Colorado Ski Country USA
By the time the 22nd annual Colorado Ski and Snowboard Expo opens for business on Nov. 8-10, 2013 in downtown Denver at the Colorado Convention Center in Hall A, snow will be flying, areas will have opened, and skiers and riders will need to make their final pre-season gear purchases. The gigantic sale is a must for mountain-bound slope sliders in need of every kind of gear–skis, snowboards, boots, helmets, jackets, outerwear and essential accessories such as hats, goggles, and gloves. The reason: prices on last seasons inventory and special buys from manufacturers are marked down 40-75 percent.
Besides the shopping opportunity, representatives from 24 Colorado resorts, Ski Utah, and other western and Canadian resorts will have updates on new developments on their mountains and specials on everything from lodging, lift tickets, and lessons to discounts on dining and mountain resort activities.
Fun for kids means freedom to shop for parents and this year is no exception. The Mountain Activity Center is back with the wildly popular Slackline exhibit. Now an internationally recognized competitive event, the Expo allows kids and adults to watch Slackline pros in action plus a demo center where they can try balancing across the wobbly cord. The fast-paced Eliteam Training Center offers a timed obstacle course that measures basic fitness and flexibility skillsand kids love repeated trips to beat the clock and each other. For first-time, just-thinking-about-it little skiers, the gently-sloped Winter Park Kids Slope with an artificial surface offers an easy introduction to skiing. Burtons Riglet Park offers the same kind of easy introduction to snowboarding. The Keystone Jumphouse and a climbing wall are two busy zones for burning energy while working on strength and balance. Spectator attractions include the high-flying antics of former Olympian Fuzz Federson and the Flying Aces and a demonstration of the growing-in-popularity Olympic sport of curling.
For the third year, the Rocky Mountain Brew Festa mellow beer-tasting event inside the Expo, will offer a growing selection of hand-crafted beers and ales poured by the local Colorado brewers producing them. A separate and additional ticket for the Brew Fest is required.
Admission to the Rocky Mountain Brew Fest, $30 in advance and $35 at the door, includes admission to the Ski & Snowboard Expo ticket. Brew Fest-only tickets can be purchased onsite at the Expo door for $25 if the Expo admission ticket has already been purchased. Brew Fest tasting sessions are Friday from 6pm to 9pm, with two sessions scheduled for Saturdayone from 1pm to 4pm and the second Saturday session from 5pm to 8pm. Brew Fest tickets are good for only one session and include unlimited sampling during the session.
Expo hours are noon to 10 pm on Friday, Nov. 8; Saturday, Nov. 9 from 10 am to 8 pm; and Sunday, Nov. 10 from 10 am to 6 pm. Admission is $12 for adults or $10 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.skisnowboardexpo.com . Kids 12 and under are free.
For details, activity schedules, vendors and participating breweries visit www.skisnowboardexpo.com.
