Friday, November 28, 2014

How about a Snow Day?!

Just a reminder to get out and take that Snow Day when you have the chance! The winter (just like other seasons) goes quickly! Be sure to take advantage of that new snow or sunny day and get out and play! We'll see you at the hill!

Wednesday, November 26, 2014

Happy Holidays!


Thought we'd share our new holiday TV ad with you all! Hope you like and we wish you all a very happy holiday season!

Tuesday, November 25, 2014

Think Local!

Did you know that Fontana Sports as well as 100's of other Dane County small businesses are members of the nonprofit Dane Buy Local? Dane Buy Local was founded in 2004 as a program of Wisconsin Partners for Sustainability. The main idea being "We all win when you think local first". 


Dane Buy Local is asking consumers to “Shift Your Shopping” mindset this holiday season and “Think Local First”. Many Dane Buy Local members, including Fontana Sports, will be giving away great door prizes ($25 Fontana Sports gift card) this holiday season and by entering the drawings you are also entered to win a grand prize to be awarded in February 2015. Visit each business participating to sign up for their individual drawings and have a better chance at winning the grand prize! Visit the Dane Buy Local website for more info.

Monday, November 24, 2014

12 Days Til the 25th!


Starting on December 4th, NBC 15’s Christine Bellport and Charlie Shortino will count down the final twelve “Morning Show” telecasts to December 25th. Each day a Madison area viewer will win a terrific prize during The Morning Show. Fontana Sports will be giving away a TUBBS Snowshoe Package valued at $539.70! Package includes FLEX RDG 22 snowshoes, FLEX RDG 24 snowshoes, 2 sets of 3 piece poles and 2 snowshoe holsters! To qualify, visit either of Fontana Sports Madison locations and sign up or mail in postcards to the station. Good luck! For more fun events and giveaways please CLICK HERE.

Saturday, November 22, 2014

Turkey DAZE coming up this Friday!


Friday, November 28th, 2014 at 8:00 am - 2:00 pm ONLY
Both Locations - Westside & Downtown
Black Friday at Fontana Sports - Don't miss the best deals of the year! We open EARLY at 8 AM the Friday after Thanksgiving so we can bring you great deals on the products you love! The first 100 purchases over $50 will receive a FREE Tyrol Basin lift pass (value of $48)! Watch for our flyer in the State Journal! Keep an eye on our Facebook page for more info coming out early this next week!

Friday, November 21, 2014

Earn $30 back from American Express!


SMALL BUSINESS SATURDAY
Saturday, November 29th, 2014

Shop small with Fontana Sports (& many other small businesses) on Small Business Saturday! Card Members can register any eligible American Express Card to get a $10 statement credit for spending $10+ in-store on that same Card on Small Business Saturday. American Express cardholders will receive up to three $10 statement credit on purchases of $10 or more for up to $30 in statement credits per registered card. Visit here for more info!

When you shop small it can lead to big things! The shop small movement makes an impact on neighborhoods across the country. We appreciate you shopping small and supporting local businesses! Click here to view a map of all participating Small Businesses in the U.S.


Thursday, November 20, 2014

PRE BLACK FRIDAY SALE STARTS NOW!

Here are a couple of the deals to get you excited - SAVE 25% OFF LIFE IS GOOD AND POINT6 SOCKS! It's a great time to get a head start on the holiday shopping or to just find some great stuff you need. Don't miss it!

Downtown Madison Family Halloween

 



 We hadn't had a chance to post any pictures from our Downtown Madison Family Halloween, but wanted to make sure to share some! It was a great event with over 700 trick or treaters at our downtown location. Thanks to all those who came out. We already looking forward to next year! For more pictures visit our Facebook page.


Wednesday, November 19, 2014

Holiday Gift Drive for Teens

Help local teens have a Happy Holiday! 
Join us in supporting the United Way Holiday Gift Drive for Teens and bring holiday cheer to teens of local families in need. It's easy to give! While shopping pick up a Gift Drive Item and drop off your donation at either Fontana Sports location (other locations available too) for United Way to distribute. Help us make the season bright for local teens in need!
The Gift Drive will be running November 28 - Dec. 29, 2014

Thank you for your donations!

