For the past 40 years, the Alpine Hut has been a family owned and operated business that prides themselves on a superior standard of service and expertise. As the oldest ski and bike shop in Seattle, our sales and service staff is made up of expert skiers and cyclists whose product knowledge and first-hand experience allows them to help you find the best product and fit for your skill level and budget.
Alpine Hut in the Media
Dual-Sport Business Model Pans Out for Alpine Hut
Bicycle Retailer: July 2010
Pull up to the Alpine Hut on a bike and two of the friendliest shop dogs in the industry are standing at the front door—tails wagging. And the store’s owner, Kyle Fisher, is just as friendly.
“We’re a neighborhood shop,” Fisher said, as Malu, his 13-year-old mixed mutt nuzzles his hand. Jack, a downsized version of Malu, dashes from one visitor to the next, offering each a personal greeting.
For skiers and cyclists, Alpine Hut has been a longtime Seattle favorite. And if you put any credence in reviews posted on Yelp.com, Fisher has succeeded at making it the neighborhood go-to store.
Alpine Hut is unique. There are few dual-sport stores—ski and cycling—left in most major metropolitan areas. Over the years hundreds of ski specialty stores have shut their doors as that business has migrated into sporting goods franchises, mountain towns and resorts.
Fisher offers locals a well-rounded choice of goods. On the bicycle side, he stocks Felt, Raleigh and Diamondback with price points starting at $300, as well as a variety of accessories and apparel. The store emphasizes women’s road and hybrid bikes, he said, noting that the women’s market has rapidly expanded.
He also sells kids bikes. As for repairs, Fisher and his staff do it all—from complete builds to minor tunes.
For skiers, Alpine Hut is more hardcore. Skis are from K2—a popular brand in K2’s original hometown—plus Volkl and Head. While the store has always focused on alpine skiers, it had over the years become a go-to store for telemarkers—a sport Fisher has mastered. That segment, too, has changed as telemark skiers began shifting to randonee boots and bindings, Fisher said.
The store stocks top-brand boots from Black Diamond, Garmont and Technica. Boot fitting is Fisher’s specialty, which among skiers is considered a near art form. Ski tuning, base grinding, welds and boot fitting are a significant revenue center for the store.
Overall, Fisher estimates that his revenue-split between the two segments is 60 percent ski and 40 percent bike.
It was Fisher’s dad, Ron, who got into the business in the mid-1970s. A former ski instructor, who often taught in South America when North America was enjoying summer, he decided to stay home and went to work at what was then called Magnolia Ski and Bike.
He quickly discovered he had a knack for retail. He was so good, that the store’s owner decided to sell him the operation. Fisher soon changed the name to the Alpine Hut and it’s been in the family ever since.
Kyle and his sister bought the store from their father five years ago. Kyle then bought his sister out at the beginning of the year.
As for Fisher, 34, his goal is to keep Alpine Hut a friendly, service-driven store.
Buying Ski Boots? Here are some expert tips!
Boot Fitting Article from Outdoors NW 2007
Alpine Hut on King 5 News
Here is a link to the story about the up coming La Nina winter.
by RICH MARRIOTT, GLENN FARLEY / KING 5 News
Posted on August 16, 2011 at 11:18 AM
Updated Tuesday, Aug 16 at 5:41 PM
