Get the Winter Gear You Need
a rundown on the local spots to shop for skis, skates, bikes, and boards
Devon Verbsky, photos by Andrea Paulseth |
![FUN IN THE SNOW. These Chippewa Valley business are the perfect place for your renting or buying needs this winter.](/uploads/image/article/311/036/311036/header_1080x/136736_web_silvermine_nordic_cross_country_ski_2021_andreap_14.jpg)
Have you ever wanted to get out and enjoy winter activities but have no clue where to get started? We’ve rounded up the places in the Chippewa Valley that have the skis, skates, bikes, and boards you need to have a fun and safe winter.
BPM Skis • 146th Street, Chippewa Falls • bpmskis.com • Bear Paw Manufacturing (BPM) is a family-owned and operated custom ski manufacturer. Established in 2019, the company's goal is to create a custom-designed ski for an individual, using locally sourced wood, and the best composites and components available. They also offer ski lessons as well as free demo days to try out their skis.
Dunham Sports • 1501 Broadway St. N., Menomonie • dunhamssports.com • Menomonie’s sports emporium, which sells an array of equipment including some bikes, snowboards, ice skates, snowshoes, snow tubes, and more.
Erik’s Bike Board Ski • 4130 Commonwealth Ave., Eau Claire • eriksbikeshop.com • With 30 shops throughout the Midwest, Erik’s Bike, Board sells all of your essentials from snowboard boots to car racks. Since 1977, the entrepreneurial spirit of Erik’s has grown, and so has the selection. So whether you need new accessories for your bike, a new snowboard, or maybe just advice on your next adventure, Erik’s has you covered.
Outthere • 502 N. Main St., Rice Lake • outthereshop.com • A gear supplier for Nordic skiing and ski racing. They also have a small inn for racing teams to stay in while they train.
Passion Board Shop • 218 N. Dewey St., Eau Claire • facebook.com/passionboardshopllc • Eau Claire’s downtown destination for all things skateboarding. Pick up apparel, accessories, parts, safety gear, and check out their board selection.
Play It Again Sports • 3561 Gateway Drive, Eau Claire • playitagainsports.com • The biggest retailer of second-hand rec equipment in the area, including bikes, skates, skateboards, sports, fitness, skis, snowboards, running equipment, and more.
Riverside Bike & Skate • 937 Water St., Eau Claire • riversidebikenskate.com • Riverside Bike & Skate is a well-known community partner throughout the Chippewa Valley, with connections to the Chippewa Off-Road Bike Association, the UW-Eau Claire Hockey Team, and more. They offer sales of ever-popular winter and spring products and accessories, and Riverside stands out with repair services of all sorts.
Scheels • 4710 Golf Road (Oakwood Mall), Eau Claire • scheels.com • Easily the biggest and most comprehensive outdoor outfitter in the Chippewa Valley, Scheels has everything you need for your winter recreation joy like snowshoes, cross-country skis, fat tire bikes, skates, snowboards, and more.
SHIFT Cyclery & Coffee Bar • 615 Graham Ave., Eau Claire • eaushift.com • Shop for some new biking gear, get your bike repaired or tuned up, and enjoy craft coffee drinks at this swanky downtown spot.
Simple Sports • 400 Main St E, Menomonie • facebook.com/SimpleSportsUS • Serving Menomonie for the last 24 years, Simple Sports holds focus on the seasons outside of the cold and icy. With plenty of options on bikes from new to used, rentals and sales are popular in the Menomonie community. You can additionally find plenty of accessories for bikes, as well as hockey equipment, and even disc golf gear. From tune-ups to rentals, Simple Sports remains a specialty in the area.
Spring Street Sports • 12 W. Spring St., Chippewa Falls • springstreetsports.com • Spring Street Sports is a do-it-all recreation shop, specializing in sales, rentals, service, and information about snowsports (snowboards, cross-country skis, and snowshoes) and bicycles. Aside from the services, SSS has great information on the trails of Chippewa and Eau Claire counties. The rental rates, as listed on their site, are very affordable for any adventure that may await.
Stache Bike & Adventure • 414 N. Farwell St., Eau Claire • stachebikeandadventure.com • “If You Can Break It, We Can Fix It” reads the heading upon landing on Stache’s website. Serving the community since 2019, Stache provides repair services on boards, bikes, shoes, wheels, and even sunglasses! With a series of testimonials and great reviews, it’s been proven that Staches will have you back on the trails and slopes in no time.