Girdwood's famous Alyeska Resort: embracing local values creates universal appeal.

AuthorHollander, Zaz
PositionSpecial section: 2012 CORPORATE 100 - Geographic overview

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If Alyeska is successful,, then Girdwood is successful--that s the gospel among business--minded residents of this low-key ski town 40 miles south of Anchorage. Alyeska Resort owner John Byrne holds that the reverse is also true: What's good for Girdwood--and Alaskans in general--is good for Alyeska.

The resort is far and away the biggest corporate resident of Girdwood. Mount Alyeska is a ski destination known for its expert terrain and down-home setting, with stunning views and a 304-room luxury hotel.

In recent years, however, Alaska's largest ski area languished under the ownership of a Japanese resort company. Byrne, an avid skier and Utah real estate investor, bought Alyeska at a distress auction in 2006. The prior owner, Seibu Corp., ran the ski area to attract international destination travelers and relied on cruise traffic to fill beds in summer.

Byrne runs Alyeska more with instate clientele and families in mind. He looks to the hotel to bring in income and says he reinvests any profit on the ski area side. His working theory: Become Alaska's favorite place to vacation and people will come from all over the world.

"Somewhere in my first winter, the light that came on for me was that nobody wanted to go to Alaska to have a Japanese ski-area experience. People wanted to come to Alaska for an authentic Alaskan experience," Byrne said in an interview from his office near Salt Lake City. "For me, that starts with embracing Alaskans as your customer."

THINK LOCALLY

Since purchasing Alyeska, Byrne has built up the resort and made it more family friendly and less dependent on cruise ship traffic. The resort's six lifts were joined by two "magic carpet" lifts: moving sidewalks that ferry young skiers up the mountain without putting them up in the air on a traditional chair lift. A new beginner chair was added as well. There's also talk of a small motor inn, maybe 100 rooms, near the Alyeska Daylodge.

Alyeska offers more jobs than before. Resort employment peaks at 700, up from 500, according to Byrne. Year-round employees number 250 to 300, also a significant increase. The company built employee housing in Girdwood; nearly 100 people sleep there. Most of the positions are filled by Alaskans, though the company recently hired an assistant food and beverage director from the Hilton Paris.

Byrne says he likes to encourage local businesses. Turnagain Arm Pit, a local barbecue joint, leased space in the Daylodge after...

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