- Restaurants |
- Nightlife |
- Shopping |
- Movies |
- All
Any Mountain
Categories: Shopping Fashion Sports Wear Shopping Sporting Goods Sports Wear Shopping Sporting Goods Outdoor Gear Sports Wear, Outdoor Gear [Edit]
2777 Shattuck Ave(between Adeline St & Ward St)
Berkeley, CA 94705
Neighborhood: South Berkeley
(510) 665-3939
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street, Private Lot
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
61 reviews for Any Mountain
Review Highlights
-
"Rivals REI in terms of service and selection." In 13 reviews -
"That is above and beyond good customer service." In 13 reviews -
"They are currently working on my bindings and the board." In 10 reviews
Loading...
61 reviews in English
-
Review from Austin R.
Berkeley, CA
5/19/2012 2 Check-ins Here
My experience with this place yesterday warrants a 5 star review!
I came into the store not expecting much, figuring it was just another one of those outrageously priced outdoor stores, with staff that knew little to none about outdoor equipment.
Man, was I wrong.
Looking for a backpack for an upcoming Europe trip, one of the staff (shoutout to Tom!) approached me and quickly awed me on how much he knew about backpacking (apparently backpacked Europe for 2 years, in addition to weekend trips). He quickly explained what were the main differences between the backpacks, and asked a lot of useful questions about my upcoming trip to figure out what I needed and wanted. He showed me patiently how to adjust the straps of the backpack, and also taught me how to figure out if a backpack fits me or not. He also was honest in telling me what I really needed, finding for me cheaper models that gave me what I need, rather than trying to persuade me to buy more expensive models. Without his help I would have been clueless on which backpack to choose.
In the end I found the perfect backpack that fit my body and needs, and I couldn't be happier with my experience at Any Mountain. It only took me around 30 minutes of shopping with one on one customer service. He also hooked me up with a 20% off deal for first time purchases under $200! (All you need to do is sign up for their email listings).
I basically saved $40 on a $200 backpack, where online it would cost me $200 and up. I would definitely recommend Any Mountain, especially if you need one on one help with new equipment that you're not familiar with (although I'm not sure if this holds true to all employees there, just Tom). -
Review from Sarah C.
San Francisco, CA
5/2/2012
My visit today inspired this review and deserves it.
I had never visited before.
I had a minor repair needed on my ski bindings and I was looking for an end of the season wax. I called first to see about pricing (cause I could do it myself). I was immediately assured that they could probably repair my binding for free and that a summer hot wax was only $10. And yes, I know I could do it at home myself for less, but then I would have to do it. $10 seems more than reasonable. And I was assured it could all be done for pick up the same day.
But it gets better, when I brought my skis in, it took them about 2 minutes to fix my binding (free of charge, woot!) and I learned that when you buy two hot-waxes you get the third free! So I got a summer wax for both my skis and and my fiancee's board for $20, and next season I can get a wax anytime I want for free! I dropped off the skis and board and came back 3 hours later and they were all ready to go!
The staff was super nice and knowledgable as well. Made me feel good about my whole experience. -
Review from Jennifer W.
Oakland, CA
2/13/2012 1 Check-in Here
First time here. I came here with one purpose and it was to try on the Burton Mint boot. So I can go home and order from the Burton website in the color pink. ( rarely can find like crazy color ones in stores, if so it might be sold out.)
Walked in and found the boots under 40% off sale! How cool is that? Located my size and tried it on. I would never under estimate a Burton boot. But boo the color wasn't pink. But what the heck 40% off I don't care for the color anymore. Boyfriend was also looking in the sale section and found himself a boot.
Walked to the register, Would you guys like to join our mailing list for additional 20% off? Hell yeah I would! So my boot were retail at $149.95 40% off $89.97 + 20% off $71.97 + Tax = $78 SCORE! Boyfriend's boots were brought down to $100. So with the original retail price of my boot bought my boyfriend and my boot! I'm super happy with my purchase!
