Pro Ski Service opens for biz in North Bend

Published 7:05 pm Thursday, October 2, 2008

After 10 years in Seattle, Pro Ski Service recently opened a second

store in downtown North Bend. The new shop, located at 108 West North

Bend Way, officially opened on Oct. 8 and offers a wide range of hiking,

mountaineering and skiing equipment, along with expert guide services.

Owners Martin and Gina Volken moved to North Bend themselves

six years ago. “I grew up in Switzerland and this area appealed to me,”

said Martin, who is originally from Stalden, Switzerland.

Besides the Volkens, Pro Ski Service draws on the services of two

other certified mountain guides _ Mike Hattrup and Rinaldo Borra _ to

offer mountaineering adventures around the world. Guided rock climbing,

alpine climbing and skiing trips are available in areas from the Cascades to

British Columbia to the Alps of Italy and Switzerland.

“Business has been good,” said Martin. “Lots of people seem

excited about it.

“The recreational opportunities around here are really surprising.

No major town is closer to the ski areas of Snoqualmie Pass than North

Bend, and people need to take advantage of it. There is a lot of recreation

potential here, and we hope to fill the void.”

Pro Ski Service is open from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., Monday through

Saturday. For more information on mountaineering and skiing trips or

equipment, drop by the shop or call 888-6397.