Alpenglow Sports

Tahoe City, United States

4.8

20 reviews

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Telephone:
+1 530-583-6917
Website:
alpenglowsports.com
Address:
415 N Lake Blvd, Tahoe City, CA, 96145
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Today

Today –
Local time (Tahoe City) 18:36 Wednesday, 25 June 2025

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Description

Specialties

Alpenglow Sports is an outdoor specialty store located in Tahoe City, California, on the North Shore of Lake Tahoe. In winter our focus is on crosscountry and backcountry skiing, both alpine touring and telemark. In summer, hiking, backpacking, rock climbing, and trail running take the lead. Just like you, our committed, expert team is passionate about the great activities we all enjoy in nature’s vast playground.

We select quality equipment that focuses on function, form, and fit so you can make the most of your time outside. We believe in and use the gear we sell every day, so our knowledge is based on firsthand experience. Even before a new product hits the market, we’re out there testing it, bringing the latest and greatest to you in store and via public demos so you can get the best gear, too.

History

Established in 1979.

We started up to share our passion for outdoor adventure with the community we love. The original Truckee shop (1973) was the first outdoor supplier in the Tahoe basin where Peter Werbel and Don Fyfe sold running shoes and army surplus. When the snow hit, they wanted to keep playing outside and so morphed the biz into a Nordic ski shop. In 1979, Don opened the Tahoe City shop to bring Alpenglow Sports even closer to his home by the mountains and majestic Lake Tahoe.

Over the years, the Alpenglow team has prided itself on conducting in-​depth field tests to curate the best possible products for our customers — from running shoes and hiking boots to backcountry ski equipment and climbing gear. We stand behind what we sell because we use our products everyday and have established great relationships with our suppliers.

Meet the Business Owner

Brendan M.

Business Owner

When you engage with Alpenglow Sports and its friendly and knowledgeable team, you’ll be inspired to spend more time in nature — inspiration that flows directly from our people, our community, our surroundings, and the great brands that support our favorite activities.

Telemark skiing originally drew Brendan to Lake Tahoe, and after seeing the outdoor recreation possibilities, he threatens to never leave. His passions include backcountry skiing and trail running.

Just like everyone on the team, Brendan is stoked to share information on where to plan and how to outfit your next adventure. We are passionate about experiencing an active outdoors lifestyle each and every day. We eagerly share these adventures — and the gear that gets us there — with you.

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Nearby

Near this location:
40
ft
Brown David CPA
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Galletto Construction
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Clear Speak Wireless
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The Store Copies and More
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20 reviews of Alpenglow Sports