The staff there had been more then helpful. Suggesting the mailing list for the extra 20% off. Would recommend to anyone who's into saving a crap load of money off snowboarding gear! Will return to check out other gear soon! -
Review from Russell H.
Pacifica, CA
12/30/2011
Better go here with a Wet Ones wipe--cause the guys working here are SMOKING hot. No, really. It's like they had a table at a modeling career fair. But that "Outdoorsy/Scruffy/I-just-auditioned-for-a-Subaru- commercial" type of hotness.
Yes, I ended up spending a fortune. Ah, well, thank the gods for good credit!
Staff very friendly, all wanting to help... sadly what I really wanted from the guy who helped me was [censored]. -
Review from Erika D.
San Francisco, CA
11/6/2011
Horrible Horrible Phone Customer Service
Because of that alone, I'm turned off.
Headed to REI.
---------------------------
BTW - some yelper tried to "call me out" and say I worked at REI...this is not the case. I live much closer to any mountain than I do REI...so I thought I'd give them a chance before going with my usual REI...but alas. they failed me.
I don't work there. I've never worked a day of retail my entire life. -
Review from sydney p.
Piedmont, CA
1/24/2012
So took my two boys (9 & 12)in after school to get ready to snowboard this Saturday, great customer service by someone well accquainted with the sport, not just the guy working in skis...He tried out a variety of boots, went looking for a used pair for "Stretch" who is blowing through shoes at record speed, found a pair of spanking new ones on sale for $20 for the shortest guy. Went for quality and ability to last for bindings for the oldest, swapped out goofy foot for regular for the little guy. Saved a bunch of moola, got great service and well made gear! WIN, WIN!
-
Review from Dennis S.
Oakland, CA
3/7/2011 1 Check-in Here
I walked in, just trying to find a a deal on some snowboard boots. At the time I was still borrowing friends equipment or renting from resorts.
I walked out $142.65 lighter with a used snowboard package complete with bindings and the last pair of adult sized boots (Good thing I can fit a 1/2 size).
While I tried on my "new" (new to me) boots, my bindings were set up on my board by one of the employees. He said if I came earlier in the season, I would have gotten an even better package.
I was happy anyway with what I walked out with, a smile and my own gear to hit the mountain with.
Only down side, was I had to look elsewhere for laces (which was much harder than I anticipated. -
Review from Alisha F.
San Francisco, CA
12/6/2011
I'm not fully an outdoors-woman, but I felt like one when I happened upon Any Mountain while strolling in Berkeley. Once inside the store I was totally impressed with all of the great lighting, expansive selection, and overall tidiness. At the time of my visit I was in the market for a new urban backpack, and not only did I find one that suited my fancy, but there were enough cool backpack options to keep me glued to their massive backpack section for at least 15 minutes. The pricing was totally fair, and I did not feel like I was at a mall's gear store. At checkout, I enjoyed friendly conversation with Jeremy, the Store Manager. I asked some questions about seasonal equipment, and he was knowledgeable and patient. I will definitely go back to spend some more cash next time I need attractive gear.
-
Review from Katie M.
Oakland, CA
2/27/2011
I wanted to like this place... I really did.
This rating is based on their shop/rental area, which is hugely understaffed and overworked, poor guys.
They failed on not one but two mounting jobs. That is just not acceptable. In the one case skiis were promised by thursday, when we went at 7pm to pickup said skiis they had not been touched and the one guy in the shop was busy helping 3 families rent gear. He says come back later..... so we do, at 8pm (when they close) and there is still a line of people being helped. We didn't leave with skiis in hand until 9:45pm.
The second case (within days of eachother) I had to go pickup demo skiis for a friend who was supposed to have them mounted, but again they failed to deliver on time and he was forced into a rental pair for the weekend. In this case they didnt have the correct setup for the particular bindings...but then don't promise to mount them before looking.
