Ermine’s Anchorage storefront grand opening

October 25, 2026

A surprise visit and citation from Alaska legislators, a speech by Mayor LaFrance, and an exciting new product launch made our storefront grand opening one for the record books

The Ermine storefront’s grand opening on October 21 couldn’t have gone better, and featured two big surprises: a legislative citation presented to Ermine owner Paxson Woelber, and a visit and speech by Anchorage mayor Suzanne LaFrance!

We were also thrilled to announce our finest Nordic skate yet, the Ak2 MagnaCut.

A night of surprises

The night started off strong, with both our storefront and workshop/class space packed with attendees. Visitors looked at new products, asked questions about our manufacturing processes, and caught up with friends. The air buzzed with conversation about Nordic skates, skating, and wild ice.

Attendees in Ermine’s manufacturing and class space

Ermine’s longtime skate color consultant, Anchorage Assembly co-chair Dr. Daniel Volland, kicked things off. Volland introduced speakers and talked about how Nordic skating has made his winters more beautiful and exciting.

Anchorage Assembly co-chair Dr. Daniel Volland

The first big surprise of the evening was a legislative citation presented to Ermine owner Paxson Woelber by the Alaska Legislature. The citation recognized Woelber for “leadership in Alaska’s outdoor recreation community,” including the founding of Ermine, participation in the local wild ice skating club, and outdoor access advocacy. The citation was signed by House Speaker Bryce Edgmon and Senate President Cathy Giessel, and presented in person by Senator Forrest Dunbar, Representative Ky Holland, and Representative Andrew Gray.

The citation stated that Ermine “embodies Alaska’s potential for value-added manufacturing and is the first in North America to produce Nordic-style ice skates designed to attach to ski boots. Since its founding in 2021, Ermine Skates has expanded its offerings to include several world firsts, including the first-ever commercial offering of a Nordic skate designed for kids.”

Ermine owner Paxson Woelber receiving a legislative citation at the storefront grand opening

The second big surprise was a visit by Mayor Suzanne LaFrance. Mayor LaFrance congratulated Ermine, and spoke about the importance of small businesses and winter tourism in Anchorage.

“It’s really wonderful to see local success,” Mayor LaFrance said, “and I agree with you, Vice Chair Volland, we need more of that here. And as local government officials, we want to do everything we can to promote the kind of business that you have succeeded at, Paxson.”

Mayor Suzanne LaFrance speaking at the Ermine storefront grand opening

Ermine owner Paxson Woelber spoke next, thanking Ermine’s customers, retailers, and manufacturing partners.

Ak2 MagnaCut launch

For the ribbon cutting, Woelber used the prototype of Ermine’s just-announced Ak2 MagnaCut Nordic skate. This skate featured a blade made of Crucible Industries MagnaCut, an American-made “supersteel” created with powder metallurgy technology. The Ak2 MagnaCut’s blade is both harder and tougher than any blade put on a commercial Nordic skate to date. The Ak2 MagnaCut will be available by late November.

The ribbon was no match!

Cutting the ribbon with the prototype of Ermine’s new Ak2 MagnaCut Nordic skate. The ribbon was held by local Nordic skaters Rachel Dubriwny and Allie Heaslet.

After the ribbon cutting, we held a raffle to give away the final pair of our first limited edition skate. The winner was drawn by Ermine’s new Director of Operations, Rachel Lowrance.

Ermine’s new Director of Operations, Rachel Lowrance, draws the winning ticket in the storefront opening raffle

This was a huge night for Ermine. We are proud to head into the 2026/27 season with enthusiastic support and backing from our community, and we’re confident that the coming season will be our biggest yet.

Thank you to all of the outdoorspeople, public figures, athletes, artists, local manufacturers, and everyday skaters who attended our grand opening. For those who missed it: we’re open! Come on by!

Open sign at Ermine’s midtown Anchorage storefront

Photos courtesy Cale Green, Alaska News. Click here to read Cale’s article about the event.