Olympian Shaun White took to the stage to inspire fans
Snowbound Expo brought together over 21,145 North East skiers, snowboarders, and families to shop over 190 brands and resorts last weekend (Nov 3-5). The event provided inspiration for the coming season by hosting an incredible line up of speakers, Olympic athletes, record holders and more plus a weekend’s worth of interactive fun for families. Previously known as the Boston Ski & Snowboard Expo, the show was a celebration of all things snow sports where consumers were able to buy the latest range of gear, tech, apparel, skis, boards, accessories ready for the season ahead.
A celebration of snowsports
This year’s expo offered 190 brands and resorts, doubling in size, compared to the launch in November 2022 where 98 brands and resorts presented their goods for the season. The family-friendly expo offered a chance for snow sport enthusiasts of all abilities and backgrounds to meet up and kick off the season in style with stacks of inspiration and new products to purchase at the show. The expo hall felt a buzz as a bustling crowd of 21,145 visitors enjoyed the weekend, smiling and enjoying new interactive experiences. New highlights included a new rail jam, an Inspiration Stage of guest speakers, an indoor slope, Eliteam’s obstacle course and more apres ski bars than before.
More Gear to Buy
SkiEssentials was the Official Retailer for the expo and offered boot fitting and a full shopping experience of ski gear and apparel. For visitors who didn’t find the product they wanted onsite at the expo, there is now a 10% discount on the SkiEssentials website using code SHOWSPECIAL.
Brands and resorts were extremely happy with the attendance of visitors and the sales that were made throughout the weekend with 92% of them rebooking their booths for the 2024 expo. This not only shows their commitment to Snowbound Expo but also the commitment to serving the North East community with their latest gear year on year.
Brands selling the latest in gear, apparel and accessories and technology included; Arbor Collective, Atomic, Burgeon Outdoor, Darn Tough Vermont, Deuter/ORTOVOX USA, Elan Sports, Elevate Outdoor Collective brought Marker, Dalbello, Volkl, K2 Ski, K2 Snowboards, LINE, and Ride Snowboards. Fischer Sports, Auclair, HEAD/Tyrolia USA, Inc., Helly Hansen, Hestra, J skis, Kulkea, LLC, Lacroix Boards Inc., Meier Skis, New Belgium Brewing Company, Nikwax North America, Nordica, OOSC, Parlor Skis, Rossignol, Salomon, Scarpa, Ski The East, Teton Gravity Research, Whitespace plus U.S. Ski and Snowboard Hall of Fame and USASA. The full list can be found at this link. www.snowboundexpo.com/exhibitors
The range of resorts grew significantly for this year’s expo and visitors saw reps discussing their passes and upgrades for the coming season; Burke Mountain, Cannon Mountain, Chic-Chac, Cranmore Mountain Resort, Gore Mountain, Jackson Hole Mountain Resort, Jay Peak Resort, JTB-Hokkaido, Killington Resort, King Pine Ski Area, Loon Mountain Resort, Nashoba Valley Ski Area, Pats Peak Ski Area, Ragged Mountain Resort, Woodstock Inn & Resort Whiteface Wachusett Mountain Visit Big Sky Valle Nevado, Saddleback Maine, Tenney Resort and Recreation Sugarbush, Sugarloaf, Smugglers’ Notch Resort and more listed.
Inspiration at every corner
The weekend packed a punch when it came to offering inspiration and talent at a ski show. The expo offered live-action and interactive features for families to enjoy. Highlights included Shaun White’s talk which attracted thousands of fans asking questions and receiving autographs from the legendary snowboarder. The Inspiration Stage welcomed the most decorated cross athlete of all time Lindsey Jacobellis, Olympian Ted Ligety, US Biathlon legend Jan Reynolds, Burton’s Athletes Rob Roethler and LJ Henriquez, Founder of Share Winter Foundation Constance Beverly plus so many more.
Skis and boards were tried out on the indoor slope and new rails were fitted and were used by the more advanced riders. The debut of the Gilson Snowbound Rail Jam came to life on Friday night where visitors saw a showcase of professional snowboarders and skiers displaying their prowess on a crafted rail setup.
Birdie Blue worked in collaboration with Subaru of New England to host a Revive, Reuse & Recycle Zone to elevate sustainability in snow sports. This was a chance for visitors to drop off pre-loved gear which is no longer functional or fashionable and will be upcycled into gear. Any usable gear in good working order will be donated to a local charity.
New features for 2023 included Live Community Painting with Lamont Joseph White, The US Ski & Snowboard Hall of Fame displayed a section featuring stories and photos of the Class of 2023 and The Share Winter Trail invited children to collect stamps throughout the expo and collect stickers along the trail. Apres Ski was not forgotten with more bars than before including the Ikon Pass Alpine Mountain Bar, The Fat Tire Beer Garden and Harpoon & Long Trail joined the expo with their merch and ale. CB Sports built a runway in the hall and scheduled fashion shows of their apparel throughout the day with a DJ attracting the crowds and creating an incredible atmosphere.
Stephen Morgan, Managing Director of Snowbound Expo commented “What a show that was! We are so thankful and stoked that the brands, resorts, sponsors, media supported this ski and snowboard show and can’t wait to deliver another even bigger expo in 2024. We’re extremely proud to deliver an expo which is accessible and inclusive for new beginners to try out winter sports and is equally supported by the large snow sports community in the Northeast.”
The visiting crowd snagged individual prize giveaways, competitions and discounts including 2 IKON Pass giveaways, Birdie Blue Sling Bags and Fanny packs prizes, $1400 competition with Ortovox, re-waterproof your gloves with Nikwax, $400 giveaway with deuter, $100 off with J Skis and much more.
The visitor feedback the team are receiving supports the reason Snowbound Expo exists. An email sent post show said “Thank you Snowbound Expo. It was a fun show, a lot of games, great information, outstanding speakers and some cool swag. It has to be one of the best ski shows I’ve been to! I cannot wait to see you all next year! See you all on the slopes this season”
The show will return in November 15-16, 2024 at the Boston Convention & Exhibition Center.
If you are interested in exhibiting or sponsoring the show, please contact Stuart Dacre – stuart.dacre@raccoonmediagroup.com