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Sourdoughs Seek Status Quo At Alyeska

By J.D. O'Connor
February 19, 2007

Ownership has its rewards along with its setbacks, just ask the new owner of Alyeska Resort in Girdwood, Alaska.

So far, Utah millionaire John Byrne III is living large, with Alyeska receiving prodigious snowfall and a nearly uniform warm welcome from locals who like what he is doing with the mountain.

Nearly.

It appears past ownership was open to having local sourdoughs in need of a shower or a workout come in and use the resort facilities. This, being Alaska and all, came to be the norm and somewhat expected by local people living roughly in tents or nearby cabins. Some of Girdwood's 2,000 residents regarded Alyeska as their own.

And while Byrne and management of the resort want they locals to know they're still welcome, they have instituted a pass system which does not sit well with some.

The Anchorage Daily News reported that locals will no longer be able to shell out $5 for a widely used single-day pass to swim, shower, lift weights or try out the spa treadmill machine at the only pool and gym in town. Now, they'll have to buy six-month membership packages that go for $400 for an adult ($300 if you have already purchased a season ski pass), $600 for two adults and $50 per child.

Local Skyler Kline said his 8-year-old son, Kaija, learned to swim at Alyeska's pool, as did many of Kaija's friends. "You wouldn't even be able to print what he called the man who shut it down,'' Kline said.

Kline says some local people think they're no longer welcome at Alyeska - mainly because they don't look or act like people in a fancy ski town are supposed to look.

But Jason Lott, a spokesman for Alyeska, said that is not the case at all.

"We eliminated the daily use just so we can make it more of a family-friendly atmosphere. It has nothing to do with looks or appearances or anything," he said.

While some locals admit to misgivings, others said Alyeska's new owners have the best interest of their town at heart

"It's the nature of Girdwood to be independent and opinionated. It's very much the constitution of the people here, you know?'' Keith Essex, president of Alpine Air Alaska and a 20-year resident of the town, told The Daily News. "I would be surprised if (the new management) had anticipated a backlash like this, because anywhere else, particularly in the Lower 48, you wouldn't expect a backlash.''

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