I was skeptical to go here for our ski equipment given the mixed reviews, but I was happy we gave this place a shot. The rental staff was knowledgeable and very thorough in measuring our feet and finding the right size boots for a comfortable fit. Yes they took their time, but the place was crowded and this was a very good sign from the get-go. I was little help, because I got distracted looking at all the ski and snowboarding gear, so one of the employees helped my husband carry our rental equipment to the car - that was absolutely unexpected and nice of him! The equipment itself was in great shape and we put it to great use. The drop-off a few days later was very quick and hassle-free. Great shop, lots of equipment to buy and rent, and beautiful cold weather gear available to purchase on the third floor for children, men and women. I loved everything about this place and will support their business in our next outdoor trips! read more

I had to come back in to get my boots resized because they were causing me alot of pain when I skied. Viking Ski set up an appointment with me and said it's all covered from when I first purchased, so no problems there. I in no way mean to Slander this company they seem like good people. The Gentleman that did my sizing the first time I came in was the one that was working on me getting them resized. He immediately said, "well I would have put you in a size up that's your first problem". I told him that he was indeed the one that fitted me the last time. He said "well I must not have been wearing my glasses". We ended up having to get a completely different set of boots going from the size 25 to a size 26. While he was trying to figure out what size I needed he made many different mistakes, which he would point out and take blame for. He at one point heated a size 26 boot and size 27 boot sleeve when he meant to do the 26 pair of boots. I just felt uneasy like I had to pay attention to what he was doing, and I am in no way a professional and wanted my experience to feel like that. This place seems legit, I just didn't have a good experience. read more

Just came back from my first shopping experience at Viking, and I'm really glad I found them. Yes, they are expensive, but for me there is no other option to get a good boot fit so I was prepared for the price tag. I have a very large calf and short legs and even trying on ski boots in regular stores is a nightmare. My shins are bruised, the staff are trying to squeeze you in to brands that you know just by looking at won't fit. Not happening. And for the same reason, I just don't have the option to buy used like a lot of other lucky people. So - custom ski shop it is. The cost is worth the comfort on the hill - period. I ended up with a pair of Atomic Hawks (ladies with large calves - these are really comfy boots). With the upsell of Superfeet insoles (which I was also prepared for, but I'm a fan of Superfeet so went with them anyway) my whole bill came out to just $100 more than the cheapest sale price I could find online. Not bad for all the custom molding and fitting they are now doing to my boot to make it an ideal fit for me. I go in next week for the heat molding, and before then they will cut down parts of the shell to a proper calf fit for me. I also found the staff to be very helpful and friendly, even though I walked into a busy store in the middle of a sale at one hour to close. Art even offered to stay for me past closing to do all the fitting for me on the spot, but I don't have an issue going back to the store another day. Maybe I'll browse around and see what else I can find! read more

This was a great experience from start to finish. I had always snowboarded and in the last few years I decided to pick up skiing. These boots are heaven compared to the rentals I am used to. Andy helped get me fitted, and he is clearly an expert. I came towards the end of the day, I mistakenly thought the shop closed at 6:00. They closed at 5 but Andy and the staff stayed after hours to heat mold my boots. It's worth the money for his expertise and the high quality custom fitted product. The experience was fun and the customer service was excellent. I will definitely be a repeat customer and have already recommended this shop to friends. read more

I went in on Saturday with my 16 year old son to purchase his first snowboard and boots. We were greeted immediately. After asking what they could help us with, they directed us to their snowboarding section. A young man named Matt explained our options to us, and the different advantages to each. He showed my son how to use the equipment, asked plenty of questions about fit, and was extremely helpful. We went upstairs to pick up a pair of ski pants, and again were greeted immediately and had the undivided attention of a very helpful sales woman who found a similarly priced pair of ski pants that fit my very tall, lanky son much better. The check out process was archaic, there's no doubt about it. The only reason I'm not giving them 5 stars was the triplicate paperwork that had to be filled out twice. We were using a gift card that my parents gave my son for Christmas: they had been able to tell us what the total was very easily, but had much more difficulty applying it to our purchase. The only way our experience could have been improved would have been if they were using a computerized POS system. Otherwise, they were incredibly helpful, and the prices were what I had been led to expect at any store. Love Viking Ski Shop! Definitely going back there for our next purchase. read more

Great folks - special thanks to Bob for accommodating us and for great service from the team. Great rental equipment and everything worked well. read more

