Spokane Alpine Haus opened in 1976 on the South Hill and was purchased by Drew and Rachel Harding in 2015. The pair recently expanded the business, opening a second location right by Audubon Park last October.
Drew Harding says the store serves as a full-service ski and snowboard shop through the winter, then shifts gears in spring to become a full-service bike shop before adding summer water sports to its lineup as well.
One of Spokane Alpine Haus' main focuses is to ensure that everyone's gear fits comfortably and correctly, and that they can help people find the right gear for their adventures.
"I know sometimes skiing and snowboarding or even biking can be intimidating to people in terms of what is the right gear and what fits the needs for what they're trying to accomplish," Harding says. "Our goal is to ask a bunch of questions, figure out what they need and make their experience a little bit better."
Harding adds that Spokane Alpine Haus specializes in boot fittings, ensuring that a number of their employees are well trained to offer those services.
"We send more people to after-hours training, different certifications that are offered in our industry, so we have probably one of the highest levels of certification between the majority of our boot fitters," he says. "I think that right there kind of sets us apart from a lot of different shops and general retailers."
Spokane Alpine Haus also has a boot lease program for families and growing kids, which costs $160 per year for the full package.
"I know a lot of parents will try to buy for their kids so they can get a couple of years out of the gear, but sometimes it's a little too big for year one and then maybe it's a little too small for year two," Harding says. "With our lease program, we just ensure that the kids get a good fit now, that it's safe, it's comfortable, and they have a good experience."
In early March, Spokane Alpine Haus will be holding a demo at Mount Spokane to sell next year's skiing and snowboarding gear from the brands they carry, with the proceeds going to Mount Spokane's adaptive ski Powder Hounds Program. More information on the event can be found on Spokane Alpine Haus' social media.
"Our goal at the Alpine Haus is to make sure people have a good experience, they get great service, and that they get the products that they need to help them get out and have fun," says Harding.
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