The Pursuit · Skagway

Skagway — a century ago

There are places where history is preserved.

And then there are places where history refuses to stay buried.

More than a century ago, thousands came through this narrow valley chasing a promise buried somewhere beyond the mountains. Some found gold. Some found fortune in other ways. Some found neither.

And some never left.

One story has survived every retelling — documented, disputed, and repeated so often that nobody can quite remember where fact ended and legend began.

We aren't going to tell you what it is. That's the point.

Somewhere among Skagway's streets, its saloons, and its shadows, the pieces are waiting. You will not be handed a map. You will be handed clues — one sealed envelope at a time.

And remember: in Skagway, not everything you are told is true.

What is this

Two to four teams. Six checkpoints. One historic Broadway — and a century-old mystery you can only crack in person.

The Pursuit is a walking race through Skagway's gold-rush district, run entirely on sealed envelopes. History, cunning and charm get you further than speed. Every corner hides a challenge. And every person on your team is carrying a secret they are not allowed to tell you.

The Secret

Every player draws a sealed side mission at the start — a small act of con-artistry to pull off in plain sight, all day, without anyone figuring out what you're doing.

The Trade-Up

Optional — switch it on if your group wants it. Each team starts with a single keychain and trades it up, charm only and no money, stop by stop into something worth bragging about. Best item and best story win.

The Tribunal

When the race ends, everyone reconvenes for the reveal at a legendary Broadway room. Who was doing what all day — and whose story holds up?

How the mystery works

Six sealed envelopes. Open only one at a time.

You will not be handed a map. Each envelope tells you a little more of the story — and points, obliquely, at where to go next. Solve it, take your photo, and only then break the next seal. We are not going to tell you what's inside. That's the point.

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Sealed orders

Six envelopes, opened one at a time. Each one cracks the story a little wider — and gives away nothing you haven't earned.

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Everyone's hiding something

Every player draws a secret mission to pull off in plain sight. On this team, trust is optional.

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You be the judge

By the last envelope the facts won't all line up. Your team decides what can actually be known — and defends it at the Tribunal.

The day

The ship docks early. The stories last longer.

Take your time getting ready. The race kicks off whenever the group is ready and runs 3–4 hours. The Tribunal wraps well before the 9:00 PM departure — leaving plenty of time to explore Skagway on your own terms.

Ashore

Gather on BroadwayTeams revealed. Side missions drawn. Starter keychain issued. First envelope opened.

Hours 1–2

The race beginsCheckpoints wind through Broadway's living gold-rush history — every trade, every question, every secret counts.

Hours 2–3

The trail continuesThe story deepens with every sealed envelope your team opens.

Hours 3–4

The final envelopeThe last stop, then back down Broadway. Trade-Up items collected for judging.

After

The TribunalReveals, accusations, verdicts read, winners crowned.

9:00 PM

Ship departsThe stories last longer.

A note on cell service: Skagway has almost no coverage, and what little exists is swamped when the ships dock. The Pursuit runs entirely on sealed envelopes — no data required at any point. One phone per team acts as the camera. No signal, no problem.

THE PURSUITSKAGWAY