Local Experience

Paula Idea

2024-04

Great shop and great selection. Eric helped me find insoles to help my feet. Super knowledgeable and helpful. Lara had some great recommendations for indoor footwear to help support my feet. Wonderful selection of shoes and footwear. So glad to have this business in our community.

John Watson

2024-04

Had my boots fitted yesterday with Eric. Great guy, took his time and but me in the best boot I’ve ever had. Skied with them today, fit like a glove, no hot spots and perfect flex. Had a great day!John W. (NJ)

Shanna Higgins

2024-02

My husband and I have been skiing and trailing for years. We stumbled on to Eric and Lara several years ago, now my husband will not go to anyone else for boots and custom foot beds. If a specialist knows what he is talking about and the knowledge makes you better …then take the honest recommendation and improve! He is the boot Dr for skiers and speaks the truth. Lara also full of great info and knows all the local trails .

Tory Kronschnabel

2023-12

Anyone who has left a bad review is simply wrong. Eric and Lara are the absolute best. I have never had ski boots as comfortable as the ones Eric helped me with! I am even buying my entire family boots from here because Eric fits boots so well. My family knows that I will buy them boots but ONLY from Eric. Him and Lara are incredibly knowledgeable and will ensure you are fitted properly. I am a ski instructor and could get discounted boots but I choose to have Eric fit me because it's 110% worth it! Don't make a mistake and go somewhere else. Go to Eric and Lara for all of your ski boot needs, you will not regret it.

Nancy Wilhelms

2023-10

Outstanding experience here. The owners are knowledgeable and have a fantastic inventory to make sure that you leave with the shoes that are just right for you. I’ve had surgery on my feet and finding shoes is a challenge. Eric spent lots of time fitting me with custom orthotics and two pairs of shoes that meet my hiking, biking, walking and travel needs. And my feet feel better than they have in years! I highly recommend this store and its caring owners and will keep coming back. If you have tricky feet or just want some great footwear, stop here!

John Egbert

2023-05

I have somewhat problematic feet and Eric did an awesome job talking me through different options and ultimately recommending the best approach.I am extremely particular about things like how my ski boots fit, and Eric heard out my perspective. After doing a thorough analysis of his own he developed a perfect recommendation. My boots have never been more dialed.I think a lot of skiers go into shops thinking they know what they need. For most ski shops, this attitude is necessary because frankly even a lot of people who call themselves specialized “boot fitters” don’t know what they’re talking about. In reality, most of us are not experts and don’t really know what we need. If you go see Eric make sure you have an open mind because he will be able to figure out what’s best for you.Lara was also very helpful although I interacted with her a bit less.Service: footbed and shell modification

Gertrude Hall

2023-09

Absolutely horrific experience, do not give these people any of your time or money. They seemed excited about the fact that we had such a negative experience. We are locals and have lived in the valley for over 30 years, I had heard both negative and positive experiences, but my daughter needed new ski boots and we had wanted to support a local business. I have never in my life been talked down to and ridiculed the way Eric did. My only suggestion is that if you do go into this business, do not have an opinion and do not ask questions, because you will be talked down to and made to feel absolutely awful.

Henry Brooks (Henry Brooks)

2024-02

If the "local experience" is being talked down to by a couple of jaded grifters then the name is certainly accurate. They wanted to charge me $150 just to TRY ON ski boots. Guy thinks he's gods gift to boot fitting.Anyways I went to Le Feet Lab instead. They were professional and helpful and they matched my industry pro deal, unlike the jabronies at ~thE LOcAl eXPeRiEncE~

Bradley Flanagan

2022-05

Excellent local store for all things footwear. we visited multiple times for shoes socks and other ski and biking gear. And most recently had a set of women’s ski boots custom fitted and the professionalism, the time dedicated, and the quality was impeccable. We continue to remain loyal customers and highly recommend. It seems to be a small family owned business so when they’re busy you may have to wait, but it is well worth it. We also purchased a heated ski bag and found the prices to be very competitive in the quality very high.

Stacey Giffin

2023-05

The owners are very knowledgeable and provided a white glove experience. Highly recommend this shop for your ski mounting/boot fitting needs. They also have a great selection of high quality inventory, love having an opportunity to go in!

Mariah Hughes

2021-05

I've lived in this valley for almost 4 wonderful years now and am so bummed I just found out about this store today! They have a great selection of very fashionable boots and shoes that are perfect for winter here. I'm so excited to have found such a cool shoe store (they have ski boots too) just a few minutes away from where I live. I thought their pricing was reasonable as well, and both Eric and Lara were very friendly and helpful. I encourage you to visit their shop and buy local!

billy boo

2023-05

Horrible . I stopped for a simple bike brake wire and was told I did not know what I was doing and needed to leave bike for brake adjustment. I said it's just a broken cable , the guy argued and said It wasn't and implied I was stupid for thinking it was as "they do not break". Got a cable from igloo for 3 bucks and replaced the broken one today . RUN ,these guys are rude , uninformed and condescending and don't know what they are doing , or lie and are trying to upsell for profit.

Amy Good

2023-05

Eric was very knowledgeable and helpful while I was choosing my first pair of Topos! He was also attentive while I was picking out new Injinjis, pointing out his favorite pair. Great store with quite a shoe selection! Eric also gave us trail maps and suggestions for forest road and trail running. Very happy with my experience!

Kristen Johnson

2023-05

I highly recommend this store! Not only did we have excellent customer service, the prices are reasonable and the store owner recommended two places to visit that were wonderful experiences! Monarch Lake and Hot Sulphur Springs. Thanks for the Friendly Local Expeirence! The Keen Hiking boots we bought were just perfect.Additionally, these people are avid skiiers, so if you want expert help with ski equipment, this is the place to go.

amaryah donaldson

2023-06

Always so helpful, I love the knowledge they have on all their products. They work so hard to get a shoe that will make you happy and feel right. I've been working in the kitchen for many years and this is the place I go to get my shoes.

Kenneth Osgood

2017-05

My wife was having terrible foot pain in her ski boots. She has seriously messed up feet -- don't get me started! I was scared we were going to have to shell out a ton of money for new boots. Then we took her to Local Experience last winter, and the boot fitter was like a mystic healer-- spent a long time fitting her boot just right, and it changed her life! She was so happy, I ended up taking my own boots to be fitted.... and same result: best and most comfortable fit ever. We were so thrilled my sister and sister-in-law also went, got fitted, and bought boots. Great experience! Then we even ended up buying new snow boots because they had a great selection and were so knowledgeable. Prices seemed pretty competitive -- and, damn, the service is one-of-a-kind. I just sent some friends there today, and thought I should pay it forward by writing a positive review. Thanks for everything!

Tess Mullaney

2023-05

I was about to drop $150 here when the employee with dreads made me feel like a second class citizen for wanting to buy some shoes while hiking the CDT. I would've thought this place might be used to dirtbags since it's a ski town, but not so. Make sure you've showered in the last 5 hours if you come here! Better yet, take your money to the outfitter in Winter Park.

Matt Swenson

2020-05

Eric and Lara are very passionate about their business and have an immense amount of knowledge. Eric solved my footbed issues in my ski boots years ago and has continued to help keep my skis in top shape!The shoe/sandal/boot/outdoor selection here is better than anything else in the valley if you’re seeking quality gear and an education about what works best for you.

Jason Camacho

2021-05

RUN AS FAST AS YOU CAN. Please, don’t risk your money or safety. Do yourself a favor and DO NOT take your expensive touring setup there. I should have waited for Ice Box across the street. I took my wife’s pair of DPS Pagoda Tours and Marker Alpinist Bindings in for a mount.After admitting the screws got wallowed out during mounting, owner proceeded to tell me that Markers product is flawed. In other words, “Not my fault.”When I couldn’t even lock the brakes by hand, I went back. Owner/operator put the skis on the bench and was finally able to free one side. The other is still so stiff, that I (very experienced with touring bindings) can barely lock it. I told him, that wouldn’t work due to my wife’s small stature and asked for a refund on the mounting. I was told “ No refunds on service work. You need to do a warranty claim with whoever I bought the bindings from.” Keep in mind these skis have never seen snow. Think about how they will function in icy conditions in the backcountry.Attitude was as described in other reviews. I thanked him curtly, grabbed my wife’s skis, and walked out. Owner/operator then ran out after me and told me I needed to “cool down” before I come back inside his store. What a riot.All the positive reviews are family and friends. Read for yourself. The folks who own/run this store have plenty of friends to do reviews for them in Grand County. I’m sure they are nice people, but they definitely screwed me. It’s ok to take advantage of non-locals though right?I tried to support mom and pop, but mom and pop didn’t support me. If you’re from Fraser or WP, maybe you won’t get taken advantage of. For all the rest of you SAVE YOURSELF.Maybe you’ll get luckier than me, but why risk it? Cripple Creek, Ice Box, and other are out there and they don’t charge $100 for a mount.Maybe the bindings won’t rip out of the skis? It’s only money and your safety to risk.

