Just prior to the New Year, we called on skiers everywhere to vote for their favorite ski shop. We thought it was due time that our favorite shops got the recognition they deserve and we asked you to help us crown the best of the best. FREESKIER’s Top Shop Contest was an exciting competition that brought in tens-of-thousands of votes, hundreds of write-in shop nominations and participation that reached coast to coast in the United States and throughout Canada. Voters rallied to give their local shop the chance to be skyrocketed into the realm of ski shop royalty and to earn all-important bragging rights heading into this winter season.
Today, we’re excited to announce that an East Coast shop has taken the title of the inaugural Top Shop Contest. Boston, Massachusetts, very own brick-and-mortar ski shop, The Ski Monster, emerged victorious after the month-long contest came to an end in December. Beginning as an online retailer based out of a college apartment in 2007, The Ski Monster has grown quickly, now operating out of an 11,000-square-foot flagship store; it boasts an athlete team that features Will Wesson, KC Deane and Khai Krepela; and it offers a gear-buying experience that is attentive and knowledgable. Servicing the masses of Boston, with a full, expertly-staffed shop and stocking the latest and greatest hard- and softgoods for demo and purchase online and in-store, The Ski Monster is the one-stop-ski-shop around, as voted by the FREESKIER audience.
A glimpse at The Ski Monster’s fully stocked flagship store in downtown Boston. 
Offering a tune shop on its lower level, The Ski Monster is truly a one-stop-shop for all things skiing. To celebrate The Ski Monster’s first-place finish in the inaugural Top Shop Contest, Team FREESKIER hopped on a big jet plane and flew from Denver to Boston to provide a proper in-person congratulations. In-store we were able to catch up with the company’s founders, Eric Gerrmann and George Michaelsen, Brand Director, Matt Berkowitz, and the entire Ski Monster family. Keep reading for an exclusive interview with The Ski Monster crew, and be sure to stop by the store if you’re every in the Boston area.
Interview with The Ski Monster’s Matt Berkowitz
What does winning the Top Shop contest mean to The Ski Monster?
What does winning the Top Shop contest mean to The Ski Monster?
Winning Top Shop is a huge honor for us. While we aren’t here everyday to win awards, it does justify all the hard work put in, and proves our customers are having an exceptional experience, which is most important for all of us.
The Ski Monster crew is all smiles after winning the inaugural Top Shop Contest.Why is it important that it was an East Coast, metropolitan-based ski shop that won? What does this say about the state of skiing?
This is important because it shows skiing and snowboarding are alive and well here, even with the unpredictable weather. It’s no secret skiing heritage in New England runs exceptionally deep, but a little validation never hurts.
What sets The Ski Monster apart from other ski shops?
First and foremost, what sets us apart is the fact the owners are the operators, and they are here every single day. The entire team is in our 20s and 30s, we absolutely love what we do and our customers can sense that when they walk in the door. We have a passionate crew. There isn’t another shop like it.
What does The Ski Monster plan to do to continue growing its clientele and to continue spreading the good word about winter sports?
Growing our customer base has always been simple: Listen to the customer, be honest, make recommendations not based on inventory but based on what is right for them. They’ll be back if they had a positive experience and received good recommendations. It’s okay for us to not make every sale, [but] keeping every customer happy on the hill is a must.
From ski waxing to edge sharpening, The Ski Monster does it all. 
Need new boots? Swing by The Ski Monster’s flagship store for a proper fitting.Anything else you’d like to say as FREESKIER’s first-ever Top Shop winner?
George and Eric started The Ski Monster in their college apartment in 2007, made their first online sale in 2008, committed full time in 2009 and relaunched a much improved site by 2010. Four short years later, George and Eric now have a crew that works tirelessly to keep the incredible, two-floor, 11,000-square-foot flagship store on Canal Street in Boston open for business daily. The Ski Monster is a nationally recognized shop known for it’s extensive product selection, comprehensive employee knowledge and exceptional customer experience—and the best part is we are just getting started!