Had not been to Viking in a number of years, having lived in more mountainous regions for a while, and I haven't really ever gone there for service on anything. I was fairly skeptical when I dropped my skis off for a tune, but there aren't exactly a plethora of options around here. However, they really did a great job on all parts of the tune--the stonegrind and wax job look great, and the edges feel like they are just right. I must say, I was impressed. Also, everyone at Viking was more than friendly. Also, in response to Jim K.'s review below, it's a shame you completely disregarded their advice regarding the differences between the Prophet 90's and Prophet 100's. They were spot-on that there was really no reason to buy the 90's. The 100's hold an edge and perform on hardpack just as well, but are so much more versatile in deeper or chunkier snow. That's the same advice you would have gotten at a number of other shops that know what they're talking about, and it's why online research can only take you so far when you're looking for skis. read more

Viking ski shop does an excellent job on my skis every time I take them to get worked on.

This place has some of the best selection you can find off a mountain. It is higher end (especially the boots), so not somewhere to get a $100 setup. But after trying a few pairs I have had some of the best skiing in my life with the boots and skis I go here. Staff was really helpful and patient. Was there for over 1 hour and my wife was there for 2 hours getting a snowboard. Only issues are the website is horrible (do not even bother looking on it) and the whole ticket write up to buy something is very 1960's. read more

I love this place. The staff was super friendly and helpful when fitting my snowboard boots and helping me choose a board. I got a great deal because they price matched another shop and were also having their after-the-season sale. I'm a little surprise that there are so many negative reviews, but maybe I got fleeced because I'm a newbie and don't know much. Oh well, I was still pleased with the level of service I got and would definitely go back. * from my visit on 3/3/12 read more

Very knowledgeable staff, not just some part time high school kids. great selection of everything. Never had to wait when I went in. read more

Thank you Dennis and Bob for your fantastic help. I received the best service I have ever had from a ski shop when it comes to fitting my boots. For those of you who need boots or boot work in the Midwest I would certainly make the trip. Anyone can sell you a pair of boots that will go on your foot and lock into your binding but it takes skill to help you find the right boot that really fits your foot. If you understand that boot fitting frequently is a long process then you will appreciate the care they take. I do suggest that you go in during the early season or even call to make an appointment in the summer when they have the time and can really work on them. The only other suggestion I have is when you call to have your boots worked on, make an appointment at the Chicago Snow Studio, about 5 miles away, and book some ski deck time to save you time in the boot fitting process. It is so much easier to find out if additional work needs to be done close to the shop then traveling to a slope only to discover something else needs to be tweaked. read more

I got ski boots molded to my feet that feel very comfortable and the team at Viking worked with me to get me skis the worked best for my ski level and budget. Such a nice/helpful staff and great experience - definitely go here to get anything ski related. read more

While these guys might be the only ski shop in town, at least they are damn good at what they do! Wife and I got some skis and boots from them a few years back and they've been great but weren't feeling so hot last time out. We brought them in and they spent an hour making adjustments and were super helpful. At that point, I'm thinking, they are going to make time off for my wife more enjoyable, that's worth whatever they are going to charge. The bill comes and...no charge for boot adjustments! Are you kidding me? Who does that anymore? Let me take a full hour to help you out and not charge you? Allow me to be cliche for a second but if I could give them 6 stars, I would. read more

Came in today to get my first own pair of ski boots. Drew did an amazing job finding the perfect fit to my foot and the service was terrific. I wanted to reiterate how awesome the customer service was and I know the others in the shop felt the same towards the people they were working with. I'll be back to get my bindings set and I'll bring the team a couple beers! read more

They are the experts, so yes sometimes they get a little arrogant and maybe come off as a bit snobby. This place has the best boot technology in the business tho SKIERS: BUY HERE. Every skier knows that when your boots don't fit right then nothing is going to go right. They are THE BEST at boot fittings. They'll ask what you're looking for, what level you are, what things you like and don't like, and get you the best equipment in your budget. I highly recommend asking if they have last years #1 model cause it's still great and comes at a discount. Saved myself a few hundred dollars on skis that way. You need a coat that will actually keep you warm and dry? You need gloves that actually do their job and provide major comfort? Don't waste your time at Sports Authority/Dicks. Get quality gear. You get what you pay for big time and the owner is the nicest guy on earth. PS I'm also a snowboarder and bought my whole package here. This isn't a biased review. ;) My board is still holding strong and they hooked me up with a great pair of boots and bindings. read more

