Sports specialists ltd (ssl) announces elections of Brad Nelson(hi tempo ski & sail, mn), Gordon Geiger(geiger’s ski & sport haus, oh) and Sig Fossum (sporthaus, wa) to board; elects officers

VICTOR, NY — February 1, 2012 – Sports Specialists Limited (SSL) announces the re-election of Brad Nelson of Hi Tempo Ski Snowboard & Sail, White Bear Lake, MN, to the Board of Directors. SSL also announces the election of Gordon Geiger of Geiger’s Ski & Sport Haus in Chagrin Falls, OH and Sig Fossum of Sporthaus in Yakima, WA, all to Three (3) Year Terms. Bob Rudy of Rudy’s At Wisp Mountain, MD, and Greg Dekdebrun of Dekdebrun’s Ski & Snowboard in Ellicottville, NY, recently completed their terms.

Steve Rogers, President & CEO of SSL said, “All of us at SSL are grateful to both Bob and Greg for their many years of service to our organization as a directors and Bob as Chairman of the Board for the past six(6) years. We also welcome Brad Nelson back to the Board and look forward to the continued benefit of his experience as a retailer and advocate for our industry.” Nelson has served on the National Ski and Snowboard Retailers Association Board for many years and is currently NSSRA Chairman. SSL also welcomes new Board Members Gordon and Sig to board. “We look forward to adding strong business people like Gordon and Sig to our Board. Their knowledge and integrity will further strengthen of our board of directors.”

Continue reading “Sports Specialists Ltd (SSL) elects officers”

Sports Specialists Ltd. (SSL) is pleased to announce the addition of the following New Members to their snow sports retail buying group for 2012:

The Alpine Shop, S. Burlington, VT- Andy and Becky Kingston, owners.

Alpine Sport Shop, Saratoga Springs, NY- Jack and Cathy Hay, owners.

California Ski Company, Berkeley, CA- Greg Whitehouse, owner.

Equipe Sport, Rawsonville, VT- Wilbur, Sue and Parker Rice, owners.

Helm of Sun Valley, San Mateo, CA- Greg Hohl, owner.

Ken Jones Ski Mart/ Snowboard Jones, Manchester, VT- Dylan and Alison Jones Hall, owners.

Mammoth Sporting Goods, Mammoth Lakes, CA- Steve and Phil Hertzog, owners.

Peak Ski & Snowboard, Plum (Pittsburgh), PA- Jim Jacobs, owner.

Ski Chalet, Portland, OR- John Hanson and Bruce Bates, owners.

Skier’s Edge Pro Shop, Great Falls, MT- Ron Hall and Darryl Baggett, owners.

Ski Frisco Sports, Frisco, TX- Rick Holliday, owner.

Village Skis & Bikes, Woodbridge, VA- Jim Haugan, owner.

Continue reading “SSL Announces New Members for 2012”

Sports Specialists Ltd. (SSL) is pleased to announce the addition of the following New Members to their snowsports retail buying group:

Equipe Sport, Rawsonville, VT- Wilbur, Sue and Parker Rice, owners.

Alpine Sport Shop, Saratoga Springs, NY- Jack and Cathy Hay, owners.

Ski Frisco Sports, Frisco, TX- Rick Holliday, owner.

Mammoth Sporting Goods, Mammoth Lakes, CA- Steve and Phil Hertzog, owners.

California Ski Company, Berkeley, CA- Greg Whitehouse, owner.

Helm of Sun Valley, San Mateo, CA- Greg Hohl, owner.

Ski Chalet, Portland, OR- John Hanson, owner.

Continue reading “Sports Specialists Ltd. Announces New Members”

POINTING AT A PHOTOGRAPH ON HIS desk, Larry Merkel described how he and his wife, Rita, were involved in the early years of The Round House Sports Center. The photo is of the shop’s first children’s ski program in January 1972. Those children are adults now, and many still live in the area. “Kids from 1972 are now bringing their kids here,” Rita said. “That’s the fulfi llment of the business.” The couple is clearly proud of their accomplishments with the business and their ongoing relationships in the community.

