Melanee Raney: Alaska’s Off-Grid Adventurer and Wilderness Guide

Basic Information

Early Life and Upbringing

Born in 1970 in Whitehorse, Yukon, Melanee Raney grew up in Alaska’s harsh landscape. Her off-grid farm allowed her to explore the Talkeetna Mountains and Hatcher Pass without power or water from birth until adolescence. On her family’s farm, she learned self-reliance and reverence for nature.

By age 15, Raney was not only guiding small expeditions around her homestead but also teaching piano and guitar to local students. Simultaneously, she performed under the moniker “Supergirl” with the Moby & Supergirl Show, honing both her musical skills and her ability to engage audiences.

Family & Personal Relationships

Alaska’s outdoor culture has shaped Raney’s family. Marty Raney, her father, is an Alaskan builder, climber, singer/songwriter, and Homestead Rescue star. In 1974, her mother, Mollee Roestel, joined the Raney family and became a TV star with Marty. Homestead Rescue star Misty Raney, traveler Matt Raney, and younger brother Miles Raney are Melanee’s siblings.

In 2022, Melanee married Ari Stiassny, an Alaskan ski instructor and certified river guide whom she met on Cornbiscuit Mountain. The couple has three children—Mia, Col Dov, and Taz—whom they raise with the same appreciation for wilderness that shaped Melanee’s own childhood.

In 2013, Raney led a glacier tour featuring retired Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O’Connor, who later described Melanee as “one of the most inspiring women” she had met in Alaska. That expedition showcased Raney’s expertise in both logistical planning and client care in extreme environments.

Career & Entrepreneurship

Wilderness Guiding

Raney built her reputation as a ski guide in Girdwood, Alaska, over a period exceeding seven years. She has climbed and skied Denali multiple times and regularly leads backcountry expeditions throughout the Chugach Range.

Chugach Adventures

In the early 2000s, Melanee founded Chugach Adventures, an Anchorage-based rafting and expedition outfitter. Uniquely, the company operates fully off-grid in Girdwood and is accessible only via the Alaska Railroad, emphasizing minimal ecological impact and authentic wilderness immersion.

Her guiding philosophy centers on hands-on skill development, environmental stewardship, and personalized client experiences. Under her leadership, Chugach Adventures has grown to serve hundreds of outdoor enthusiasts each season.

Music and Media

Raney has always loved music as addition to leading. From age 15, she performed regionally as “Supergirl” and taught piano and guitar. To keep her firm focused on sustainable wilderness expeditions, she refused a National Geographic reality-TV series offer.

Media Presence & Eco-Advocacy

Raney keeps her social media accounts secret and appears in family postings. Her father’s Haines, Alaska family photo received over 3,000 likes on March 8, 2025. Marty Raney’s TikTok video of Melanee and her brothers skiing went viral in July 2024.

She champions sustainable, eco-conscious lifestyles among her clients and within the Alaskan guiding community. Her company’s fully off-grid base—powered by solar panels and rainwater collection—serves as a model for low-impact wilderness tourism.

Net Worth & Economic Impact

Melanee Raney’s guiding business and singing have made her almost $200,000. Her firm invests tourist dollars in local economies and establishes environmental standards, despite its small size. She hires seasonal guides, works with local train services, and finances community conservation via Chugach Adventures.

FAQ

Who is Melanee Raney?

Melanee Raney is a Canadian–American wilderness guide, entrepreneur, and musician based in Alaska whose work emphasizes off-grid eco-tourism.

When and where was she born?

She was born in 1970 in Whitehorse, Yukon, and as of 2025 is 55 years old.

What is Chugach Adventures?

Chugach Adventures is the Anchorage-based rafting and expedition outfitter that Raney founded, operating entirely off-grid and accessible only by Alaska Railroad.

Who is her spouse and when did they marry?

Her spouse is Ari Stiassny, an Alaskan ski instructor and river guide; they married in 2022.

What notable expedition did she lead for a public figure?

In 2013, she guided retired Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O’Connor on a glacier tour in Alaska.

What is her estimated net worth?

Her estimated net worth is approximately $200,000, derived primarily from her guiding business and music instruction.

References