In 1959, Norbert Olberz and his wife Irene opened a small ski shop in La Cañada Flintridge in a 900 square foot store on Foothill Blvd. After a lean first year in which they slept in the back of the shop on cots, showered outside with a garden hose, and cooked on an old camp stove, Norbert built the business by offering skiers high quality equipment, repairs, maintenance, and expert advice. The store, Sport Chalet, expanded beyond skiing into scuba gear and lessons and later into equipment for rock climbing, backpacking, and mountaineering. Norbert also invented many sporting goods items still in use today. Holding to top brand name quality and great customer service, he opened a larger store across the street and later added more stores throughout California, Nevada, Arizona, and Utah. Believing La Cañada Flintridge was the best place in the world to live, he supported the community avidly for more than 50 years.