Bought ski boots 1 year ago here. Skied last winter and had issues with too much pressure over left navicular bone and ankle. Showed up today with no receipt and described the problem. Immediate attention from knowledgeable ski tech who spent an hour and 2 attempts at remolding and refitting. End result is a perfect fit which couldn't be better. Knowledgeable attentive staff ! Great client service ! read more

I went to Viking after reading these reviews and I was worried. I'd tell viewers to take some of the reviews with a grain of salt. My dad, brother and their friends have been going to Viking for years. I'd never been, so I was worried we'd have a bad experience. Couldn't have been farther from it. I went in for boots. I'm an intermediate skier, no racer by any means, but I know what feels good and what doesn't. The guy who helped us was outstanding. The entire process took about two hours. But, if anything some people go there not knowing anything about skiing or boots and maybe they end up leaving unhappy, I don't know. We watched as a guy tried to get his beginner skier girlfriend into narrow, fancy looking boots. Sales guy told him flat out: Aint gonna happen. He was blunt, but he was doing them a favor. And, in the end, they listened to him. Also, just about everyone working there was friendly and nice, greeting people when they came in. So, I saw no outright rudeness while I was there and I was there a while. And another thing, let's face it, there are some people in Chicago who think they should be treated like royalty just because they have some money. I saw it while I was there. One sales guy was trying to help a kid find some boots. He asked him about four different ways what kind of skiing he liked to do, most likely because some people want boots that look a certain way, but which aren't for their ability. Also asked what kind of price range and explained that they don't get paid on commission. In the end, the guy bought a pair of $20 sox. Maybe he was just looking, or maybe he was there for drama. Who knows. Some people may truly have had a bad experience, that happens at every busines. But, based on my experience, I cannot complain at all. I was given a variety of boots to try. I walked around in them for quite some time until I found the pair that fit best. They were on sale. And, yes, they were pricey $400, but boots are important. Anyone who has worn an uncomfortable pair will agree. So, I'd say, give the store a try. Know what you like and what you don't and be able to explain it. And, I give them 5 stars and I never give anyone 5 stars! read more

They are beyond helpful, knowledgeable, friendly, and stocked to the nines. They made getting fitted for skis, boots, poles, and shopping for clothes/accessories fun. They were highly recommended to us by many. No disappointment here! read more

I understand that brick and mortar establishments have a different cost structure and cannot price products as low as online vendors. And I appreciate the convenience and customer service of a storefront and am willing to pay a premium for it, but the prices at Viking are exorbitant, the up-selling is ridiculous, and the staff has a huge chip on its shoulder. I had gone to Viking to buy Line Prophet 90 skis after researching extensively online. Viking did not carry the 90mm model (or was simply out of stock and wanted to convince me to buy a ski they had). The salesperson said that they only carried the line prophet 100's because, as he told me, "frankly, they blow the 90's out of the water." Right. Line has produced both models, the 90mm and the 100mm, for several years to critical acclaim, each for different reasons. Both are all-mountain skis, but the 100 favors soft snow and the 90's favor hard-pack. Of course, he didn't offer this balanced viewpoint. So I bought the 90's online because I couldn't find them in a local shop (one other place had them, but not in the 172 length that I wanted). When I got the skis, I went to Viking to get the bindings fitted (they were already mounted). He asked where I got the skis and I told him I had bought them online. You would have thought I had told him I slept with his mother. He charged me $130. It usually costs little more than $20. He gave me the invoice and told me that the girl to his right would ring me up. I saw the price and asked him why it was so high. He said "If you would have bought those skis here, it would have cost you $30." I just stood there, amazed. I told him I had been to the shop and that they didn't carry the 90's. He said "we like to support local ski shops." I asked him if he was serious and he told me "even if you would have just bought the bindings here, we would have charged you $40. Most places mount and tune a ski for FREE if you buy it from them. I called the place a sham, which is what it is, and stormed out. What a horrible place. I had previously bought a $100 helmet from them and a nice boot bag, and I wish I had never given them any money at all. Please go to another shop that deserves your business more. read more

I went in there a couple of months ago to have my bindings adjusted for new ski boots. They told me that since I hadn't purchased the boots there, the cost was $80, the exact same cost for putting entirely new bindings on my skis! When I mentioned how expensive it was, they said well if you don't buy it here we can't charge you less. For those who say skiing is an expensive sport, I know that, but at the same time price gouging just because it's an expensive sport isn't justified. In the end, I took my skis out to the burbs and got the bindings adjusted, my skis tuned, and my husband's skis tuned for about $88. It hardly took longer to drive to the burbs than to Viking and parking was easier. I say explore your options before going to Viking just because it's in the city. read more

i am a rental shop worker in aspen - just received a kids skis from this shop about 2 feet too tall for him. made for a strenuous start to my tuesday. do better vikings. read more

