AJ's Ski & Sports — Local services in Stowe

I've been going to AJs since before we moved to Stowe and have always had great experiences. What has become crystal clear though, since we moved here 8 years ago- is how much the staff care about the clientele- regardless of whether you are a visitor or a local. I always relied on Luke's help in my kids' early years for ski gear input- he is trustworthy and knowledgeable and kind- and as we've grown, we've relied on Aaron and Luke for bike care as well. Now that my kids are older, I am so grateful I know I can go to AJs and get great service and input from people who have the experience - especially as my kids are now better skiers and bikers than I will ever be! It is comforting to know that the staff at AJs can address our needs in a personalized way. That is what I have always felt and still feel when I walk in the door. Additionally, in terms of shopping, AJs has great clothes, helmets, gloves, hats, goggles, sunglasses, and bags etc. It's truly a wisely curated selection of mountain/winter/alpine weather gear (with summer stuff too)! I love the Kari Traa selection- base layers are so KEY! I also love that they always have a great sale section upstairs! AJs is a must visit- I have an Airbnb and I always tell my guests- you have to check out AJs! I always gift my kids' teachers AJs giftcards. I mean- the appreciation is real- I think AJs is a Stowe institution...

Rented XC skiis, boots and poles. Took an introduction class at Von Trapp in which I fell and the foot lock on one ski snapped off.

Had to rent another pair of skiis since I used Aj's for less than 20 minutes and wanted to continue (trail passes are not cheap).

Upon returning the skiis to AJ's, the rental attendant (also not super relevant but everyone working the rentals downstairs is like 14 years old lol) there was an immediate accusatory air - that it was my fault the skiis broke so easily. I asked for a refund just for the ski that broke, instead they essentially said they were going to do me a "solid" and not charge me the $200 normally paid for broken equipment. Even the manager processing the broken equipment was condescending. It actually felt like the staff was trying to make me feel bad about it.

I don't know much about skiing, for what it's worth, the instructor at Von Trapp said they were really cheap skiis and AJ's had also given me the wrong size poles.

My advice: never spend any money here. If for nothing else, some of the staff can be really mean and don't deserve your money. Their cheap rental equipment might break on you and they might...

I’m guessing because it’s Christmas Day this woman was upset she was working but we went to return our rentals and we parked in front of the shop to quickly just run downstairs and drop everything off, so did another family behind us. This older woman with blonde hair and glasses runs out and yells at us nastily telling us we can’t be parked here, for that I wouldn’t go out of my way to write this it’s the fact that she continued to say things under her breath as we walked passed the counter such as me not having shoes on because I just took the rental off my feet to return them. I don’t know if she’s upset she doesn’t have anyone to celebrate Christmas with but I just believe that customer service in specifically that women was horrible but everyone else I can’t vouch for the people down at the rental area were very nice and helpful. If anyone’s going here to rent just make sure this lady isn’t at the front someone at her age I’d expect her to know how to address a...