Publications & Sites 
Shop not just for skiers
Jeff Magnusson, owner of Scanddinavian Ski and Snowboard Shop, has been skiing since he was three, and has taught all three of his children to ski. | Jackie Pilossoph~For Sun-Times Media
Scandinavian Ski and Snowboard Shop
1621 Waukegan Road
(847) 729-0550
www.scanskishop.com
Article Extras
Updated: October 30, 2012 11:36AM
GLENVIEW — Jeff Magnusson has been a skier since he was 3 years old.
His father, Ben, who was originally from Sweden was a skier, and made sure to teach his children the sport he loved. It was Ben’s love for skiing that also led him to open Scandinavian Ski and Snowboard Shop, a Glenview icon that has been in business since 1964. Jeff has worked at the shop since high school, began working there full time after college, and eventually took over the store when his dad died in 2005.
“Skiing is an opportunity to enjoy the outdoors, and it’s something the family can do all together,” said Jeff, who has three children, all of whom are avid skiers and snowboarders. “You don’t have to be terribly athletic to ski and snowboard, and kids never outgrow skiing with you.”
Scandinavian Ski and Snowboard Shop is a fall, winter and spring clothing and equipment store for adults and children. Specifically, the store carries jackets, coats, ski equipment, hats, gloves, backpacks, boots, snowboards, snow shoes and other outdoor accessories. Some of the brands sold include The North Face, Patagonia, Spyder, Arcteryx and Burton.
According to Jann Glick, who has worked at the store for 25 years, Scandinavian isn’t just a shop for skiers.
“You come here to get your winter coats and coats for kids and boots,” she said. “We have such a large selection of coats, all different lengths, and people come from all over because of the selection.”
Marc Pearlman of Glenview said he buys all his winter jackets and hats here.
“Everyone who works here knows what’s going on,” he said, “I don’t ski, but I come here every year and buy a jacket and hats and gloves, and other things I’ll need.”
Magnusson said his business depends heavily on the weather, and that last year wasn’t a great season because of the lack of snow and warm temperatures. On the flipside, when the blizzard of 2011 hit, the store had fabulous sales.
“It gave us so many new customers who wanted to enjoy the outdoors and the extra snow that we got,” he said.
“Snow and cold really does bring customers in,” said Glick, “Heavy snow brings people in for cross country equipment as well.”
When asked about the advantages of shopping at Scandinavian versus going to an athletic chain store, Magnusson said it comes down to personal service and selection.
“We make sure you get the right clothing, the right size, and the right fit, plus, most of our deliveries are in September and October, and when we see all the merchandise filling up the store, we know we made good choices.”
