Where does everyone buy their equipment?

[kickstand]

I usually go to Ski Haus in Wilmington, MA.

this will probably become my ski shop of choice, since we're right down 129 in Wakefield. There is a small ski/board shop in Wakefield Center that I want to check out. Definitely a ma-and-pa hole-in-the-wall type place, which is what I'm looking for, but I want to see what their service is like. Ski Haus already has a great reputation.

I hate going to cookie cutter places like Ski Market. I hate that they charge something like $35 for a ski tune. I don't need a stone grind every since time. Most of the time I just want some new wax and some super-sharp edges. There is a guy in Watertown who would do exactly that for $20.

 

[dmc]

I get my stuff from my friends shop, or use my season pass discount at Hunter Mtns shop, or from friends via proform, or swaps and barters...

I do by a lot of technical gear from BCStore.com

They have pretty good prices...

 

[Sky]

Sky... I've heard some horror stories with Strand's rentals... I'd go for new only there.

That being said, this is the shop I trust to tune up my planks... they haven't f'ed them up yet and they always give me the bevel and wax I want so I won't complain.

And how do you know the Crowley's? That's pretty cool. I always like knowing folks in high up places... even if I get nothing out of it besides some cool company.

Let's see....Don't rent form Strands, got it. I just stop in there occasionally. Got my new Alpinas there years ago. They were the only folks around with a boot in my size. Went back to them last year for the upgrade in boots for the same reason. Considered "demo-ing from them...but their demo deal is more like "buy and try...and change if you want (for a more $ version). So I stick with Wa for Demos since they offer a wide variety.

Strands for tune-ups...Yes...and while-you-wait! Maybe not Saturday AM after a big dump...but certainly almost every time I've been there. Although I will give props to Wa...and the benefit with them is...if you take them out and are unhappy...you walk right back in and address it with the tech. I had a pal do that last year. The tech put a bit more bevel on the edge. BAM! Nice nice.

re: Know the Crowley fam...hmmmm....long story...all based on visits to Wa...posts in the forum...and (me) being easy to spot on premises. A story to be told over beer and nachos. I must say, I have seen management bail on opportunities to ski with me/pals to address one person's minro dissatisfaction. Sorry to see them bail. Glad to know they care so much about the customer. That's my perception and I'm stickin to it. *smirk* I mean...could be they were TAHT disinterested that ANY excuse to bail would have worked. But I know better. Ozzie and others can vouch.

 

[Sky]

the problem is finding a quality local vendor that you trust.

Absolutely.

Part of that is finding one that's close, that's interested, that stands behind his store/shop.

I get that with Strands and Wa.

 

[Marc]

It took me about 15 minutes to read that post because I kept getting to the beer and nachos part and thinking... "Mmmmm... beer and nachos" and forget what I'm reading and have to start over.

I'll be up plenty this winter though for sure.


One other reason I like getting my skis tuned at Strands is I like to play with that dog that's always running around there, I think it's a Wiemeraner (sp?).

Interesting about the Crowley family and management at Wa. I wouldn't complain to them about anything I don't think unless they asked me for feedback.

I'd just give them suggestions... things like, let me drive a Snowcat, or... well basically, that would be the only one.

 

[Sky]

I wouldn't complain to them about anything I don't think unless they asked me for feedback.

There is a group of us who gather with Mgt once or twice a year...aside from the..."Hey, we'll be up later today if you're interested in taking a run"

We've made suggestions...or more correctly asked questions like "How come...".

The favorite one pertains to keeping the food service open just a few minutes past the 10PM lift closing. This would allow us die-hards to ski till closing THEN have beer and nachos. Someone has to sacrifice the last few runs to order the food...and so far we haven't been able to get a volunteer. :<

As we get close to season-openng...and certainly once we get past Christmas....there will be many opportunities to share beer and nachos.

 

[Marc]

Yeah, that is a dilema... those last runs are always super sweet too, with no one else around, ski on ski off lift.

You really appreciate it if it has been a busy night as well.

 

[riverc0il]

ski fanatics is definitely a quality shop from my one experience there. i stopped by looking for a jacket and they didn't have what i wanted. but i chatted with a salesperson for a while and they offered some suggestions where i could find the item i was looking for in lincoln. not often would you receive a recommendation to another business from a competitor.

 

[Sky]

Yo Marc...nice photo.

