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1) Teton Village Sports: Teton Village, WY

At Teton Village Sports (or TVS as locals call it), boot-fitting and ski tunes are the paramount attractions. The vibe is traditional and the techniques follow suit. Instead of using gimmicks, TVS utilizes tried and true methods to offer some of the most precise boot fits in the industry. The tunes are equally impressive and it comes as no surprise that some of the hardest ripping skiers work on the bench in the back. tetonvillagesports.com

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2) Alpenglow Sports: Tahoe City, CA

Alpenglow Sports not only hosts the best backcountry gear in California but the shop is a epicenter for the Tahoe community as well. Twice a year, the shop hosts the Alpenglow Mountain Fest, which is an exhibition of all things outdoor. From demos to films, the festival is a community favorite that is run by experts without pretentious airs. Also, Alpenglow sports is one of the key sponsors for stateofthebackcountry.com, which gives up to date information about backcountry conditions in the Tahoe area and beyond. alpenglowsports.com

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3) Bent Gate Mountaineering: Golden, CO

Specializing in off-the-grid ski missions across the Front Range of Colorado, Bent Gate is the best backcountry shop in the country. To say that Bent Gate has a mountaineering background is like saying Lindsey Vonn has a Super-G background. Not only does this Colorado-based shop contain some one of a kind gear you can’t find at other shops, they employ AMGA guides, who do a great deal of their product testing as well. Bottom-line, they’re the best if you’re looking to go light, fast, and safely up and down your biggest objectives. bentgate.com

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4) Skiershop: Stowe, VT

The Skier Shop in Stowe retains the most soul of any shop on this list. The Vermont-based ski shop is as traditional as it is charming. With vintage ski memorabilia to go along with the new line of Kastle skis, the Skier Shop is like returning to the ski shop of your childhood with all the gear you want as an adult. skiershop.com

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5) Level Nine Sports: Salt Lake City, UT

Level Nine is the streamlined version of the traditional Ski Shop. The space is clean, wide-open, and contains more selection than anyone else on this list. Level Nine is the one stop shop for anything and everything you need at the lowest price possible. Not to mention, their online store beats any other digital retailer in both price and level of service. levelninesports.com

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6) Wilderness Exchange Unlimited: Denver, CO

Consignment, consignment, and more consignment. That is the deal at Wilderness Exchange Unlimited. So if you’re a skid ski bum or an amateur weekend warrior, “Wildy” makes expensive outdoor sports affordable. Although the consignment is the centerpiece of this shop, the independently owned store also includes banger closeout deals from the likes of Patagonia, Outdoor Research, Black Diamond, and Rab among other big names. Note: The Annual Spring Gear Swap is a great place to snag some of the best deals in Colorado. wildernessx.com

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7) Glacier Ski Shop: Deming, WA

Only 30 minutes away from Mt. Baker is Deming, WA and the home of the Glacier Ski Shop. Whether you’re looking for a top of the line ski-tune at a reasonable price or a fresh mold for your intuition liners, the shop techs will cater to your individual wants, needs, and style. This local shop provides a very earthy feel that works perfectly with Mt. Baker’s homegrown roots. Not to mention, shops that have fences built out of skis are usually quality establishments. glacierskishop.com

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8) Grizzly Outfitters: Big Sky, MT

Montana is home to some hospitable people and Grizzly Outfitters fits that same pattern. This Montucky establishment provides a knowledgeable and easy-going staff and if there was an anti-thesis to the rigid personality of say—REI, Grizzly Outfitters would be it. The Grizzly Outfitters experience is fun and pressure free, which are points often missed by many ski shops. grizzlyoutfitters.com

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9) Crow’s Feet Commons: Bend, OR

Crow’s Feet Commons is plain and simply awesome. Located on the Deschutes River, this ski shop takes the cake for setting and atmosphere. However, setting is not the only strongpoint for Crow’s Feet. Instead of the typical shop setup, the folks at the Commons are seeking to redefine the shop mentality by creating a place for their community to drink beer, bike, ski, and attend events that include anything from taproom releases to ski movie premiers. Basically, Crow’s Feet Commons provides a place for people who love spending time in the outdoors to share their passion—which is pretty rad. crowsfeetcommons.com

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10) Sturtevants of Sun Valley: Ketchum, ID

Started in 1965 by Durango local Fred Sturtevant, Sturtevants is a Sun Valley staple to this day. Although ownership has changed over the years, the quality remains the same. Not to mention, Sturtos (as locals call it) partners with Sun Valley Mountain Guides, which offers some of the best backcountry guide services in the country. sturtevants-sv.com

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