Crystal Ski shop has been serving Boulder and its surrounding communities for almost 40 years.  Independent, family owned and operated, and dedicated to upstanding service, Crystal represents the gold standard in the Boulder business community.  Current owner and ski tech extraordinaire, Justin Burger says Crystal ski shop helped him develop his own love of skiing; renting his very first pairs of skis at the tender age of just two years old!  Before purchasing the business in 2009, Justin actually worked as a rental tech at Crystal through his years as a CU business student starting back in 2005.  When the previous owner, Tony Martinez, approached him about taking over the shop, it really was a perfect fit. The very shop that outfitted him as a toddler, employed him in college, and supported what would become a lifetime passion- was now his.   While feeling fortunate that his own father strapped him to his back while just an infant to hit the slopes, Burger acknowledges that not all kids get that same early exposure to the outdoors.

Justin Burger with former owner and mentor, Tony Martinez

Realizing that these early opportunities helped shaped who he is today, Burger is eager to give back, and give back in a way close to his heart by helping to get other kids on their own first pair of skis.  Founded in 1993, Outreach SOS serves over 5000 at-risk youth between the ages of 8-18 annually. They are a youth development nonprofit that fosters self-confidence, leadership skills, and positive decision making in underserved youth through engagement in action sports. Through activities such as skiing, snowboarding, rock climbing, backpacking and hiking, students develop the 6 core values that are at the heart of SOS outreach-courage, discipline, integrity, wisdom, compassion, and humility.  Harnessing these values helps facilitate the transformative ability of outdoor sports to help youth become role-models to their peers, and leaders in their communities.  The organizations main office is right here in Avon, Colorado with participating resorts and programs throughout 15 states. To learn more about this organization, visit sosoutreach.org on the web. And next time you find yourself near Crystal Sports in Boulder, go in and say hi to Justin, and thank him for his unique contribution to Boulder area skiing!

Jimi Klopson