No registration required
Place rating: 1
Denver, CO
After many shopping experiences I can say I won’t shop there any more. Unethical management and sales practices time and time again.
Place rating: 5
Occidental, CA
If you want friendly staff who are knowledgeable because they are actually out there running, climbing and shredding in the back county go no where else!
Support Local! You’ll never leave unsatisfied!
Place rating: 5
Seattle, WA
Great store, awesome selection, and friendly staff. I bought a pair of rock climbing shoes at the store… service was amazing. I highly recommend this place.
Place rating: 5
San Francisco, CA
5937 Geary Blvd, San Francisco, CA 94 121 purchase decision. Brandon helped us and we soon learned that not only was he friendly, but his knowledge of boots, including details of the materials, the benefits of certain shapes, breath ability, weight, manufacturer history gave us a much more thorough understanding of what we needed and wanted. It was truly a pleasure to interact with Brandon. There was no pressure of any kind! At Alpenglow we were treated with such respect. I can’t wait to go back!
Place rating: 5
Truckee, CA
Every time I go in here, I want to buy something first and foremost because I love gear, but also because I love how they run this store. Everyone is friendly, everyone is helpful and yet none of them are pushing a sale or talking you in to or out of something. They sell some amazing equipment and treat you like you are going to be spending that kind of money. Too many shops like this treat you like a rookie and talk down to you, even though you could drop $ 2k in one purchase, that doesn’t happen here, you can’t go wrong buying your goods from Alpenglow.
Place rating: 5
Alamo, CA
Knowledgeable, friendly & local staff are always eager to share what they know and help you with your purchase. Most important, they never make you feel awkward if you are new or inexperienced in a sport (unlike some shops) although they are set up to handle the most extreme back country sports. The staff at Alpenglow wants you to enjoy Tahoe as much as they do and they do lots of events and activities to share the love. The video back country ski reports on social media are awesome – fun to watch even if you are stuck in the Bay Area. The Tuesday run club is a great group, welcoming to newbies and willing to end a run with a beer :). They host events in the annual Alpenglow fest and bring in experts to test new gear and lead excursions etc. Alpenglow is truly integrated with the community and gives as much as they get. I always make an effort to stop and shop here to show support and thanks for this local gem.
Place rating: 5
Truckee, CA
Smart, fun, helpful and patient folks. Reasonable prices, great service, visually appealing and pleasant shopping environment. I highly recommend Alpenglow!
Place rating: 5
Piedmont, Oakland, CA
This is my goto place for all ski related stuff — mounting bindings, current conditions, new gear. Staff is knowledgeable and attentive and the owner is awesome. I would give six stars if Unilocal allowed it.
Place rating: 5
Reno, NV
Great community outreach with Mountain Fest. Has all the gear you need to ski, run, and climb into the mountains and the expertise to service it. Check them out!
Place rating: 5
Los Angeles, CA
Could not find a particular Salewa shoe anywhere in SoCal. Went to Salewa Website and they listed Alpenglow as one of their dealers. Called em up and spoke with Barrett. This man was on the case! Cut to, getting back to me within 24 hrs. and was able to drop ship my shoes down to LA just like that! Could not have had a more kind, cool, understanding, helpful service rep. Barrett went above and beyond the call. Really appreciate it Alpenglow!
Place rating: 5
Saratoga, CA
I love, love, love Alpenglow. I’m not some intense rock climber, but I appreciate their selection of casual outdoor clothes, shoes, and accessories. They carry some of my favorite brands that aren’t easy to find elsewhere — Carve Designs, Smartwool, TAHOEMADE Attire, etc.
The folks working here are perfect — down to earth, knowledgeable, dog– and kid-​friendly, and easy to approach. No «brahs.»
And Alpenglow has the best buyers. In fact, when I complimented someone in the store on the women’s buyer, he informed me that she’s an artist. Obviously. There were beautiful scarves on every shirt on display and I wanted to buy ALL of them.
I wish I’d had an opportunity to visit sans kids so I could have tried on some of their trail running and water sandals. Next time! Would love to make it up in June for their Alpenglow Mountain Festival — Summer and join them for hiking, running, and yoga.
Place rating: 5
Davis, CA
Best backcountry store on the planet! Any planet! Everyone can sell you gear, but who takes extra care making sure you have exactly what you need, together with giving beta on best mountainbiking (or skiing, or climbing) in town and around? Well, look no further!
Place rating: 5
Cambridge, MA
Dropped in here to get running/​hiking shoes and had the best service ever — totally patient, informative and friendly. Even let me take a short run outside to test 2 pairs on the hill!
Also had cute clothes and accessories for those who like to be girly/​sporty :)
Place rating: 5
Jackson, WY
Love these guys! Great place for backcountry snow and climbing gear. They’re also an awesome resource for gear related questions. They really helped me out when I got a bad pair of G3 skins from another store. They returned them to g3 for me for free and got me a perfect new pair. Costumer service doesn’t get any better than that! Staff are always friendly and knowledgable. They also have a consistently rad selection of clothes! Love the backcountry conditions reports they post as well. Love supporting this local shop! Keep up the good work guys.
Place rating: 5
El Cerrito, CA
This is probably my favorite store to shop for outdoor clothing around the entire lake. Their staff is super friendly and helpful. They have a solid collection and you can tell they certainly pick quality items to have in their store despite being smaller than REI type stores.
Place rating: 5
Truckee, CA
I went into Alpenglow to buy running socks and was so pleased with the gracious and kind service! Brendon, the owner, was very informative and easy to talk to. I have lived in the Tahoe area for 18 years and have always found Alpenglow a warm and welcome place. When I went to check out and pay the cashier said 1 of the pairs of socks was a gift. I bought a few pairs, but not a big expense. I am going to be a regular with Alpenglow from now on !!! You earned a loyal customer.
Place rating: 5
Campbell, CA
Got amazing service from Megan! My hub, Bill and I have awkward sized feet. We needed river rafting shoes. Megan fit our feet like a charm. So, we came back the next day for hiking shoes. Megan gave such an in depth analysis of the soles of hiking shoes and how my feet strike the trail, that with her expertise, I was able to find a pair that fit and were excellent for my wide feet. I hereby award Megan an honorary doctorate in Shoeology. And fervently hope to have such grand service next time I am in Tahoe. Did I mention the shirts we bought. Hand selected by the knowledgeable Megan.
Place rating: 5
Incline Village, NV
Just purchased a new AT skiing setup. Boots, bindings, skis and skins. Extremely happy with the professional and friendly service. If you are a backcountry skier/​boarder, backpacker, climber (ice or rock) or trail runner, THIS IS YOUR SHOP! These guys and gals know there stuff and they use what they sell… ALOT! Very knowledgeable and competent staff. Much better selection for the above mentioned sports than REI. I paid the same price as online for my gear and got top notch service.
Place rating: 5
Clovis, CA
Top notch shop. Very knowledgeable and helpful staff. I am an experienced skier, climber, and all around outdoorsman and know BS when I hear it. I never felt pressured towards any particular product.
While trying on ski boots, Brendan made sure I had a perfect fit and strongly advised me to go with a particular size. They make sure that you have the right gear for your activity and are not the types to just send you on your way to make a buck. I usually shop online, but was very happy to do business with them. Thanks!
Place rating: 4
Redwood City, CA
Exploring this side of Tahoe, we came across a sport store. Forgetting that I was in a city with lots of snow and locals (and tourists) main spot here is skiing and snow boarding, I walked in and wondered where all the basketball, baseball and such sport gear is at.
By the way the guy behind the counter, I will assume that this store was privately owned and not a franchise of any sort.
I do not ski nor snowboard, but walking around and browsing through the clothing, gear and equipment… made me wish that I was and was brave enough to.
The store is pretty small and the clothing, gear and equipment are pretty sardined in that place, but I liked it. Everything was a bit pricey, otherwise I would’ve bought a few stuff here for fashion to California. Like those snowboots; sah-​weet =)
It is a cute little spot, and by the sound of the guy behind the counter talking to a customer, he sounded like he know what he’s talking about. (And he has a beautiful husky that I had the pleasure of meeting when he let him/​her out of his truck)
If you’re a snowboarder or a ski-​er (is that even a word?) and money is of no matter, I definitely recommend this spot.