Ron and Mike Horn of Fresh Air Experience in Prince Albert. (Submitted photo/FAE)

By BOB Awards

FAE

Best Sporting Goods Store: Fresh Air Experience

Feb 13, 2024 | 11:40 AM

Not everything in life is guaranteed, but one thing you can count on is quality from Fresh Air Experience.

“We don’t want to sell our customers problems,” said store owner Mike Horn. “We want to sell a fun experience. Time is valuable and we don’t get to spend much of it on recreation, so when we do get that time, we want it to be a positive experience.”

That’s why all of the employees at Fresh Air Experience in Prince Albert don’t just sell equipment for outdoor adventure; it is part of their lifestyle. Whether it’s cross-country or alpine skiing, snowshoeing or snowboarding, Horn said he and his employees have grown up doing the activities themselves, so they know exactly what a customer needs.

A large selection of equipment to suit the needs of every customer. (Submitted photo/FAE)

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“I think its very important for consumers to get that knowledge and expertise because there is so much stuff out there on the market and many people don’t quite know what they need or what’s going to work for them,” said Horn. “So, we’ll ask them the right questions and get them into the right equipment to enjoy the outdoors.”

As a family-owned, independent business, Fresh Air Experience has more control over the quality of their products. Unlike big box retailers who use corporate buyers to stock shelves, Horn said they pick and choose brands that they feel bring the best product and value to the consumers.

“Even when we talk about warranty, we’ll choose brands that support the consumer directly and we’ll help them through that process. But the reality is, we don’t deal with many warranties because we’re selling quality products.”

Take clothing as an example. Horn said fabric and cold weather technology has advanced so much that the brands they carry help make your dollar go further than it ever has. Patagonia, Ten Tree, Fjallraven and Vuori are just some of the popular brands for casual clothing and winter gear.

“Fabric is lighter and softer and insulation has also been evolving. It’s lighter and warmer and easier to care for. The philosophy of dressing for outdoors is the same. You start with base layers – so merino wool and synthetics, and then insulation layers. Outer-shells are so much softer and lighter but still wind and water-proof. But nothing beats a heavily insulated down parka,” said Horn. “There is no reason to be cold in the winter.”

FAE carries the latest fashions and trends in cold weather technology. (Submitted photo/FAE)

While the choices for clothing and equipment are plentiful, Fresh Air Experience makes sure it’s not overwhelming. In fact, they’ve pre-built more than 15 cross-country ski packages to accommodate every level of athlete.

“We’re fortunate to have very good staff that are engaged in the store and involved in the community. And we love being connected to the community, because without it, we wouldn’t be where we are today.”

Visit Fresh Air Experience in Prince Albert at 938 Central Aveue or online at www.freshairexperience.com.

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*This story was created by paNOW’s commercial content division.