Our Team
Who We Are
At Kind Bike & Skis, we are outdoor enthusiasts who inspire and empower others to head outdoors. Our team is passionate to the point of obsession — we geek out over gear. We want to share the stoke by finding you the right equipment, no matter your ability level. More than anything, we’re committed to providing outstanding customer experience, creating a welcoming and all-inclusive environment, and educating our customers to make confident choices.
Purpose
Kind Bike & Skis believes in fostering a sense of belonging, well-being, and a healthy lifestyle.
Values
- Community: With transformation in mind, we create experiences beyond transactions to encourage a healthy lifestyle and good choices.
- Kindness: Doing well by others is perceived as helpful rather than pressure.
- Teamwork: As a cog in the cassette, each team member is committed to efficiency and equity.
- Passion: Energized and fulfilled by taking care of others, our work evokes health and happiness.
- Professionalism: We treat our customers intelligently and empower them to make confident choices.
Mission
Empowering individuals on their journey to a healthy and active lifestyle by taking the time to understand unique needs and aspirations, offering personalized guidance, and top-notch products for biking and skiing enthusiasts.
Chris Anderson
Owner
Chris' love for bikes began at the early age of 3. Two wheels brought him freedom, joy, and a need for speed. In the late '70s and '80s in South Minneapolis where he was raised he raced BMX , then switched to competing in freestyle skiing and mountain bike racing during high school, where he worked at a local bike/snowboard shops through college. He moved to the Vail Valley in 1997 after completing university where he spent the next six years managing bike and ski retail operations for Vail Resorts and New Technology Centers in Schruns and St. Anton, Austria. Tapping into his background in aviation, Chris spent 12 years working at the Eagle County Airport, ultimately serving as Assistant Aviation Director.
After several years in in aviation, Chris still felt a pull to his lifelong passion of ski and bike, and dream of serving the community with a bike and ski shop. After a few years of research and looking at new and existing locations between the front range and Eagle County he reached an agreement to purchase the Kind and proudly stepped in as shop owner in 2017. Chris loves helping people find the right gear to get and keep them thriving on their bikes and skis, and one of his favorite parts of owning a bike shop is the community that it creates, and the ability to support the community through its many partnerships and programs that serve the well-being and growth of its cycling community.
Favorite Bike Trails: Doctor Park (Crested Butte), Monarch Crest Trail (Salida), and the Whole Enchilada (Moab)
Nate Cyr
Buyer & Inventory Manager
“The best skier on the mountain is the one that's having the most fun!" is a mantra Nate has carried throughout his career. His journey began early on as a kid working at his dad's local bike and ski shop in Maine. After moving out West and becoming a ski patroller, he finally returned to where it all started — the local bike and ski shop.
Taylor Glassco
Retail & Sales Manager
“The mountains are calling, and I must go!" rings true for Taylor. Hailing from Kansas with a competitive sports background, the first time he came to Eagle County was the day he packed his car and moved out of the flat lands. Outside of the shop, he can be found riding mountain bikes, hiking, and camping with his two furry friends, Ali and Boots.
Favorite Bikes: Specialized Stumpjumper Evo and the Specialized Crux
Max Miller
E-Commerce Manager & Sales Associate
Max is from Louisville, KY (pronounced " Lou-uh-vul " "), the land of bourbon and horse racing. He's lived in the Vail Valley since 2017 and loves the change from rolling hills to the Rocky Mountains.
Favorite Mountain Bike Trails: Lee's Way, Iron Edge, Two Elk West
Favorite Ski Runs: Tourist Trap, WFO & Heavy Metal Trees, and Everything off of Chair 39.
Jordan Webb
Service Manager
Jordan's love for skiing started in 2006 at a humble ski hill in Southern Indiana. A spring break ski trip to Colorado changed his course, and he moved across the country to pursue his passion for skiing. Although skiing brought Jordan to the mountains, the summer activities — mountain biking in particular — are why he continues to call the Vail Valley home.
Jordan's Rides: Specialized Stumpjumper EVO, Scott Big Jon
Favorite Skis: Line SickDay 104 and Weston Summit 105
David Castillo
Sales Associate
Originally from the flatlands of Illinois, David has been skiing since he could walk, but Shaun White himself inspired him to switch to snowboarding, and he’s never looked back. David is a strength and conditioning coach who is passionate about sports training. David spends his days snowboarding, mountain biking, or hiking when he's not in the shop.
