Finn Sisu

Incredibly knowledgeable staff, and great equipment. You always know that you’ll walk out of Finn Sisu with the best equipment, but you sure will pay for it. Their prices are good with a school discount, but still very spendy.
Because they are a small shop, sometimes you will have to wait for quite a while for someone to help you. Normally this would be upsetting — but when a staff member is helping you, you will have their complete and undivided attention.
If you’re looking to support a wonderful small business and get some great skiing equipment, I’d highly recommend Finn Sisu.

As per the motto — we are small but we know a lot — is probably true — but since no one would talk to us at the store — it was hard to confirm.
Walked in friday around noon — just needed to get some baskets replaced on ski poles and possibly buy some new poles — so that’s about $ 20 for the basket and a potential sale of another ~ $ 200 or so? And who knows on future needs.
Anyways — they were kinda busy — no problem, we can wait our turn — hubs went to get the poles that needed replacement and I just browsed for a little bit — then suddenly everyone was gone — there was one other customer in the store that had come in after us — and seemed to be buds with the one employee still on the floor — the other two were in the back doing some waxing on skis, etc. I stood up by the counter for a little bit — I mean — I did want to buy something, then was ignored, went and checked back in the shop area, ignored, asked the one person on the floor for what we needed and he brushed me off and told us that we could wait a little longer — but we’ve already been here for quite awhile. .
Anyways — we were heading up north so we went to ski hut in Duluth and they took care of us right away along with like 3 other people that were there (the one guy up front) — so that worked out.
The store seemed nice, but nothing I couldn’t get somewhere else, and after the being thoroughly ignored, definitely will take my $ elsewhere in the future.

Hands down, one of the best local sports businesses in the TC. Ski stuff primarily. Great knowledge about skiing and outdoor sports. A hidden gem in trail running. One of the few places to carry a wide range of Karhu, Innov-​8 and Scott running shoes. You must come check them out.

Finn Sisu is such a gem! I’ve purchased two sets of skis there and love both. My parents have purchased skis there and have been customers since the 80s, when the spandex tights were bright and cool… wait, they’re still cool to nordic skiers!
I think these guys are also affiliated with the Sisu Foundation that offers awesome Fall/​Winter ski programs for beginners and racers alike. If you’re going to buy quality equipment, it’s worth spending less than a gym membership on classes from some of the most talented and patient teachers in the cities.
Between the great gear and the amazing instruction, I’ve never skied better! Get outside and ski, folks, it’s a great way to survive our MN winters!

Their tagline says it all: «We’re small, but we know a lot.» ***
Finn-​Sisu is THE store if you’re a cross-​country skier. I bought my first pair of skis here in high school and would never go anywhere else for skis, gear, wax and whatnot.
They sell all the major brands and have package options for beginners all the way up to experts. Their kits include boots, bindings and whatever kind of skis you’re looking for: classic, skate or combi. Considering that it’s a small operation, their prices aren’t too shabby either. Plus, you can feel good about supporting a local place instead of a big chain.
On weekends, it can get really crazy and crowded during their busy season, but you’ll find the service super helpful. Just be patient and stare at the walls while you wait (really, there’s some cool stuff up there). Local skiers are like a little sub-​culture too, so you might even make some friends while you wait.
They also sell running gear, rollerskis, saunas and log homes. Seriously, log homes.
***I want that to be my personal 5’2″ tagline too: «I’m small, but I know a lot.»

If you cross country ski you appreciate how lucky we are to have this store in the Twin Cities. It is probably the best specialty store of its kind in the country. The staff is ultra-​knowledgeable and yet they are not a-​holes who are going to try to kit you out in the most expensive thing. They are sympathetic to the fact that if you are new to the sport that you will need different equipment. Their recommendations are always excellent. If you wax your own skis you will pretty much learn all you need to know by attending one of their clinic or just hanging around the wax supplies and asking the right questions. Their prices on apparel are competitive, especially on ski-​specific brands and their sales are pretty good, if you happen to be fortunate enough to catch one.
They have recently branched out into Saunas which is kind of amusing, since nordic sports and saunas always seem to go together. I’m waiting for them to add a vodka, snow tire, and cell phone section, next since those are the other major exports of Finland.