About The Sports Chalet

Becoming a shop owner is a task that takes hard work, dedication and expertise, and certainly does not come easy. These words could not be truer in the case of Joseph Dolgos and his Sports Chalet. Owning a specialty sports store became an early goal since arriving at Ellis Island, NY, after fleeing the Hungarian Revolution in 1956. His sailing experience developed right before he left Hungary; he worked as a manager of all sports-related activities at lakeside summer resort, and competed in races. Upon coming to America, his sporting passions were split by seasons. Joe spent every summer from 1959-1973 as a sailing instructor at a resort in the Poconos, Pennsylvania. He also rented sailboats, kayaks, canoes and paddle boats, thus earning the nickname “Sailboat Joe”. And in the colder months he pursued specialized skiing and training. Joe became a member of the national ski patrol in 1962, and a certified ski instructor in 1965. He taught lessons in Vermont and Utah, and then the Poconos and at Apple Hill in PA. It was this hands-on experience at these ski area and the summers he spent sailing that perpetuated his ambition to soon own and operate a ski and sailboat shop.

In October 1969 Joe Dolgos opened the Sports Chalet in Allentown, PA. The Sports Chalet soon became a true family environment as Joe and his wife, Iris, welcomed baby daughter Nicole in 1973. The Dolgos’ all became recognizable staples in the shop. Two years later Joe and Iris had another daughter, Kristin, and as the Dolgos family expanded so did the shop’s business. After just five years it was necessary to move locations for more space. Later in 1974 the new location of the Sports Chalet opened its doors in the suburbs of Allentown. Business continued to grow as there was more room to display sailboats outside, and the new location boded well to parking and highway accessibility. The third Dolgos daughter, Erica, was born to the family and shop life in 1979.

The Sports Chalet has survived four-decades and has grown to be an area stronghold for specialty sporting goods. The foundation built on passion and knowledge for skiing, snowboarding and sailing is just as consistent as when the doors opened 40 years ago. The Dolgos family grew up with an enthusiast passion for skiing and sailing. All three daughters worked at the Sports Chalet through adolescence. When Joe retired in 1999, Kristin adopted the role of running the family business. Today Nicole, Kristin and Erica are all major contributors in the daily operations of the Sports Chalet. They continue to uphold their father’s reputation, work ethic and dedication. Multi-generational experience and skiing and sailing heritage are a blend that adds to the specialty of the Sports Chalet.

The Sports Chalet expansive merchandise list contains the top gear in ski and snowboard equipment, apparel and accessories. Some of the major brands they carry include: Atomic, Head, Goode, Ride and more! The apparel brands consist of all the hottest names in ski and snow styles and accessories such as Helly Hansen, Spyder, Orage, Ride, Under Amour, Turtle Fur, Giro and Smith. Click here for the complete range of products available at the Sports Chalet!