Helm of Sun Valley Grand Opening Ribbon Cutting and Business Mixer

Helm of Sun Valley Ribbon Cutting and Business Mixer

Join us in celebrating Helm of Sun Valley to Burlingame! We are excited to invite you to their ribbon cutting located at 1301 Broadway, Burlingame.

Helm of Sun Valley's story begins in 1940 when Chuck Helm Sr. opened his first ski shop in Sun Valley, Idaho. Following the success of that shop and later locations managed by his family, Mr. Helm eventually moved operations to California – opening stores in San Mateo, San Jose and later in Sacramento. This expansion marked the beginning of Helm of Sun Valley’s presence in the Bay Area, where it became a key player in the local ski and snowboard market. 

By the mid-1970s, Mr. Helm retired and sold his San Mateo and San Jose locations to independent buyers. Gary Hohl - one of the San Mateo store’s star employees – later purchased the business and went on to oversee its growth for nearly 40 years. Hohl’s relentless focus on developing a trusted hub for local snowsports enthusiasts has been well recognized among the Peninsula skiing community for decades, and, today, the store’s reputation for high-quality ski and snowboard gear, quality tuning services, expert boot fitting and excellent customer service is unmatched in the region.  

Now, after more than sixty years of operation, Helm of Sun Valley enters a new chapter in its history with its recent acquisition by Tim Watkins, an entrepreneur and native of nearby Pacifica. Since taking ownership in May 2024, Tim has led the store’s successful relocation to the Broadway district of Burlingame, and he has overseen an operational redesign that promises to bring faster, higher quality service to Helm’s incredible customer base. 

Great days are ahead for Helm of Sun Valley, and the team is profoundly excited to join Burlingame’s wonderful business community.  

At our Business Mixer, you'll have the chance to network with like-minded individuals and establish valuable connections within the industry. Enjoy light bites and refreshments and engage in conversations about the latest trends and upcoming events!

Don't miss out on this exciting event! Join us at The Edna Collective on September 11th and let's celebrate together. We look forward to welcoming you!