Hannah Dixon

2023-05

Went for a boot fitting appointment. I was made to feel like an idiot the whole time I was in the shop. My questions were answered with rude and snarky comments. The boot fitter seemed disinterested and rushed even though I had made an appointment and was the only one in the shop. Go to Epic Mountain Sports instead.

Anna Winkel Szczepanski

2017-05

This is a true full-service shoe store! Be prepared to be wowed by the service that Eric and Lara provide. They are so knowledgeable about their products and sincerely want to find you the right shoe. Today, I was about to decide between two excellent but more expensive pairs, and Lara pulled the perfect pair from the sale table and brought it in to me. They are truly interested in getting each customer the right product and not just making a sale. Can't recommend this locally owned store enough.

Mary Hydle

2022-05

I'm ashamed to say it took me living here for 7 years to come in. I am so happy we did. My son needed better shoes for training this is the place to go. They were able to get him sized, in the right shoe, and cut foot beds for him. We were in and out in 20 minutes. It was a great experience. I will be going back!

Lindsey White

2021-05

Took all the family's skiis and snowboards here to get waxed and Lara did literally the best wax job we've ever had. That's saying a lot since we've been snow riding for 20 years! Don't miss checking out the high quality socks they have as well. I had never worn Fits socks before I came to this shop but now I'm sold - they're the only ones that keep my nerve damaged toes warm.

Simon Lawler

2023-05

Wow. DO NOT GO HERE. I don't do this often but I had to share just what a terrible experience we had here. Tried to get some inner soles to be rudely told that it was appointment only and that they had no time. When we left without making an appointment they shouted after us that we 'wont find it anywhere else'. We did find it elsewhere...Go to Epic Mountain Sports in Winter Park. Excellent service.

seth agnew

2016-05

Had a boot fit at Alta several years ago and until recently, boots were ok but had started to get pain at bottom of feet and currently larger calves were getting crushed. Eric set me up with a great new foot bed, re-formed my liners and removed an unneccesary piece of plastic giving my calves that extra room i needed. Last 4 days of skiing, no pain at all! Eric did a great job and i couldn't be happier. Recommended my dad to him for a new pair of boots since his old ones were killing him and he was just living with it. Eric got it right and he hasn't had any issues since. Highly recommend Local Experience if you are in Winter Park!

Thomas Devine

2023-05

I was told one price on the phone and when I got to the ski shop I was given a higher price. The old bait and switch. Would love to support this mom and pop ski shop but I must’ve caught them on a bad day, and now I will never go back there. Buyer beware

Tyler Henderson

2015-05

If you care about your feet, take them to the Local Experience.Eric is a Master Boot Fitter and he's earned his title. Not only did he identify and explain issues with my arches that were affecting my ski stance, he worked with me to compare quite a few boots before we found a pair Cinderella would be proud of.Friendly service and a wealth of knowledge will keep me coming back.

Nicole Akselrad

2016-05

After being stressed and uncomfortable with my ski boot for the last two years, Eric found the perfect ski boot for me! He was so helpful and really took the time to make sure I was comfortable and happy with my choice. Now I can't wait for winter :)

Todd Goodrich

2017-05

Expert bootfitter? Look no further. My wife and I both have bought ski boots from Lara and Eric and our toes couldn't be happier. They provide a spectacular customer experience, and they have got ALL the tools to make a perfect fit... custom footbeds, custom liners, all the equipment to make adjustments, etc. I have been to a certain celebrity bootfitter over in Boulder... he's not even close to the level of service at Local Experience. Customers for life!

Olivia Wren

2021-05

My family and I all got hiking boots and socks here and we absolutely love them. The owners are lovely people who are incredibly knowledgeable and helpful. 10/10 recommend for all of your great outdoors needs (especially shoes!)