They kept apologizing and saying that the one other shop guy had quit recently. I understand being short staffed, but they had plenty of other employees on the floor in the clothing area, why aren't more people trained in rentals at least? Sigh.
They have decent clothing selection so I might venture back in the future, but I won't bother dealing with their shop. I'd say skip Any Mountain for ski tuning and go to California Ski Company on Gilman, they actually deliver on time as promised. -
Review from Denise F.
11/23/2010 2 Check-ins Here
I came for the winter apparel, snow gear, and ski stuff...the selection isn't huge, but they have some cool stuff and a lot of it is on sale, they also have a decent sized clearance section too with all kinds of good deals if you can find your sizes! The boots & shoe department is nice, there's a decent selection there, and their kids' section for snow gear was surprisingly large too!
This is a pretty small store, and they don't carry every model from every brand like the larger stores can, they do have some great choices & necessity items here!
The employees were swamped fitting people for ski boots, yet the guy still managed to sneak away from the family to ask if I needed any help with the skis...I'm not sure if I'm going to rent skis 20 times again this season, or finally buy a pair of my own...but at least I know I can get some decent help here with rentals or if I make a purchase! -
Review from Grant S.
Oakland, CA
3/4/2011
This is a review for the Service Department
I walked in on Tuesday just needing a quick wax and sharpen on my board. I was helped by Rossen (hope I spelled your name right man!). He took the time to change up my binding's stance and got into talking park riding with me.
He suggested a custom sharpening and wax to help me out in the park. He explained why he said I should get the board sharpened the way he suggested and even sketched out his explanation on a paper. I jumped at the opportunity.
I also pointed out a split in the top of my board that was starting and he epoxied it for me.
My board was ready at the time I requested and has a new fresh set up all for $20. You can't beat that! -
Review from Erik W.
Piedmont, CA
11/21/2011
Be very careful with ski binding adjustments here especially for kids. Every time I've gone in there something was inconsistent with the bindings on my kids' skis. Last year my daughter almost blew out her ACL because the bindings were not adjusted correctly, ended her season and shook her confidence.
They just ruined a brand new pair of top-of-the-line skis I bought for me because their tech couldn't get the bindings on in the same place on both skis and centered on one of the skis.
Were it not for the kids trade-in deal making equipment reasonable for people that are still growing I would never go in there again. Now I know to make them check everything 2 or 3 times.
Of course if you're getting 40% off a jacket there's limited potential harm to life or limb. It is what it is.
Nice folks. They try hard and have a sense of what good customer service is like but it seems like they're not able to find good people to work in the shop.
Maybe they don't deserve one star but for safety sake I think it's better to get your attention. -
Review from Gracie B.
4/2/2007
I know it's hard to believe, but I am the one person in the Bay Area that does not "do" the outdoors. I was a horrible girl scout when it came to any thing that couldn't be done indoors, preferably without sweating or otherwise not being cute. I left southern indiana for DC where I could flourish in a city and avoid the outdoors (except for the occasional saturday morning jog - cause well, that's what people in DC do on saturdays).
So when my friend invited me to Tahoe for the weekend I had 2 options: say yes and totally fake the funk or admit that I am a total city girl who doesn't do the outdoors stuff. I did option 1. THen spent 3 days annoying my "very outdoorsy" girl friend in Boulder for details on what to buy to wear on this trip. But everything she said was based on the assumption that I owned anything remotely outdoorsy. But no, I don't
First I went to REI. Yeah. No. I had no clue that outdoor clothes were so freaking expensive. But then the friend called and said that Any Mountain was having a sale. So I steeled myself...and drove over there.
I then wandered around for about an hour trying to find cute snow clothes for a woman who isn't "athletic looking". Finally I found a pair of men's snow pants that fit well enough (ok, so they make you look like the michelin man...but they did the same thing to the more athletic looking girl in the fitting room next to me). So then I went up to the sales guy and said. I'm going to the mountains. I found these. What else do I need? I was hoping he would then drag me around the store and help me find stuff - but no.
