Juneau’s two zip line companies will now operate under the same canopy. Alaska Zipline Adventures, a zip line tour at Eaglecrest Ski Area, has been sold to Ketchikan-based Alaska Rainforest Sanctuary (ARS).
ARS owns Alaska Canopy Adventures, which operates Juneau’s second zip line near Treadwell Mine on Douglas Island.
“We’re trying to move on to other things,” former co-owner Gin Anderson said. “We also own Treetop Tees so we’re going to invest more in that. It was just the right time right place, to be honest.”
Alaska Zipline tours opened in 2006. Gin Anderson, 35, has managed the company with her husband Davy Anderson, 33, since 2010, and owned the company from 2013-2017.
The Andersons, who are married, said their business is in good hands with the new owners. ARS owns a third zip line in Herring Cove in Ketchikan, which is also the site of a 10-acre property where the company operates walking tours. Spirit of Alaska Tours, a Ketchikan tour company, is also under ARS ownership.
Alaska Zipline Adventures operates during cruise ship season through a limited-use permit at Eaglecrest Ski Area, which lies on City and Borough of Juneau land. The permit can be renewed on a five-year basis and has four years left, Eaglecrest General Manager Dave Scanlan said.
Increasing the draw to Eaglecrest in the summertime is a priority for Scanlan, who’s in his first year as General Manager.
“I think they (ARS) are going to bring a lot of resources to the table. I am really personally excited to continue thoughts and plan toward summer operations,” he said.
No major changes are planned for the Eaglecrest zip line in the coming summer season, according to a release. ARS did not return interview requests in time for this story.
The Andersons will focus more on their apparel company and shop, Alaska Treetop Tees, Gin Anderson said. Both hold master’s degrees in music and Gin Anderson said they hope to use more of their free time for that.
Correction: A previous version of this story said that Alaska Canopy Adventures operates its zip line at Treadwell Mine Historic District Trail. The zip line actually operates on Alaska Electric Light and Power land and only uses the trail to take a portion of their guests to the zip line. The Empire regrets the error.
• Contact reporter Kevin Gullufsen at 523-2228 or kevin.gullufsen@juneauempire.com. Follow him on Twitter at @KevinGullufsen.