Friends with the original owner, Larry was initially involved as an employee when Round House was founded 40 years ago, in 1971. “We started out in October. All major ski lines had already been procured by our competitors,” Larry said. Not the most ideal footing for a business start.

The shop survived its fi rst season though, and by summer of the following year, Larry had just graduated from MSU and now owned half the business. Soon he and Rita would be full owners. They catered to families, providing affordable packages and offering ski lessons. With a community-minded focus, the business grew under the Merkels’ leadership.

Over the years, they saw rapid growth in regional skiing opportunities as Bridger Bowl was joined by Big Sky, Moonlight, and the Yellowstone Club. Though Round House stayed in the same location, the business underwent three expansions responding to the growing market. The Merkels watched their hometown go from “a sleepy town with a good environment for skiing to becoming more of a resort town.” Continue reading “Brick and Mortar Advantages”

A lifetime love of skiing often begins at a young age. A good foundation of fundamental skills is imperative for safety as well as building up a level of expertise. Our Vice Chairman, Mark Williams, of Williams All Seasons in Highland Park, Illinois, not only recognizes this, but helps it become a reality for many children in the Chicago area.

During the winter months, Williams All Seasons hosts weekly ski and snowboard trips to local resorts for members of their Snowflake Club, children ranging in ages 8 through 16. This past season alone, the Snowflake Club made 24 trips to sites such as Alpine Valley, Wilmot Mountain, Cascade, Devils Head and Chestnut resorts. Included in the trip fees are lessons which are strongly encouraged for all members and required for beginners until they are able to successfully demonstrate their ability to ski safely and under control. Upon the completion of each level, patches are awarded to show the child’s ability and progression from beginner to advanced skills. This special ski school is certified by the Professional Ski Instructors of America (PSIA) and uses its teaching models for Snowflake Club members.

A family-run business since 1872 and part of the ski and snowboard business since 1963, Williams All Seasons has a wide array of outdoor enjoyment goods to offer. The all-season store touts the largest display of patio furniture in the Chicago area and is also the recipient of many specialty patio and ski store awards. New to Williams All Seasons for 2011 is its high end infrared hot waxing machine for top quality service and racing, the latest race proven waxing technology.

Next time you’re in the Chicago area, stop by Williams All Seasons to visit Mark and see a shop that has been in business for almost 140 years. Be sure to check out www.WilliamsSkiAndPatio.com and stop by their Facebook page to stay in the know about next season’s adventures!

Serving Southern New Hampshire and Massachusetts for over 40 years, Wayne and Kelly Pilla, as well as the family and business’s matriarch, Helen Pilla, have a lot to offer at Ski Haus. A small, family-owned business known for its products, personality and excellent service, the low costs and special event programs at Ski Haus can’t be beat.

One special the locals love to take advantage of is Ski Haus’ Junior Program. Children grow faster than weeds and Ski Haus recognizes this by offering a 50% trade in on children’s skis and boots the following year, or 25% the year after if the child gets 2 years of use out of their equipment. Through this special program, children will be set with everything they need for the slopes, minus the lift tickets which Ski Haus also offers at a 30% discount.

Periodically throughout the year, Ski Haus hosts Women’s Discovery Camps, a 2-day vacation hosted by women’s skiing gurus. These camps cover everything women need to know on the slopes from on-hill coaching to lectures on skiing without fear. Each day, participators enjoy a welcome reception, breakfast and lunch, professional daily instruction complete with demos and video analysis and a farewell party with door prizes.

Although Ski Haus began in Massachusetts, the store had been running solely in New Hampshire for the past few years. However, a new store has just recently opened in Massachusetts again, this time in Burlington. At this store, customers can expect to see seasoned staff as well as new friendly faces.

Be sure to stop by www.SkiHaus.com to take advantage of all the great deals Ski Haus has to offer and stop by the Ski Haus Facebook page to stay on top of all the fun events they’ll be hosting!

