Marmot Mountain Works GOING OUT OF BUSINESS

I'm so sorry to hear this.

Marmot has been serving backcountry skiers (and doing it well) since before backcountry skiing was cool.

One of the things that has impressed me about Marmot is how knowledgeable the staff is and how long most of them have been working there. I've never worked in retail, but my impression is that high turnover is the norm. It speaks volumes for Lock Miller and Dave May that they've retained such a great staff for so long. I always feel like I'm visiting old friends there.

The closure of Marmot will leave a hole in our local scene that will be hard to fill.

Thanks, Marmot, for all you've done for the community over the years.

That is a bummer. I got a few early set ups off of their demo rack and climbing gear too. I agree that it was one of the few east side stops with a soul. It was the main reason I could justify a stop over there.

Wow, what a huge bummer.  Change is always inevitable, but Marmot was as much of a community institution as any store can become, for so long.  The gear sold, made ready and repaired, community support and just plain fun of talking backcountry skiing, touring, climbing or hiking were all steadfast highlights of 'going to Marmot'.  One thing is for sure, we tend not to value something enough until it disappears, and this is certainly the case with Marmot.  I've taken for granted that it's there, and assumed it would be there.  I think Marmot's passing is also a keen reminder why shopping local, as opposed to hopping on the latest internet deal in order to save a dime or dollar, is so important.  Where do we now go for the screw, or part, obscure gear or advice?  A giant hole.  THANKS SO MUCH,  Lock, for all your years of service and business - we wish you the very best in all future endeavors - hopefully a lot of good travel and R&R.  And to David, Eric, Francis and all of the the other past and present great employees who've helped us select, fit and purchase gear, and to entertainingly pass the time - THANKS SO MUCH!!   Gerry and Linda Haugen

This is really sad news.

Eric was always especially helpful and supportive of me in the early years of telemark when the sport was evolving and the gear was not very robust. On more than one occasion he helped me through the waranty process coming good with replacements for broken Tuas and Merrell Supercomps. Thanks Eric!

Marmot stayed true to ski touring and climbing through the years and will be greatly missed.

Yeah. I had a pit in my stomach yesterday after talking to Lock. I was practically raised in that store (forced to xc ski as a child), bought my first everything-related-to-backcountry products there through high school and college, worked there and still have a working relationship and friendship with Lock, Eric and several others on staff. It may sound corny but I was looking forward to taking my little nephews there to get their first skis and bring a third generation of our family in to the store, hoping they would be greeted by Lock.

One thing I know for sure: Marmot was dedicated to AT equipment before any shop in the US and I'm talking about the 1980's. Neptune was a close second. I believe Lock was the sole US importer of Dynafit bindings and Pomoca skins before anyone in this country knew of those brands. Marmot is responsible for a lot more than just servicing this community, they introduced the US to backcountry skiing on equipment other than telemark through their widely-mailed catalog which "got hits" from all over the country. And when I say "they" I'm really talking about Lock-he was the one with the foresight to visit Europe and choose the right gear to import for his customers who lived all over the country. The term "Pioneering" is too weak. It's more like this: Marmot did to AT skiing what the Rolling Stones did for rock and roll.

I'm there with the rest of you old timers - bought my first set of AT bindings there (Silvretta 555's) and over the years, more gear than at any other shop in the NW. Eric in particular always went out of his way to keep me on the snow.

Best wishes to Lock, Dave, Eric and Francis wherever they may find themselves.