So there was another 30-45 minutes of me gathering various snow items and going up to him and saying: Do I need this? Which one of these do I want? I don't know if I'm snowboarding or skiing, does it matter? Can I just wear my cute sunglasses instead?
So 1.5 stars for having a sale on clothes that I will probably only wear a couple times in my life (it's fairly certain that I will never be an outdoors person - let's be honest).
1 more star for having some pretty cute stuff that makes me kinda want to be an outdoors person so that I can justify buying really cute snow stuff - like cutesy burton snowboarding socks.
And 1.5 stars for the beleaguered sales guy who did not feel like dealing with 535 questions from me at the end of the night. He could have earned 2 stars, but he wasn't *that* helpful especially since he let me buy the "cute" blue fleece gloves (the rest of my snow stuff is blue) but didn't tell me that they would get wet (and there fore cold and slimy feeling) when I fell on my butt. I also like the fact that he didn't completely take advantage of me and make me buy all the stuff that I probably "needed" (like goggles or long underwear or a particular jacket) but being honest and saying how I could adapt stuff I already owned or cheaper things to work.
And after all that - I think I looked pretty gosh darn adorable in my snow clothes. But I still don't "do" outdoors.Listed in: Why I'm always broke, Adventures in wilderness
-
Review from maria m.
New York, NY
2/24/2007
Sales guy there--HOT! Oh. . .ahem. . .prices are good and return policy makes for easy impulse buying the night before a Tahoe trip.
Here's to acting on impulse. . . -
Review from inga r.
1/17/2008
I would give this place 3.5 stars if I could.
This place falls half way between Sports Chalet and REI. It has some good brands like Marmot, Burton, etc. but the selection tends to be slim. Occasionally I do find some deals here like the new DC boa snowboarding boots for almost 50% off, but overall I check with Wilderness Exchange, Marmot and REI first.
I will say that I had excellent service in the snowboard rentals dept. for my boyfriend. They have Burton rentals (not the lame step-in bindings) and LISTEN when you want to dial in a different foot placement (no "duck foot") you would like. We were in and out in 5 minutes!! -
Review from mark w.
Oakland, CA
4/5/2010
When you type in 3 stars in Yelp, it gives you an A-OK. This store is not A-OK, but I gave them 3 stars anyway because I am feeling generous, and because they are locally owned.
The products are not great like REI
The service is non existent
The prices are high.
This is not a good combination.
I have never gotten help at this store, even when requested. The salespeople spend most of their time at the cashier's booth talking to each other.
I needed to buy a walking stick for my dad. I Didn't know anything about walking sticks, but I bought one for about 115 dollars there, which is list price. I don't really mind paying list, but not without some service. It really would have been nice if someone could have explained to me the differences in walking sticks.
I keep saying I won't go back here, but I do, as I hate driving through Berkeley to go to REI. -
Review from Greg J.
Berkeley, CA
11/11/2010
I have split feelings on this place. The service is great (if you hunt someone down). The people are knowledgeable and generally pretty helpful. The selection is quite good and the convenience can't be beat (its just 3 blocks from my house). I like that they are locally owned. Their prices are at least on par with REI and you can catch decent sales. My big issue is with their return policy.
If you return something and want the money returned to the debit card you used to purchase the item, it can take up to 10 BUSINESS DAYS for the money to show up in your account! In other words, they sit on your money for up to 10 business days even though you have returned the item and it has been confirmed that the item is in the same condition as when you bought it.
The guy at the store didn't tell me this when I returned the item and I think that is a really crappy policy. There is no reason to hold on to my money for that long. The money came out of the account the same day when the item was purchased.
I might be able to see this policy as acceptable 20 years ago and if I had paid with a check. But there is no excuse for it now.
Any Mountain, if you take the item back, then you should give me my money back at the same time. -
Review from Erin M.
