People come to Alpine Sports in Ogden for ski (and other) gear, sure, but just as often, they come to talk mountains. It’s the kind of place where everyone’s got a run worth re-telling. Chris Nichols, who oversees ski tuning, jokes that it sometimes feels like a local bar, only instead of ordering drinks, people pull up a stool to swap stories, debate the best powder stashes or just soak in the ski culture.
“It sometimes feels like a local bar, only instead of ordering drinks, people pull up a stool to swap stories and soak in the ski culture.”
— Chris Nichols, ski tuning lead
That welcoming, community-first vibe has been part of Alpine Sports since the beginning. Founded in 1955 by U.S. National Ski Champion Bob Chambers and now led by his daughter, Bobbie Chambers, Alpine has remained family-owned and operated for nearly 70 years. Many local families have made it part of their tradition, coming in year after year, generation after generation, to get the gear they trust from people who know their names.
Expertise Meets Experience: The Art of the Ski Tune
Chris Nichols embodies the Alpine Sports experience. A lawyer by trade but a ski technician at heart, he started at Alpine as a college student, working seasonal shifts between classes and ski days. Years later, he’s still there, not because he has to be, but because he loves it. His ability to assess a pair of skis, just by looking at them, running his fingers along the edges and feeling the base, borders on artistry.
Today, Alpine pairs that hands-on expertise with something few other shops can offer: a Swiss-engineered Montana Crystal Glide robotic tuning machine, the pinnacle of precision ski tuning. The system uses high-performance robotics to stone grind, bevel and polish skis with remarkable consistency, while still allowing technicians to fine-tune performance for each skier.
“The Montana equipment gives us incredible precision and consistency, but it’s our people who bring that to life.”
— Brentley Smith, operations manager at Alpine Sports
“Our team takes a lot of pride in what we do,” said Brentley Smith. “Everyone here is focused on making sure our customers get the best possible experience, from the tune to the conversation.”
A Shared Philosophy: Tailored Service and Community Commitment
At Bank of Utah, we recognize a kindred spirit in Alpine Sports. Just as they tailor every ski tune, boot fit and gear recommendation to their customers, we tailor our financial products and services to fit the needs of our clients. Whether it’s helping a skier carve the perfect turn or helping a business find the right financial tools to grow, the essence is the same — trust, expertise and a commitment to service.
Bonus Video
One more thing — this shop might look familiar. Turns out Alpine Sports also makes a great film set.
