When James Alexander (Zandy) Wheeler ’70 G’72 came to UVM in the late 1960s, he was drawn by the mountains, the outdoors, and the possibility of new beginnings. Originally on a pre-med track, he shifted to education after realizing the classroom, not the lab, was where he wanted to be. But it was during those years that he began building something outside the classroom that would leave an even bigger mark.

In 1969, Zandy and a group of fellow UVM students launched Skirack, a small outdoor retail shop in Burlington. They had no business background, but they had energy and a passion for the outdoors. “We had enthusiasm and zero knowledge,” Zandy recalls. “But we loved the outdoors, and we cared about doing things right.”

From the start, Skirack set itself apart with its focus on expertise, fit, and listening to customers. Zandy and his twin brother, John, built a culture of trust that turned the store into a hub for Burlington’s outdoor community. John’s legendary habit of greeting customers by name became part of the store’s DNA.

More than 50 years later, Skirack is still family-run. Zandy and his wife, Karen George, have helped guide its growth, and their son, John George-Wheeler, now plays a leading role. Having studied global affairs and sustainability before returning to Burlington, John helped launch Patagonia Burlington in 2011 and now carries the Skirack legacy into a new era.

“There’s nothing straightforward about the last decade,” John reflects. “Between the pandemic, economic shifts, and the loss of key figures, it’s been a lesson in adaptability and focus.”

Under his leadership, Skirack has modernized while holding true to its roots. A revamped online presence sits alongside the in-store expertise that remains its hallmark. “We’re not trying to serve the masses,” John says. “We’re here for people who care about quality and who want to talk to someone who really knows their stuff. You can’t Amazon Prime a bike fitting.”

For decades, the store has also been a training ground for UVM students and alumni, offering not just jobs but a place to learn and grow. Skirack has supported UVM clubs, teams, and events–from the Ski & Snowboard Club to Banff Film Festival screenings at Ira Allen Chapel–sustaining connections that run deeper than sponsorships. “There’s something in the DNA of this place,” Karen says. “It’s very Vermont. And very UVM.”

For Zandy, pride comes from knowing Skirack has endured by staying true to its values. “We only want to be here if we can do it right,” he says. “That means helping people, listening to them, choosing staff who want to share what they know.”

The business that began with a few students and a dream now stands as a living legacy of entrepreneurship, resilience, and community–proof of what can happen when passion and purpose take root in Burlington.