I bought a pair of snowboard boots here. My wife bought a pair of ski boots here. She also picked up a pair of snowboard boots here. The prices at Viking are not competitive with the internet. Nor should they be. The service I received made up for any difference in cost I would find online, and is the reason we've been back multiple times now. They have a great selection of quality boots, and they understand how it should fit your foot. They're worth the tiny premium to make sure you're comfortable on the mountain. Also, my wife's snowboard boots were on clearance and pretty cheap. The salesman was happy to sell them to her, never once pushed her into more expensive territory, just acknowledged they fit her better and thought they were the right choice. So yeah. It's the best ski/snowboard shop around. read more

As I walked into Viking, I thought to myself, "This place looks great!". Tons of skis, boots and anything else you might want for your winter activities. I first went upstairs to apparel, because the boot fitting area was pretty busy. The ladies up there were very nice and helpful. They didn't try to pressure you at all and were knowledgeable about all the products. Their prices for most of the apparel was about the same you could find at most stores. I got some ski socks. Now this is where the trip goes south (north would be good cause you ski in the north where its colder). I went down to wait and see if i could be fitted and try on some boots, which was the real reason I was there. As i said before, they were busy, but as the time passed no one even said "I will be with you soon" or acknowledged I was even there. Even the footlocker in the mall has attendants that will at least say they will help you soon. At one point a boot fitter walked by me and told me I "was in his way". At the 30 minute mark of waiting another person walked in, and within 10 seconds was acknowledge by the staff and helped. She was there to try on some boots shes had sent from the other store. Am I not a customer too? Bottom line: The only positive thing about my trip was the pair of socks I bought. The guys down by boots and skis suck. They will now not be selling me my skis, boots or any other things I needed for my trip. read more

I've been coming to Viking since I started skiing back in the early 80's. While ski tech has changed, and snowboards have gone mainstream, thankfully Viking is still the same: The small-business, friendly attitude, expert help, and good customer service is still here. Correct equipment and proper fit are paramount to staying healthy and having fun on the slopes. Doing it right TAKES TIME. Don't expect to come in and be done in 15 minutes. They really take their time and pay attention to what they are doing, and during ski season, they get BUSY, so plan to make a half-day of it. When they are taking care of you, they give you undivided attention. Their ski & board prices are fair, and their apparel pricing is surprisingly good. Highly recommended. read more

REALLY disappointed. Been going here since I moved to Chicago in 1994. Just walked in not 30 minutes ago to pick up my sons snowboard that we had waxed last season- I got barraged by 2 guys downstairs in Equipment by their snide remarks about how the board would need waxing again since "I" left it there all summer- why did I leave it, snicker-snicker-snicker, "gosh it's kind of a waste really- are you going to have it done again- why did you leave it here so long??" I could not believe it, never asked their opinion, looking at equipment with my 2 kids and I am getting verbally raked over the coals because I failed to pick up my sons board in a timely manner- according to these two twenty-something experts. Gosh boys, since you are so damn friendly maybe next time you can call me and remind me my boards been there too long. What a brilliant idea- CUSTOMER SERVICE. Seriously? Surely I can spend my money somewhere else that doesn't come with a verbal lashing. read more

I've been a skier for nearly my entire life, and have been to hundreds of ski shops all around the country. Viking is my least favorite of all of them! I live a few blocks from Viking and have been there many times to check out the merchandise. In my opinon, Viking is extremely over-priced and the staff (not all) tend to be on the rather un-friendly side. However, I will give the Viking staff some bonus points for knowledge. But, BEWARE OF THE UP-SELL. People: you probably don't need the $300 custom foot beds for those new ski boots. Viking staff WILL try to up-sell you to purchase them, I promise. If you do go to Viking to purchase gear, do your research first, because the staff don't seem to have your general best-interest in mind. Finally, I often see Viking staff walking around the lodges at local mountains (in southern WI) decked out in gear, but have never actually seen them ski/ride. I often wonder how much they actually know vs. what their vendors tell them. Honestly, if I want friendly service, knowledgable staff, and reasonable prices, I drive up to Glenview and visit Scandinavian Ski Shop. The Scandi Ski Shop guys even let me bring my dog into their store while I spent over an hour trying on ski boots. read more

