20 Things Everyone In Alaska Should Avoid At All Costs
By Courtney|Updated on June 29, 2023(Originally published June 28, 2023)
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Courtney
Author
Living and loving life in Alaska, Courtney enjoys living a happy life based on simple principles; work hard, be kind, stay humble. She is an avid dog lover with hobbies that include running, fly fishing, hiking & snowboarding.
All throughout the Last Frontier, people who live in Alaska have a deep sense of pride for all things wildly-caught, locally-grown and sustainably-sourced. We are immensely proud of our local small businesses, and it is our responsibility to be educated on the products we can buy in order to keep our money with local, hardworking people throughout the great 49th state. We also enjoy being one with nature, exploring in the backcountry, and outfitting ourselves with the warmest and most durable Alaska Native clothing attire in the entire world. With that being said, you also need to check out these 20 things that everyone in Alaska should avoid at all costs.
With the exception of responsible aquaculture, of course (we have some of the best farmed oysters EVER). If you haven't already taken the wild, natural, sustainable Alaska seafood oath... you'd better get on that, STAT. As the third-largest industry in the entire state, wild seafood is just the name of the game and the claim to our fame in the 49th state.
What do people in Alaska eat? Things they caught! If you have the time, always try to catch your own wild Alaska seafood, even if you're just visiting. There is just something you can't deny about fish that tastes better when you've caught it yourself. Check out some of the best places to go fishing in AK in some of our previous articles.
Don't you dare do it! Hey, our state sport is dog mushing. That means our dogs have to take the wild, natural, sustainable seafood oath as well. And by how quickly these bags disappear off our shelves, we think they are A-OKAY with it!
No views = no go. If you were in the lower 48, we'd understand if you wanted to pitch a tent somewhere sub-par. But in Alaska, go big or just go back home. Fortunately, there's no "worst" time to visit Alaska, so feel free to camp with a view in every season.
You heard it right, folks. Even our potato chips are better than the mass-produced options. It's easy to feel less guilty about indulging in savory snacks when you know you're supporting incredible Alaska businesses.
Serving Alaska since 1980, Three Bears stores sell everything from guns and hunting supplies to cleaning supplies and delicious meats. Keeping money local is a huge part of what being an Alaskan is all about.
Nowadays, with so many excellent beverage options in the last frontier, there is no need to give our money to out-of-staters! Plus, our wines are way better anyway.
That's right! We have a little bit of everything, here. And with flavors infused with birch, smoked salmon and so much more... we will keep it Alaskan, always.
Admittedly, we're guilty sometimes too. But really, there is no place we'd rather be than away from the rush and fishing in peace somewhere... anywhere... else. We know we aren't the only ones!
12. Giving away secret secluded fishing spots to those visiting Alaska.
With so many local Alaskans working tirelessly and putting their blood, sweat and tears into making sure that we have the most delicious products around, eating Alaska Grown is always the responsible (and most delicious) choice.
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14. Seasoning your meat with a product that isn’t made in Alaska.
Say whaaat? Yup, that's right. Say goodbye to traditional seasonings and clean out your cupboard. Alaska Seasonings Company and others in the state offer the most superior products on the market! Plus, if you dare to season your meal without the proper Alaska-made seasoning, your meat just might jump right off the grill and run back into the woods. Don't take that chance.
I mean, when you have so many animals that you can responsibly hunt, it doesn't get much more organic and humane that gathering your meat with your two bear hands. Oops, we mean "bare" hands.
These traditional Native Alaskan products don't even play ball in the same arena as the products that you'll find in the stores (which are generally all made outside of Alaska, or even America).
17. Heck, don’t even think about breathing air that’s not from Alaska.
Is Alaska safe? Well, in this wildly uninhabited and unforgiving state, it would just be silly and not smart at all to go into the backcountry unprepared. Ever. Prepare yourself before you go!
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19. Staying inside when the Northern Lights are dancing.
When Mother Nature and the Aurora Borealis come together to give you the most magnificent FREE show of your life, don't offend them by staying inside. Live in the moment and lose out on a little sleep. You'll thank us in the morning.
When is the best time to visit Alaska? The best time to visit Alaska is ALL THE TIME. So unless you want the longest eye roll of the century passed in your direction, don't ever say that you are bored here. It's freaking ALASKA. Boredom is not possible in the last frontier. Nope, nadda, no way José!
If you really can’t get enough of The Last Frontier, here’s an amazing high-definition video with footage from plenty of Alaska landmarks:
Can you think of anything else that everyone who lives in Alaska should avoid? What advice would you give to someone who’s considering visiting? We’d love to know what Alaskan cities to visit you recommend to outsiders. Let us know in the comments!
Now that you know what to avoid, dive into what we LOVE about Alaska! Pack up some of those Alaska Grown snacks and beverages and check out these amazing Alaska day trips.
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If you plan on visiting Alaska, you may just fall in love. Now if you decide that living in Alaska is for you, you’ll have to be prepared. Some things, for example, are a whole lot more expensive in Alaska. (You’ll likely discover, however, that all of that natural beauty is well-worth the extra cost.) Get ready to pay a lot more for everyday items – from milk and ice cream to frozen pizza and olive oil. Alaska is mighty expensive if you want to live there, and you’ll also pay high prices for rent, going to concerts, and shipping. Ever notice that a lot of companies offer free shipping to everywhere except Alaska and Hawaii? If you move to Alaska, you’re saying goodbye to free shipping. On the upside, did you know that Alaska is one of the happiest states in America? Yep – and for good reason. We’re able to get outdoors and explore Alaska’s many hiking trails, which helps us stay healthy. We have delightfully fresh air, and the scenery? The absolutely gorgeous landscape? How could we not be happy in a place that’s so much like paradise?
Is Alaska safe?
As with any state, you’ll find good places and not-so-good places in Alaska. However, if you’re seriously considering relocating, you might want to think about heading to one of the safest places to live in Alaska. With a population of under 10,000, Sitka ranks as the safest place to live in Alaska, followed by Palmer and Seward. If you’re looking at a well-known Alaskan city that’s safe, head to Juneau. The gorgeous state capitol is home to just under 33,000 and had only 134 violent crimes in 2013. One of the most peaceful places to live in Alaska is also one of the safest – Ketchikan.
