Cross Country Ski and Snowshoe Rentals in Oakridge

Snow is on the Cascades, and its time to put our skis and snowshoes on! Gold Lake snowpark is already a lot of fun this season. My friend and I grabbed some rental skis here at the Mountain Mercantile and hit the trails last week to find a couple of feet of fresh white stuff waiting for us. Since then there have been a number of sunny days and cold nights, so I'm guessing that things have gotten a bit icy and fast since then, but that can be fun too. Derrick and I are going to head out after work tonight to find out. Full moon, clear skies, good friend, should be fun.

This year the Merc is offering a full selection of cross country skis for rent. We have four different models of Rossignol xc skis, both with and without metal edges. Also new for this season we are renting the new Alpina X-Terrain skis. These back country skis offer the scales of a cross country ski with the width and stability of a parabolic tele ski. We are anxiously waiting for the NNN BC bindings to show up for these skis so we can mount them up and try them out.

We are also continuing our snowshoe rentals this year, and have added to our rental fleet of Atlas snowshoes.

Our rental pricing is as follows:

Cross Country or Back Country ski rental: $15 (includes poles and boots)
Snowshoe Rental: $8 (includes poles)

We are open everyday from 9am-6pm.
48080 Hwy 58 (just past the stoplight on the right if you are coming from Eugene)

Stop on in on your way out to ski to hang out by our woodstove and have a cup of tea or hot chocolate, we'll have the fire blazing and look forward to seeing you.

MBO and Mo'

Yea! Mountain Bike Oregon, MBO, is here this weekend! Greenwaters park is full of campers, bikes, tents and more tents. There are demo vans from lots of companies-GT, Pivot, Mongoose, Mavic and more. The beer garden is always a hit once the sun gets low, and the bikes are back home for the evening, and it's time to recollect the best parts of the good day.

This is the 5th year for Mountian Bike Oregon, and the event is always getting better; better support for the riders and guides, better beer, better execution overall.

The shop is rocking along well. We have a new porch on the front of the shop to park your bike under while you chill out with buddies and watch the ever interesting traffic pass by on Highway 58. Norm Coyer built the structure, and we're proud to look at his fine craftsmanship every day. Come check it out!

Danielle and other community leaders have been putting a lot of energy into the 1st annual Oakridge Keg and Cask festival. Happening August 29, the festival is a mix of seven local breweries and wineries hosting a party and tasting on 1st St here in Oakridge, out in front of our local brewery The Brewers Union Local 180. It's 15 bucks, you get to taste a bunch of good brews, a sweet custom glass, and best of all all of the proceeds, 100%, go to the Oakridge Food Box and the Chamber of Commerce. Make sure to check out the myriad musicians who will be onsite and also at Greenwaters park.

With all of the riders passing through this summer it's fitting that someone wrote a review of the ever popular Alpine Trail. Check it out: http://www.mtbresource.com/TrRvwAlpine.html

Cheers,

Eug

Calling All Puffers!

The Cascade Cream Puff is just around the corner... the gnarliest ride you'll ever love.

When you're in Oakridge make sure to stop in and say 'hi' or pick up some spare brake pads, tubes, snacks or maps!

If you don't know about the Puff, visit: http://www.cascadecreampuff.com/