Legend has it that a rock at Jackson Hole Mountain Resort was named after Jeff Crabtree; the day he went big, and wound up with a few broken bones. When asked later about the incident, Crabtree simply stated ‘We were all up there because we were told someone was going to jump the rock that day. When no one did it, I went ahead and jumped it.” Skinny Skis
Years later, what Jeff Crabtree might be known for the most is starting Skinny Skis. Jeff adventured into areas few people have gone before, and that’s just what he did with Skinny Skis in the 1970’s. Since nordic performance-oriented gear was difficult to find, Jeff saw a business opportunity, and seized it with friend Owen Anderson. Since then, the Nordic shop has expanded into catering to an array of valley activities including climbing, hiking, running, backpacking, and AT Skiing.
Not every decision is as impulsive as the day at ‘Crabtree Rock.’ The decision to carry the finest selection of quality gear, and extend welcoming customer service, has been a staple of Skinny Skis over the years, and it’s what keeps customers coming back 45 years later.
Stop on in, gather some trail information, rent some gear, or purchase what will be necessary for your next memory in the mountains. Who knows, maybe it will be as lasting as the memory of ‘Crabtree Rock.’
We’d love to help you out and be a part of the process!
The Beginning (1973-1979)
Jackson native, and avid cross country ski racer, Jeff Crabtree and his friend, Owen Anderson opened Skinny Skis in the Fall of 1974. Open during winter only, all 500ft of the shop catered to everything Nordic; skis, boots, accessories, and of course, Norwegian sweaters! Their $1700 investment paid off, and the store grew. Phil Leeds, who worked with Jeff during summers in Grand Teton National Park, joined them in the Spring of 1977 to kick off their first opportunity to lease the space for year round business. They expanded their offerings to include hiking, backpacking, climbing, and running gear. The name, Skinny Skis, however, stuck.
The Middle (1980-1989)
The 80’s were the years of a lot of “firsts” for Skinny Skis, expanding beyond the initial 500 square feet. Broadening the product selection to include a variety of brands, many of which are still popular today! New gear, clothing and footwear were introduced: Patagonia, Royal Robbins, Marmot, Chouinard Equipment (presently, Black Diamond), Gregory, Nike, and Salomon were just a few of the early brands. Skinny Skis started the first 4th of July 10k race, Moosely Mountaineering (formerly, Moosely Seconds) opened at Dornan’s, and Owen retired and set off to sail the world.
The Now (1990- Present)
The recent years have provided some exceptional milestones, along with a few celebrations at the Mangy Moose! 2014 brought Skinny Skis to it’s 40th anniversary, and a new business partner, Scott O’Brien. Scott was a former general manager of a successful local company. His passion for XC skiing, climbing, and business acumen made for a unique combination of skills that were an ideal fit.
The owners, and 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. We are here to be an informational source, destination, and starting point for your next memory in the mountains. All of us here at the shop look forward to meeting you; and one day, celebrating another milestone together. Stay up to date, and follow along with us on our Facebook and Instagram pages.