Pal, I have to ask...is that YOU or Bill Murray from Caddy Shack?

*great photo regardless*

 

[Mark D]

i get most of my gear from 940 alpineat mt ponco, or i have buckmans in king of prussa, and then i have the ski bum in DE. i buy my gear from all three places. Im knowen by name in all three too.

 

[Marc]

Yo Marc...nice photo.

Pal, I have to ask...is that YOU or Bill Murray from Caddy Shack?

*great photo regardless*

Hehheh, no that's not me, but I often wear that same expression.



...And he says, "Oh, uh, there won't be any money, but when you die, on your deathbed, you will receive total consiousness." So I got that goin' for me, which is nice....

 

[Vortex]

ski fanatics is definitely a quality shop from my one experience there. i stopped by looking for a jacket and they didn't have what i wanted. but i chatted with a salesperson for a while and they offered some suggestions where i could find the item i was looking for in lincoln. not often would you receive a recommendation to another business from a competitor.

Good point Steve. I wanted to buy a MT bike for my daughter from them this summer. I gave them the parameters and Don told me I probably should go another way. I bought a bike elsewhere at their suggestion.
I bought my wife's bike and my son's in consecutive weeks from them this summer after that. Well I would have bought from them anyway. Got a personal e-mail a picture of the bikes and colors had 2 assembled and waiting for me when I arrived to chose from.

Already bought a pair of skies/bindings and a snowboard/ bindings for my daughter recently... again the 1st visit they hinted wait a bit the deal is good but the equiptment does not quite meet her needs. 2 weeks later I showed up they had better stuff explained why I bought 2 set ups. More than once they have walked away from business because it was not in my best interest. What more can one ask for?
Ow ya always a fair competitive price on everything.

 

[ALLSKIING]

I buy most of my stuff at a friends local shop. Usually when I am looking for something specific I will shop online.

 

[molecan]

Boots - I bought my wife and myself new boots at Stan and Dan's sports in North Conway last winter and can't recommend them more highly. They spent hours with my wife to find a boot and get a molded fit on her long but exceedingly narrow foot. Ended up fitting her into the largest size Lange Comp 100 in a Junior boot. (fortunately, she is light enough to not overpower the boot)
They guarantee their fit, and will do any fitting work required to keep them fitting after the purchase. I saw quite a few locals old (1-2 yr) boots coming in for 'quick fixes' when I was there, and nobody was charged for work.

Skis I tend to buy at end of season sales, or whenever I happen to find a great deal on something I like.
I've bought 3 out of 5 pairs on Ebay in the past few years, but in general only if they are a spectacular deal.


I have to second the recommendation on Bob Smith's Wilderness house, a good friend of mine has processed a number of warranty claims on broken skis with them, and they have never given him any problems about replacing. (except once, when they gave him an truly beat up Volkl Explosiv as a replacement for his tree-eaten ski. But, i think that was the 2nd time he'd gotten a replacement ski on that set, and it was the end of last season, Volkl discontinued the ski, so it makes sense.)

Bindings, I almost always buy online, then have installed at a competent shop.

I used to get all my tuning and binding mounting done at Andes in Bartlett, but Joe Jones bought them out. This was THE recommended place of friends, family, and locals for years.
I hear the same equipment, and most of the staff is still there, but anyone else have input on them or another shop in the WMV???

 

[deadheadskier]

I ussually try and check out the local ski swaps - no need to anti up this year, still got lots of life left in my Bandits and Axioms. If not, I have friends who work at ski shops in Stowe and they generally give me a decent deal.

 

[RossiSkier]

Have bought 10 pair of skis on EBAY. Get bindings, boots, accessories, and shop work at Willard Mountain, NY. They're an authorized Rossi dealer and a nice family run operation. I would highly recommend it to anyone who happens to be on NY Rt. 40 in North Easton, NY. Perhaps on their way to buy a cow.

 

[skibum1321]

Personally, I'm a big fan of Alpine Shop in Burlington, VT.
Honorable mention goes to Skiershop in Stowe and VT North in Waitsfield.

There is a ski shop (Ken Jones) across from my apt but I haven't been in there yet and don't plan to let them touch my skis. I also won't go to Ski Market or any other such place.

 

[skididdie]

the good thing about ken jones in nashua is theres a Hooters right underneath the joint. great peaks, and the foods ok too.