Alaska Trends

Last Frontier Recreation

Alaska is home to one of the largest consumer bases for outdoor products as a percent of the population. Consumers access a broad range of activities at varying levels of intensity.

Outdoor Participation Rates

CED estimates that of the total population of people visiting Alaska, 61 percent participated in at least one form of outdoor recreation.

In 2017 there were approximately 44,700 registered snowmachines in Alaska, which means an average of roughly 1 in 12 Alaskan residents owned one.

Outdoor Recreation Matters to Alaskans

Alaska ranks highest, alongside Montana, for outdoor participation and the potential for outdoor recreation-grounded tourism is great.

Alaska ranks highest in fishing licenses per capita. Of Alaskan adult residents, 1 in 3 purchased a fishing license and 1 in 6 purchased a hunting license in 2017.

With 15 National parks, 120 state parks, 16 national wildlife refuges, and 2 national forests, Alaska is home to more than 322 million acres of public lands.

Manufacturers, designers, and retailers all spoke to the power of the Alaska brand. Many people will say, “if it will work in Alaska, it will work anywhere.”

The outdoor product industry in Alaska is, for the most part, characterized by niche businesses that create products or services that not found anywhere else.

Winter activity product categories made or designed in Alaska:

Avalanche protection
Dog booties
Dog leash hand warmers
Skis
Snow shoes
Snowboards
Specialized winter camping gear
Spiked shoes
Winter clothing