Bizwatch: Vail Sports at One Vail Place
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Business name: Vail Sports, One Vail Place.
Location: 244 Wall Street, Vail Village.
Date opened: Oct. 1.
Owner: Specialty Sports Venture.
Store Manager: Marco Valenti.
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Contact info: E-mail 702vailsports@ssv.net or call 970-479-0600.
What goods or services do you provide? We are a full service alpine ski shop offering outerwear from Spyder, Bogner, Fire and Ice, Obermeyer, Armada, Cappel by Ride, Descente, and The North Face as well as a full lineup of goods from K2, Salomon, Rossignol, Volkl, Giro, Smith, Lange, Marker, Nordica, Black Diamond, Avalung, Scott, and Leki.
We have a test fleet of 2010 demos for every ski that we sell, and we will subtract up to 3 days of demoing off the purchase price. Our skilled boot-fitting staff is more than capable of solving your boot needs whatever they may be. We also offer a great selection of accessories and have an almost limitless special order program that can have you in the jacket or on the ski you desire in a day or so – and all of this just 30 paces to the snow next to the Vista Bahn!
What’s new or exciting at your place? We have returned to Vail Village.
What strategy do you use to differentiate your business from your competition? I feel that two elements in particular separate my shop from the others in Vail village: my staff and the location are second to none. Everyone who works at Vail Sports One Vail Place is excited to be at work – it’s not a job to us, but rather a opportunity to build relationships with our guests. We are only 30 paces to the snow in what was previously the lift ticket office so we’re excited to ski and ride, too!
What philosophy do you follow in dealing with your customers? What can your customers expect from you? Other than the general Specialty Sports philosophies, I speak to my staff about the idea that we’re are accountable to our guests in a similar fashion to the manner in which an elected offical is accountable to his or her constituents.
Tell us a little about your background, education and experience: I was born in North Carolina. I was sent to military school for the 8th grade and fell in love with skiing. I attended North Carolina State University for five years until the fall of 2001, when I moved to Vail with my dog Kodiak, an Alaskan malamute that loves the snow more than I do.
I told my friends and family that I was going to Vail for the season, and that was nine years ago. I did return college in the fall of 2006 to obtain my undergraduate degree. In May 2007, I received my degree.
During my return to Raleigh, I excelled in school, but still missed the mountains. I returned to Vail to ski for “just one more season,” but have chosen to stay in Vail and do what I truly enjoy.
