On this Small Business Saturday, we are excited to introduce Stella Hobbs as a Tailwind athlete! Stella grew up in Whitefish, MT, building a deep passion for exploring open spaces on skis and bikes. She was a Nordic ski racer through college, but returned to her hometown to purchase Great Northern Cycle & Ski with her now husband in 2016. In 2023, Stella dabbled in some off-road endurance racing and was completely enamored with the gravel scene in the US. She built a full schedule in 2024, finished 12th in the Lifetime Grand Prix in 2025 and has set her sights on the Grand Prix again for 2026. Stella’s shop in Whitefish has a tidy footprint but is dedicated to providing services and products to all athletes who choose to recreate in the Flathead Valley. GNCS houses everything from high-end bike service, showroom-style bike sales, Retul bike fitting, to a complete alpine ski shop with custom footbed and extensive bootfitting services, as well as a full lineup of nutrition. She and her husband (who also grew up in Whitefish) are passionate about serving their community and feel the most joy when the shop facilitates interactions between riders or skiers. Small Business Saturday reminds us to spend locally and to support the people we see out on the trails or in the checkout line at the grocery store. It encourages us to take the time to stop in and share an interaction with the personalities that make up a community while making a purchase, rather than clicking a few buttons online. Stella recommends all Tailwind products as ideal stocking stuffers, especially Rapid Hydration packets as she thinks everyone on her list could use more hydration. She also loves to toss a few High Carb packets in the stocking of those that like to push further and farther 😉 Happy shopping from Whitefish, MT and from Tailwind! Photos: @a.chad