About Us

History

Pete’s has been in business in Walla Walla for over 62 years making it the oldest operating ski shop in the state. Pete Eyraud started Pete’s in his uncle's shoe store in 1945 where it was primarily a ski boot business. During Christmas of 1950 Pete opened his own store in the Coopland building on 36 South Colville street in Walla Walla.

Mel Haas owned the business after Pete Eyraud passed away in 1983 until the sale to Patricia and her son Jim Sanders in 1987. Pat and Jim moved Pete's to its current location at 124 East Main Street in 1990 and operated the store for nearly 20 years. In June of 2007 Pat and Jim sold the store to Hal and Jani White as a result of Jim choosing to follow his love of sports and joining the management team of the local YMCA.

Who We Are

Hal White - Owner/Manager:

Hal grew up on his family’s dry-land wheat farm in Walla Walla. He began skiing at the age of 6 and has enjoyed the sport his entire life. He graduated from Walla Walla High school in 1984 and attended University of Puget Sound for two years, Walla Walla Community College for two years, and graduated from Walla Walla College with a BS in Business in 1990. He instructed at Bluewood the 4 years he attended college locally. Hal raced in college and during his 13 years in Sun Valley. He now coaches the local race team at Bluewood, the Bluewood Alpine Race Team or BART. Both of his kids, Hayden and Halle, race on the team.

Hal and his wife Jani knew each other in high school and began dating during college. They were married in Walla Walla in 1987. They moved to Sun Valley after Hal graduated in 1990, where Hal began working for Sun Valley Resort. Hal started at Sun Valley as the Audit Manager, and was then moved into recreation sales. Hal was responsible for all recreational sales for the resort for over 10 years. During the 13 years Hal spent in Sun Valley he was able to travel all over the US visiting most of the major ski resorts in the country, making many lifelong contacts in the industry.

Hal and Jani bought the store in June of 2007, and were able to quickly open the store on July 7th of 2007. Without the many friends Hal made in the industry this would have been impossible.

Jani White - Owner:

Jani (Anderson) grew up in Walla Walla and competed in gymnastics from age 6-16. She graduated from Walla Walla High school in 1985 and studied merchandising at Bellevue College and attended Walla Walla Community College for two years.

During her time in Sun Valley Jani worked in the dental field. Jani began skiing at the age of 10 and has enjoyed the sport her entire life. Like Hal, Jani ski raced during her time in Sun Valley and she has also ski instructed at Bluewood. Jani has coached gymnastics in the Tri-Cities for the past two years.

Clyde - Security:

Clyde loves to go hiking and camping and spends his down time surfing the internet. At Pete's you can shop with confidence knowing that Clyde is on the job.