Outdoor Shops, Snowdonia.

[sapelesam]

We have American friends coming over at Easter for some hill walking and sightseeing in North Wales. Apart from their walking boots, they want to buy all their other gear when they get here.
A friend once mentioned a town in N.Wales where every second shop was an outdoor shop, probably a slight exaggeration. Can't remember the town for the life of me, pretty sure some AB'er will know.

[Zacs-Master]

There's a 'Go Outdoors' in Chester.

[TWR]

Capel Curig, or Betws Y Coed, It is approx. 8 miles from LLanberis & Snowdon, you have a better selection there Saple

[emmie]

if you can find a shop called Blacks they are expensive but good quality outdoor wear.

[TWR]

Opposite the Royal Goat Hotel, there is a road that leads up along side the Snowdon Train Railway, you could drive 1/2 way up at one time, but it is a Gated Road.

[TWR]

That should have been Royal Victorian Hotel.

[mikey4444]

In my experience, outdoor gear is considerably cheaper in the States, so I am not sure why they want to but stuff here ?

Whenever I am in New England, I pay a pilgrimage to this place ::::

https://global.llbean.com/

[Togo]

You may be thinking of Blaennau Ffestiniog Sam. I would advise against that. Pricey.

[sapelesam]

Thanks for all your help. Just to answer a few points, the friends are filthy rich so cost isn't an issue. They tell me that we have brands they like, that are not available in the U.S. After two weeks in the U.K. they are going on a three centre holiday in Europe, so baggage allowance limits what they can bring.

[Togo]

Haha Sam have you got Trump coming in on a secret visit? :))

In that case I would take them up to Llanberis or even Dolgellau. I have lived in N. Wales for 50 years. Betwys used to have the best but now caters more for the day visitor rather than the genuine outdoor climber or hiker. It is still a beautiful place mind. Porthmadog also has some top end climbing and hiking outlets.

[sapelesam]

You've sussed it Togo, it was Wales or open the new embassy. Having looked at street view, none of the above seem to have the concentration of shops I was expecting.

[zebo]

There used to be a huge mill in Beddgellert, sorry about the spelling, that was very good.

[Togo]

Sam those small towns in N. Wales are really not going to give massive shopping experiences in terms of choice. They will be stocking specialist stuff for the aficionado that knows exactly what they want. Capel Curig for specialist gear. Betwys Y Coed for a day out and shopping guaranteed, with a pint and a pub lunch outdoors guaranteed under the infra red heaters.(Stables) Trick is they are 15mins drive apart on the A5.

[sapelesam]

That solves the problem, as they are flying into Manchester, a day out in Keswick and Ambleside is called for.