This is by far the best ski shop in all of Chicago. They have the best selection and carry all the best lines of skiing items. The sales people are very helpful and they are honest about what you really need and they will tell you if you don't need something. They also know the products well so they can help you out if you have any questions. It's the only place I go for ski supplies. read more

In looking at the reviews I was a little skeptical of going to this shop...rarely when you see 4-5 stars followed by 1-2 star reviews it means something is a miss. However, I can say based on my experience today, that it was a great shop and I will continue to use them as long as I am in Chicago. Upfront I will state that I am a novice skier and stick primarily to the groomed areas and the occasional freestyle section. That said I needed a pair of boots to go with a set of recently purchased skis. The skis I bought prior were used and only $245 so I had no intention of getting really expensive boots. In looking at reviews it looked like others have had expensive boots pushed on them unwillingly and I certainly did not want that.... Upon my entry to the shop I notice that the first floor is completely filled with boots. Not sure what Nicole B is talking about in terms of selection?? Much greater than any other shop I had been to...Anyway, I mention that I am interested in buying a pair of entry level/basic boots and the salesman asks me if I brought my ski socks for a proper fit. Unfortunately I had forgotten them, so they loaned me a pair. So I put on the loaner socks and waited...there was one other customer in the shop buying some really high end boots greater than $700, regardless, they were not busy so I expected to be helped relatively soon. This was not the case, I waited about 10 minutes before the gentleman who was supposed to help me told the only guy doing any visible work that he would need to help me as well since some 'special' customers were coming for a boot fitment. Am I not special? Is my money not as good? Even the guy working with no budget seemed surprised to hear the other guy say that... This put me in a pretty fowl mood and I was ready to walk out upon hearing this...however, the salesman who originally greeted me immediately responded and measured and sized my foot. He asked pertinent questions and asked again what level boot I was looking for...I again said something basic. The boot he selected was north of $500, so pretty far from basic, but it did give me an idea of the size I was looking for....Upon seeing the tag I told him that it was beyond my price range. The next boots he selected were $400 and $300. Again, both were very nice, but far from a novice/basic boot. Finally he asked what range was I looking to stay within and I told him less than the cost of my skis, so under $250. Again being a novice and working primarily with rental equipment I was not completely aware of what the differences would be from boot to boot. As soon as he brought out the basic boot, actually the same brand and style as the last rentals I had, I could immediately notice a HUGE difference between the features and quality between a boot around $180 and say $300. With skiing, like anything else, you get what you pay for...If you have more money you will get better bindings, more customization points, and higher quality plastics. Sadly my budget would not allow me to make this leap just yet. As soon as we had my boot range settled the salesman was extremely helpful and aided in customizing the boots as much as they would allow. As soon as the boots were finished with adjustments I informed the salesman that I also needed my newly purchased skis to have the bindings adjusted to my size and tuned. He was again extremely helpful and seemed happy to answer any and all of my questions. Ultimately, this is a boutique shop that is focused on people that take skiing and snowboarding seriously. They require their sales staff to have certifications in multiple disciplines and have advanced equipment to make sure whatever you end up buying will be the best for you at that price point. If you are complete novice and cannot see yourself going out more than once or twice a year you can probably get away with going to a chain store (REI, Sports Authority, etc). But for my money, which isn't that much, I will take a highly knowledgeable sales staff who tries to get you the correct equipment over a high school graduate selling me whatever I point at on the shelf. You are paying for the selection and the quality of the staff. The only reason I did not give this shop 5 stars is because of the extended wait. Beyond that it was a great experience and I look forward to having more disposable income to invest in some real equipment when my skill level warrants it. Thanks Viking read more

Viking is NOT as cool/big/good/helpful as they or anyone else makes the shop seem. I've stood in the middle of the snowboard section for 20 minutes without having anyone ask me if I needed help. From the conversations I overheard of employees speaking to customers, I could have done a better job selling or even just informing the customers about the equipment. Mostly they were just reading the info stickers on the equipment, which I'm sure almost anyone making minimum wage could do. Forget a quick visit if you plan on buying anything. Took the employee about 15 minutes to ring up my $15 order. It's more worth it to spend the time wasted at the store driving to an actual ski/snowboard shop in the suburbs that can help you with what you need. read more

I was hesitant to go here due to all the negative reviews but thought I'd give it a try since it was the closest ski shop to downtown. I'm happy I did because I went twice and both times had an excellent experience. The first time was for a pair of custom ski boots which I loved so much that I came back to buy skis and had another great experience. The prices I paid were actually about 100$ or more cheaper then online and both times the sales people were extremely knowledgeable and did not try and up sell me. I can't speak to everyone else's negative experience but for me personally both times I had a great one. Strongly recommend. read more

