Ski Gear 101
11/20/2025 11:25AM ● By Jack O'Brien
Andrew Stoller, Ski Haus buyer and manager, holds a pair of Solomon QSTs. They are best suited for all-mountain skiers and perform well in a variety of conditions. Photo by Melissa VanArsdale/Ski Town Media.
While skiing can be countercultural and earthy, us sliders on snow are hardly ascetics. Because as much as skiing is about freedom, fun and improvisation on snow, it’s also a gear game, requiring skis, boots and bindings. And from the modern-day innovation in the often still heady world of telemark skiing, to the Alpine and Nordic methods, Steamboat’s ski shops brim with the implements us skiers require.
That includes Ski Haus, which has been outfitting Steamboat skiers since the Nixon administration (owner Rod Shrage took over from a previous operation back in 1969). “We try to be pretty consistent with our brand partners,” says Andrew Stoller, Ski Haus buyer and manager. “We carry Alpine gear that has been tried and true for us through the years. That being said, we do try to keep an eye out for anything new and exciting.”
This season, that includes ski boots using BOA’s tension system, including models that now incorporate two dials. Brands using BOA sold at Ski Haus include K2, Nordica, Salomon and Atomic. Andrew also notes that the shop will be carrying two exciting bindings: ATK’s new AT/Alpine hybrid the HY Free, as well as Voile’s TTS Transit telemark binding, the first retail-ready option on the previously DIY two-pin telemark tech system, first created in 2011.
And, Ski Haus, once the leading Scarpa telemark boot dealer the world over, will be carrying its new TX Comp NTN boot this season, a new, stiffer model that follows the release of its revamped TX Pro last season, the first meaningful update to telemark footwear in some fifteen years.
“We did see a noticeable uptick with tele last season with the launch of the TX Pro from Scarpa,” Andrew says. “The boot is considerably lighter than its predecessor and has a way better walk mode.”
Another long-time telemark hub in town is Backdoor Sports, long owned by the late, legendary Pete Van De Carr, who died last year at 70. Steamboat locals Chris and Dominique Welch, along with Chris’ brother, Mike, purchased the shop last spring.
“We are most excited to be carrying on Pete’s legacy at Backdoor Sports,” Mike says. “We hope to keep welcoming the many people that Pete touched from the community and beyond, for many years to come.”
That includes continuing the shop’s tradition as a hub for telemark gear. “Backdoor Sports has become a place for tele skiers, and that’s not changing anytime soon,” Mike says.
This season though, the shop will work to incorporate a wider breadth of options for skiers of other disciplines. “We look forward to continuing with tele gear, growing AT and backcountry gear, and expanding into Alpine, with a good lineup of names you’ll recognize in skis, bindings, boots and accessories."
Amanda Brotman, a master-level certified bootfitter and long-time local, is managing the shop, anchoring Backdoor’s new focus on skiing footwear. “We are currently building what will be a full service boot fitting shop,” Mike says. “This is a new and exciting angle to add to Backdoor Sports.”
Backdoor Sports will continue to carry a broad array of telemark, snowboard and Alpine brands like Tyrolia and its new hybrid Alpine/AT binding, the Attack 14 Hybrid. Other brands include Scarpa, Black Diamond, as well as Never Summer split boards. And the shop will boast a smattering of local brands.
But Amanda finds the gear to be just part of the whole. “I am privileged to work with many ski professionals; from U.S. Ski Team members both past and current, Steamboat Springs Winter Sports Club athletes and coaches, Special Olympics athletes, ski patrollers, PSIA pros and everyday enjoyers of snow,” she says.
While skiing can be countercultural and earthy, us sliders on snow are hardly ascetics. Because as much as skiing is about freedom, fun and improvisation on snow, it’s also a gear game, requiring skis, boots and bindings. And from the modern-day innovation in the often still heady world of telemark skiing, to the Alpine and Nordic methods, Steamboat’s ski shops brim with the implements us skiers require.
That includes Ski Haus, which has been outfitting Steamboat skiers since the Nixon administration (owner Rod Shrage took over from a previous operation back in 1969). “We try to be pretty consistent with our brand partners,” says Andrew Stoller, Ski Haus buyer and manager. “We carry Alpine gear that has been tried and true for us through the years. That being said, we do try to keep an eye out for anything new and exciting.”
This season, that includes ski boots using BOA’s tension system, including models that now incorporate two dials. Brands using BOA sold at Ski Haus include K2, Nordica, Salomon and Atomic. Andrew also notes that the shop will be carrying two exciting bindings: ATK’s new AT/Alpine hybrid the HY Free, as well as Voile’s TTS Transit telemark binding, the first retail-ready option on the previously DIY two-pin telemark tech system, first created in 2011.
And, Ski Haus, once the leading Scarpa telemark boot dealer the world over, will be carrying its new TX Comp NTN boot this season, a new, stiffer model that follows the release of its revamped TX Pro last season, the first meaningful update to telemark footwear in some fifteen years.
“We did see a noticeable uptick with tele last season with the launch of the TX Pro from Scarpa,” Andrew says. “The boot is considerably lighter than its predecessor and has a way better walk mode.”
Another long-time telemark hub in town is Backdoor Sports, long owned by the late, legendary Pete Van De Carr, who died last year at 70. Steamboat locals Chris and Dominique Welch, along with Chris’ brother, Mike, purchased the shop last spring.
“We are most excited to be carrying on Pete’s legacy at Backdoor Sports,” Mike says. “We hope to keep welcoming the many people that Pete touched from the community and beyond, for many years to come.”
That includes continuing the shop’s tradition as a hub for telemark gear. “Backdoor Sports has become a place for tele skiers, and that’s not changing anytime soon,” Mike says.
This season though, the shop will work to incorporate a wider breadth of options for skiers of other disciplines. “We look forward to continuing with tele gear, growing AT and backcountry gear, and expanding into Alpine, with a good lineup of names you’ll recognize in skis, bindings, boots and accessories."
Amanda Brotman, a master-level certified bootfitter and long-time local, is managing the shop, anchoring Backdoor’s new focus on skiing footwear. “We are currently building what will be a full service boot fitting shop,” Mike says. “This is a new and exciting angle to add to Backdoor Sports.”
Backdoor Sports will continue to carry a broad array of telemark, snowboard and Alpine brands like Tyrolia and its new hybrid Alpine/AT binding, the Attack 14 Hybrid. Other brands include Scarpa, Black Diamond, as well as Never Summer split boards. And the shop will boast a smattering of local brands.
But Amanda finds the gear to be just part of the whole. “I am privileged to work with many ski professionals; from U.S. Ski Team members both past and current, Steamboat Springs Winter Sports Club athletes and coaches, Special Olympics athletes, ski patrollers, PSIA pros and everyday enjoyers of snow,” she says.