2/10/2008
This Any Mountain seems to be staffed by a plethora of college students. With that comes a generally kind demeanor, but incompetence.
We stopped by on our way up to Tahoe to rent skis. Because of a mix-up at their RWC store, they had a very difficult time processing us. We must have waited at least an hour just to get our rentals outfitted. Don't get me wrong- they weren't busy. We were the only ones renting at the time. They just weren't attentive.
When we went to pay, there was even more of a wait. The man checking us out was friendly and full of energy, he just didn't know what he was doing. Because of the mix-up, he ran back to the ski department to change our forms three times.
This was my only visit to this particular Any Mtn., so I may have come on a bad day. But... I wouldn't return. -
Review from Marck N.
3/1/2010
I've always wondered what was sold in this store as I drove by it numerous times. I decided to check it out when looking for hiking boots.
Their hiking boots selection is not as large as other stores. I found the sales person to be courteous, but not as knowledgeable. Sizes on the selection of the shoes/boots that you may want to try on is hit or miss. They may not have it in stock. But the good thing is that they will do a stock check with their other stores and call on its availability. If it is, they can transfer it to the store. Downside of this is that they only receive their store transfers on Monday's. I was only aware of this when I checked on the status of the boots I had transferred to the store.
Also with the transfer, they are supposed to call you when the merchandise arrives, but they never did call me. Customer service follow through lacks in this area. But if you are determined to try out the merchandise that is being transferred for you, it pays to be proactive. -
Review from jason k.
Oakland, CA
6/7/2010
First, I don't work for and I'm in no way associated with the company. That said, this weekend they earned a customer for LIFE.
I was late for a camping trip, and my tent poles had lost elasticity (so they no longer pulled snug). When i called they told me what they had, and also suggested alternative businesses that might do a better job of addressing my problem. I went there anyway because I was hopeful and they were closer.
The solution was to restring the tent poles - a project that I had no ability to undertake whatsoever. Instead of wishing my good luck and sending me out the door - two employees spent 15 minutes teaching me how to restring tent poles (man I wish I remembered their names).
Cost of the replacement string with tax: $4.30. That is above and beyond good customer service. That is treating a customer like a fellow human being..
Awesome experience shopping here! -
Review from Steve S.
Berkeley, CA
10/18/2009
Any Mountain in Berkeley has some of the BEST customer service we've ever experienced. My wife and I just spent over two hours in the store buying Skis, Boots, Bindings, Hiking Shoes, and a Jacket.
Jimmy, in the ski department, was incredibly knowledgeable, had actually worn many of the boots and skis, and was able to give great hands-on help, while simultaneously supporting many other customers. He's a great communicator, and always tells you what is going on! He focused on fit and function first.
Can't wait to try on my/our new stuff! -
Review from Alia D.
12/28/2007
Really long and rather funny story made short. I ended up at Any Mountain looking for snowboard boots. REI, while they have nice gear just don't have good sales. Destination 1440 is for the cool rich kids. That other store across from 1440 just has used equipment which I could have easily gotten off of craigslist. I'm one of those people who wants my own s**t when I start a sport, brand spankin new, let me f**k it up. OK back to the journey.
I milled around a bit kid of amazed at the prices. No, they weren't that expensive. It was actually pretty cheap, which scared me a little. I thought , "Hmmm this must not be good quality" but there were some big brands in there. So here I am looking for boots. I'm a cheap ass just like everyone else post-holiday, just admit that you are, so I was on the prowl for deals. Lo and behold I find boots for $39.99. "WHAT?!" I found the nearest sales guy (who was really super helpful; and I'm not cute so he wasn't trying to "get at me") and I asked him what the problem was. He explained to me that the boots were 2 seasons old. Um, that's it. Well who the hell am I trying to impress? I'm looking for a stiff boot; Wow, that sounds weird.
