Skiers and snowboarders had better stop procrastinating. This weekend’s Colorado Ski & Snowboard Expo is one of their last chances to buy season passes and four-packs to many Colorado ski resorts.
More than 100 vendors will be at the event, including representatives from most of Colorado’s 26 ski areas. Equipment makers such as Burton, K2 and Nordica will also be on hand to show off their latest equipment.
The annual show is hosted by Colorado Ski Country USA and opens today at the Colorado Convention Center. It is expected to draw more than 25,000 people through Sunday.
Echo Mountain Park, a new dedicated terrain park near Evergreen, plans to use its two Expo booths to introduce itself to Front Range skiers and riders.
“This is going to be our first exposure to a lot of people,” said general manager Doug Donovan. “Denver is a big part of our strategy. We’re going to show people a little bit of our personality, which is important.”
Colorado Ski & Golf will display 20,000 square feet of merchandise. Store president Ken Gart said he expects to sell more than 1,000 pairs of long underwear and 500 pairs of skis there this weekend.
“This is an important event to be a part of because it drives business to our stores,” Gart said.
He said early-season sales are up “significantly” over last year.
Three Colorado ski areas – Arapahoe Basin, Loveland Ski Area and Wolf Creek Ski Area – opened for the season earlier this fall. Lifts at Copper Mountain and Keystone are scheduled to start running today.
Staff writer Julie Dunn can be reached at 303-954-1592 or jdunn@denverpost.com.
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Colorado Ski & Snowboard Expo
What’s on tap: Representatives from ski resorts and retailers will promote their products, and athletes will demonstrate techniques
Site: Colorado Convention Center, Hall F
Schedule: Noon-10 p.m. today; 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Saturday; 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Sunday
Admission: $10; kids 12 and under free; $3 coupon available at www.skisnowboardexpo.com
