The 23rd annual Colorado Ski & Snowboard Expo returns to the Colorado Convention Center Nov. 7-9, 2014 with its iconic supersized ski and snowboard sale and exhibitors from Western U.S. and Canadian resorts — the event often regarded as the best place for deals on apparel, hardgoods and season passes.
Expo hours are 1 p.m. to 10 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 7; Saturday, Nov. 8 from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.; and Sunday, Nov. 9 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Expo admission is $15 for adults or $12 with a discount coupon available in The Denver Post or at any Colorado Ski & Golf or Colorado Ski & Sports store. Discount tickets can also be purchased in advance at www.skisnowexpo.com. Kids 12 and under are free.
An all-new roster of activities for kids and adults will debut along with a salute to the U.S. Paralympians and an up-close preview of the upcoming 2015 FIS Alpine World Ski Championships in Vail/Beaver Creek Feb. 2-6, 2015.
Skis, snowboards, boots and bindings — along with winter clothing and accessories from last year’s inventory for kids and adults — are priced at 40-75 percent off equipment. This is a great sale for families to upgrade equipment and clothing or simply replace missing gloves, goggles and helmets.
Expo visitors have easy access to representatives from Colorado and other Western U.S. and Canadian ski areas that will be selling season passes and other lift ticket specials. Resort reps provide insights and details on special promotions for lodging, ski and ride school, special events and other vacation packages for pre-season and selected periods throughout the season.
Expo “regulars” can explore many new options at this year’s family and kid-centric show. The SnowSports Industries America (SIA) Nordic Village Interactive Zone debuts this year with an introduction to three Nordic sports: cross-country skiing, ski jumping and snowshoeing. No snow required for children and adults who want to try a simulated experience with the assistance of trained instructors and athletes. Members of the U.S. Paralympics Ski Team will also make appearances including Alana Nichols and Danelle Umstead, both 2014 Paralympic bronze medalists in alpine skiing, and Mike Shea, 2014 Paralympic silver medalist in snowboarding. All three will share their inspiring stories during presentations throughout the weekend.
Skateboarding fans can visit the Woodward Copper Skate Park where kids and adults can test their skateboarding skills on the Red Bull Mini Ramp guided by Woodward staff members. Excitement is already building for the 2015 World Championships in Vail/Beaver Creek and to help ramp up excitement, the Vail Valley Foundation will serve as hosts at the 2015 Alpine World Championships pavilion with event information, merchandise sales and an interactive ski machine, SkyTech, that allows visitors to have a simulated experience of running the Birds of Prey and Raptor race courses that the competitors will be racing for real in February. And for those who want to test their inner-cowboy or cowgirl, Crested Butte is bringing a mechanical bull to the Expo for the first time.
For first-time skiers, the gently sloped Winter Park Kid’s Slope with an artificial surface offers an easy introduction to skiing while the Burton Riglet Park offers the same kind of easy gliding introduction to snowboarding. The Skyriders! always draw a crowd with their attention grabbing aerial antics during their double trampoline exhibition.
The ELITEAM Training Center offers a timed obstacle course that measures basic fitness and flexibility skills and kids can compete against the clock and their friends.
The Slackers Slack Slam Slackline demo and competition area will anchor the Mountain Activity Center, presented by Steamboat Resort. Slackline pros demo their top tricks on the wobbly cord and first-timers can test their balance as they try to stay atop the line a few inches above the ground. Slackline pros will compete over the weekend in the competition with finals on Sunday afternoon. In the MBS Mountainboard Zone, children and adults can test ride the obstacle course or try some simple stunts on the skateboard-like mountainboards.
For details, activity schedules and vendors, the new mobile app will have complete information.
