The 27th annual Colorado Ski & Snowboard Expo presented by Schomp Automotive returns to the Colorado Convention Center in downtown Denver Nov. 16-18.
The event offers all the same attractions as in previous years—a gigantic sale on ski and snowboard equipment and accessories, family entertainment, vendors, plus representatives from Colorado’s mountain resorts with information on mountain improvements and last chance early season pricing on season passes and lift ticket packages.
A new retailer joins the Expo this year–Sun & Ski Sports, an outdoor retailer specializing in winter sports, bikes, and more with 30 locations across the country including shops in Avon and Dillon, Colo. Shoppers can find discounts of up to 70 percent on more than $3 million in skis, snowboards, boots, and bindings for children and adults from top brands such as Atomic, Blizzard, Burton, Dalbello, Head, K2, Liberty, Nordica, Obermeyer, Volkl, and more. The timing this year, just days before the Thanksgiving weekend, makes it an ideal time to get a jump start on holiday shopping. New this year for the first time ever—onsite mounting service. Skiers and riders can bring their current boots to the Expo and have their new skis and boards mounted, adjusted, and ready for the slopes when they walk out the Expo doors. Only skis, snowboards and bindings purchased at Expo will be mounted onsite.
Admission remains $15 for adults or $12 with a discount coupon available in The Denver Post or online at www.skisnowexpo.com. Kids 12 and under are free. Each adult ticket purchase includes a free $10 gift card from GetSkiTickets.com and a one-year subscription to SKI Magazine. Shoppers also have a chance to win one of three $1,000 Sun & Ski Sports gift certificates by completing a survey at the Expo entrance.
Newcomers to Denver and the Front Range can learn more about Colorado’s resorts and how to become skiers and snowboarders through the variety of deeply discounted “first-timer” lesson and lift ticket packages. Some programs even offer first timers a free season pass after completing their first few days of lessons. An expanded First Timers Center staffed by experienced skiers and riders will be handing out information about incredible deals on these learn to ski and ride packages, season-long rental package deals, and recommended clothing and accessories for novices.
Experienced skiers and riders return each year for the great deals and to gather information from dozens of resort representatives from throughout Colorado, the western United States, and Canada. Multi-resort, multi-national, and even multi-international season passes will be available at several of the resort booths.
“Never-ever” youth skiers can visit the gently-pitched Loveland Ski Area’s Kid’s Slope staffed by experienced instructors who provide a comfortable introduction to motions of downhill skiing.
Family-friendly attractions and entertainment include a high ropes course, fitness challenge, and a learn-to-ski dry slope for “never-ever” skiers. Debuting this year at Expo is the Electronic Longboard Demo Course. Children and adults can play on the latest skateboard innovation that is easy and fun to ride–and come equipped with brakes. Beginners can get the feel of the long boards while taking a few laps on the outside of the oval course. After mastering the motion, participants can test their skills and speed on the timed slalom circuit course for prizes.
The Expo is a giant playground for kids. The Mountain Activity Center sponsored by Steamboat Ski & Resort, includes a high ropes course with a variety of obstacles that challenge participants on the airborne course that stretches above the Expo crowd. In the Slackline Competition Area, pros flaunt their extraordinary balance and athleticism while executing tricky maneuvers on a single, wiggling cable. Kids can attempt to conquer the Slackline in the demo area.
The fast-paced ELITEAM Training Center presented by Purgatory Mountain Resort, has a timed obstacle course where kids can compete against the clock and their friends as well as providing some information about their fitness and flexibility.
For pure entertainment, the Crested Butte Mountain Resort Skyriders trampoline exhibition showcases the strength, flexibility, and skill of world class ski, snowboard, gymnastic, and trampoline athletes.
Expo hours are noon to 10 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 16; 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 17; and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 18. For additional details, visit www.skisnowexpo.com/denver-expo.
