Alaska for Alaskans: entrepreneurs offer new options.

• Author: Kalytiak, Tracy
• Position: TOURISM

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Tourists cruise, drive or fly to Alaska to do such things as haul in huge salmon or halibut, view wildlife and marvel at spectacular scenery.

They hire outfitters, venture out on fishing boats, relax in hotels and cruise ships, sample local cuisine, pan for gold and buy trinkets and sweatshirts and art to bring home.

Ferreting out a new kind of Alaska experience is a challenge for people who actually live here.

A trio of businesses--located in Mat-Su, Seward and Cordova--are examples of ways entrepreneurs are carving out niches for themselves while providing new options to their clients.

ALASKA A LA EUROPA

Peter Schadee first arrived in Alaska from Holland 26 years ago, and immediately felt this was where he wanted to live.

"Alaska is the home Holland never felt like," Schadee said.

Schadee worked in the tourism industry, arranging accommodations and outings for Europeans traveling here.

What he learned from his clients helped Schadee form ideas for his own business enterprise.

"It took me a long time to crystallize the idea," he said. "I wanted to open a semi-remote lodge. It took five years to find a good piece of property that met all my criteria."

Schadee wanted his lodge to be located within an hour's drive of Anchorage. He wanted to find a new area, so he would not be competing with existing hotels.

"I wanted to be on the road system, but have sort of a remote feeling," Schadee said. "Girdwood fell off the map almost immediately; there was enough going on there. That left Eagle River, Eklutna and our little valley here."

In August 2005, Schadee found a 20-acre parcel of land in Mat-Su, at the end of Knik River Road. The property is located about a six-mile boat ride away from Knik Glacier.

"The boat was here, I'd been out with (the boat operator) a couple of times," Schadee said. "That's why this valley appeared on my radar. This was definitely high up on my wish list."

Schadee wanted visitors staying in the lodge's 15 cabins to be able to eat at the Wi-Fi-equipped lodge and use it as a launching pad for activities.

He obtained a beer and wine license, and amassed a wine list he says compares to those of the better restaurants in Anchorage. Dinner is served in a 30-foot yurt with picnic tables.

"We have really good food, crystal glasses," Schadee said. "It's a balancing act between outdoors and elegant."

Schadee takes visitors on airboat excursions to Knik Glacier. A permitted helicopter on site ferries people...