Illinois Ski and Snowboard Shop Expands and Remodels

Oct. 27, 2011 - PRLog -- Alpine Accessories is a growing specialty shop focused on skiing, snowboarding, cross country skiing and winter fun.  We carry ski and snowboard equipment for beginner to experts, technical ski and snowboard clothing as well as fur boots and boot heaters, and accessories. There is an in-store service department for doing ski and snowboard repairs and a quick turnaround that make Alpine Accessories different than other shops.  We educate the customer, offer excellent friendly service, at a competitive price.

This summer, the vacant unit next to the store was purchased and the wall between the two units was torn down doubling the size of the store. Then, a new paint job, new ceiling and new carpet installed.  It was cramped before but now customers will be able move around and see more merchandise.  With the additional space, many new brands have been brought in this season. And for the 2012 summer season, we will introduce the sport of Stand Up Paddle boarding as well as accessories and active travel apparel.
Last season we saw many people who have not participated in skiing for many years and got back into the sport with their family.  Parents like our seasonal rentals for their growing kids.  So many customers took advantage of the seasonal rentals that we ran out last season. But with more space, we were able to increase our rentals by 25%.
Our rental equipment is well serviced.  All rental service is documented for each piece of equipment.  Rental equipment consists of Rossignol skis, bindings & boots along with Flow Snowboards, bindings and boots. Last season we brought new Flow Snowboard with rocker, Flow rear entry bindings and Flow boots with the BOA system. The BOA system makes it easier customers to put on and remove their boots.
Many times when someone has come in looking to rent, they see our selection of used skis, snowboards and boots and decide to buy used equipment instead. Then they have the same equipment and boots every time they are on the slopes and progress at a faster rate.  For someone wanting to progress, it is advantageous to own their own equipment.  It’s better for skiers and boarders to have pre-owned equipment than renting.  There is a demand for used equipment but little coming in, so this season our trade in program is expanding.  
Our number one source of new customers is through word of mouth. We take great care of our customers regardless of their experience or spending level.  We help those who come in with equipment purchased elsewhere or used equipment as well.  We also sell our products on our website http://www.AlpineAccessories.com .  For the kids, there is a box of toys but they like petting the shop dogs Aspen and Lexi. Kids come in looking for the toys and the dogs. Alpine Accessories sponsors a local ski and snowboard club the PowderDogs.  
Alpine Accessories belongs to the Nation’s Best Sports buying group.  This allows us to purchase products at the same low prices as the big box stores. But what we do better is bring in unique items and a wide variety of each category. Where the big box may only have 6 different goggles, we have over 40 goggle models to choose from.  Big box stores normally carry only beginner to intermediate equipment, but at Alpine Accessories, you will find gear for beginners to experts and for tots to seniors. We often have other stores refer customers to us because they cannot service them as quickly as we as we have our service on site.  Many stores send their equipment to a different location for service.  
Competition
There are a number of great snow sport specialty stores in the Chicago area.  Bur everyone has so little time, so they want to visit a shop closer to them shop or online.  Most our customers come from McHenry, Lake and Kane Counties in Northwest suburbs of Chicago Illinois.  The population in the area has exploded in the last 10 years and the area roads continue to get more congested.  Our customers are so happy they do not have to spend an hour on the road there and back to get their equipment serviced.

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Alpine Accessories is the place for McHenry county's skiers and snowboarders.
Alpine Accessories is a ski snowboard specialty shop. You will find skis, snowboards, cross country and snowshoes. You can also rent equipment by the day or for the whole season. An in-store service department means you will get a quick turnaround time. To bring you product at the best prices Alpine Accessories has become a member of one of the largest nationwide sporting good buying groups in the USA. This enables us to purchase product at major sporting good store prices giving you not only expert advice, but competitive prices. Hope you visit us soon! Alpine Accessories for skiing, snowboarding and much more.