Where to Get Your Winter Gear
Previous summer time, it was biking and boating. Now, with a lot of of our favored Twin Cities points of interest shut, Minnesotans—yes, even far more now than usual—are turning to out of doors sports activities and functions to plow via a extended, tough, lonely winter. And with a strong layer of snow on the ground, regional shops and rental outposts are viewing their equipment virtually fly off the shelves.
As snowshoe newcomers and ski pros alike check out Minnesota’s winter landscapes in history quantities, we rounded up regional spots wherever you can get or hire skis, snowshoes, skates, and other cold-temperature equipment for living your finest lifetime in the daring north.
Gear West
This 12 months, Gear West’s most preferred winter purchases have been leisure skis and snowshoes—and women’s sizes are selling out specifically fast (go women!). Nevertheless it will not do rentals (Gear West basically had to promote their rental gear due to the fact need is so substantial), make sure to fork out the Extended Lake store a take a look at if you’re in the market for touring skis, poles, and boots. New skiers, the Gear West pros recommend dressing in comfy, heat clothes and testing out the flatter ski trails on the lakes. 1786 Wayzata Blvd W., Extended Lake, 877-473-4327, gearwest.com
Midwest Mountaineering
Midwest Mountaineering is operating tough to maintain the shelves stocked. The Mpls. staple has seen an uptick in purchases of snowshoes, traction footwear (like hikers from regional boot organization Vasque, Crimson Wing Shoe’s sister organization), warm clothes, and even camping gear—their bravest customers are stocking up on cold temperature tents, bags, and gasoline. Midwest Mountaineering doesn’t hire gear, but they do have a lot of solutions to acquire. Psst: If you’re seeking for snowshoes, this might be the put to go: the camping buyer has been driving all the way to Wisconsin to get snowshoes right from the factory ground. 309 Cedar Avenue South, Mpls., 612-339-3433, midwestmtn.com
Hoigaards
Hoigaards has a assortment of cross country skis, downhill skis, snowshoes and other winter gear—but like all stores, they’ve been hit by the good out of doors rush of the period. If you see a little something on their shelves that you like, nab it ahead of its long gone. 5425 Excelsior Blvd., St. Louis Park, 952-929-1351, hoigaards.com
Strauss Skates
Because rinks have reopened, skaters have been pouring via Strauss Skates’ doors. Some customers are young children returning to yearly winter sports activities like hockey and determine skating, but a lot of are informal skaters who discovered several years in the past. Jenelle Hastings, whose household has owned Strauss Skates considering that 1887, states that although a lot of people today have reminiscences of narrow, tight skates that pinched their ft, today’s solutions are significantly far more comfortable. End in to slip into a pair of their pond skates. 1751 Cope Ave E., Maplewood, 651-770-1344, shopstrauss.com
Joe’s Ski Store
Because of to COVID-19, Joe’s is not presenting rentals for the 2020/2021 winter period, even so they are nonetheless presenting a kid’s leasing software to overcome how speedily they increase out of gear. Get your very little ones outfitted with skis and snowboards to in good shape their requirements and hit the slopes without breaking the bank. 33 County Rd. B E., St. Paul, 651-209-7800, joessportinggoods.com
REI
The climbing wall might be shut at REI, but its rental store is not. Hurry though, due to the fact the stock is dwindling with every single passing day. Connect with ahead to make a reservation in order to test out all their rental features. If they do not have what you require out there to hire, they’re sure to have it in stock in the keep for you to just take household for good. 750 American Blvd. W., Bloomington, 952-884-4315, rei.com
A few Rivers Park District
A few Rivers boasts numerous parks across the Twin Cities metro–and the gear to go with them. Go to their web-site to hire cross country skis, tubes, and far more. Routine a rental in progress to enable some turnover time between customers. If downhill snowboarding is what you’re after, these rentals have to be completed in person at Hyland Hills Park or Elm Creek Winter Recreation Spot. 763-559-9000, threeriversparks.org
8 far more places to hire:
