Michael was outstanding! He helped refit my ski boots and make sure I was comfortable in them. He was also highly informative and took the time to explain the process to me. While I waited the store waxed my snowboard and skis. I bought my skis here years ago and I will continue to give them business because they are so excellent. I cannot recommend Viking enough! read more

The Good: The staff here really knows their stuff. I worked with a fitter who was incredibly knowledgeable and helped me pick out a new snowboard, boots, and bindings. Everything performs great on the snow, and the technical advice was spot on. The Bad: The checkout process was frustrating. The cashier seemed uninformed and had to repeatedly check with the fitters regarding basic return and warranty policies, which made the process take much longer than necessary. The Pricing Issue: Be aware of the "fine print" on price matching. Even though they matched my board, they refused to match the price on my boots because I had them heat-molded first. I wish this had been communicated clearly before the molding service was performed, as it ended up costing me the "guaranteed" price match. read more

Staff are friendly and very helpful! I went in to check out helmets and goggles as a novice skier and learned a lot during try-on, which is invaluable vs. ordering online. Prices are competitive or even better than you might find elsewhere and you're supporting a local business. Can't say enough about the good staff. I'll be back for socks and maybe to upgrade my coat or base layers because they have good sale prices. Do note there are no returns or exchanges, but they will spend the time with you to find the right thing and try it all on without being pushy. read more

Thank you. This shop has been owned and operated by Bob and Carol for as long as it's been open. They're still there. My first time taking in my board for a tune up, and I was immediately received with a warm welcome and let's get you taken care. Mike did a great job on the tune up, he's been doing this for 40 years. I'll come back every year. Great price for the work, and the shop is small and friendly. They have everything you need. read more

See all

Come here to pick up a pair of ski boots. The store has no private parking, fortunately i heard from my daughter that i could park in the Walgreen parking lot nearby. It's very nearby. When i walked in, the guy at the counter receives me, and i gave him the receipt, he went in for pretty long time, and come out bare handed. Say he can't find it. Need to ask who accepted it when we brought it in. Finally, reached out to my daughter, and figure out the possible person who received it, then the guy went in for another 10-15 mins, finally found it. Oh my god. The store is pretty sizable, but really? I'm just glad they finally found it. read more

See all

I have been buying skis poles bindings equipment from Viking ski shops since 1981. Up till today, they've been excellent. I bought a helmet 30 days ago. The tightening mechanism fell apart first trip. To my utter shock and disappointment Viking wouldn't replace the helmet. They said they have to send it back to the manufacturer. I bought it from Viking, I expected to turn around and walk out with a brand new helmet 30 days old it broke. They won't replace it on the spot. Soooo disappointed. read more

Such a great place. The people that work here are amazing and literally spent five hours with me on my boots to get them figured out. I have never had such care and determination to help me solve an issue I have just dealt with my whole life. Shout out to Michael - but it wasn't just him everyone is there ready to listen and help. Will definitely be going back so long as I live in the area! read more

I was desperate for a snowboard bag, traveling Amtrak from Vancouver to Pittsburgh. We couldn't find one in Vancouver, but could bring the snowboard as a carry on to Chicago, but we would have to put it in checked baggage to Pittsburgh. Even though Viking Ski Shop was closed for New Year's Day, they were willing to help me out when I couldn't find any other snow sport supply store in Chicago. That is the great kind of customer service we need more of these days. read more

Great customer service. They do not oversell. Truly understand the lifetime value of a customer. I have tried other ski shops in Chicagoland and without a doubt Viking is the best in town. read more

Awesome and knowledgeable place. I needed a new set of snowboard boots and the pro boot fitter dialed me in with no problem. He asked about my experience and riding style, and we shot the breeze while he worked. They have a great selection of top notch hard goods and outerwear as well. If you are new to snowboarding or a 30 year vet that rides 100 days a season, check these guys out. I'll stop in to get a wax or a service as well, picked up some gummy stones and tuning gear for myself, they got it all. Also, it's nice to shop local and support a Chicago business. read more

They were great! Really helped my daughter with great skis that worked well for her for her first ski season. They were a good price too!

I came in looking for a specific insole for my ice skates, and while they didn't have the exact model I needed I decided to browse. On the way out, the guy running the shop stopped me and asked my size and gave me a pair of insoles. He was incredibly thoughtful and wanted to make sure I had something to help my feet regardless of what else I bought. They definitely have your best interest in mind and will be going back for anything I can think possibly get from them. read more

Outstanding service, and the boot-fitting department is one of the best in the country. Fair prices too. Great ski shop.

I thought I was ahead of the game when I started looking into renting skis in mid October, but turns out people had skiing on their minds when it was still pool weather. I had planned on a seasonal rental from Williams in Highland park since it's convenient to where we live, but we missed that boat. After calling around Viking Ski Shop was one of the only places that still had seasonal rentals available. I booked an appointment and dragged my kids to the city on a Sunday to get skis for their most favorite activity, skiing. Once there it was a pretty easy process to get everyone fitted. It took a little while for them to get our rental together so we spent that time shopping and my daughter was thrilled to leave with a new ski coat. Besides coats they have all sorts of gear to get you thru the winter ski season, but we had bought new helmets and everything else we needed last season. I may try to jump on the Williams bandwagon earlier next year just out of convenience, but if not this is a great option..and especially for those who live in the city! read more

Brought my board in, specifically for a damaged core/edge. When I got it back, it looked as if the damage hadn't been touched. The kids up front gave me a long tale of things the tech did that may not be noticeable. When technicians came out, they admitted there was no work done specifically to the damage, because the initial paperwork (done by their staff) did not specifically request this work. Clearly bad communication from front shop to back shop. They did make things right, although the work was rushed and left a bad taste in my mouth for several reasons. Don't take equipment here to be serviced. Based on my experience, it's clear that the business their most interest in, is selling new equipment. read more

I went into Viking ski shop with a pair of boots I had purchased from them years ago. I didn't have proof and even if I did they were out of warranty. I also showed up without an appointment. Despite all of this, Michael was willing to work with me and honor the fact that I bought the boots there a while ago and gave me the warranty rate for service. I had been having pain in these boots for years and went to many fitters, all making slight adjustments but never really fixing the pain. Michael was unwilling to give up until I felt comfortable and knew these boots would feel good the next time I was on a mountain. And indeed he got them to fit so much better, I have never been more excited to use them. Before this fitting I dreaded putting these boots on and struggled to enjoy skiing, after this fitting it's a whole world of a difference and my enjoyment skiing is 10x what it used to be. He also guided me with some other gear related questions and gave me some great deals on equipment. Michael is 10/10, highly recommend this ski shop for everything. Will be coming back. read more

Been going here for years. Tune ups, binding mounting etc. Never had any complaints. The guys are very helpful. Last few years I've failed to find a boot that fits. Finally, this year I go to Viking to get the problem sorted out. I have weirdly shaped feet, and it took some time to find the right boots and fit them. This was mostly due to the time they spent making sure I would have zero issues in these boots. After it was all said and done, I now have a pair of boots that fit very well. The value was also very fair given the price of the boot and the service read more

Everyone who works here is so nice, they take their time and help you until you're fully serviced. Very friendly and put a smile on my face!

I had not been to Viking Ski Shop for a long time and went recently to rent skis for my kids it was such a great experience. We had an appointment (which is needed), the service was absolutely pro, we got just what we needed, and for a really reasonable price. I'd return here for rentals or purchases for sure. read more

I've been a customer of Viking for over 20 years, and my visit there today is a case in point as to why. I bought my last skis from them in the 2022/2023 season, Volkl Kenja 88s. I picked that model because I had demo'd them at Steamboat in a 149cm length and loved them. That length was thought to be a bit short for my height, but it's what the resort had. So when I went to Viking, I bought the next size up--my decision. Sadly, I have never been real comfortable on them. Especially being a bit wider ski, the longer skis were hard for me to get on edge. I got a sale flyer from Viking yesterday and saw this model ski on sale for $299--ran up there today to grab them at that great price and explained to the salesperson why I was switching to the shorter ski. He went and talked to the owner and came back to offer me the new shorter skis for...$50. Crazy. They even included the labor to transfer my current bindings to the new skis and a new ski tuning. Talk about taking care of your customer. Their boot fitters are exceptional, too. Thanks, Viking! read more

I don't think there are any other independent ski shops in Chicago. Fortunately Viking does it right. Its nit huge shop, but they have plenty of rentals and the people are friendly. If you want to buy gear, i'm sure you can find a bigger selection elsewhere (think big retail shop or in a a ski town), but for Chicago, Viking is sufficient. Parking can be a bit of a pain sometimes when going here. Thats probably my biggest gripe with the store (next to overall selection of merchandise) though, which really isn't all that bad. Tip - if you plan on skiing locally for a day or two, rent here instead of at the mountain and save yourself some lost ski time on the day of. read more

Boot fitters are outstanding. The talent and experience here can't be beat. They are a great choice for pros and newbies alike...excellent experience! If there is any room for improvement, it's with the ski sales team. You don't feel the same level of comfort/knowledge buying skis here as you do when you go in for a boot fitting. Where I felt super confident in my boot fitting I wasn't so sure I was buying the right skis. Turned out well though! I love the gear I got here! I will say they are exceptionally busy! Make an appointment and expect to spend 3 hours with them. If you aren't rushed for time I recommend asking for a slot when they are the least busy. The service is top notch and they clearly want to provide a phenomenal experience...but when they are busy they can be pulled in several directions and you may not feel like you have their full attention. All in a wonderful experience! Thank you! read more

I've been going to Viking Ski Shop for years. Got my first fitted pair of boots and Art helped get me into the right ones. After a few sessions I knew they still needed some work but Dennis got right to work on them and made a number of custom adjustments to my boots. They fit great now and after having them for a few seasons I think I'm going to take them to get fitted with custom inserts as well to make it even more comfortable on the slopes because a painful day can really take the fun out of carving. I have to say the best boot fitters in town hands down! I hope they find some more help as I know each season they continue to grow. read more

I've been to Viking ski shop twice. The first time was to fit boots. One of the gentlemen helping was very friendly and nice, the other was one of the rudest salesman I have encountered. Nearly brought me to tears. But he only stayed with me for a few minutes before the nice guy came in, and my overall experience was okay. Because the other guy had been so good, I came back today with my boyfriend to buy myself poles and gloves and him a new helmet and goggles. We fully expected to leave with all four items. The guy helping us with the poles was great, as was the girl that inevitably checked us out. We got the poles and gloves fine, but when we moved on to helmets, the woman supposed to help us was also very rude. Accused us of trying to try things on at the shop just to buy online, despite us having given no indication that was the case (as it was not. We need the helmet/goggles before the weekend so online isn't an option). She was very condescending, and it made us both uncomfortable. Not to mention that she did it loudly in front of other customers. It was so off putting that we decided to leave without the helmet and goggles. Heading to the suburbs tomorrow to try again, hopefully at a store that understands customer service (or just not making a customer feel attacked when they're trying to buy your product?) Frustrating, as some of the staff are great but overall, the store is not worth it. I will not be returning, nor will I recommend anyone go. read more

After my recent trip to Tahoe, I decided I needed to invest in two things, a pair of ski boots and a helmet. Since it's the end of the seasons, it's time to stock up for, you know, 9 months later... This is my first time going to a professional ski shop....It's actually rather intimidating going into Viking. I was a little bit put off by the arrogance and un-helpfulness of some of the staff, to be honest, esp when I was looking at the helmet, and ski clothes. But luckily, the person who helped me with the ski boots was very approachable and patient. He did all the basic measuring and stuff to get me fitted to a pair, asked me what my budget is and brought out a couple pairs for me to try on, explained what I should look for in a fit, the differences between the different' prices on the boots I tried on. At the end, I don't mind paying the $50 difference b/w the cheapest I can find on the internet for the same pair of the ski boots I decided on getting at Viking because of the professional help I got, the complimentary heat-molded and custom fit services I got in return. There is also 2 years fitting warranty with the boots if I need more adjustment to the boots. read more

Wish I took photos of this place to share. It is fully stocked with anything and everything you may need for a day on the slopes from rentals to gear maintenance to gear to clothes. We walked in and were greeted by a friendly clerk who directed us exactly where we needed to go. A sales woman proceeded to help me pull jackets and pants to model and try on. She kept helping until we found the right fit for my needs. Did not try to pressure us to buy more than we wanted or any specific brands. Very knowledgeable and friendly workers all throughout the store. 10/10 will be coming here again! read more

Great service, they really know what they are doing. I got a park of custom fitted ski boots and can't wait to use them. Experience was great all around. Make an appointment in advance and plan to spend about 2-3 hours getting boots fitted. read more

