I came back to Michigan the next year and found a source for cross-country skis realizing that Michigan is much more desirable place to cross-country ski because Michigan has rolling hills and not big steep mountains.How did XC Ski HQ change when Lynne became your partner in 1977?Bob: Lynne’s major at MSU was travel and tourism management and she brought to the business the knowledge of that discipline. She also started the presentation of clothing to the business and was so instrumental in growing the business to the point that in 1978 we actually built our own cross-country ski center.Lynne: Bob quickly taught me how to do a lot of jobs at the shop right away: sales, binding installation, lessons, pricing strategy and more. I loved the clothing and accessories part of the business too and there was great pleasure in learning all about this new sport! Both of us were eager to pursue growth possibilities and I liked what the future looked like with Cross Country Ski Headquarters in it!
XC Ski HQ started just as a rental business and a “passion project” and grew from there. When and how did you know that XC Ski HQ became your full time jobs?
Bob: The ski business provided winter income for the family. In the summertime, we manufactured permanent boundary markers, and delivered them to surveyors all over Michigan. We kept the cross-country ski business as a fun outdoor business that we really liked. We got a lot of satisfaction from introducing many people to a great outdoor winter activity that can be so much fun and so warm, in such cold conditions!
It officially became full-time around 2001 when we sold the survey boundary marker business.
Lynne: We also realized that this passion was on a growth path when we purchased 9.9 acres next to the Sports Barn. We built a Bellaire Log Cabin (with the help of Bill James) and made it our “new HUGE shop.” That investment meant we were committed! The business grew in every way and we made several more additions over time, to accommodate our customers growing needs. When we sold to Monument business, we put ourselves into full-time mode.
What makes XC Ski HQ special in the XC world?
Bob: I think Cross Country Ski Headquarters is still a passion project. The evidence is the tremendous participation of the free ski lessons on Saturdays and the continued generational participation in the sport which we help foster. It is the true reward for the business and that’s what makes XC Ski HQ so special.
Lynne: Several things: We’re a specialty shop; only selling XC ski equipment and clothing. We’re a xc ski area where skiers can come spend the day, have lunch, socialize and shop. We’re a “mom & pop” operation and we try make sure our customers get the personal attention they deserve each time they visit our store. We invested in snowmaking to try and insure a quality ski experience even in the driest of winters.
What was the best innovation in XC ski equipment that you remember, and why?
Bob: There was a fellow in the 1970s named Bill Danner, who, for his project at Harvard business school, figured out how to make fish scales that go on the bottom of cross-country skis so you don’t have to wax them for grip. The skis were pretty slow, but at least you didn’t have to put on grip wax or get frustrated and you could always have traction. That enabled anyone to try out the sport. At that time, there were over 1 million pair of cross-country skis sold in the USA in a year.
Lynne: Agreed. No wax patterns evolved and became a really great alternative to waxable xc skis. Along with innovation in equipment, came innovation in XC clothing. Wicking base layers like Helly Hanson’s Lifa, layering options and lightweight breathable, vented fabric technology for outerwear made dressing for xc skiing much more comfortable, efficient and dialed in. After all, somewhere along the line, we heard that Eskimos don’t sweat; they layer their clothing.
What was the worst innovation in XC ski equipment that you remember, and why?
Bob: The worst innovation I can remember is the same company that invented the fish scale base came out with a ski that had laser etched grip pattern in the base and they would not glide or grip much. We sent them all back to the company.
Lynne: I also remember a ski base called the Mica base by Bonna. They felt like you were basically skiing on a sand paper base. Seemed like a great idea but we were glad we didn’t have many of those…
XC Ski HQ is known for having fun events throughout the ski season. What was the most memorable event that you can remember?
Bob: The two events that come to mind right away are the Bavarian Festival which Ski Headquarters has every year and the Michigan Cup Relays.
Lynne: Though not a skiing event, the Cajun Gumbo Eating Event was a blast. Pat and Bob Hagerman came to the shop and made the gumbo from scratch, complete with fíle powder. It was a major cooking feat and quite delicious. We always appreciated their efforts and hoped there would be leftovers to freeze!
XC Ski HQ has gone through a lot of changes and additions since 1974. Was there one change in the business that was a “game changer” bigger than the others?
Bob: The biggest game changer was the decade when our daughter Mariah and son-in-law Stu purchased the business. They’ve done tremendous job.
Lynne: No doubt; that was huge. Their innovations, energy and overall attitude toward success has taken the business to another level! I think Bob’s idea to purchase crosscountryski.com in the mid 1990’s, was also a game changer. The ability to provide information and generate sales from a website was major.
What are your reflections on celebrating the 50th anniversary of founding HQ?
Bob: I think it’s so important to continue the passion and the love of cross-country skiing and make that the primary goal of cross country ski headquarters. Come ski with us!
Lynne: When I think about the last 50 years ; the successes and the challenges, the xc ski community and all the facets of running a long lasting family business, I think of something my dad once told me long ago: that we should try and make the world a better place. So when I think about the lives that were touched over the course of 50 years, the staff and the skiers who crossed paths, made life long friends and became healthier because of xc skiing, I have a feeling that cross country skiing in general and Cross Country Ski Headquarters specifically, in a small but wonderful way, have helped to make the world a better place. Cheers to the next 50 years!
