Lookout Ski Shop — Local services in Kellogg

I was able to demo new Fischer Rangers with a 90 flex boot set to a DIN of 7 and slightly bent poles. Shortly after paying and taking the rentals, I returned to the shop and asked the shop owner if there was damage insurance I could 'purchase'. The shop owner said the damage waiver was 'included in the rental cost'. The skis pre-released a few times while skiing at Silver. The skis charged the boot, as there was a stiffness mismatch. I scratched the p-tex in a few places, three, if I recall correctly. One scratch was at most 1.5 mm deep and an inch long into the edge, but the edge was not damaged. The other two scratches were longer, did not touch the edge, and were superficial. When I went to return the skis, the shop owner, Dean, said the labor charge for the scratches would be $25. At that point, I asked Dean what he meant about the insurance being included in the purchase. He then directed an assistant to get the form I had signed and indicated at highlighted fine print where I took on acceptance of all damage, and he said that he had never told me that he said that insurance was included in the purchase. Additionally, the day prior, which was the day I rented the skis, I had returned to the shop to browse the store. Dean and I talked about ski boots. I indicated that I was not shopping for ski boots, just browsing, but Dean continued to sell me on boots. Similarly, when I was paying for the labor cost of the scratches, Dean tried to sell me on the skis ($390, which would have been a very good price). Interestingly, Dean's composure during these interactions was removed. He was listening, but he wasn't emotive, and I'm not sure if I ever saw a smile. He is older, so perhaps has seen enough to not necessarily get happy about things that younger folk might find new and interesting. Overall, the experience was odd, and I would not go back. The next day, I demoed skis from another shop down the interstate, and their demos had many scratches, as is often the case when I demo skis. Dean's shop was the first time I was charged for scratches, with or without paying for damage insurance. The demo was $72 and the scratches $25, in a year when many ski areas opened at historically late dates due to low snow coverage. Dean could have told me that he was particular about scratches, and I could have gone to another shop. Otherwise, Dean's staff was quite nice, and voluntarily provided advice as to how to ski Silver given the conditions. Aside from the communicative oddities and the overcharge for a few superficial scratches, Dean himself was a nice individual. He took on the shop from his father, and clearly has dedicated himself to running a shop in a town where the other ski shop is closed two days out of the week. I have to respect that Dean is a small business owner in a country whose government treats private enterprises as sources of tax extraction. However, if you are an advanced skier who charges through variable terrain, this might not be the shop for you, unless you are willing to shell out for damage. Were I to adjust the $25 for what I believe was three superficial scratches to then be a core shot, I presume the damage assessment would be at least $100, and, if you are experiences enough to demo skis, you are bound to get a few core shots over the years. I hope that Dean can find someone to pass the shop to who has the energy to take the shop to the next level, because Silver is an amazing mountain, the townsfolk I met were all quite welcoming, and it would be great to pair that with a local shop that is correspondingly top-notch. Given the way real estate values off that section of I-90 are going, I'm not sure there is much of an option, as someone, be it an individual or a regional operation such as Sportsman & Ski Haus, will see the opportunity and move on it. I am reducing to three stars, as I believe Dean was not forthright, I am not confident Dean's composure is conducive to connecting with a customer, and, while the skis I had performed well, they were too stiff for the boots Dean...

Lookout Ski Shop is awesome! It is very conveniently located so you can stop by on your way to Silver Mountain or Lookout Pass. It is a family owned (and locally owned) store and the owner is so kind and knowledgeable. I enjoy coming here to purchase snowboards, wax, boots, etc. They have great prices and a very wide selection of ski and snowboard gear including tons of Mervin boards! I had a lot of trouble with my snowboard boots this year and they helped me with fitting and heat molding. Very thorough especially compared to the fitting and molding experience at...

After shopping online and several other ski shops I was dead set on just renting skis on my way to the mountain I passed Lookout Ski Shop it looked inviting from the outside locally owned ma and pa joint right up my alley. I was surprised at the selection I told the worker I wanted to rent as we went through the process we talked he was very helpful and in the end I did not rent I bought he advised me on every piece of equipment based on my skill level he and I were happy with my purchase I hit the slopes a...