I was not in there as a skier, but as someone looking for winter gear (socks, gloves.) I was surprised to find that when I walked into the tiny store that my presence went completely unacknowledged. Even after several minutes of looking around, I was not approached with an offer of help. (There was one other customer being helped.) When I requested assistance, the employee gave me a dubious look. The second salesperson is spoke to seemed annoyed to help. Not a very welcoming feeling at all. Having said that, they had some cool, albeit expensive, gloves. But I probably won't be back. read more

they really, really know their stuff. i think this is the best ski shop in all of chicago or suburbs. they will give you the best advice, and take time to talk with you extensively, even if they are super busy (which they always are during ski season). the salespeople are all great and don't talk down to you. they do only stock the top stuff, since they are a top ski shop - so don't expect to walk away with a bargain. but again, they will be honest with you about how much you should spend at your skill level. read more

I went there with a friend and our kids on Friday night. Traffic was bad and we arrived one minute before they were closing (6 PM). They were very nice, accommodating and took care of our ski rentals even if they were probably ready to go home. Andy was patient and thorough. read more

I was incredibly disappointed with the LACK of customer service. Went in hopes of purchasing a beginner ski package for myself and new skis for my husband. After 20 minutes of no one waiting on us we left. I guess there is no need for our business. This was particularly frustrating as we brought both of our kids with us to experience the fun (or so we thought). No one even bothered to say hello when we walked in the door. read more

Viking Ski Shop runs it. period.NO ONE better in the mid-west. You people that bitch about the pricing should take up basketball. Skiing is NOT cheap. It's for upper middle class families or single people. The insurance alone to run a shop is crazy expensive and you can thanks the shit head lawyers for that, and a generation of people that blame everyone else but themselves. read more

They try to make bussines on you... Ask for 200$ for ski boots heat mold if you dont buy boots from them and you have your own boots. Scandinavian ski shop and rei doing this heat mold for free. Do not recommend. read more

A great selection of snowboard gear. The nice part is that they don't try and push you into more expensive gear. They seem to really know their gears and would rather sell you a cheap board they know you'll like rather then a more expensive board that's not as good. The guy who was with me was reall nice and helpful. I plan on going back next week and pick up a whole new setup. I can't wait to go riding this year! read more

I purchased my ski boots from Viking and decided I needed some adjustments after I experienced numbness and pain while skiing. I went in thinking I just needed new footbeds and maybe my liners punched out. Dennis was a master and explained why I was having pain and what steps he would take to fix my issues. I ended up purchasing custom footbeds, which was a fun process. Dennis also adjusted my liners and my actual boot. Since I didn't expect the boot work I didn't give Dennis much time to complete his work on my boots.  I was leaving for a ski trip in a few days. Thankfully he was able to make the adjustments in time for my trip. Thanks to Dennis I had four straight days of skiing without pain.  I've always had a great experience at Viking Ski Ship. read more

it's funny to read other reviewers say "this is by far the best ski shop in chicago" HELLO PEOPLE! this is the ONLY ski shop in chicago...can you believe that? i'm from michigan and ski shops are pretty prevalent there, maybe it's because we have "hills" to ski/board on, and there aren't really any decent "hills" around here. plus, this is so far west that in about a year and 100 neighborhoods later, you arrive at the old (probably never been renovated) wooden ski chalet looking shop. let's make this clear - i am a snowboarder, i don't do the ski-thing (it's too uptight, constricting and boring for me), but my boyf skis and this is the ONLY place he can get ski gear & equipment at. 3 stars - for the clothing; 3 stars - for the snowboard after-thought gear and boards; 4 stars - for the ski selection (but hey, if there is no where else to go in chicago for skis, well,looks like you're stuck with viking). my boyf got some volkl mantra's here - he got them for about 20% off, which is no deal really, and they don't even throw in a free tune-up or anything for that matter, even if you spend over $1,000. come on, a free tune-up?? how cheap can you be, especially if you have a monopoly on the ski market in the entire city of chicago!!? the man that helped my boyf with his skis, bless his mountain man heart - this guy had 3 teeth i think and looked like santa claus from the 70s. i totally pictured him out at devil's head wearing a beanie with a ball on top, navy bib ski pants with suspenders, boppin' around with a frozen beard. he was helpful, and knew a lot about the merch, but couldn't throw in anything (as stated before) with the ski purchase - he said he would be fired if he did. read more