Excellent store. VERY fun to just browse and see what they have. Wonderful section downstairs where they have used & sample products for sale. Friendly staff, good prices. If you need to stock up on gear, head over to this place. read more

I've been meaning to write this review and just got around to it. The staff here are THE best period. The First time I came in I needed a box to ship a snowboard, I assumed I would have to buy one, but they looked for me but couldn't find a specific snowboard box so brought me out some ski boxes tape and scissors! Mind you I had never been here or shopped here before I couldn't believe how gracious they were! Not to mention I had a friendly dog hanging around as I was building the box! So rad! The next time I had to sell some of my gear to pay a bill and the guy working in the gear section could feel my pain and gave me a really solid deal that he really didn't have to! This place is special In Bellingham and the people who work here have to be the best spirited team in any shop around town. So that being said if you want to have a good day looking for gear or selling or buying gear by a crew who truly cares your only place to do it is here. Thanks again. Mark read more

Wow, I was having problems with my new ski boots fitting properly. Megan took great care in adjusting my boots to my feet! It was well worth the cost. Megan's knowledge of the anatomical and physiological aspects of my feet was impressive. Go Megan! read more

I have skied several times and have finally made the decision to buy my own boots, skis, etc. I had 3 friends who all recommend Backcountry Essentials for boot fitments and 1 who specifically recommended Megan. I scheduled my appointment online with no issues. I arrived early as Megan finished a fitting with another customer, and browsed the store. The selection left me knowing I'd be back. I was greeted kindly by multiple staff members. Megan greeted me right on time and it was immediately apparent she knew customer service, skis, and her job very well. I have a 12 year running background, I thought I knew anatomy. Megan's knowledge of anatomy blow me away. She listened intently to my personal preferences and guided me through the boot fitting process over the next hour and a half or so. Taking exceptional care to ensure I was comfortable and my boots were as perfect as possible for my specific skill level and anatomy. I did not feel pressured to buy at any point nor was I up-sold on products. I finished with a DESIRE to buy and support Megan and this local business. I will adamantly recommend her to anyone I talk to who's looking for boot fittings, because the experience and final product is of the highest quality. I will be back to purchase skis from backcountry essentials because of the professional and knowledgeable staff. The wait time online may be a couple weeks to get an appointment with Megan, however, it was worth the wait! read more

The staff here is really wonderful! I went in with a very strange request and they made sure to go through all of their inventory to get me what I needed. Amazing store with tons of wonderful gear! read more

I would strongly advise you go elsewhere for ski work. The lead ski tech here was super arrogant and tried to insist my boots were too worn to be setup with some pin tech bindings I was having mounted. Then he forgot to adjust the heel gap(the two skiis were totally different and nearly twice the recommended spacing). This caused me to blow out of both skiis in the first turn I took and sprain my wrist. The owner refunded my money but when I went in to get my refund the tech refused to admit his mistake and apologize. I've since adjusted the heel gap myself using the included shim and skied the boot/ski combo for around 10 days without issue. Given that the tech tried to act like their oversight was not the issue I can only assume they are at risk of continuing to make the same mistakes. So unless you enjoy bad attitudes and shoddy workmanship i suggest you find another tuning shop. read more

Every time I wander into Backcountry Essentials I ask myself: why the heck don't I come here more often?! They've got pretty much anything and everything the outdoor enthusiast could need. Camping gear? Check. Ski gear? Check. Water bottles? Check. Books and maps? Check check. Beer? Yep, they've even got that! The main level of BE features new gear, clothing, accessories, and pretty much anything you could need to look like you're from Bellingham. Upstairs is their used/consignment area, which is a great place to find deals on those name brand items that will cost you outrageous amounts at the more famous outdoor stores. The staff is also super friendly and helpful. Even if you look like you have no idea what you're doing, they'll treat you like outdoor royalty. Don't ask me how I know! read more

See all

This is a great local shop. The staff is particularly incredible. If you ever need the best boot fitter around, go see Megan!

