Silverton, Colorado, is surrounded by some of the most impressive mountains in the state, making it a destination for skiers, climbers, mountain bikers, and other outdoor enthusiasts. But skiing Silverton’s steep and rocky terrain can take a serious toll on equipment, making reliable local repair services especially important.
A partnership between Northstar Mountain Sports and Ryan McClure of Riff Raff Repair is helping meet that need, providing everything from routine ski tuning to major base and core shot repairs.
Silverton Mountain’s This Place video series recently featured the collaboration. The video series highlights the people, businesses, and local character that make the San Juan Mountains community unique.
Northstar Mountain Sports, owned by Mark Ferguson and Cliff Pinto of Pedal the Peaks, has expanded its offerings beyond traditional bike shop services to better serve Silverton’s outdoor community. Recognizing the need for a dedicated ski technician, Ferguson and Pinto reached out to McClure, who had already spent approximately five years establishing himself as Silverton’s local ski tech.
Through Riff Raff Repair, McClure handles ski tuning, base and core shot repairs, and binding mounts. Services cover alpine, touring, telemark, tech, and splitboard equipment.
With 26,819 acres of backcountry terrain, rocky slopes, stumps, and steep lines can quickly damage skis and snowboards. Having someone in town capable of handling significant repairs and last-minute tuning can make the difference between getting another day on the mountain or sitting one out.
McClure explained that Silverton’s combination of low-density snow and strong skiers tackling the steep and rocky terrain makes equipment damage a regular occurrence. Silverton Mountain’s guides are among his most frequent customers, creating a mutually beneficial relationship between the mountain and the repair business.
