Company Profile

In 1980, national ski racers Nigel and Derek Brown decided they loved the sport so much, they would open a ski shop in their home town of Queenstown, New Zealand.

The shop proved successful and the family partnership continued until 1997 when long-term Browns’ employees, Kris Vermeir and Paul Vaitkus joined Derek in part ownership. The following year, Paul and Kris bought the remaining 50% from Derek and the duo have successfully directed the steady expansion of Browns Ski Shop ever since.

Browns is a specialist ski shop handling equipment sales, ski rental, servicing and boot fitting. It is considered a market leader in Australasia, being at the forefront of leading edge technology both in systems and in service.

Browns Ski Shop has been computerised since 1989, developing its own point of sale and rental systems. Three years ago we installed our very own rental computer system, giving Browns Ski Shop efficiency second to none.

We never compromise on safety and in 1998 Browns Ski shop bought New Zealand’s only electronic binding calibrator, giving greater efficiency and accuracy in the calibration of bindings. This, together with our own rental software, ensures Browns is fully compliant with the rigorous US Safety Standards for ski rental operations.

Our ski workshop is one of the largest in New Zealand, using the latest technology available. All ski maintenance and repair is completed overnight and is guaranteed delivered to the customers’ accommodation by the next morning. In 1997, we introduced a ski tuning pick-up and delivery service at some of Queenstown’s major hotels.

In 2005 Browns Ski Shop opened a satelite fitting station for equipment rental and workshop services at Millbrook Resort.

In 2007 Browns Ski Shop opened in Nuffield Street, Newmarket bringing a little bit of Queenstown Resort style to Aucklanders.

During its 30 years of service to the ski industry, Browns Ski Shop excellence has been recognised through many regional and national industry and business awards. It has consistently been voted one of the best three ski shops in the country, winning the top award once again in 2001. In 2002 Browns was again the recipient of this prestigious award, the first shop in NZ to win this back-to-back.