Gift Drive Items for Boys and Girls Ages 13-17:
    New, unwrapped items; adult sizes medium or larger
  • Winter warm-ups: scarves, hats, mittens, socks, boots
  • Hoodies, sweatshirts, t-shirts or jerseys
  • Digital cameras, headphones, or prepaid cell phones
  • Downtown Madison Gift Certificates, or gift cards to
    convenience/discount stores
  • Music, DVDs, books, or games
  • Room decorating items: posters, novelty pillows & lamps
  • Bath and body products, makeup, nail polish
  • Wallets or purses
  • Beads or bead/jewelry crafting kits



Tuesday, November 18, 2014

The NEW MSR Windboiler Stoves are in!

We are excited to announce that we are one of a select group of outdoor stores in the country that are doing a holiday launch of the new MSR Windboiler Stove! We thought we'd share a few facts about this awesome new product!

Highlights:
  • Won the 2014 Outdoor Industry Award – one of three items out of a pool of 361 entries from 35 countries!
  • 2.5 minute boil time for 1.0 liters of water. System weight (stove and pot) is under a pound.
  • Fuel efficient!
  • Water will boil even in very windy conditions!
  • Uses a radiant burner enclosed with windproof technology to allow the stove to boil water fast and operate in weather that many conventional stoves would not.
  • Pot locks onto burner and has cozy with handle so you can eat/drink right out of the pot.
  • All in one nesting system.

Monday, November 17, 2014

Gift Guide is now available!


Who's looking for some great gift ideas for their friends and family this holiday season?? It's hard to believe it's already that time of year again! Check out our 2014 Fontana Sports Gift Guide! We've made it easy for you to shop for the active people in your lives! We're here to help if you have any questions or need some advice. :)

Saturday, November 15, 2014

Small Business Saturday is Only 13 Days Away!

Small Business Saturday, Nov. 29, 2014
Shop small with Fontana Sports on Small Business Saturday! Card Members can register any eligible American Express Card to get a $10 statement credit for spending $10+ in-store on that same Card on Small Business Saturday. American Express cardholders will receive up to three $10 statement credit on purchases of $10 or more for up to $30 in statement credits per registered card. When you shop small it can lead to big things. The shop small movement makes an impact on neighborhoods across the country. For more info CLICK HERE!

Wednesday, November 12, 2014

Flurries!!




Madison is finally getting some flurries this week! We know some people aren't ready yet for the change in weather, but we are pumped! Snow means a chance to get out skiing, snowboarding, snowshoeing, sledding, fort building, snowman making and hopefully a snowball fight or two! Anyways, we're ready! If you need anything so you're prepared too come see us!

Monday, November 10, 2014

Are You Ready for Winter??

Fontana Sports has been Madison’s local outdoor shop since 1949, we work hard to provide the best in outdoor apparel & equipment for our customers. Wisconsin is a great place to live, but can be quite cold during the winter months. We have a saying here at Fontana Sports,
“There’s no such thing as bad weather, only the wrong gear.” 
We are here to help you enjoy your time in Madison even during the winter.

Let’s start from the top –

  • You lose up to 40% of your heat out the top of your head. You need a hat, headband or earmuffs! We have 1,000’s for you to choose from. WINTER HEADWEAR >>
  • A scarf, neck gaiter or face mask is a good idea for those extremely cold weeks we have every year. They come in fleece or merino wool. If you take up skiing you will want one that breathes more than if you are just standing outside waiting for the bus. SCARVES >>
  • Gloves or mittens are crucial for all outdoor activities in the winter months even if it’s just cleaning the snow off your car. Mittens are warmer, but gloves provide more mobility. Tip: you want them a little roomy. The space allows the air inside to get warm and insulate your hands. GLOVES >> 
  • The item we use most often, our winter jacket. These vary drastically in price and styles, but we have something for everyone. You can get a really nice lightweight goose down jacket, a ski shell with zip in fleece liner or an insulated soft-shell to name of a few of the options. Our employees will help you find the right jacket. INSULATED JACKETS >>
  • Under the jacket you’ll need base layers (long underwear). We carry synthetic, silk and merino wool options. Be sure to get a top and bottom. These make all the difference in warmth if you are outside for long periods of time or it is extremely cold. BASE LAYERS >>
  • Snow pants or bibs. A great addition if you are going to be active outside during the winter, which we suggest! Necessary for skiing, snowboarding, sledding, snowmobiling and are great for snowshoeing, ice skating, ice fishing and snowball fights. SNOW PANTS >>
  • If your feet are cold, your whole body will feel cold. Socks are extremely important. We suggest merino wool socks and carry many different brands for you to choose from. SOCKS >>
  • Insulated boots are also important. We have many to choose from whether you’d like something more fashionable or more functional. We recommend you make sure to get a waterproof pair if you will be walking a lot or want to play in the snow. WINTER BOOTS >>


We understand this can be overwhelming, but we are here to help. We’ll spend the time with you to explain products and figure out what will work best for you. Products do range in prices, but we have plenty of affordable gear. Honestly, it gets cold here. Investing in products to keep you warm and comfortable is important and you will not regret it. Be sure to join our Fontana Sports Adventure Rewards Club at no cost and get $10 in rewards for each 300 points earned.