Great local place to buy ski boots and skis! Had a two hour appointment with Megan and she was VERY helpful and taught us quite a bit about ski boots and helped us find the perfect match. She was patient and not pushy for sales! Such a great experience. Went back and Pete helped out with adjusting the boots later on. Both helpful and knowledgeable employees. The second floor is all used and discounted gear and equipment. Certainly worth going and checking out! read more

I'm a big fan of re-using gear and clothing, and this store has a really well curated selection of quality used outdoor clothing and footwear, including ski boots, as well as some new samples. I brought a few things in as well, and felt like I was given a very good price. I usually just donate clothing, but few thrift shops cater to true sports gear so I thought this would make it more likely for the items to find useful homes again. There's some funky old-building mold smell when you enter, but it's not from the clothes so I'm ok with that. This is a great place to check regularly for your PNW outdoor wear. read more

Looking for ski gear it's nice to have an option in the downtown area. Backcountry Essentials has knowledgeable and experienced staff to point you in the right direction Being a beginner in downhill I was looking for used gear for my first season and they have a small selection upstairs but didn't find my size but the staff was helpful and knowledgeable and had other options to to offer. Depending on the time of day and nearby events finding a parking spot nearby could be a challenge here. read more

Backcountry Essentials - Used skis selection - Sports Wear Near Me - Bellingham, Washington

I have never purchased a brand new pair of ski boots. I wanted to shop local and all I can say is that the folks at Backcountry Essentials are fantastic. I made a boot fitting appointment and had nearly 2 hours with Pete who was incredibly patient, precise, and listened to every concern I had with my feet (2 surgeries and lots of hardware). He did not try to sell or upsell-just was genuinely interested in making sure I could ski in comfort. I walked out with a great pair of boots, custom fitted, and even found some ski bibs in the extensive used gear section upstairs. to all the staff at Backcountry-thanks for a great experience . You have a customer for life. read more

Friendly and personable shop. Got custom insoles and snowboard boot fitting here and it was a gamechanger. Pete and Megan worked overtime to get them to me same day. I was truly impressed by that. The folks here are passionate about what they do and seeing people get the most out of their outdoor times. read more

If you live in Portland you can kind of think of this place as the "The Mountain Shop" of Bellingham. What do I mean by that? Well, I mean that, although it's not a "co-op" it does have much more legit gear than the corporate co-op a mile or two away. Stuff you'd never find there like: self-arrest ski poles, ice screws, pitons, and BEER!(?) That's right, in addition to bona-fide, legit mountain gear, they also sell singles of many canned and un-canned NW brews! Seriously, what a concept, saves me a couple trips! I will definitely be back! read more

This is the only local ski store in Bellingham. I left my ski's months ago to get new bindings. When you leave ski's and buy bindings you also bring a boot for them to know the length the bindings need to be. It's a lot to carry when there is absolutely no parking available ever. I went by there several times unable to park in order to pick them up. Last week I had a friend drive me drop me off so I could grab my skis. No bindings had been out on them. They said they didn't have my height in inches ok nor my ski level. These can always be adjusted after the bindings are on. But they didn't bother to put them on. They say they tried to call me. I doubt that if they did they sure didn't leave a message. Now I'm waiting for them to do the work I left my skis for months ago. They are supposed to call me. I haven't heard a word. Now I have to find a ride to go see if they are ready since there is no parking and I have a bad shoulder. My fear is there will be another excuse. I pray we get some competition in Bham that takes in consideration parking needs. I really don't think the kids there are trained or care about customer service. read more

The guys working here are fucking rad and know their shit. It's not often you walk into a ski shop and are greater by down to earth, authentic guys, who aren't too good for you. The two guys working (one of them named Dylan) stayed with us 15 minutes after closing and talked with us about gear, instead of rushing out. He even let me try on his own personal boot for sizing because they didn't have the Scott boot I wanted in my size. Instead of recommending a watered down version of the men's skis to my girlfriend (who rips, literally sends it harder then most guys) they listened to her and made assessments on what skis would do her well based off of how she skis, which I seriously appreciate. She explained her back ground with skiing and what she likes and dislikes and they made solid recommendations. She also told them she gets insane head lift and her current boots and offered to give her heal lifts to put in her boots for free. The gear also was not over priced, and fuck it, why not support a local shop when you can. If you have the money and can afford to buy from an authentic shop (that is literally the same price as other shops), THAT KNOWS HOW TO PROPERLY FIT PEOPLE IN SKI BOOTS AND WILL STAND BY THEIR FIT ASSESSMENT, then why not support them? Overall 10/10, they where worth the hour and half drive. read more

My boyfriend and I visited the shop on a whim but in the market for new ski boots and both left happy with new boots. Pete went the extra mile to ensure we picked the right boot and had the perfect fit before leaving. He happily answered all of our questions and we could tell he was passionate about his job and helping others find the perfect gear. Can't wait for our next visit! read more

