Skagway already enjoys a two-lane vintage bowling alley. Now residents and tourists can experience blade throwing when Lumberchaun Axe Throwing opens in late April. Melinda Munson has this story.
Located on Fifth Avenue, the axe throwing company is the entrepreneurial effort of seasonal workers Kassandra Reed and Patrick Barker.
Reed first came to Skagway in 2012 because her mother often talked about an epic road trip to the wild north. Reed returned in 2016 and has been back every summer, except for the pandemic. She and Barker worked for a tour company before dreaming up Lumberchaun Axe.
Reed: “I remember the first time we did the Alaska State Fair. Standing in line to get our tickets, you saw people with axes over their shoulders, waiting in line to sign up for axe throwing. So, it really felt like something that that was Alaskan and would be a lot of fun. And would just fit really well into Skagway, into that gold rush era feel of Skagway.”
Lumberchaun Axe will house ten lanes, with a limit of four people per lane. The cost is $42 per person, with a discount for locals. Participants must be at least six years of age.
Reed described the lane set-up.
Reed: “The individual lanes are built of wood and chain link. So, even if you miss a hit somewhere and it bounces off the side of the cage, it’s not going anywhere. So, it’s covered on four sides. So, you’ve got a roof, you’ve got the two sides and the floor. So it’s protected.”
Reed said that because axe throwing is becoming so popular, it wasn’t difficult finding an insurance company to provide a policy. She’s excited to share the sport with Skagway’s summer population.
Reed: “…it’s a great family activity, because everybody gets to try their hand at it, see how good their aim really is. And something we love about this is that it’s something you can walk around town and just decide what to do. So easy, very easy for people to just walk in, and take an open lane and try it out.”
