Alpine Options — Attraction in Warren

Boots! Finally decided it was time for ski boot heaters. Contacted the shop days earlier, due to COVID and Vermont's stricter than (well... everywhere) policies and the Alpine Options staff stated that a reservation was not needed that week for boot heater installs however, drop off the boots about 3pm and they will be ready the following morning.

I skied the day of boot drop-off at SugarBush, as a final shake-down before a week-long trip to Jackson Hole, Wyoming. My feet were in a lot of pain at 3pm!

I showed up at Alpine Options and found a staff member sitting guard at the front door. I informed this gentleman of my predicament. He told me that he was short a boot-fitter that snowy evening. He further informed me that my boot insoles needed to be problem free before installing boot heaters.

This gentleman, Joe, asked another employee to take his place at the door as he jumped into action to fix my boots. Essentially, a boot-fitting session, to address my insoles... without an appointment... during COVID. I knew better.

Joe made me a new set of custom insoles. Heat formed BootDoc insoles provided the fix inside my custom formed boots, which were purchased a few years earlier at this shop. They replaced an older style of custom foot beds.

Another employee, Chris, started fitting the boot heaters as soon as the insoles were completed. I've been an infrequent customer at Alpine Options for years. They are my preferred shop at SugarBush and its worth the drive from CT to be fitted for new boots!!

What initially attracted me to the shop? For a while, they were the only shop in Warren on the 'America's Best Bootfitters' (ABB) list. What's that in the corner of the boot fitting area? A BootDoc, laser foot scanner... which I'm sure to try-out when I need the next pair.

Thank You Joe and Chris! The two of you went above and beyond that night.

...and Jackson Hole? The day I arrived, they had received 60-inches of POW over the previous three days. Do not follow someone else's ski tracks at Jackson Hole in fresh POW. Cliffs are IN and few are marked. Ski it, if you can, on a whole different level. And explosives, I bet there were 30 avalanche control sets that 1st morning before the Tram allowed skiers.

...and Grand Targhee, via bus from Jackson Hole. The high-pass was closed. The bus took the long-way around, via Idaho! Grand Targhee... its like skiing in a snow globe! Pretty much perfect with POW. I spent 13-hours in my ski boots that day. Gentlemen,...

I rarely leave negative reviews, but our experience with Alpine Options was disappointing enough to warrant one. While I’ll never personally visit this shop, I felt compelled to share our encounter in the hopes that others might receive better treatment.

We called 30 minutes before closing with a simple request: to purchase a single ski for a 6-year-old who had lost one on the mountain. We had all the exact sizes and specifications ready—this wasn’t a complicated ask. Yet instead of even acknowledging our situation or making the slightest effort to help, we were met with an outright refusal. They simply would not bother to pay attention.

I fully understand that businesses have hours of operation and policies in place, but great customer service is about more than rigid adherence to the clock. It’s about demonstrating care, especially in an industry that thrives on passion for the sport and the community it serves.

If you’re looking for a shop that values customer service and compassion as much as their inventory, I’d recommend looking elsewhere. Alpine Options may have great gear, but kindness, flexibility, and basic human decency aren’t on...

A very friendly and knowledgeable staff who take time to understand what your are searching for and NOT just trying to sell you something. I bought two pair of skis there (2022) and will continue to support local businesses that ensure a quality shopping experience based on an individual's needs and desires for the best equipment possible. Highly recommend shopping there. *I've recently purchased a few more items from this location 4/2023 new boots and skis (again) because they are local and the customer service was great. This is how you cultivate and retain...