Anyway so while I'm stomping around the store getting a feel for the boot the heavens opened up and angels sang on a really pretty board which happened to be my size. I almost immediately felt disappointment knowing that I wouldn't be able to afford it. Alas, I stepped closer and saw the most precious thing ever (not really but you get it) WAS $359.99 NOW $177.00 I'd have to be a fool not to get it! Again, why Craigslist? Armed with a sexy board I needed binding. OK, OK, the funny hing is the bindings on sale were twice as much as my boots. And I knew Sports Basement has some good deals on bindings right now, but I felt obligated t the Any Mountain Karmic beings that had bestowed these deals on me.
So here I am, prepared to go to the snow this season, with my own s**t. No more stinky boots and gumby board. Overall I think Any Mountain is a good place to go for deals, at least right now. -
Review from Kione E.
2/4/2007
I was going to Squaw Vally this weekend........I needed stuff.
The sale people were trying to be very helpful, but my dumb ass couldn't figure what I needed/wanted/thought would be cool to have/I dunno.
I had all this stuff in my arms, and a rep thought it would be more convenient for me to leave the stuff I wanted at the counter. "Oh yeah." It was.
I was confusing myself and decided to seek out some victim, to torture with lame questions, concerning various thermal clothing. I finally got all the essential skiing clothes that I thought I might need, and went to have the lady ring me up.
Damn! Staying warm and fashionable can be expensive. Oh well. Better that than freezing my balls of out there.
Maybe next time I go skiing or boarding, I'll check out thier rental center. -
Review from Andrea P.
3/17/2009
The customer service here is ABSOLUTELY WONDERFUL!!! Everyone is very helpful. I got a full set of snowboard gear here - board, bindings, and boots. The guy who was helping me out was really great and gave me very good advice.
Well, I ended up finding my board cheaper elsewhere, and even though Any Mountain offers to price match, they only price match other stores in the Bay Area. The store I found my board at is in Sac, so when I went to return my board, they still offered to price match, which I really appreciate. On top of that, even if I still decide to return, they said I could just bring the board in and they can take the bindings off for me. I feel bad returning my gear. :( They're too nice there.
I haven't taken a lengthy walk around the store, but it seems fairly big.
Overall, very very good experience with them. Will definitely continue to patronize. -
Review from Kathleen W.
Albany, CA
8/22/2009
Instead of calling it *Any* Mountain, it should be called *Some* Mountain ... I came here looking for climbing gear which they stopped carrying a few years ago.
Ample parking in the lot across the street, pretty decent shoe and apparel selection - lots on sale. Service was friendly as we walked in, unfortunately, they didn't have the equipment I was looking for. -
Review from G A.
Berkeley, CA
10/20/2010
Just a very short review since you all know what this place is about. Also I have been to this store before and was not that happy. However...
this time things were really different. Sam was very helpful in helping us pick a tent. Sent time with us and seemed genuinely interested in talking to us.
This place has become a very reasonable REI alternative for me now. -
Review from Kat C.
Boulder, CO
2/16/2006
The rental situation is good and the store is nice and the staff helpful and friendly. The parking can bite though.
But, I was in desperate search of a nalgene bottle, and once I went for a special pair of socks, both times they were out of stock. I would call before heading over there. -
Review from Seung Hyun Y.
Everett, WA
6/13/2007
I remember when this store had an SF branch. Boy Scout discount baby! One star less since this store didn't carry the sleeping bag I wanted. Other than that, service has downgraded a bit. REI has gotten the better of me these days since the emporium is filled with employees who are actually specialized in some form of outdoor sport. =]
Sale was nice but the quality of stuff here seemed eh..used.. -
Review from Michelle M.
San Francisco, CA
1/10/2009
In preparing for this year's snow season, I chose to hit up Any Mountain partly due to the fact that I'm on their mailing list and they send some rather enticing coupons/discount offers.
The selection is decent and I was able to get everything I needed. This earned them three stars.
