Heart of the Rockies Chamber of Commerce Business of the Month

December 2003

Chamber honors ski rental firm
by Arlene Shovald
Mail Staff Writer

Mt. Shavano Ski Rental, 16101 W. U.S. 50, is the Heart of the Rockies Chamber of Commerce December Business of the Month.

Owners are Tracy and Margy Smith and Tracy's sister, Dena Gillis. They bought the business in the spring of 1995 from Stan Jost and Mike Swantek, who owned it for 23 years.

"We're very much a family business," Tracy said. 'The business was started by two families and it continues with ownership by two families. The business is now in its 35th season."

Hours are from 7:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. every day the ski area is open, including Christmas.

"We have everything to do with skiing and snowboarding, including sales, service and rentals," Tracy said. "We also have a fine line of soft wear coats, gloves and outdoor wear for winter sports."

Among services are custom boot fitting for ski and snowboards and custom foot beds for boots.

The majority of the business is rental. Christmas and spring break are the busiest seasons.

"We're a hands-on staff," Tracy said. "I'm here all the time and Margy is here part-time, when she isn't doing the bookkeeping and paying the bills.

"Dena is taking the winter off since she is expecting her second child in early January, but usually she's here all the time, too."

Recently, staff members totaled their years of experience in skiing and winter sports and came up with more than 500 years of experience.

"We don't just sell and rent we're winter sports enthusiasts ourselves," Tracy said.

During busy times, Tracy and his wife's family help with the business or child care. The Smiths have two sons. Tucker, a seventh-grader, and Brandon, a fourth-grader, are members of the Monarch Race Team.

Their brother-in-law, Shawn Gillis, owns Absolute Bikes and sometimes, during busy days, they exchange employees.

Aside from his work, Tracy is active in the community, serving his second term on the Salida board of education.

Three years ago he started a Snow Club for middle school kids, to enable them to get to Monarch.

"I'm proud of that organization," he said. "I thought it was important to get local kids involved with winter sports."

"I'm very pleased with this award," Tracy said. "We've been chamber members for many years and we appreciate the help and support of the chamber."