Sponsored by The Spokane Alpine Haus
If you’re into winter sports and you’ve been in the area any decent length of time, it’s likely you’ve heard of the Spokane Alpine Haus, a full-service ski and snowboard and summer board and lake-sports shop located on the South Hill in Spokane. Maybe it’s the rad gear. Maybe it’s the way the employees greet you, or the impressively quick turnaround time on gear tuning. Likely, it’s a combination of the three. Since Rachel and Drew Harding took over the shop in 2015, they’ve worked to curate a gear hub that contributes to our local outdoor culture.
The Hardings are a couple with young kids who love skiing and the community it provides. As parents who understand how fast-growing kids fly through gear, they offer the largest lease program in the region as well as a buy-back program, which allows families to return gear within two years for a 50% buy-back that gets put toward new gear. It’s important to the Hardings to make it as affordable as possible to get out and play on the snow with your family.
They also like to nerd out about the ski stuff. Along with the technical outerwear and hardgoods you’d expect at a ski store, like skis, boots, snowboards and bindings, Spokane Alpine Haus has state-of-the-art tuning equipment and wicked-fast turnaround rates (like two days). They offer daily or season-long rentals. They source great gear at the best price, like Patagonia-brand apparel.
With all the winter gear options out there, it may be difficult to pick what you need for the season, but that’s one thing that sets Spokane Alpine Haus apart from online or big-box store shopping. “We have invested in a team of amazing individuals who are detail-oriented and love working in the ski/snowboard industry. Our techs are second to none and take great care of our customer’s gear,” says Rachel.
She cites this dynamic team of employees who are “full of energy, laughter and fun” as the foundation for maintaining the customer relationships the Hardings value so much. It’s not uncommon for Spokane Alpine Haus to help second- or third-generation locals gear up or lease for the season like their parents have done since the store’s establishment in 1976. “Every time someone walks in our door, it is our job to earn their business. And that is our true passion,” says Rachel.
Spokane Alpine Haus is known for winter goods (and for good reason), but in summer months they offer a full line of products that includes paddleboards, kayaks, e-bikes, surfboards, water skis, and more to accommodate people on the lakes and trails around our region. “Our motto of our business is that we are a ‘yes’ store,” says Rachel. “We do our best to accommodate our customers and that allows us to continually grow.”
Visit Spokane Alpine Haus year-round to support a longtime Spokane outdoor gear provider at 2925 S. Regal St. on the South Hill. (OTO)
Cover photo courtesy of The Spokane Alpine Haus
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