However, I added on a fourth star for their great customer service. After multiple visits, I found consistently friendly service. I was able to exchange a pair of pants with a bad zipper with no hassle, as well as a board bag that I foolishly chose the wrong size. I also was impressed by the fact that one sales associate (Mark I think?) helped me for half an hour after closing to find the perfect boots. His expert advice coupled with his friendly and helpful demeanor made me that much more loyal to this establishment. -
Review from Juno P.
ALLSTON, MA
2/8/2009
I'm giving them 5 stars for their friendly staff, the informed and helpful advice they are able to offer, and the prices of their stuff.
I recently bought my own snowboarding gear for the first time ever. I've been learning to snowboard the past two seasons and used rentals each season. So I bought my bindings at Any Mountain last week (during their mid-season sale). Although I bought my board and boots from elsewhere, their super-friendly staff there were so kind as to teach me how to adjust the bindings myself. I've been there twice and every time, they offer knowledgeable advice when asked. My boyfriend who has been skiing since he was 5 ended up buying skiis for himself there too for a good price that includes the bindings.
The only downside is that it seems that their gear for small sizes (like boots size 5.5) sell out first. Maybe it's more to do with the amount of petite, little-footed female snowboarders living in the Berkeley area than with Any Mountain's selection. -
Review from Samson F.
San Francisco, CA
6/24/2011
I come here often for ski and camping equipments. The service is A+. Staff is friendly and helpful, especially compared to the other sport stores in the bay area.
-
Review from Michael C.
Oakland, CA
12/11/2011 1 Check-in Here
alittle pricey but excellent clearence rack and nice service
-
Review from Slob M.
Oakland, CA
12/15/2011
Crappy (for the most part) gear; crappy (for the most part) service; terrible (for the most part) techy ski tuning/mounting/shop work. A better bet would be to shop at Cal Ski Co on Gilman (for Alpine ski stuff) or Marmot Mountain Works on Adeline (for backcountry and telemark stuff and excellent ski tuning).
-
Review from Carl R.
Oakland, CA
2/7/2009
SERVICE SUCKS!
If you're serious about your skis, don't take them here for service. The service is painfully slow and the technicians are what you'd expect from technicians who don't live on a mountain (an ACTUAL mountain, not Any Mountain!) Seriously, they are like monkeys with wrenches. Good for rentals, but bad for serious skiers.
If you don't have skis, then just shop in the store. Great selection, good sales, and helpful, friendly sales staff on weekends. -
Review from Anastasia B.
San Francisco, CA
10/22/2007
I've been here twice. The first time I went, the customer service was non-existent, which didn't actually bother me since I knew exactly what I was looking for and found it right away. The music was blaring and I was the only customer in the entire store. The second time, we actually needed a little help and got really bad customer service from the lame, rude, slacker sales guy who actually got annoyed with us for asking him a question! Why do people like this work in sales or retail when they lack all social skills?! I don't know how this store stays in business. Customer service sucks and they are way overpriced.
Listed in: I'm going Berzerkeley!, NOT wicked bad, just BAD!
-
Review from M F.
Albany, CA
10/21/2009
The Any Mountain store in Berkeley is substantially larger than their store in Concord. It stocks skis, snow boards, hiking and athletic shoes, some day packs, some camping gear and a lot of outdoor clothing. The store is neat and clean and parking is good. You can park for free in a lot across the street or in a few slots behind their building. The entrance is decorated with quite a few huge boulders to give it a unique touch. Be careful not to stub your toes...
I have day hiked, backpacked and skied for decades so pretty much know what are quality brands, what to look for in workmanship and what prices should be. Any Mountain has many good quality brands in gear from Snow Peak and MSR Whisperlite stoves, Kelty packs, North Face jackets and Merrill boots but many items are not in great quantities and the store does not carry more than a few different models.
