About MountainOps Outdoor Gear
MountainOps Outdoor Gear — formerly the Nordic Barn — has the largest selection of alpine touring and telemark gear on the East Coast, alongside a full range of alpine and backcountry ski rentals. Located on Mountain Road in Stowe, Vermont, the shop has been a pillar of the local skiing community for decades, evolving from its Nordic-focused origins into a comprehensive four-season outdoor outfitter that serves everyone from first-time skiers to seasoned backcountry veterans.
The winter rental fleet is where MountainOps truly shines. Beyond standard alpine packages, they carry an exceptionally deep inventory of touring skis, telemark setups, and backcountry safety equipment — avalanche beacons, probes, shovels, and skins — that few shops in the eastern United States can match. Staff members are active backcountry skiers themselves, which means the gear advice you receive is grounded in real experience on the terrain surrounding Stowe and the broader Green Mountain range. Alpine rental packages cover beginner through expert levels, and boot fitting is handled with the attention to detail that Stowe's demanding terrain requires.
In summer, MountainOps shifts to mountain bike demos and rentals, guided climbing excursions, and a well-stocked selection of hiking and camping equipment that draws adventure seekers headed into the Green Mountains and Long Trail. Demo bikes from top manufacturers let riders test high-end models on Stowe's network of purpose-built mountain bike trails before committing to a purchase. The shop also serves as an informal information hub for outdoor recreation in the area, with staff happy to recommend trails, routes, and local conditions regardless of whether you are renting or buying.
