The Trailhead 

The Trailhead (and Trailhead Cycle & Ski) is a legendary outdoor specialty shop located in Buena Vista, Colorado. The Trailhead/Trailhead Cycle & Ski is one of the original outdoor specialty shops, dating to 1972 and the early days of the specialty outdoor industry. They offer clothing, footwear, gear, and accessories for backpacking, bouldering, hiking, climbing, cycling, Nordic skiing & snowshoeing, trail running, and adventure travel. Their clothing and footwear ranges include lifestyle and technical models. Brands have come and gone over the years, but they always have the best available values.

The Trailhead is literally world renowned. Located in Buena Vista, Colorado the heart of Colorado's "Fourteener" region and is known as "the" shop for everything Fourteener and the Fourteener culture. Buena Vista is also the heart of the Upper Arkansas River Valley, so the region is a Mecca for whitewater kayaking and rafting. The Colorado Trail, the Continental Divide Trail, and numerous other trails transit the area so people come from all points of the compass to enjoy the outdoor activities. The area has strong mining, ranching, and railroad histories, thus Chaffee County's tourism slogan "Now THIS is Colorado!" The Trailhead's owners have always worked to honor those traditions, and one of their tag lines is "Real. Genuine. Colorado."

The staff know the area extremely well and can help you out with first-person knowledge about places to go and things to do. They also have an excellent selection of maps and books.

The Trailhead and Trailhead Cycle & Ski don't just sell - they service, rent, and coordinate warranty issues. The full-service bike shop rents bikes, repairs bikes, and will even tear down, pack up, and ship bikes.

The Trailhead and Trailhead Cycle & Ski have wonderful customer service and consequently have a cult following. They also have an online store, blog, Facebook fanpage, and Twitter account. Their strategy is to extend their remarkable in-store experience to the Internet. You can shop them 24/7 online, do in-store pickups, etc.

Current brands offered in store and/or online include Patagonia, The North Face, Mountain Hardwear, Marmot, Columbia, Royal Robbins, Kuhl, Mountain Khakis, Ibex, Keen, Chaco, Teva, Trek, Fischer, Salomon, Black Diamond, and many others. Their style philosophy is "just because you play like a dirtbag doesn't mean you should look or smell like one." Consequently, many male and female MountainSexuals, woodsy hipters, trustafarians, and granola preppies shop at The Trailhead. The staff however is unpretentious, laid back, extremely helpful, and wants you to enjoy your visit and shopping experience. The atmosphere is relaxed and slightly upscale bohemian.

The owners have a strong community and environmental ethic. They are very involved in the community and support the community in many ways. The Trailhead and Trailhead Cycle & Ski have won several community support and environmental stewardship awards over the years.

For more information, visit their website. Just Google "trailhead buena vista colorado

Leah - "We're going to Colorado this summer - the Upper Arkansas Valley area."

Mark - "You have to go to The Trailhead in Buena Vista. It's a great independent outdoor shop. In fact, you can shop with them online now. Just Google Trailhead Buena Vista Colorado."

Sven - "We are visiting the US to hike some Fourteeners."

Bjorn - "Visit the Trailhead shop in Buena Vista. They are a great store."

The Trailhead by da Chetster September 10, 2009