We were looking all around the suburbs for a place to do snowboard repairs, not just a wax job, but actual sanding and resurfacing. We were very happy to stumble upon this location which had very knowledgeable staff and were able to address how the board could be properly fixed. For the resurfacing, waxing, and additional $15 for spot repair, the total came out to around $70 with tax. The staff were very understanding of the board mechanics and job to be done. As far as the equipment in the store, we saw many people trying on boots or other equipment, so I think it's safe to say this is a well respected location to purchase ski and snowboard goods. They have some sales, but overall the items are around what is listed online. read more

To preface my review: I have a medical condition that causes painful scars, particularly on my shins. I just started snowboarding and was incredibly discouraged by the experiences I had trying to find boots at other shops in the area. Upon explaining my unique circumstances to the staff, I was met with endless patience throughout my boot fitting. Dennis didn't hesitate to come up with innovative ways to mold/lace my boot so that it fit my shins without causing me pain. As someone who's often faced with limitations due to my medical condition, this truly meant a lot. With all this being said......we are unfortunately in the midwest, the selection is going to be somewhat limited (although I thought it was fine). Shops like Viking are scarce in this area and you have to go into it knowing there might be a wait. We were told that the weekdays are the best times to go if you want to beat the crowd! Overall, just be patient. It's well worth the wait. It's a shame the rating of this place is brought down by outdated reviews. I will most definitely be back and am incredibly thankful this shop exists! read more

Great staff and customer service. I bought a pair of boots a few years back and had some issues with the fit. When I came back in with them over a year later - they spent a lot of time with me making these work for me. It's not often you see a business stand behind the products they sell you like Viking does. Nice job team Viking ! read more

4/5/2021 My wife and I set an appointment for a boot fitting a couple weeks out as this was out first visit to Viking Ski Shop, and we live a couple of hours away. We went to the Fullerton location. Our appointment was at 11:30 but we arrived when they opened at 11:00 so we could look around. Our Master boot fitter, Ray, greeted us at the door and was happy to start our appointment early. Ray has been boot fitting for 40 years! That is not a typo! His expertise was very evident in the boots he chose for us to try. The first pair he gave my wife were perfect.  Ray was very patient with me because it took a little longer for me to decide. Overall, the staff that we met (Ray, Art, Bob, and Maren) and talked to were friendly, professional, and very knowledgeable. Thanks for the great experience! We will definitely be back. Steve and Jen read more

Viking Ski Shop has been in business in Logan Square for 50 years- how 'bout that, hipsters? And although I had once lived nearby, I've never been inside this chalet looking building. (PS- it looks like a ski chalet on the inside too). My son and I popped in here midday during the week, and although they were busy with operational business, Drew was super helpful. We were hoping for a great summer deal on skis for my son and we lucked out. Skis are on the lower level, ski-wear upper level, and boots and fuzzy benches on the mid-level. Drew was great in explaining the differences between two ski brands we liked so we could make an informed choice; and he was patient as my son tried on three different boots to make sure he got the right fit. My son is super excited with the purchase. From novice to expert, they've got it all. 50 years in Logan Square- beat that, hipsters! read more

I was very disappointed with the service I received today and sloppy fix job. I've bought my ski boots at the Viking Ski Shop a while ago and love them. It was a good experience then. However, the seal does not hold well at the first buckle in my boots and I have been feeling air and snow getting in. I brought them in to the shop 1 week ago and asked for help with this-either adjust the original seal or add a new seal. When I talked to a person in the shop a week ago, they said they will try to fix it or put an adhesive. When I went to the shop to pick up my boots today after a week, I was super surprised when I saw the boots - the job is very sloppy. It looks like a job on the spot; and with yellowish color on my white boots. Still TBD if it holds. I would prefer that I was told that this cannot be done if I knew how sloppy this will be. I am attaching 2 pictures of the boots. I am super disappointed with this and I hope situation like this will be handled differently in the future. read more

Viking Ski Shop - Ski & Snowboard Shops Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

See all

The best ski/snowboard shop in Chicago with great staff who are friendly and knowledgeable. A big thank you to awesome Maren for sizing me in new Burton snowboard boots for my upcoming trip to Mammoth Mountain, CA. The boot liners were custom molded to my feet and fit perfectly. Everything is on sale now to clear out this season's equipment. read more

