact the Canadian border agents... that is who I need to call.

Maybe one of our Canadian forum members can find the phone number?

I would really appreciate it.

Thanks

[azdryheat]

Take the ferry to Seattle and avoid Canada altogether. Canada isn't playing well with others at the moment. lol

[Tequila]

They just extended the border closure for another month this afternoon. My betting is the Canadian government will view going south on vacation as non essential travel. Unless you can prove an address down there, or have something like Az plates, they may not let you drive across. I am a Mexican resident, but I have a feeling that won't cut it for me trying to drive south through the US. Mind you I am only a mile north of the border, so if I try it and can't get across, it is not a huge inconvenience

[SAR_Tracker]

Beaver Creek YT crossing info (including phone)

[sidney]

PackerBacker wrote:
Here’s the title that is appearing on your post

> For Alaskans going S... is snowbirding essential travel?

Really?

I’m just funnin with ya... I edited it 😉

[Community Alumni]

Here’s the title that is appearing on your post

> For Alaskans going S... is snowbirding essential travel?

[sidney]

PackerBacker wrote:

sidney wrote:

Lwiddis wrote:
You guys snowboard? I've wanted to try that.

What? How did you know we snowboard?

It’s in your post title

Is it? ??

[Community Alumni]

sidney wrote:

Lwiddis wrote:
You guys snowboard? I've wanted to try that.

What? How did you know we snowboard?

It’s in your post title

[sidney]

Flyboy320 wrote:
As Alaska is your declared home I would think your 5th wheel in the lower 48 is non essential travel. Just my opinion as I understand the current Canadian rules. I would suggest you call the Canadian border crossing you plan on using and ask the "officials". I would also get their name , badge # and the date / time of the conversation as a reference should they say "come on down".
Safe travels.

Thanks for your reply.

I have searched and tried to find a phone number for the Canadian border crossing at Beaver Creek YT with no luck. I have a number for the Canadian Border Patrol agency but when I call them they tell me its up to the BSO at the crossing to decide. They won't give me a number to call the Beaver Creek crossing BSO directly.

If you can find the number to share it would be greatly appreciated. Its over 400 miles to the border from our home. I'd hate to make the drive and be told no... then have to drive another 400 miles back home.

[sidney]

Lwiddis wrote:
You guys snowboard? I've wanted to try that.

What? How did you know we snowboard?

[Deb_and_Ed_M]

I agree with Flyboy - call and ask; but I'm under the impression that the Canadian Authorities will allow driving to (or from) AK as long as you make it a quick trip. No sightseeing/deviation of route - the fine is steep if you get caught not traveling the prescribed route.