I came searching for new overalls, since my usual source (Duluth Trading Company mail order) was out of my size in the line I like. This shop does not have a huge selection in its small building, but they had exactly what I needed: good, sturdy women's work overalls in my size (by Dovetail in Oregon). The staff were super friendly, and offered to order any size that they did not have in stock. I am so happy that I discovered this place! I might never do mail order again. read more

I wanted to give a shout out to the staff and owner. My wife purchased a set of bindings and had them mounted. There was an issue that really was not the fault of the store. We went in to see if we could find a solution and were immediately greeted with a smile and told that they would look to see if there was something that could be done. The comment that stuck with me was " It is important to us that you are satisfied and we will do what it takes". The owner personally helped us come up with a solution. It is so nice to have a local store really care about their customers and the community. I whole heartedly recommend Backcountry Essentials‼ read more

Second visit to the store, staff are friendly and knowledgeable. They don't have a huge selection but they offer carefully curated new and used clothes and gear from reliable manufacturers. They frequently have sales and specials to sweeten the deal! read more

Ooh... A treasure hunting outdoor gear shop and... used merchandise on sale too! Nothing like this up north in Van. that I know of. Hiking and running shirts, shoes and boots and snow gear too. What do you mean I can have a light rain shell that is not a heinous colour like my old one, and for less than 45 bucks? Pinch me! I'll take it! Yeah, we'll be back... and back... read more

Nice all around selection of new and used gear at reasonable prices. Staff are very friendly and helpful with buying gear that's not in the store. The reason I'm giving 3 stars is for the price you get trading in gear. I had a few things that I traded in and was astonished at the price they offered. I hesitated but I needed to get rid of it so I took their offer. Came back and saw they priced my gear I sold them 125% higher than what they offered. Couldn't believe it. I was also confused at the kind of gear they were accepting with shoddy shoes and clothes. Used gear prices are a little high too. read more

This is the best Backcountry gear shop in the area. It's safe to say there is nothing as specialized or has a staff as knowledgeable as Backcountry until Seattle. They sell new and used gear...and they have over 100 types of beer for sale. Beer and gear. Not much better. They'll be doubling their space to the upstairs in early 2011. If you need AT gear, mountaineering, rock climbing, hiking gear, etc this is the place to go. They offer brands and gear that can't be found at places like REI. read more

Staff is awesome and super helpful and willing to go the extra mile to make sure you get taken care of

Backcountry essentials is an incredible outdoor store! When I moved out to Bellingham, I was hoping to find a ski shop that would truly deliver top quality service, products and atmosphere. This place delivered! It felt just like my ski shop I had been going to in Spokane for my entire life and the boot fitter Frank is a master of his work and extremely interesting person to talk to. In addition to new products they also have an extensive used gear selection upstairs including skis, backpacks, boots, shoes and outdoor clothes. Highly recommend this gem! read more

I have just moved to Bellingham and I want to like this store but I recently went in to rent a pair of skis and the guy upstairs was super helpful and nice but the gal downstairs at the counter ignored me when I walked in and was rude when checking me out. Not only did her attitude upset me but I had checked at the price of ski rentals before coming in and she was charging me double that, when I told her about the pricing online she didn't seem bothered that either their website was incorrect or she was charging me incorrectly. I still don't know what the actual price is but it is far too expensive if it's double that than listed on the website. It's a shame as I have a lot of gear I would like to replace this year and I had hoped this would be the place to do it but I'd rather not go back with the chance of feeling like a huge inconvenience and annoyance to sales clerk. read more

This place was a 3 hour round trip drive for me. Was it worth it? Absolutely! Typically the vibe in many outdoor stores is that the staff are snobs with Subarus. I should know, I used to be a IT manager at a outdoor store and the floor staff definitely had a attitude and a Subaru. Here the staff is genuinely interested in helping you rather then talking down to you. The staff here is by far the most engaging and knowledgeable ski sales people I have met. The product mix is a mix; new skis, clothing, samples along with some used gear and clothing upstairs. There really isn't one vibe here, there is something for everyone, including beer. I felt bad that they didn't have the size skis I need in stock but will be back again when I'm in the area. read more

If I could give no stars I would. My adult kids and I went in yo purchase specific items an shop upstairs. There were several employees engaged in a spirited personal conversation. They ignored us as we shopped, without once engaging us. One of my kids put his purchases on the counter in front of the group. They didnt take a breath. We made eye contact and ...nothing. we waved them in...and further ignored. We left our purchases and left. There a very sweet dog who paid more attention to us than the humans. Will not be going back. read more

