WeatherPort Shelter Systems
- Founded
- 1968-01-01 in Gunnison, Colorado, USA
- Headquarters
- 1860 1600 Road, Delta, Colorado 81416
- info@weatherport.com
- Phone
- (970) 399-5909
WeatherPort® is a brand of premium, tensioned‑fabric buildings owned by Alaska Structures®, a division of AKS Industries, Inc. The company traces its roots to 1968, when Clayton H. “Sweede” Hansen designed a fabric structure to protect his vehicles from the harsh Colorado winter. After family and neighbors requested similar shelters, Hansen founded the Hansen‑WeatherPort Corp. in Gunnison, Colorado. In 2006, Richard Hotes – Chairman and Founder of AKS Industries, Inc. – acquired the business and renamed it WeatherPort Shelter Systems™. A strategic restructuring in 2022 made Alaska Structures® a division of AKS Industries and repositioned WeatherPort® as a consumer‑ and recreational‑focused brand under that umbrella. Today, WeatherPort® engineers and markets a wide array of fabric‑building solutions, including luxury yurts, high‑wind canopies, promotional canopies, carports, RV and boat storage, event structures, greenhouses, pool enclosures, and hunting cabins. All structures are designed for year‑round use, rugged durability, and ease of installation. With over five decades of experience, WeatherPort has delivered engineered fabric structures to more than 85 countries, building a reputation for quality and innovation in the modular‑building industry.
Detailed Review
WeatherPort Shelter Systems (now operating as the WeatherPort® brand of Alaska Structures®) is a long‑established player in the tensioned‑fabric building market. The company’s history began in 1968 when Clayton “Sweede” Hansen created a prototype fabric shelter in Gunnison, Colorado, leading to the formation of Hansen‑WeatherPort Corp. After the 2006 acquisition by Richard Hotes, the business was renamed WeatherPort Shelter Systems™ and underwent significant expansion. The 2022 restructuring aligned WeatherPort® as a consumer/recreational brand under Alaska Structures®, which itself became a division of Hotes’ holding company, AKS Industries, Inc.
The product line is extensive and segmented by application: Luxury Yurts (steel‑framed, highly customizable glamping structures); High‑Wind Canopies (heavy‑duty canopies designed for year‑round, windy conditions); Promotional Canopies (customizable for branding); Vehicle Storage (carports, RV carports, boat storage); Outdoor Event Structures (from small to large event spaces); Greenhouses (backyard and retail); Swimming Pool Enclosures; and Hunting Cabins. All products are engineered for ease of setup and relocation and can be left up year‑round. The company offers a variety of insulation, window, door, and anchoring options, as well as modular flooring, lighting, electrical systems, and HVAC packages.
WeatherPort® structures are sold directly through the Alaska Structures® website and have been deployed in more than 85 countries. The brand emphasises American‑made quality, lean manufacturing to reduce waste, and continuous improvement in design and production capability. No public financial details or precise headcount were available in the provided materials, but the company’s longevity and global reach indicate a well‑established operation with significant manufacturing capacity.
Key Products
Luxury Yurts
Steel‑framed glamping yurts with extensive insulation, window, door, and color options. Popular sizes: 12′ – 30′. Starting at $25,136.
High‑Wind Canopies
Heavy‑duty canopies designed for exceptional wind resistance and year‑round use. Sizes include 10′×10′, 20′×20′, and multi‑sided HexaPae™/Octopae™. Starting at $3,087.
Promotional Canopies
Customizable canopies with logo options for businesses and organizations. Multiple sizes and colors.
Carports & Portable Garages
Heavy‑duty fabric vehicle enclosures for seasonal or permanent use.
RV Carports
Secure storage for RVs and travel trailers; larger than standard carports.
Boat Storage
Protect watercraft with durable fabric structures; can be used seasonally or year‑round.
Outdoor Event Structures
Small to large event spaces with a selection of side curtains and anchoring solutions.
Backyard Greenhouses
Greenhouse kits to extend growing seasons; fast delivery and easy setup.
Retail Greenhouses
Commercial greenhouses for selling plants and gardening supplies year‑round.
Swimming Pool Enclosures
Year‑round pool enclosures that reduce chemical use and protect against UV.
Hunting Cabins
Portable, warm cabins for hunting camps; designed for repeated seasonal use.
Camp Systems
Full camp solutions including lodging, dining halls, walkways, storage, and maintenance shops.
Key Persons
- Clayton H. “Sweede” Hansen
Founder (1968)