Born out of a passion for Nordic skiing, Skinny Skis has evolved from a small, seasonal cross country ski shop to a complete year ‘round outdoor specialty store. In the summer, Skinny Skis offers a wide selection of gear and clothing for road and trail running, hiking, backpacking and climbing. As you’d expect, come winter, the shop’s focus is with cross country and backcountry skiing.

Skinny Skis was opened in the fall of 1974 by Jeff Crabtree and Owen Anderson.

Jeff’s collegiate racing experience at the University of Colorado led to a job in his hometown of Jackson as the head coach of the Jackson Hole Ski Club Nordic Team. With few options available for Nordic gear in the area, Jeff opted to open a seasonal shop with Owen, a close family friend. Gear and clothing from Madshus, Fischer, Skilom, Odlo and Bonna were the mainstays. Skinny Skis continued as a successful seasonal (October thru April) cross country ski specialty shop.

In the spring of 1977 Skinny Skis had the opportunity to rent their location on a year ‘round basis.

Phil Leeds, a friend of Jeff’s from California, joined the company as a partner. Phil had worked and climbed with Jeff during their summers in Grand Teton National Park. The highest quality gear and clothing for running, hiking, backpacking and climbing were added to the new store’s line-up. Skinny Skis was among the first shops in the country to offer gear and clothing from Marmot, Gregory and Moonstone.

In 1984 Owen left the company to follow his dream of sailing around the world (literally!). Jeff and Phil continued to operate and grow the business.

In 1985, Jeff and Phil opened Moosely Seconds Mountaineering.

Conveniently located at Dornan’s in Moose, Moosely Mountaineering serves both locals and visitors alike with gear and clothing for hiking, backpacking and climbing. One of the store’s unique attributes in the 1980’s and ’90’s was its selection of cosmetic seconds-- essentially, quality clothing with slight blems.

 

 

 

While finding cosmetic blems from vendors has become nearly impossible, the store’s buyers strive to find great values in quality outdoor gear and clothing! Moosely Mountaineering operates seasonally from early May through September.

2014 brought Skinny Skis to it’s 40th anniversary and a new business partner, Scott O’Brien.

Scott’s unique combination of business skills (a former general manager of a successful local company), passion for cross country skiing and climbing, as well as his business acumen, were an ideal fit.

Jeff retired in 2016, opting to spend more time with his growing family (grandkids!) and pursuing his love for the great outdoors.

In 2020 Phil followed suit by selling his interest in the business to Scott and someone “new”, Taylor Hall.

Taylor brought many years of outdoor business experience to Skinny Skis, having spent 20 years helping manage Teton Village Sports and 8 years working with Icebreaker, a Merino wool apparel manufacturer with headquarters in New Zealand. Taylor’s passion for all of the activities that Skinny Skis revolves around, combined with his deep sense of community, have been a terrific fit.

Moving Forward!

Scott, Taylor and the staff at Skinny Skis are excited about the coming seasons! Never before has there been such an amazing line-up of quality gear and clothing. Regardless of activity---whether it be cross country skiing, touring the backcountry, climbing, running, hiking or backpacking---the options are exceptional. The staff works hard bringing the most sensible products to the shop.

All of us here at the shop look forward to meeting you and one day, celebrating another milestone together!

 

–Taylor Hall, and Scott O’Brien