We were in Bellingham heading to Alaska. Needed gear. Frugal. Answer? Backcountry Essentials, a shop selling new, and here's the special part: USED gear, from boots to coats and more. Just what we needed to supply some extra warmth and rain protection before heading to Alaska in September, when it is definitely no longer summer. We arrived just before closing and the staff was very patient as we perused, tried on, questioned, and then, yes, purchased some items we were later very glad to have found. I wish there were used/consigned sports goods/clothing shops like this everywhere! read more

Like someone else said, the best backcountry gear shop in the area. Staff is very helpful and they are actually climbers themselves. Prices very reasonable, same as REI or elsewhere. The second floor, with the new and new-old-stock gear is a do-not-miss. I always walk out with a big old bag or box full of stuff. Got two extra sets of plastics for ice climbing mad cheap. Did thin k their used crampons were a little overpriced though. They have used ski and snowboard boots at good prices, something you won't find elsewhere. Loyalty program gives the same dividend as REI but you don't have to wait for the end of the year, when the card is full you get your credit. I also have them tune my skis every year. Highly recommend. read more

Great staff, great gear, great sales. Used clothes and gear upstairs. They also carry these beautiful handmade courier bags. They have what you need! read more

They are so friendly and helpful here. We were looking for a specific item that we couldn't find anywhere in Bellingham. They didn't have it either, but Steve spent several minutes looking online and placing calls around to see if anyone else had any in stock. Totally above and beyond. Next time we have to buy something for outdoor adventures, we'll go here first. read more

I love this place! Really warm & inviting w/ a sweet doggie that comes out to greet you. Found a pair of Columbia snow pants (consignment) for $40 & am now going up to the snow with good gear. Yeeeyyyyyyyy!!! read more

I hate to give a two-star review to such a cool business, but I think it's deserved. I had a boot fitting appointment with Frank, but he was busy when I arrived so another employee, let's call him Pedro, gave me a hand with a boot fit and some punches. Frank was working with another customer nearby, and said that he vouched for Pedro's work, so I figured it was OK to proceed. I end up working with Pedro on bootfiting a new pair of AT boots two days in a row. On both occasions, Pedro punched the WRONG boot, and on both occasions left the foot board out of one boot (discovered when trying the boot on - second time was easier to ID than the first). Pedro came across as a cool human being, but the mixups did not inspire confidence... mentioning something about a hangover, while funny, did not help his cause. And ultimately, he was potentially f'ing up a brand new pair of $500 boots. Not cool. In other news, the AT rental gear from here was great, and I will likely be back in the future to buy or rent gear. If I get any future boot work done though, it will be with Frank and no one else. I ended up taking the boot to another shop, who identified the lateral punch as being too far back on the boot (which explained one of the hotspots) and helped me get a proper fit (also for only $10, compared to BE's $30). Still, BE is a cool shop and the go-to place in Bham for backcountry gear. I just hope your experience here is better than mine! read more

This store is legit! A great place to search for good quality outdoor gear for your next adventure. They have a nice selection of used "sport" gear, such as; coats, pants, shirts, boots, snow gear, etc. Also, the owner is a beer connoisseur and has a great selection of premium single beers to choose from. Keep up the great work BCE! read more

All staff are extremely knowledgeable and helpful! They genuinely want to help you get out into the snow with the right gear, and will spend time with you to answer questions and find the right balance for you in terms of budget and quality. Great business to support! read more

My wife and I recently purchased new downhill ski boots and were fitted by Kevin. Kevin did an excellent job, took his time and made sure we were pleased with the fit. Great service! read more

Thanks for the ski boots and fittings. Keep up the great customer service. I would highly recommend Backcountry Essentials for boots and fittings. read more

Great shop for quality gear. Winter, Mostly cater to the local backcountry skier type. Good gear at moderatley expensive prices. Climbing, decent selection of cragging gear and Alpine gear. Summer, clothes, hiking gear etc. Ski shop knows their stuff and are very helpful. Only grip is I USED bring alot of used gear to their growning and very decent used dept. (Upstairs) But what they give you for your used gear and what they say they are going to resell it for seem very lopsided. Last pair of skis I brought in I got 50 dollars, went back a few days later and they had a 300 dollar price tag on them. But I guess I didn't have to take the deal. Stiff a great gear shop no doubt. read more