shop small
Today is small business Saturday - supporting small, local businesses is a great way to build personal relationships with your community, get expert advice to find the best gear for you, and score tips specific to adventures in your region.
Although things are look a little different with COVID limiting in-person shopping, most small businesses have online stores and experts available to chat over the phone.
To get you started, here are a few of my favorite board shops from the various places I’ve lived:
minnesota
The House
300 S. Owasso Blvd E
St. Paul, MN 55117
Where it all began. I got my very first snowboard from them back in 2005. My uncle is an infamous wakeboarder in the area and knows these guys pretty well - rumor has it he even partied with them on South Padre. This was my go-to board shop for 12 years until I moved to California.
northern california
Totally Board
10060 Bridge St
Truckee, CA 96161
Stumbled upon these guys through sheer necessity. Last year we had a binding blowout on the mountain and needed it fixed over night. They were super knowledgeable, fast, and even shared some brews with us after the repair. We ended up coming back for tune ups and waxes for the rest of the season, and scored some major deals on gear!
colorado
Basalt Bike & Ski
731 East Valley Road
Basalt CO 81621
Still establishing a favorite board shop in Colorado, but I am excited to try Basalt Bike & Ski this season. They have locations throughout the Valley so I can pop into whichever is most convenient. Now that I’m living in the Rockies, and spending more time solo on the mountain, it is especially important to have the right gear and regular tune ups.
When I’m traveling I try to make it a point to visit the local ski or bike shop - it’s truly the best way to learn about the area and nearby adventures. Do you have a favorite shop or story? I would love to hear it!
