Store

Old activities freaks never die, they just trade up. When Seattle's skiers, snowboarders, climbers and cyclists get new equipment, many of them take their used gear to Second Ascent, where it is thoroughly examined, bought, cleaned up and then resold in the price range from "That's reasonable" to "Are you serious? I'll take five."

But while Second Ascent's stock is moderately priced, the store doesn't feel like a discount operation; you'll find new items on its shelves as well, and the management's buying process is so exacting that you won't find cheaply-made anything on its sales floor. Pair that commitment to quality with in-store bike mechanics and a ski technician, a staff that knows its merchandise backward and forward, and a mountaineering gear rental operation that's good enough to stand on its own, and you've got one of the most complete outdoor shops in the Pacific Northwest.