It was winter of 1966, and "Big Bill" Clowser was hooked on the wonderful, exhilarating sport of skiing! And from this, the birth of our shop! "Big Bill" saw that there was no place in the area to purchase high quality ski equipment that also offered service from experienced skiers. And so, the tiny mezzanine of our former next door location became Bikle's Ski Shop. With the help of the ski school director, Luis Sanchez, of the newly opened Charnita Ski Area (now Ski Liberty), "Big Bill" stocked the shop and hired our first mechanic, Mike Poore. The hobby was now a business.

For the next few years the little "hobby" grew very slowly...and sometimes led to conflicts within the family shoe business. We kids thought this "hobby" was taking too much time and effort. And to those of you who knew our dad, his gift of gab would keep him in the ski department forever. Enthusiasm for the sport was never in short supply for him!

In 1975, the building next door went up for sale. Boy, could we see the wheels turning! And, in spite of a mall opening soon, he bought the building downtown. What a foolhardy ski nut... or was he??? We think he made a wise move.

In February of 1976, in bitter winter weather, we carried our inventory (while our dad was in Aspen skiing!!) with the help of a great staff and various family and friends, to our new and present home. And, although the entire ski shop was in "Little Bill's" office in the back, it was a step up! The next season it continued to grow and the back room was remodeled to hold this ever-expanding "hobby" of our dad. As time passed, the business required more space, and it gradually pushed its way forward in the store. By 1991, the ski shop had taken over the entire downtown location.

And although our dad, "Big Bill," passed away in 1987, all of the changes we have made since his death have been made with him in mind, for it was his sincere love of this sport that made it grow. We think he would be proud. And would he ever love all the new improvements and additions in equipment! The sidecut skis just keep getting better, and all kinds of twin tip skis and the super fun ski boards have exploded onto the market recently.

And now 42 years later, Bikle’s Ski Shop still stands as the area’s best ski shop. Stop and say “Hi” to Bill, Barbara & Dax!