ashley & jeremy
The owners
Duncan
Interests: Climbing, backpacking, snowboarding, kayaking, trail running, and mountain biking
Years working in the outdoor industry: 10 years
Go-to gear recommendation we sell at the shop: Atomic Backland, Ultralite mastercams, and the Big Agnes Tiger Wall tent
esther
Interests: Skiing (all kinds), mountain biking, hiking, river rafting, reading good fiction.
Years working in the outdoor industry: A LONG time! 20 plus years. Fun fact – I’ve worked for all 3 owners at Pine Needle since coming to Durango in the late 1990s.
Go-to gear recommendation we sell at the shop: Rab Borealis Jacket – a great lightweight, breathable wind layer for everything from Nordic skiing to cool weather mountain biking to summertime high mountain hikes or whitewater rafting.
joey
Interests: Running, hiking, skiing
Years working in the outdoor industry: 10+ years off and on
Go-to gear recommendation we sell at the shop: Atomic Hawx Ultra XTD
drew
Interests: Climbing, Nordic and backcountry skiing, and backpacking. I spend most of my time running in circles in the mountains. I'm also a big exercise science nerd.
Years working in the outdoor industry: I've been working in the outdoor industry since 1990. Yes, that does make me feel old.
Go-to gear recommendation we sell at the shop: Western Mountaineering sleeping bags! They aren't cheap, but if one spends enough time backpacking, it is a very worthy investment. I've had my Ultralite for over a decade, and it's one of my most trusted pieces of gear.
zack
Interests: Skiing, Fine Ales, Heady jams, Tolkien Lore, grain-based cereals
Years working in the outdoor industry: 1 yearish
Go-to gear recommendation we sell at the shop: Rab Electron Pro jacket and Boost Oxygen
eric w.
Interests: Skiing, Mountain Biking, and Camping
Years working in the outdoor industry: 11 years I have been in the ski industry
Go-to gear recommendation we sell at the shop: DPS Koala 103 ski is an amazing all mountain ski for the resort
jess (ft. willow the dog)
Interests: Shreddin’ the gnar, hikin’, pettin’ dogs, readin’ books, rippin’ bikes
Years working in the outdoor industry: about 4 years
Go-to gear recommendation we sell at the shop: Rab Khroma Kinetic line
madison
Interests: Climbing, SUP boarding, backpacking, and rafting
Years working in the outdoor industry: 3 years
Go-to gear recommendation we sell at the shop: Big Agnes Copper Spur HV UL2 or UL3 backpacking tent
katie
Interests: I’ve been deep into a trail running phase for a handful of years now. Spending most days logging obscene amounts of miles in the woods. When I’m not running, you can find me skate skiing, biking, painting, and eating dessert.
Years working in the outdoor industry: I’m new to this-like half a year
Go-to gear recommendation we sell at the shop: Altra Lone Peak 6 and Timp 4 are my most favorite trail kicks to rotate in and out.
hayden
Interests: Climbing, shredding of all forms, and backpacking
Years working in the outdoor industry: I have been working in the outdoor industry for nine months now
Go-to gear recommendation we sell at the shop: My go to gear recommendation at the shop would have to be the MSR Pocket Rocket 2 camp stove