Shop Profiles
Pinewski’s Ski and Board Shop Profile
Give us a quick run-down of your shop and its history.
Established in 1987, Dan Pinewski started Pinewski’s Ski Tuning and Accessories. He started in a 1300sq ft leased space that was so small that when he tuned long skis he had to open the door. Since then, Pinewski’s has grown to an internationally known, 3 level, 5000 sq ft pro shop that specializes in alpine skiing, snowboarding, XC Skiing, wakeboard, waterski, skateboard, fitness inline, aggressive inline (the only shop left in MN) and tune shop.
What is it about your shop that keeps the local shreds coming back to get all their gear?
Our main concern is the relationships that are built, the stories that are shared and the memories that are created. Our shop has turned into a place to share accomplishments and defeats during shred sessions. Since we are genuinely in love with what we do, we want only the best for our customers. We offer that in product, services and everything in between. We do it without commissions, without arrogance and without Burton!
Describe your local shop crew; do you often have people hanging out at the shop?
Our crew has always been a good mix of ages and passions. Some of our employees are also flowed riders and some of our team riders are sponsored.
We have a lot of people that just hang out. There is a skate park by us, so that draws a lot of people. But it’s the conversations that make it happen.
Crazy customers make for good stories, got any really good ones from the past season?
Well, we are located within a couple miles of a mental hospital and a drug rehab center. Along with that, we have low-income housing and a senior citizen center nearby. Now that you know this, I am sure you can imagine some of the characters that come through. One customer comes in and always asks for the best stuff, about 20 times in a row without any other sentences, comments or phrases. Also, he has a head tick and an over-exaggerated blink to boot. He is the ``initiation`` for new employees.
We have another guy that loves to give hugs, but he was hit by a car, and had some malpractice during the surgery, so it is understandable.
Honestly, the craziest characters are the employees. From the pranks of ex-lax brownies to christening the bosses office to starting fights with egotistical asshole pro riders to breakdance contests (between two fat guys) to sleeping off the drunkenness between customers on Sunday afternoons, to a door full of unforgettable quotes. The stories are endless and sometimes unbelievable, but that is what makes us, us. Someday, come and join us for a couple pints, we’ll share them with you.
Any up and coming shop riders to keep an eye on?
We have two keys guys on our snowboard team. Josh Tranby and Cole Linzmeyer. Both have placed in top three finishes at most events in the Midwest, and have placed well at comps out West. They are both sponsored by some smaller brands, and Cole turned down a major contract with Descente/DNA clothing since he didn’t believe in the way they ran their sponsorship program, and the position they have been trying to get in snowboard industry. So, not only are they awesome riders and good advocates for our shop, but great ambassadors for snowboarding.
Do you remember buying your first kit? How do your early snowboard purchasing experiences affect how you sell snowboards?
For sure. It was a Sims Soul Carve with Morrow M1 Bindings. The worst set up but looked pretty damn cool. Because of this, I sell based off the following phrase: Function over fashion and finances. It’s not worth getting crap product to look cool, or to save a buck or two. Honesty and education are key to any investment.
What’s the hardest part of working in the shop?
First, educating people that supporting local shops is crucial for the snowboard industry to succeed and that internet buying has done nothing but wreck the market. Second, explaining to parents that their kid is a hack snowboarder that does not belong in the park because he is trashing his $400 board by running into boxes and rails. Third, the lack of respect many talented riders have towards other riders, shops and other teams. I wish they only knew how gifted and privileged they are, but more importantly, how quickly it can be taken away.
What’s the piece of Rome gear you guys get asked about most often?
Agents and 390s
What’s the closest shred spot to the shop? What’s your local shred scene like?
Local hill is Wild Mountain (all 300 ft) – Park Rats and Urban Killers. Since the introduction of winching and minimal cost of jibbing urban rails, that has been the latest craze. As for the local hill scene, it is mainly park folks.
What’s the worst thing or strangest thing you’ve ever seen brought in for a repair or tune up as far as snowboard equipment goes?
Gunshot right through the board!!! Some dude`s friend shot a .45 right through his board. Got it cleaned, sealed and smoothed.
Last year we had a guy with a Design board and ski rack that flew off his Rover at 75 mph. You can guess the board did not do well, but he was going to be going on a trip in two days. I spent 3 hours on the board and get it ready for him. As far as I know, it worked just fine.
What’s the best story of a customer trying to return something or ask for their money back?
A couple seasons ago I had a kid trying to return a board that from a company that we never carried. A lot of people try to return clothing that smells like shit from cigarette smoke. The funnier stories are the stuff people bring in trying to sell us. i.e. Some dude slanging a snowboard and binding for $10 bucks so they can pay their phone bill. This one homeless dude walking down the street with two bikes and getting pissed at us because we didn’t buy them.
When do you feel that switch go off in your head that snowboard season is coming quick?
The smell of hot wax and p-tex coming from the tuning shop.