Visit us at our two locations:
Westside: 231 Junction Rd, Madison, WI 53717, Ph# 608-833-9191
Downtown: 216 N. Henry St, Madison, WI 53703, Ph# 608-257-5043

Don’t forget that we can help you get involved in activities during the winter months as well. We sell downhill ski, cross country ski, snowboard and snowshoe gear as well as sleds. We also do snowshoe and cross country ski rentals if you’d like to try the sports before buying. We look forward to helping you!

Saturday, November 08, 2014

Share your travels with Fontana Sports!

We love to hear from you guys and see where your adventures take you. Please email or Facebook us with pics and stories! We received an email from a happy customer who got to do some incredible traveling this year. Check out her awesome photos! Be sure to keep an eye out for Smokey!

"I mentioned to Adam (our Downtown Store Manager) that the Camelbak I purchased this past year has been the best gear purchase I've made. My mom grabbed this photo of us while hiking in the Desolation Wilderness (Lake Tahoe area) this past August."


"If you're interested, Smokey Bear, my Camelbak, and my hiking family also hiked the Rubicon Trail along the shores of Lake Tahoe and climbed the peaks at Squaw Valley.




In any case, thanks for the recommendations on the perfect fit Camelbak for me--best gear purchase yet!"

- Kirsti

Thursday, November 06, 2014

Winter Adventure Sale

Winter Adventure Sale

WINTER ADVENTURE SALE
Now Through Sunday, November 9th

It's finally getting colder and we're on the verge of snow. Now is the time to shop for all the gear you need for the winter and we're making it easier with a SALE!

Save up to 40% Off



Wednesday, November 05, 2014

New Billboard to get us all in the winter mood!

Look for our Fontana Sports billboards this month around town. We think they do a great job of inspiring us all to take a little time and enjoy the snow that comes along with winter here in Wisconsin! If you can snap a picture and share it on our Facebook page we'll give you a prize... a good prize! Share your pics here! Like us for more info on what's going on around the shop and for more contests! And don't forget to take a snow day when you get the chance! :)

Monday, November 03, 2014

Who's Ready for Winter?


We just got our new General Winter Ad back and wanted to share it with you. It features employees as well as customers at our westside location. We hope you like it!

Saturday, November 01, 2014

Events & Clinics - November 2014

MADNORSKI NORDIC SKI SWAP / RESALE
Saturday & Sunday, November 1st & 2nd, 2014
Westside Location - 231 Junction Rd., Madison WI
Join us for a Nordic Ski Swap where a portion of proceeds benefits the MadNorSki’s!
Saturday - Swap is open to public at 10:00 am - 8:00 pm.
Sunday - Item pick up at 11:00 am - 4:00 pm.

CXC NORDIC SUPERFIT PROGRAM
Saturday & Sunday, November 1st & 2nd, 2014
Westside Location - 231 Junction Rd., Madison WI
"Super Fit" is a weekend program filled with seminars, presentations & store specials. You can even have your equipment fitted by CXC Elite Team professional athletes & coaches using a state of the art 3D ski pressure mat. Bring your old skis in to test if they have a good fit for you & get an independent opinion. It’s a great chance to mingle with others that love Nordic skiing! Check out some of the weekend’s events:
Saturday, Nov. 1st:
*All clinics meet at Fontana's Westside location*
8 am: Free "Taste of Nordic" Dryland & Rollerski Technique Clinic
10 am - 8 pm: 3D Ski Flex Mat Testing & Flex Light Table Testing
10 am - 8 pm: Measure yourself against other skiers on the "CXC NORDIC SKI ERGOMETER"
Sunday, Nov. 2nd:
11 am - 6 pm: 3D Ski Flex Mat Testing & Flex Light Table Testing
11 am - 6 pm: Measure yourself against other skiers on the "CXC NORDIC SKI ERGOMETER”

TOKO WAX & TUNING with Bill Davis
Wednesday, November 5th, 2014 at 5:00 pm
Westside Location - 231 Junction Rd., Madison WI
Join us as we welcome TOKO rep, Bill Davis, who will introduce and discuss the TOKO 2015 line up of waxes. He’ll also cover basic waxing and tuning of downhill skis, hold a question and answer session and can go into detailed Race waxing procedures if there is interest. This is a free event.