See all

Went in looking for information and help with getting back into snowboarding. One of the snowboarding oriented workers named Dennis helped me understand the basics and steered me towards a setup that was best for my riding style. He even knocked a little off the price of the board. I spent about an hour and a half in the shop and was very confident in the board, bindings, and boots that I was getting. I can't say I've had many shopping experiences like this one where I had all of my questions answered. The shop is definitely more ski centered, but there were still plenty of snowboarding items to choose from. 10/10 would recommend. Cheers read more

Went into the shop to resolve foot pain issues that I always had while skiing. Art from the shop immediately diagnosed my problem as needing a custom foot bed to support the arches of my feet. I decided to drop $200 on their most custom footbed option and spent approximately an hour working with Art to get the footbed work done. We went through multiple iterations of the trimming and refitting process until I felt the fit was optimal and that I no longer experienced lack of support under my underfoot. I really liked working with Art because at no point in time did I feel like I was being rushed. I walked out of the shop feeling fairly comfortable and thought my foot pain was completely resolved. When I arrived home and tested the new custom footbed in different scenarios (sitting, squatting, standing, and bending), I noticed the pain returned. I immediately gave the shop a call and Bob asked me to return to the shop to have them further take a look. Turned out that the width of the custom footbed was wider than the liner, which led to unintended compression of the liner's volume. Bob immediately acknowledged the fault and went on to correct the issue. The following weekend I tried the footbed in Seattle skiing non-stop for 4 days. I was elated that the ski boot has never felt so comfortable. Looking back, I'm so glad that I worked with Vikings Ski Shop on my boot fit. They are extremely honest, helpful, and most importantly, experienced. Even though their service is on the expensive side, they will always work with you to make sure you are a happy skier. read more

My girlfriend and I drove down from Milwaukee to have our ski boots looked at and adjusted. After a series of measurements, Master Boot Fitter Drew confirmed that my boots were indeed too large and spent over two hours assisting me in finding the correct boots for my feet and then adjusting them to my feet. Meanwhile he also addressed all of my girlfriends concerns with her boots until she was throughly pleased. I have been skiing for over 15 years and never realized how incorrect my boot fitment was until I came to Viking Ski Shop. I would highly recommend them to anyone looking for a professional ski boot fitter in the Midwest. read more

Stopped in to buy skis prior to a trip out to Park City. As a newer older skier I was a bit apprehensive. They helped to pick out skis that would work well for me. Had them ready before my trip and worked out wonderfully for my trip. Was even able to ski some powder i them as we got fresh snow out there. Everyone was great and friendly and though this is a crazy busy time with everyone doing the same thing, getting skis before a holiday trip or the season they manage to get folks i and out. Thanks for helping my intro back to skiing after 40 years a great experience with my own equipment. read more

I have only have had my ski's tuned there. Very happy with the job they do. I have not purchased any products. They are always busy in ski season when I come in for service it is a very short wait. They have a lot of customers. The staff is very friendly and they quickly get me out. I just wish it would not take 3 weeks to get skis tuned and waxed. I know they have to ship them to their Chicago location but I would hope they can improve their turn around time in the future. read more

I bought a whole ski set up a couple of years ago. After skiing in the boots a fed times I realized the boots that were sold to me were too small. I rented skis when we were in Tahoe over Thanksgiving and was fitted for boots and saw they fitted me in a 24.5. When we got back home I checked the size of the boots that were sold to me at Viking and they were 23.5. We had a last minute ski trip to the Dells planned my husband and I went to Viking to see what they could do but was willing to buy a new pair of boots. As the Chicago location is super close to us we stopped by on 1/2 to our surprise we needed an appointment. We waited to speak to someone to make an appointment and explained that we purchased the boots a few years ago and the ones sold were too small and that we were leaving that weekend to go skiing. The first available appointment was 1/13/23 almost two weeks away! My husband even explained we knew what we were looking for and that we would drive out to the REI in Oakbrook to buy the boots the same day. I couldn't believe they let a sure sale walk out the door. While at REI getting fitted for my new boots that same day, I called Viking to see if they could adjust my skis to my new boots and again the first appointment was 1/13/23 and whoever I spoke to asked and they couldn't get them done by the Friday we were leaving. We took my new boots and skis to Cascade the day we drove up and the adjustment took all of about 5 mins and didn't even charge me. That was twice in one day I was trying to give Viking our business! I really would have rather supported a small local business than REI. I understand that they are having issues with staff, but they should try and accommodate walk-ins and their customers. Considering this is their prime season they should think of all the business they are losing because of this. read more