Like many great things, I.R. Rudy’s, Inc. started with a great idea and a small beginning. In 1939, Irvin R. Rudy purchased the building and fixtures at 115 South Second Street in downtown Oakland, Maryland to open his weekend ski shop. However, it wasn’t until 1955 with the opening of Wisp Resort, Maryland’s only 4 season ski, golf and recreational destination resort, that Rudy’s became a year-round business and earned the reputation as Maryland’s one-stop shop for both locals and tourists alike.
72 years after its beginning, Rudy’s has greatly expanded and is still family run, being passed down generation to generation. Today, Bob Rudy serves as CEO over Rudy’s at Wisp Mountain in McHenry as well as Rudy’s Clothing in downtown Oakland where his wife, Amy, serves as Merchandising Manager.

Rudy’s prides itself in being a winter superstore, specializing in ski and snowboard equipment sales and service, as well as outdoor apparel, accessories and everything in between. Although winter sports is their specialty, Rudy’s also offers an extensive summer collection including swimwear, outdoor apparel, souvenirs and everything you need to have fun in Maryland’s beautiful rivers, lakes and mountains.

To see beautiful old vintage photographs of Rudy’s early days, check out www.ShopRudys.com and be sure to stop by Rudy’s Facebook page to keep up to date with the year-round fun!

Upon their completion of graduate school in 1972, Gary and Jana Cole made the decision to move from their home in Seattle, Washington to Park City, Utah for one winter of skiing. That one winter soon turned into one decade and in 1982, Gary and Jana opened the doors to the first Cole Sport shop. By 1996, Cole Sport had expanded to four stores in both the Park City and Deer Valley areas.

At the time Cole Sport was founded, no high profile, fashion-forward ski shops could be found in the Park City area. This void, mixed with the Coles’ love of mountain living and outdoor lifestyle provided the strong foundation on which Cole Sport still stands today. Family owned and operated, Gary, Jana and their two sons are all actively involved with Cole Sport and house a core management team that averages over 15 years with the company and shares the same enthusiasm, vision and values that make Cole Sport so unique.

These days, Cole Sport is considered a fixture in the Park City area due to its initial vision, strong community involvement and commitment to eco-friendly practices. Everyone at Cole Sport has a great respect and love for Utah’s natural mountain beauty and support renewable energy. The wind power system that Cole Sport utilizes offsets more than 344 tons of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere- which is the same as planting more than 11 acres of trees each month!

To check out Cole Sport’s extensive inventory, stop by www.ColeSport.com and be sure to stop by the Cole Sport Facebook page to keep up to date with all the fun!

Austria is truly the place to be for the ski industry! Our most recent expedition brought us to the Atomic Skis Factory in Altenmarkt, Salzburg, Austria. Atomic is wholly owned by Amer Sports which also owns renowned companies Wilson Sporting Goods, Suunto Oy, Salomon and Precor USA.

Atomic is best known for its racing skis and many World Cup champions have used Atomic’s equipment including Hermann Maier, Benjamin Raich, Stephan Eberharter, Aksel Lund Svindal and the powerhouse Austrian ski team. Atomic first gained popularity in the United States after the 1984 Winter Olympics in Sarajevo where Bill Johnson took the gold medal in the Men’s Downhill on 225 cm Atomic “Red Sleds”.

We were lucky enough to see many exciting things on our tour of Atomic such as the behind-the-scenes workings of the factory and the racing department. Be sure to check our Facebook page to see the all of our photos from the Atomic tour and stop back soon to see where we’re heading next!

Hello again from Europe! This time, our tour led us to the Blizzard Factory in Mittersill, Austria. Wow! What a beautiful country!

The Blizzard Factory is located about 15 minutes away from Kitzbuehel and serves as international headquarters for Blizzard Sport GmbH. Here, Blizzard employs all of its product development, marketing and production personnel. As if that weren’t cool enough, all of Blizzard’s products are designed and manufactured in Mittersill, too! Blizzard Sport GmbH was bought in 2006 by Tecnica Group, a worldwide leader in winter sports equipment, also owning Nordica, Rollerblade, Lowa, Nitro, T-Shoes, Dolomite, Think Pink, Moon Boots and X Socks.

We all learned so much on this tour about Blizzard’s rich history and where they’re going next. We can’t let you in on everything, but be sure to check our Facebook album to see all of our photos from the Blizzard Factory and sightseeing through Austria. Check back soon to see where we’re heading next!