Shopping for the great outdoors

COEUR d’ALENE — Sportsman & Ski Haus at 213 W. Ironwood Drive is 32,000 square feet of outdoors paradise.

Whitewater rafting? Check.

Golf? Check.

Camping? Check there, too.

Company President Joe Power believes the new store that recently opened has covered the bases for those who like to live and play outside.

He is confident Sportsman & Ski Haus will succeed in today’s competitive retail environment, especially when providing shoppers with an environment that’s spacious, relaxing, and freeing - like the outdoors.

“We believe that,” he said

Power said North Idaho's population growth and love of everything involving rivers, lakes, mountains, trails and ski hills will see steady customers coming to the store.

That's why, for instance, they introduced whitewater rafts, a specialty product few carry.

“We try to grab some brands that you either can't get online or that you really need somebody to help you, to make sure you're making the right decision," Power said. "Touch it, feel it, those things are pretty important to a lot of people.”

Sportsman & Ski Haus opened at its new site Feb. 25. Formerly, it was Tri-State Outfitters at U.S. 95 on Sunshine Street.

For more than two decades, it was a stalwart for the serious outdoorsman, known for quality and knowledgeable staff.

But it had only 8,000 square feet of retail space, so things were a bit tight.

“The best thing about this store is the fact that we have room,” said Carla Grieser, store manager who has been with the company 25 years, almost all in Coeur d’Alene. “At the old store, we were so tiny and we carried so much, everything was stacked on top of each other. It was almost stressful to shop.”

No longer.

Sportsman & Ski Haus is leasing the space formerly filled by Shopko, which closed in 2019.

The new design was created with comfort in mind. It offers wide aisles and pathways that wind and flow easily from kayaks to rafting to camping to golfing to sports.

Initial response is what they hoped. Customers have been pleased.

“They love that it's calming that it's a nice shopping experience,” she said.

Tents and backpacks are set up, ready for inspection.

Two golf simulators offer the chance to sharpen your swing. There are rows of golf bags.

One section is dedicated to sports like baseball, soccer and basketball, while another focuses on shoes, Nike, Hoka and Brooks, for running, hiking and casual wear.

There are racks of coats, pants, shirts, hats and gloves, in brands including Patagonia, Columbia and North Face.

Details matter to set the right vibe. A Yeti wine tumbler sits next to a book, “Edible Wild Plants, Mushroom, Fruits, and Nuts.”

It’s all meant for customers to enjoy, peruse, take their time and feel rested, not rushed.

“This opens it up. It's bright, it's cheery and comfortable to shop,” Grieser said.

“That's what we were trying to go for here,” she continued. “It's relaxing. But it's not cramped. And we're trying to get all the fun toys that everybody knows.”

Sportsman & Ski Haus purchased Tri-State in 2010. It kept the Tri-State name while joining an employee-owned company. It also had more buying power. Gradually, it transitioned from hunting and fishing toward recreational activities.

When the chance arose to relocate to a new home, it was time to take the company moniker.

Power said they were in talks to lease the new site in mid-2019 and almost wrapped it up when COVID hit. They resumed talks in October 2021 and worked out the deal.

Renovations started in September and finished in February.

The location just off U.S. 95 and Interstate 90 is ideal for catching customers traveling east, west, north and south.

"It's just an awesome place to get in and off the freeway," Grieser said. "People come in and get their stuff and go enjoy their day."

Sportsman & Ski Haus has stores in Kalispell and Whitefish, Mont., and continues to operate Tri-State Outfitters in Moscow.

The CDA store employs about 30 and will add more as needed.

Store hours are 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday to Saturday, and 9 to 6 on Sunday.

Power said the past few years have been challenging, but also good for some brick and mortar stores, like Sportsman & Ski Haus, which were able to keep products on hand as shipping costs rose for online dealers.

Power is confident the industry will continue to grow.

According Outdoor Industry Association, the outdoor recreation economy generates $887 billion in consumer spending annually.

According to Statista, the number of outdoor recreation users is expected to reach nearly 81 million by 2025.

And they want the gear that will let them enjoy it.

“We have seen a return to people coming into the store,” Power said.

That's because they know their audience.

“People that want to go out enjoy the great outdoors here in Idaho. That is our goal here,” Grieser said.