What We Do - Sales, Rental & Service

Bicycles, XC & Alpine Skis, Snowboards, Snowshoes & Misc. for Outdoor Fun


Thursday, February 28, 2008

Monday, February 25, 2008

The Early Spring Teaser

Did you play outside this last weekend? Beautiful! After talking to people coming in and out of the store on saturday, we couldn't help but live vicariously through them. Sunday of course was our day to play. If you didn't get out to ski, shoe, board or bike....what were you thinking? We all know that the Keweenaw sun only shines on special days in the winter...and saturday and sunday were two of them. Here's hoping for more sunny days ahead.

And while we're talking sun, why not talk bikes? The Red Jacket - Blue Sky Health Cycling Team is in its formative stages. If you are interested in finding out more, plan to attend the informational meeting planned for Sunday, March 2, 7pm, Room 237 of the SDC. More info is at: www.redjacketcycling.com

Thursday, February 21, 2008

Back from the Madison Winter Gear Show

It's amazing to see the amount of new gear, clothing, accessories, etc. that the snowsports industry can pump out year after year after year. Rick, Lorri, Ryan (Holt) and Lori spent the last 3 days checking out all the cool new stuff that'll be hitting the trails and slopes when the white stuff flies again next fall. After countless appointments, wandering through endless booths of all the new gear, spending $3 for a single bottle of water at the Alliance Center...we're back. We'll now be sifting through all the shiny literature and putting our orders in for the 08-09 winter.

Rick has been playing the game for over 30 years and that helps when trying to separate the cool marketing ploy from what is actually a new technology. It's really quite fun to watch the XC reps squirm when put on the spot as to why a ski 'A' would be better or different than Ski 'B'. Don't get me wrong, there's a number of reps that are the no BS kind of salesmen and simply tell it how it is and give you the facts...but many still try to sell you on the latest and greatest that may not be that great. Lorri hit the XC booths with Rick, helping to try on boots and evaluate clothing.

Ryan and Lori spent most of the time checking out alpine, snowboard and related gear. CCS staff provided some great suggestions of equipment to check out which helped maximize our time. We can say some very cool technology is heading our way with the buzz being 'rockered' boards (and skis) for the big mountain pow. Every helmet company is incorporating headphones. Graphics, textures and bright colors are everywhere... wonder how Rick would feel about all florescent clothing for next year?

For those that need a little catch up on the CCS shop news. Ryan Holt is now traveling south to manage the Houghton Store. Pat Szub and Bill Karinen have joined the CCS crew and are putting some hours in wrenching bikes at both shops. All nordic gear has been moved north for the remainder of the season in order to offer the best selection/fit possible as the season winds down. Bikes are slowly appearing from the dark depths of the Calumet Warehouse/Houghton Basement and I know everyone is looking forward to the upcoming bike season...until then...

Keep the tips up and don't forget to stop in and check out our Mid-Winter Closeout deals (30% clothing & up to 60% off skis/boards) at the Calumet and Houghton Stores, and also at the Mont Ripley - CCS Gravity Shop.