I would estimate that the store's merchandise is divided with the majority of it being racks and racks of clothes. There are also racks for children. Only two very small sections of the store have day hike packs, freeze dried foods, water bottles, stoves and the like. Although there are racks of sale merchandise clothing at slightly discounted prices, the majority of gear is priced pretty standard for the area. The hard part for me was to look around for a jacket in a specific size and only finding lots of XXL and 3X jackets or the wrong color. Per Any Mountain, they have cut back on hiking and backpack items and will not order more until perhaps February or March which means that you will be looking through limited sizes and limited colors. They claim that they are using space for their skiing gear. They are also not restocking their hiking boots until February or March so sizes are not complete. I hike pretty much every weekend in the Bay Area as many of us do and need hiking and backpack gear all year round.
Any Mountain has mentioned that they will match any price we can find at REI and also discount another $5.00 which is not a great savings but OK. Prices at Any Mountain are the going rate for other camping stores in the area. Even some of the sales items did not appear to be discounted based on my experience, so you do have to be aware of the brand and the average price.
Bought a couple of fleece vests today that were on sale and that is fine but do not like to hunt and search for a specific size or color or wait until February before I restock for day hikes. As for day packs, I pretty much know what I prefer and the JanSport packs did not meet my needs. The only Kelty packs I saw were tiny fanny ones.
As for service, the first time I went into the store there were two young men at the checkout counter. The manager was in the back. I was the only customer in the store but no one ever thought about approaching me and asking if I needed service. Today, I went into the store and a nice young lady immediately came up to me and directed me to the jacket and vest area and helped me choose items. Her service was extraordinary and I walked out with quite a few items. Had service been the same as my original visit, I suspected I would have briefly looked around the store then decided to leave.
I would hope that Any Mountain reconsiders it's stance and constantly restocks its merchandise year round whether it is hiking boots, rain jackets or mountaineering jackets. I would also like to see it increase the variety of backpack pots, stoves and day packs. Having loads of Jansport day packs in cute colors and patterns does not do it for me. I would appreciate more Kelty packs and please again restock the wonderful Montainsmith lumbar packs you stocked over a year ago. They were wonderful.
The unisex bathroom is clean and accessible for someone in a wheelchair. They were temporarily out of liquid soap in a transparent bottle, but will give them slack on that. It happens.Listed in: Outdoors Gear
-
Review from Mark B.
San Francisco, CA
12/12/2009
Used to live next door to this place.... and loved it! Everytime I walked in here I felt like a big time drug dealer. Everyone was happy to see me! Of course I bought a shit-ton of stuff here, so that might have been it.... What exactly is a shit-ton? Is that one of those "pound of feathers-pound of bricks" sort of saying? Anyway, Great camping selection and ski gear. Rivals REI in terms of service and selection. So if you like to spank yourself downhill against some moguls, or hike until your back spasms, come here and prep yourself for your pleasure/pain principals.
-
Review from Kenny E.
Albany, CA
4/21/2010
Did you buy a product and keep the reciept and want a refund becuase it did not work out for ya?
Good luck.
Your going to get treated like your scamming them. They will be all to happy to take your cash though.
Buyer beware. Try any other mountain...lol -
Review from Lauren H.
Akron, OH
5/31/2007
i went here to buy a sleeping bag.
after milling over the large selection of bags for about 20 minutes, i ran to find a sales guy who was inattentive, unhelpful and kind of rude - even though there was no one else in the freaking store.
i bought one anyway (with no help from douchbag) even though i shouldn't have on principle.
bah. annoyed. -
Review from Carmen C.
San Francisco, CA
12/2/2009
The Any Mountain store in Berkeley is one of the larger ones with more stock that I've been to within the Bay Area. The staff is incredibly helpful in terms of my snowboarding gear. I was trying to buy my new snowboarding boots from them, since no one seemed to have my size and the color I want, and they were able to find one (although not in the color I want) so that I could try and order it online. They are currently working on my bindings and the board. The guy, Joe, was awesome in helping me find the right board in the right price range. I also loved the discounts I got through emails and the holiday season. I would definitely love to come back for all my other snowboarding gears!