Favorite snowboarding spot: Blue Sky Trees
Jason Peck
Sales Associate
Jason moved from Boston to Eagle County in the early 2000s with hopes of deep snow, hero dirt, and flowing rivers. Like most transplants, he intended to stay for the ski season, but the majestic mountains, tight-knit community, and like-minded spirits kept him in Colorado. You'll find him playing in the snow, dirt, and rivers while cheering for the New England Patriots and chasing after his young daughter during his free time.
Favorite Mountain Bike: Specialized Stumpjumper EVO
Weston Sawtelle
Sales Associate
more to offer. Eight years ago, he packed up and headed west to find greater access to outdoor activities. Since he moved to the Vail Valley, he has spent most of his free time biking, skiing, fishing, hiking, and dabbling in many other hobbies.
Favorite ski: Volkl Revolt
Favorite Bike: Specialized Stumpjumper Evo
Bob Bailey
I moved here to emerse myself into biking and winter sports & what I've loved most has been achieving that goal amongst pleasant people.
- Fav bike: Revel Rail
- Fav ski/board: Burton Skeleton key
Tyler Zagal
The summers, the idea of spending all my time outside riding bikes and camping.
- Fav Bike: Specialized Diverge. Taking in the views on Muddy Pass on my Diverge is a great way to spend a day off
- Fav ski/board: Faction Prodigy 2
Zac Colomes
For the skiing and snowboarding. I love being at the base of beaver creek and vail.
- Fav bike: Specialized Diverge
- Fav ski/board: Burton Juice Wagon. I absolutely love speed, tree runs and powder. Nothing makes me feel more alive than experiencing the freedom snowboarding gives me
Listen up, party people! We've got a few introverted souls lurking in the shadows, but fear not. It's our duty to grab 'em by the hand, slap on a mischievous grin, and catapult 'em into the limelight. When you see them in the shop, say hello!
- Jesse Star
- Sean McCarty
- Wyatt Snider
Our History
For over 30 years, Kind Bikes and Skis has been the hub of ski and bike adventures for locals and visitors in the Vail Valley. Kind is the go-to destination for ski and bike enthusiasts, offering top-notch gear and professional, personalized service since 1992.
The journey began as The Kind Cyclist in Vail Village, where Toph Leonard and Pete Mueller set the wheels in motion. In 1996, the shop shifted gears and moved to Edwards, its home base ever since. After 20 years, Jamie and Kelly Malin bought the shop and started blazing their own path. Chris Anderson became the pack leader as General Manager in 2016 before purchasing the store the following year.
As the largest privately owned shop in Eagle County, Kind Bikes and Skis isn't just a store – we're a family of ski and bike fanatics ready to help you gear up for your next adventure. We promise to keep you cruisin’ year-round as your one-stop outdoor shop no matter where the trail takes you.
VINTAGE BIKES
Chris Anderson has been fascinated with vintage bikes since he was a kid. His collection of about 30 vintage bikes, mostly hanging on the walls in the shop, include a 1976 limited edition Evel Knieval BMX bike, his own BMX bike from 1985, and numerous Specialized Stumpjumpers (the first mass-produced mountain bike in 1981), including a 1982 Specialized Stumpjumper with a 1981 parts kit.
Chris’s interest in vintage bikes began when he worked at his first bike shop. As the grunt in the shop, it was his job to wash the bikes before the mechanics could fix them. He spent a lot of time hunched over bikes, scrubbing the steel with chrome wool. From these humble beginnings, he started to seek out vintage bikes to restore himself.
We Are Riders
Our staff spans from recreational enthusiast to racers. We all remember our first bike and first shop experience (some good, some not so much.) We strive to meet you wherever you are in the journey of cycling, skiing, or pursuing an active outdoor lifestyle.
We're Advocates
The Kind team proudly supports the Vail Valley Mountain Trails Alliance, raising funds for trail building and maintenance, volunteering hours to build trails, and working in trail advocacy. We love living the Colorado life and sharing our passion for the outdoors with you.