In 1958, a year after we were married, we had an idea to combine business and our love of skiing. With the help of friends and family and the sale of our 1953 MGA sports car as initial capital, we excitedly opened a ski shop.  After much thought, we named our new business “The Arlberg Ski Shop” after the first method of skiing called “The Arlberg Ski Technique”. In the beginning, The Arlberg Ski Shop was a wooden single A-frame building operating only in the winter months and catering only to alpine skiers. By 1961 we had outgrown our little A-frame shop. Once again we went to our family and friends and with their help we literally had a “barn-raising” event and the single A-frame was expanded to a triple A-frame structure. Our business continued to grow... some years were good, and some years were not so good. Through it all, we started to develop a reputation as one of the best boot-fitting stores on the West Coast.  

Today, our once “little ski shop” is now Arlberg Sports, Inc.---an 18,000 square foot recreational retail experience open year-round. Our location is now centrally located in Downtown Wenatchee where skiing enthusiasts from all over still return season after season for their custom boot-fitting. It’s nice to see the second and even third generation of skiers.  What’s exciting to see is the level of performance these young kids bring to the sport! Back in 1958 who would have thought that kids could do aerials and tricks on a pair of skis?  And the Terrain Parks! Unbelievable!   

Yes, things have certainly changed and so has our “ski shop”. Today, we have equipment and apparel for mountain biking, skiing, road biking, snowboarding, water skiing, wake boarding, camping, kayaking, cross-country skiing, and climbing. We also have certified ski technicians and bike mechanics for your equipment repairs. Besides our custom boot-fitting, we now offer custom bike-fitting (even for the professional level bike racers). 

At Arlberg Sports, we believe that outdoor recreation isn’t a job . . . it’s a lifestyle.  This philosophy is why our team excels. Each team member works hard and plays even harder. 

Each team member has a passion for lifestyle sports. Because we are all so committed to a lifestyle of sports, we are also committed to sharing this lifestyle with our customers. We are proud to be affiliated with many local events and clubs such as Tour de Vine, Dam 2 Dam, Ridge 2 River, Mission Ridge Ski Team, and the Wenatchee Valley Velo, just to name a few. Our hope is that everyone will enjoy the same lifestyle-sports we participate in and experience the excitement of healthy living. 

In this fast-paced world of ours, change is inevitable.  However, our grass-roots philosophy will remain . . . we will continue to provide the highest quality of products and service in a friendly and small-town environment. So stop by and visit with us . . . we’d love to hear your sporting adventures . . . maybe we could even go out together for a ski run or bike ride. . .  just come on in . . .  we’re where your lifestyle of fun begins! 

Ken and Kay Paton
Owners