Do you ever walk into a shop and think, hmmm, maybe I *should* start long distance backpacking again! Well, that's the feeling I got when I visited Winthrop Mountain Sports during the recent Winthrop Quilt Roundup. I had never visited before, but it was a stop on the event passport so I popped in. Wow, what a GREAT place! First of all, they have way more than backpacking equipment. From stylish outdoorsy clothes to all sorts of hats, gloves, shoes, water bottles, and other must-have PNW-esque accessories, I could easily have outfitted myself for everything from a day hike up the Methow to an expedition down the PCT. They are also dog-friendly, allowing my friend's dog to wander the store with us (and even sneaking him a treat from behind the counter). Even if you're not outdoorsy, there's something you need in this shop. I ended up buying some road trip snacks for the journey home. read more

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RIGHT ON! I walked in and rented classic cross country skis. I was given the choice of those with scales and high performance. I chose high performance and they were brand new. It was the best rental gear I have ever rented. Service was quick, pricing was good and I was out the door in about 10 minutes. I will for sure be back for more and likely purchase my set up there next year. Oh, and I was able to buy my trail pass during that quick amount of time too. Win win. read more

I am new to trail running in the valley and needed some trail running shoes.the owners , Erik and Marine , were very knowledgeable about the different brands and what would work best for my needs. I ended up with an air of HOKA running shoes and am extremely happy with my purchase and the great customer service I received! read more

We've been coming to the Methow Valley for 12 years, always stopping by Winthrop Mountain Sports for trail passes, gear, or a friendly conversation. More than once, the previous owner Rita saved our vacation with a pair of sunglasses, gloves, or boots from deep in the stockroom. But something changed this year. Stopped in today to buy a new set of skis and poles and received the worst customer service you can imagine. One of the new owners was rude, condescending, and aggressively insulted me in front of my family. While I'm no professional skier, I've been nordic skiing for 30 years, and know my way around the tracks. But the way owner Eric Purpus acted you'd think I was a chimpanzee. He approached my family and I while I was inspecting a pair of skis I wanted to buy and yanked them out of my hands, saying "we like to keep our skis clean for other customers". Without asking any questions about our situation, ski style, or price range, he proceeded to mansplain to us what we wanted. When I asked a question about bindings and used the wrong 3-letter acronym, he angrily exploded and began to loudly impugn my intelligence. I let him know that the sales interaction wasn't going well and proceeded to exit the store. As I was attempting to leave, Mr. Purpus followed me through the store shouting more insults at my back about my not having a clue, and concluded his tirade with "I don't know what you do for a living, but I bet you're lousy at it". I was stunned and my family was horrified. Nobody knows what goes on in other people's heads, and I try to give people the benefit of the doubt. But treating customers badly has consequences. Today it was the $600 I spent at a different ski shop in town instead of our old favorite WMS. What's most important is how the owners decide to treat customers going forward. Winthrop Mountain Sports is a Methow Valley institution, and deepest respect is due to the decorated champion skiers who are also now part owners. The previous owners never had a worthiness test to be treated with respect. Even the most elite ski shop in town shows nothing but courtesy to their customers, regardless of their ski qualifications. If today's experience represents the WMS's new values, I don't know how it can survive. read more

I was referred here by a local to rent cross-country ski gear for my first time trying the sport. I called and asked way too many questions and everyone was super friendly. Dan got me geared up, answered more of my questions, showed me how the boots should fit, how tall the poles should be, and how to clip into the skis. He was equally helpful when we decided to rent snowshoes for a day, again my first time trying that. Looked to me like they have everything a high-maintenance person could want for sports in the area and definitely everything for the minimalist. You can buy your passes there, too. An honest, friendly, woman-owned business that I'll return to and refer others to. read more

Marine and Eric, the owners of Winthrop Mountain Sports, are both extremely knowledgeable and experienced skiers, patient and kind people. My husband and I have been customers of this store for over 15 years, and the current service is awesome. After failing to find new skate boots that actually fit, Eric found the perfect solution for me and I love the boots. My husband bought skate skis and was so impressed with the skis that Marine and Eric suggested, that I also bought a pair and am thrilled with the performance. Their suggestions were spot on, and they have always made the time to answer our questions and help us. Their selection of clothing, boots and shoes is fantastic and well organized and displayed. Don't forget to check out the sale area upstairs. read more

Great information and tons of patience for a crowd of enthusiasts including these two winter sport noobs! They went out of their way to help us know the best place to start and rent equipment at a no-frills price. Their help led us to a wonderful weekend and introduction to snowshoeing. Now we are snowshoers!! Thanks Winthrop Mountain Sports! read more

Out shroomin and our shoes lost their waterproofedness. We were in & out of here in less than 20 min. We both left with appropriately priced Merrell shoes. This husband wife combo worked together very well, wife was taking care of us both very well, husband checked in once when she was in the back. Maybe a little modern for Winthrop, but service, stock available, & customer service make this a very welcome business here. read more

I love Winthrop Mountain Sports! The vibe, the competence of the staff, and the community dedication the new owners have shown over the first year of their business ownership. Eric, Marine, Kelly and Eric have bent over backwards to make us happy customers, and they have given their own new life to the store. My family loves Rita and Diane and everything they did for WMS over the last 20+ years. While they are not replaceable, the new owners are taking the store to their own heights and we are in deep gratitude for the consistency and love they share with this community and our out of town guests. They have each gone out of their way to help us find the right gear for each of our family members. Shop local and support our local businesses! They are awesome! read more

