Brian Knutson and Jan Guenther are owners of Gear West Ski and Run. They started Gear West in 1991 and eventually sold the bike and tri division to an employee, Kevin O'Connor. Since then Brian and Jan have focused on building the run, XC ski, soccer and mail order businesses.

Brian has worked, raced and sold XC skis for over 35 years and probably knows more about XC skis and how they work than anyone else. He has flexed tested more skis than ANYONE in the industry. He began as a serious HS and Collegiate racer in the Midwest. Afterward, he traveled to Sweden to learn more about coaching, which eventually led him to coach for Montana State. Returning back to the Midwest, he started the ski business at BJ's Bike and Ski in the Mpls. area and then moved on to work and sell for Fischer Skis and Swix wax.

In 1993, Brian left Fischer and joined Jan at Gear West were they worked together to create what is now, the largest single XC ski store in the US. Not only do customers travel far distances to visit Gear West but they order product on-line. Gear West ships skis, run shoes and other related items all over the US and Canada.

Brian continues to work on skis- selecting the best ones he can find out of GW's huge selection- but he has added a new love, which is knowing all he can about Conifer trees. Stop by GW, not only will you see an amazing selection of skis and ski equipment.... and running shoes and cool clothing, but you will see the beginnings of a Conifer garden out in front of the store. Over the past two years, Brian removed the contaminated dirt in what was a gas station and has slowly planted an array of natural plants featuring conifers and small alpine perennials in front of Gear West.

Our resident clothing Guru and Twitterologist Lynne has been a valuable member of the Gear West Team for many many years.

Lynne ...

• grew up in the bike and ski business
• has a degree in Elementary Ed from University of Minnesota
• has ski raced on Fischer/Salomon Marathon Team
• is the 1990 Birkie winner (yes, that is a long time ago)
• has 3 adorable daughters

Currently having a ball working at Gear West and getting some fitness back:

• Trying to close the very large gap with Jan.
• Planning on kicking some butt at the Tri-Loppet with super fast canoe partner Speedy
• Got into Chequamagon this year, so better get on the mt. bike

Speedy has been selling running shoes since 1991 and really enjoy helping runners find the right shoes to reach their potential. He started working at Gear West in 1998 and rekindled his love of Cross Country skiing and since has spent my winters helping skiers find the best ski to achieve their dreams, weather it is racing the Birkie or skiing across Finland.

Speedy's Life time PR's
400 meters 54.6, 800m 1:59.7, 1600m 4:20.82, 3200 9:20.64
5K 15:15, 10K 31:10, 13.1M 1:08:37, Marathon 2:24:43
100 Miles 16:09:52 (formerly a state record)
American Birkie 2:39:43

Lynne wanted everyone to know that in his formative ski years he was the 6th best skier in the weakest section in the state.

His current goals are:

1. Change nick-name to "Formerly Speedy"
2. Raise three high energy children
3. Come to grips with his age as a high school XC and track coach

Wendi is a Gait analysis and biomechanics fanatic lovingly known as "The Shoe Whisperer" by loyal customers. She has degrees in Physical Therapy & Health and Human Performance. Loves running marathons and is slowly but surely working on running one in every state.  She has more running shoes than one house can hold so lives happily at Gear West (in the shoe area of course).

Ari hails from Duluth, Minnesota. He followed his father around his shop while he was growing up, learning to ski at the age of 2. He skied competitively through High School at Duluth East but concentrated on school while in College at the University of Minnesota.

He has been coaching Hopkins High School's Nordic team for the last 4 seasons. While not at Gear West, Ari spends his time homebrewing beer, working on his culinary skills, honing his photography, ja on opinut puhua suomea (Learning to speak finnish.) He has been working at Gear West for the last 3 seasons, and is to be married to his fiancée Melanie this July.

Mr. Wright’s main responsibility at Gear West is the receiving end of shipping. Ensuring an accurate count of product is important to the business.

When Mr. Wright is not going cross-eyed in front of a computer, he is usually working on his Subaru project car. Mr. Wright has been itching to get it sideways on dirt, gravel, mud, grass, snow, ice, pavement, pretty much any surface. Mr. Wright also enjoys snowboarding, waterskiing, barefooting, wakeboarding, canoeing, fishing, bonfires, Super Mario Bros., and disc golfing.

Brodie likes good trail runs, awesome skiing in the trees, and great times outside. Brodie has been skiing for over 15 years in various places and terrains. From attempting tele-turns while crust skiing to learning various ways to have a "dude you shoulda seen my crash" moments, Brodie loves the snow.

Originally from the state of Wyoming, Brodie has joined fellow 'flatlanders' at Gear West for the last 5.5 years. When not on his skis, you can find Brodie hitting the mountain bike trails, tossing the Frisbee, attempting to be a cool-looking Ultimate Frisbee player, and relaxing in front of the Xbox (fav. game...Halo and Halo 3).

Brodie is currently writing a thesis on the physiological effects of "looking good" on skis. He is trying to prove that if he can at least look good with good equipment, other racers will be intimidated.

Future studies will include topics such as: "Why wax. Not waxing will make for stronger legs," and "Will drinking two pots of strong coffee and listening to speed metal make me a faster skier or just 'regular’."

Matt has been with Gear West since the beginning.  A high school skier standout, Matt brought his enthusiasm of the bike and ski industry to Gear West Ski & Bike.  Since then, he has become one of the more knowledgeable employees at Gear West, as well as in the industry.  He is a Swix Wax Technician, as well as our lead services and stonegrind technician.

Tom is responsible for running our web site and various interactive pursuits.  Easily the least active of the bunch, you are way more likely to find him out on the boat than running a race (or running period for that matter).

When not glued to his desk Tom enjoys hanging out with his wife and two kids, going to the cabin, camping, (light) hiking, golfing and fishing.  Tom's Winter pursuits include sitting by a fire and napping.

What's the craziest thing he has ever done?  Spent 3 weeks dogsledding and XC skiing through the Boundary Waters in the dead of Winter.   "It was an experience I will never forget".