Welcome to Yurtstead Alaska — Where Hard Isn’t the Same as Bad.
Hi there — I’m Jared Skitt, the voice behind Yurtstead Alaska.
By day, I work as a real estate agent here in the Matsu Valley, helping others find their own dreams of home. By night (and by weekend… and by windstorm…), I’m building a homestead with my family on raw Alaskan land — one project, one prayer, and one learning curve at a time.
We’re a crew of five (for now) carving out a life that’s anything but ordinary. You might even say, a life north of ordinary. We live year round in our 34 foot diameter yurt in Alaska. That is 906 round feet (instead of square feet… sorry, Dad joke…) if you are curious. Our yurt is more than a structure — it’s one piece of a legacy, being shaped by faith, family, hard work, and a whole lot of lessons learned along the way.
You’ll see glimpses of my family — but out of respect for their privacy, you likely won’t see many faces or full names. They’re a huge part of this story, even if they’re sometimes just beyond the frame.
Our days are full of:
- Work,
- Homeschooling,
- Learning the hard way what not to do,
- Spending time with our church family, friends and others,
- Planning or executing the next project.
Every project, every setback, every laugh and prayer is shaping the life and legacy we’re building — one rooted North of Ordinary.
What You’ll Find Here:
- Honest lessons from building our yurt and homestead in Alaska.
- Tales of wins, mistakes, and the grit it takes to create a life rooted in something deeper.
- Practical tips, real stories, and encouragement for your own “North of Ordinary” journey — whether that’s off the grid, on the grid, or somewhere in between.
Our Mission
Live, build, and share a life rooted in faith, forged by perseverance, and shaped by real, imperfect adventure.
Our Vision
Inspire bold, faith-rooted living—wherever God plants you—to build your own life north of ordinary.