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THE STORY OF SPOKANE ALPINE HAUS
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Spokane Alpine Haus was founded in 1976 by Spokane native Vince Zimmer, a former ski racer and instructor at Mt. Spokane, when he was 25 years old.
Vince’s business philosophy was simple. "Treat the customers as I would want to be treated and smile". I thought that the only way to survive in the ski business was to offer specialized boot fitting and expert ski tuning service, which would set us apart from the large discount sporting goods stores in the area. Skiers need expert advice on purchasing ski gear, from technical skiwear to skis, boots, snowboards, and summer toys. I am proud to say that through the past 30 years, Spokane Alpine Haus has professionally serviced two generations of snow skiers, snowboarders, water skiers, wake boarders, and soccer players.
As the winter business grew, so did the summer business, and in 1984, to go along with the waterski pro shop, Vince decided to start carrying Mastercraft ski boats. It was a big risk, but waterskiing was growing and customers started asking for them. For 6 years, the boat business was carried out in the parking lot of the ski shop and by 1990, it had grown so much that the boat business was moved to another location in the Spokane Valley on Interstate 90. The boat business grew into a multi-million dollar business, and we now carry Four Winns, Supra, and Moomba boats.
Vince has always believed in taking chances, and he is proud to list these accomplishments for Spokane Alpine Haus....
Introduced snowboarding to the area in the early 80's, with the wood Burton boards (before the ski areas let them on the hill)
Started the first snowboarding school in the area at 49 Degrees North ski area
Introduced custom-made ski boot insoles to the area in the early 80's, a progressive step into eliminating foot pain in ski boots.
Introduced windsurfing and a windsurfing school to the area in the early 80's....what a sport that turned out to be!!
We introduced tournament ski boats to the area in 1984.
Spokane Alpine Haus also founded the Spokane Water ski Festival in 1987 that ran for 3 years in downtown Spokane on the river in front of Shenanigans. Friday night would be a 2 hour water ski show similar to the Cypress Gardens Show in Florida, and then Saturday would be a slalom water ski tournament. For the first show in 1987, over 10,000 spectators lined the riverbanks and bleachers to watch show skiers flip off the jump, barefoot skiers do tricks, clown acts on skis, and many more acts, all done to rock music on the P.A. System.
Yes, time goes by fast when you are having fun, and I cannot believe it has been 30 years of servicing great customers, that have become friends.
All of us at Spokane Alpine Haus are here to serve you, and we truly appreciate the support over these last 30 years.
Thank you from the bottom of my heart,
Vince Zimmer/Owner
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