Snow is not only big business for some local companies, it’s also what keeps people like me sane during the winter.
As much as I love writing for a living, sitting inside in front of a computer screen for hours on end can sometimes make me feel like one of those zombies on The Walking Dead. I frequently need an escape outside or else that bloodthirsty stare starts taking over my face. During these cold months, when an icy hike in the dark at Lone Pine after work just isn’t appealing, my sanity is maintained with one or two days a week (at least) skiing in the mountains.
And I’m not the only one who desperately hopes for snow. I recently wrote a story about local ski and snowboard shops around the valley that depend on snow for good business during the winter. I’ve always enjoyed stepping into these locales, each one unique and lively and a wealth of information.
However, as I learned in my former life as a sportswriter, whenever you try and list everyone there’s always someone who gets forgotten.
As I drove up to Big Mountain last week to pick up my season pass I noticed the small wooden shop on Wisconsin Avenue in Whitefish home to Tamarack Ski and Patio, a well-deserving stop that I failed to mention in my story.
The business, tucked into a roughly 1,000-square-foot building, is another great local hub for outdoor enthusiasm. Opened in 1999, the shop offers rentals, full-service repairs, equipment and more. Throughout the winter Tamarack offers discounted deals on rentals, too.
The business is another one worth remembering when ski season eventually arrives.
And the season will arrive, I just hope sooner rather than later.