Ski Cellar Snowboard is a retailer of ski and snowboard equipment, clothing, and professional services.

History behind Ski Cellar Snowboard

Mr. Al Compton founded ski Cellar Snowboard in 1946. At that time it was known as TheSportsman Limited and was a general sporting goods store situated in downtown Calgary wherethe Bay parkade is now. The store remained there for 5 years and then moved to 14th streetbetween 14th and 15th avenue southwest. It moved to its’ present location in 1956. The storecatered heavily to the hunting and fishing crowd.

The mid ‘60’s began to see some changes. Hans Reinhardt was working for Al and the basementof the store was renovated to service and sell ski equipment. During the same period Al was oneof the partners and founders of Snowridge ski area, which is now known as Fortress Mountain.By the end of the ‘60’s the store was no longer selling anything but ski merchandise. Equipmentremained in the basement and clothing took over the main floor. The rental and service shopmoved four doors west, also in the basement.

In the early 1970’s Al sold the store to Hans who in turn brought in three employees as partners.

The 1980’s saw the addition of snowboards and a second location. The Ski Barn, across from COP, became the rental and demo center for the operation. It was an ideal spot during the 1988 Olympics and Carrera used it as their host center.

The end of the ‘80’s saw the store lose both it’s founder, Al Compton, to illness and its’ currentowner, Hans Reinhardt, in a tragic accident. The remaining partners and Hans’ wife carried onthe business.

The 1990’s saw the addition of four more employees as partners and the purchase of one of its’oldest competitors, Norm’s Ski Hut.

Currently the store operates three locations for 11 months of the year. It employs over 75 staff. Alarge number of these staff have been with the business for over 10 years and form the backboneof the company.

Customers and their families are known personally as well as professionally. The partners andstaff have literally hundreds of years of experience amongst them. Years in the ski and snowboard industry allow the store access to the newest and best product lines available.

The store is committed to offering the best product available at the best price in the marketplace,no matter what your level of expertise.

The staff can handle any question, service issue or problem. Ski Cellar Snowboard has beenthere for the customer since 1946 is there for the customer today, in 2002 and will be there for thecustomer in the future.