What good ski stores are there in Calgary?

[bakers_dozen]

Moved here last month, figure its time to check out some new gear for next season.

Where do you guys shop?

[Eldo]

I'm a cheap shit, so I shop at the annual Calgary Ski Club Used Ski Sale that takes place in late October every season. Biggest use equipment sale in Western Canada. A good chance to buy equipment a couple of years old that is consigned by rich yuppies or rental shops that cater to rich yuppies.

I got some B3s in mint shape with binders last year for $350. Best deal is if you volunteer to work at the sale, then you have the chance to buy at the Pre-Sale, the evening before the event is open to the public. That's where you find the best deals.

Otherwise, for new ski shops, Ski Cellar Snowboard has three stores in town. Good and knowledgeable people working there, for the most part. But new skis prices are !!!! Some of my friends shop at Techno Sports on 17th Ave. S.W, but I find some of their staff a bit condescending. Check out Ski West on 14th St. N.W., if only to see all the skinny shaped skis and Bogner fart bags. Hans is a cool old dude, but I think the last 20 years have kind of been a blur for him.

The coolest ski shop in Calgary is Steve's Fresh Sports, in Kensington on 10th Avenue N.W. All the latest big fatties, twin tips, etc. Prices are only okay. (New stuff probably won't be at the store for awhile.) Ask about their Freshtival event which happens in the fall. It's not a ski sale, but a movie fest where they show the latest TGR, MSP flix etc. Also usually have a rail jam on artificial snow. Some of the attendees last year included Tanner Hall and (drool) Sarah Burke. Sorry, back to the topic...

Mountain Equipment Coop gets in some fat skis every winter and have excellent prices. I almost snagged some Apache Chiefs last season. Also check their website (mec.ca) for the Equipment Swap area. Buy goodies from, once again, yuppies who bought and instantly got tired of a sport.

Final suggestion is get a hold of Mtnlion and ask him what skis he has in stock or can get a hold of. The dude has ski deals coming out the wazzoo most of the time. Half the skiers on the local slopes are riding something they bought from him.

[bigtrubs]

I personally favor Mountain Bike City up on 17th Ave, they're a sweet shop in the winter and currently have last years ski stock still in store, so you should go ask.

[DougW]

Just a few points to add to Eldo reply.

Sport Check $99 ski sale in Sept some times has some good stuff or has in the past. If you get lucky can get a brand new ski from 1-2 years back for the same cost as people try to sell the same ski used. Watch for ads in paper. Has weird start time used to be early morning line up now opens at noon. Kinda have to know what you looking at or have the last two years of ski Canada gear issues in back pocket. Picked up a pair of Solie pilot so with bindings Xscream 10 for $300 and a pait of Head mad trix for $200.

Never find other Sept sales in calgary that good on equipement compared to Ont. Though Ski Cellar does discount its ski wear pretty well in Sept. gear not so much. Also don't wait till after xams as you would in Onterrible. No real discount then . Its end of season sales before thay pack everything up and close for summer.

[DougW]

I personally favor Mountain Bike City up on 17th Ave, they're a sweet shop in the winter and currently have last years ski stock still in store, so you should go ask.

I find considering that store a quite small the prices not that good, though I haven't gone in there that often. So wouldn't buy there on implus with out checking ouot other palces pricing. I saved $150 by phoning Ski West to check a price I'd got at Techno.

Well its Thursday morning here so my today is a day ahead of yours and I look out my window and see dozens of indian working away in the 42°C heat. Winter seems like a foreign concept.

[powslut]

Go talk to Brad or Tyler at Mountain Bike City...super straight up guys trying to make the shop go with out the bogner clad and shaped ski punter bullshit that goes along with Ski West or Ski cellar.

[mntlion]

if you are looking for cheap, fat older, skis let me know

Thanks Eldo


Also stores in banff have good deals on last years rentals.
Ultimate ski and ride, Snowtips.

Monods (banff) and Wilson sports (lake louise) have this years and same or cheaper prices then the city

[bakers_dozen]

Thanks guys, I'll have to check out the stores. I maybe I'll do it over the weekend. Just got a car so probably going to go for a drive to Kan. or down to Longview to pick up some beef jerky. Anyone have any advice of must do hikes/places to see for a new-comer?

Figure its best to stay away from banff and such to avoid most of the tourists, although I haven't been there yet.

MntLion I'm not in the market for skis just yet, but maybe come August. I'm currently skiing Scream X-Hots (coming from back east) and kinda wanna get rid of them, I figure i'll take flak for skiing them around here Whats your deal? own a shop? Any where I can come in sometime and look at the stock?

Thanks for the advice again

[bakers_dozen]

I dunno if you guys know this but theres a Helly Hansen outlet store in Brentwood mall that I stumbled across today... Some good prices on last years stock if anyones interested.

No Santos jacket though

[mntlion]

BD: I have a bunch of used fat skis that I buy from operations and flip to maggots and others online, not really a store, more of a extra bedroom. let me know in Aug what type of ski you are looking for (lenght, width, price etc) and I'll try to help you find it. Most of my stuff is 90+mm under foot.

The 3 blocks of banff ave. are really busy, off that the streets are nice, and the trails are empty for biking and hiking.