INTRO TO CROSS COUNTRY SKIING
Wednesday, November 5th, 2014 at 6:00 pm
Downtown Location - 216 N. Henry St., Madison WI
Learn the classic kick and glide ski style. There’s a reason this sport has been around for so many years. It’s an easy way to enjoy the winter and get out for some activity during the cold months. We’ll get you prepared for the upcoming snow season, answer any questions you may have and give tips on the best local places to cross country ski. This is a free event.

PSIA - BEYOND LEVEL 3 - OUTSIDE SKI (Part 3)
Wednesday, November 5th, 2014 at 6:30 pm
Westside Location - 231 Junction Rd., Madison WI
Presenters - Bill Davis PSIA L3, Matt McGinn PSIA L2. Bill & Matt bring decades of ski experience, thousands of hours of big mountain teaching experience, hundreds of hours of intermountain clinic and ski college experiences, and a racing background to share. Audience participation last session contributed a wealth of knowledge - from new ski instructors to PSIA Central examiners. Our goal – improve your skiing and teaching.
Power Point guided “Beyond PSIA L3 ski discussion -question and answer session.” We’ve covered Stance (part I) and Separation (part II). This next presentation will build on principals from session one and two with a primary focus on Outside Ski (part III of our 4 part series). This will be a high level interactive ski discussion aimed directly at PSIA Instructors interested in out West; All Mountain, All Terrain skiing. Principals apply directly to racers and advanced general public skiers as well. We now move from just standing on skis “riding and reacting” taking what skis give you – to taking control with anticipation and moving purposefully - supercharging micro movements from a managed balanced position – movements that create a cause and effect on skis for performance. We are excited to present this material and are looking forward to your contributions through question, answer, and discussion format.

NORDIC SKI WAXING BASICS
Tuesday, November 11th, 2014 at 6:30 pm
Westside Location - 231 Junction Rd., Madison WI
Join us for a class on the basics of waxing Nordic skis for skate and classic techniques. We’ll cover cleaning your bases, choosing and applying glide wax, and then go over applying kick wax. This is a free event.

INTRO TO SNOWBOARDING
Tuesday, November 18th, 2014 at 6:30 pm
Westside Location - 231 Junction Rd., Madison WI
Join us as we teach you how to select the proper equipment to get started snowboarding. The right equipment can make all the difference of enjoying your experience on the snow. We’ll be happy to share our favorite local places to hit the slopes, the best times to go for the deals and answer any questions you may have. This is a free event.

SNOWSHOEING BASICS
Wednesday, November 19th, 2014 at 6:00 pm
Downtown Location - 216 N. Henry St., Madison WI
If you’ve thought about getting into snowshoeing, this is a great introduction to the sport! We’ll show you how to get started with gear and apparel choices as well as the best places to actually snowshoe and answer any questions you may have. This is a free event.

TURKEY DAZE
Friday, November 28th, 2014 at 8:00 am - 2:00 pm ONLY
Both Location - Westside & Downtown
Black Friday at Fontana Sports - Don't miss the best deals of the year! We open EARLY the Friday after Thanksgiving so we can bring you great deals on the products you love!The first 50 purchases over $50 will receive a FREE Tyrol Basin lift pass (value of $45)! Watch for our flyer in the State Journal!


DOWNTOWN HOLIDAY OPEN HOUSE
Friday - Saturday, November 28th - 29th, 2014 at 10:00 am - 4:00 pm
State Street & Capitol Square, including Fontana Sports’ Downtown Location - 216 N. Henry St., Madison WI
Downtown Madison and Fontana Sports welcomes one and all to kick off the season at the Downtown Holiday Open House. Enjoy free rides on the Holiday Trolley, plus complimentary refreshments and special offers at participating businesses on State Street and the Capitol Square. Be sure to visit Fontana's Holiday Workshop! Bring your camera for a picture with Santa & be sure to get your candy cane from Mrs. Claus! Fontana is the place for your holiday shopping!



Visit FONTANA SPORTS EVENTS PAGE for additional events information.