Winthrop is such a cute & cool little town, and once again, I slap myself for living in the Pacific North West for so long and not coming here until now. This town is cool because of stores like this one. Yeah, there are tons of shopping options here in Winthrop, but this is more my style: outdoor clothing & gear. They have a fairly huge section of items on sale upstairs, and I rummaged through them, but what really caught my attention was the western-style Buhl shirt near the front window. It was a bit pricey, but I liked it and looked hot in it. What's money for anyway, but for buying items like this, right? The staff here was nice, and you will find all kinds of gear if you are in the beautiful North Cascades. read more

Rented XC skis here twice this winter. Tried 3 different pair. Rita is the best. Got me skis matched to my size and skill. Painless and friendly. Very reasonable. read more

Winthrop Mtn Sports has an outstanding selection of what you know you need and what you didn't even know you wanted until you found it! Whether it's a replacement Jetboil, Emergency camp soap, or a SUPER cute pair of capri pants - they have it all. It's also a really nice shopping environment - with friendly helpful staff. read more

Our family was kicked out for not wearing masks despite the fact that the CDC and State of WA have lifted mask mandates for fully vaccinated people. This store's management apparently is smarter than the CDC scientists. read more

The people are great and the selection is phenomenal! This is your one stop gear shop when in the Methow Valley. I have been coming here for years and will continue, until the cows come home! read more

Can't believe I've not written a review before. My bad. Winthrop mountain sports is a gem. Chaotic at times, wonderful selection and the staff are terrific. Rita has an encyclopedic knowledge of skiing and what works for the particular individual. Break a ski tip? Loose the clamp that holds your climbing skins on at the tail? They got those too. The sale loft is always fun to rummage through too. I'm always impressed that they have me try out the skis first, on the trails, before they let me pay for them. Now that is service! If you're in a hurry on a holiday weekend, you might be frustrated. But, you shouldn't be in a hurry if you're in Winthrop anyway. We are on island time here, even though we are a ways from any actual island. So chill. Wander around. Talk with the staff about what you enjoy, etc. Make sure to hit up osb after you're through shopping :-). And have fun! read more

An update a year later for Winthrop Mountain Sports: had lots of personal attention from store owner Rita, who has impressive knowledge of her products. Bought a new pair of hiking boots that were $20 less than at any online or other regional retailer. Sock selections feature Made in America and Fair Trade options with there still being an amazing selection of products for a small store. My favorite outdoor store anywhere. read more

Top notch selection, advice and prices for cross country ski gear. I just purchased new skating skis and boots, relying on Rita's advice, as I know she's the best there is. She was patient with me and let me try them out and make sure I was happy with them before deciding to purchase. I was quite thrilled after I tried them on the track. I was even happier after I got home and searched online for more information about the purchases. It turned out that Rita really gave me very good prices. I wouldn't consider buying cross country ski gear anywhere else, even though it's a few hours drive to get from my home to Winthrop. They have lots of other outdoor sports equipment and clothes as well. read more

A last minute snowstorm would have really ruined a long, long trek. I wasn't very hopeful that Winthrop would have a decent outfitter with somewhat reasonable prices. Imagine my surprise when I walked into the store to find everything I needed at Winthrop Mountain Sport! Not only were their prices fair, but either the owner or employee practiced a random act of kindness for another person with whom I was traveling (a story for another day). Highly recommended! read more

The REAL reason I visit Winthrop. Where else can you get a fabulous selection on Nordic gear??!! Wisconsin maybe. But seriously, this place rocks if you love sporty,fun clothes or if you are an intense, a -type Nordic skier. Only reason it is a four star is because I sometimes become trapped between the clothes rack & have to call for help, totally embarrassing. read more

My 2 star rating is based solely on my experience at the ski rental counter. I waited in line for 20 minutes behind a party of 2 (while there were two staff members on duty). After some thumb twiddling, I told the man I was looking to rent XC skis and was asked rather curtly, "You don't have a reservation? We are out of your size." Drat! But, he was really kind of rude. Especially if you're looking to rent during peak season, make a reservation to avoid this kind of interaction. read more

Best place for renting top of the line nordic equipment in town. Was a bit disorganized (lost our reservation and gave us the wrong skis at first), but the owner was very friendly and more than made up for it by pulling out two brand new pairs, installing bindings right away and sending us out with some super fast RCS carbonlites. Would definitely rent there again. read more

This store is chock full to bursting with sports gear, active wear, shoes, cross country ski gear, camping and climbing equipment, guide books. It's sometimes hard to navigate because they have organizational issues and that's why I don't rate it a 5. However, they usually have what you need, including lots of back stock that she might give you a good deal on. Check upstairs for sales. And if you don't see it, be sure to ask, because they have a basement full of stuff too. Note: they are completely out of the bike business, but she will still rent skis and sell trail passes. read more

We rented two sets of skis boot and poles. Skis were very good, boots OK, one set of poles was bent but too much trouble to return. Rental area was very disorganized. Skis piled up everywhere, blocking aisles covering displays and making it hard to find a place to sit to try boots or even to walk. Rita was very kind, competent and pleasant but totally overwhelmed by the Christmas rush. Four stars for equipment and prices but reduced to three due to the chaos of piled up equipment making the rental process take too long. read more

Shop owner Rita will go out of her way to help you! Coolest customers service I have ever seen in a shop. A must if you need hard to find spares/parts for ski bindings. read more