Save Money On Ski and Equipment
At any Ski Show you attend you will find local, and even national retailers and outfitters who come bearing a full line of last season's skis, boots and related equipment that they didn't sell out of. Believe me there will be bargains galore on gear and really the only caveat I offer here is get to the show early and, if you can't find what you want ask a bona fide store representative if they are bringing out more goodies the next day.
Save Money on Clothes and Accessories
Unless you have very, very deep pockets and love seeing your junior Ms. and Mr. strolling St. Moritz in the latest fashions take advantage of the outer and inner wear bargains that you will find at a ski show. Shiny new stuff that may have come out last season is still shiny new stuff.
Save Money on Ski Show Tickets
I'm going out on a short limb here, but I'm saying every ski show that I covered has offered some admission discounts. Some I've seen are in local newspaper, retail and grocery stores, and web site printouts. If you don't find one, call the number on the ski show flyer and ask. You can save $2 - $3 a ticket and when you are taking the family ski team, that's a good deal..
Useful Freebies
This may sound honky, but if everybody in the family gets a small piece of free ski wax that can keep you sliding for most of the winter - not to mention the 2nd or 3rd time you pass get another piece in your bag of goodies. All those ski boot shoe horns, goggle wipes, and ski straps with store logos can come in handy during the season.
Entertainment Galore
I've seen every kind of outdoor entertainment you can adapt into a commercial indoor traveling troupe at ski shows - motorized ski ramps, skateboard ramps, trampoline freeskiing with pro riders of course, and you'll never stray far from music of all kinds.
Interactive Entertainment
You'll find a lot of skiing-related and engaging things to do like fitness testing, indoor rock climbing, stance and alignment checking, and this isn't just for kids. If you see something that may be informative, sit for while and take it in. If someone is demonstrating ski waxing watch and pick up some tips - you really don't have to buy anything.
Ski Resorts Want You
Really, you are the star of the ski show. The ski resorts are there to lure you to ski them. Check out season passes - usually still discounted for the show. Ski and Stay specials. Here's the best tip I have - if you know your ski vacation week before you head to the show, you can usually find a "book-it-today" bargain that will save big bucks.
Ski Clubs Are Calling
Wherever there's a ski show, you'll find ski club booths scattered throughout. Ski clubs are fun organizations - they love skiing - how can they not be fun - and you can get great ticket and vacation deals throughout the season when you belong to a ski club. the ski show gives to a chance to meet and greet the club ambassadors and find one that's a good fit, i.e. - family oriented or single party time.
Meet Ski Stars, Olympians and New Ski Movies
I don't know a ski show that doesn't have an Olympian or a ski movie star giving autographs and talking skiing. Don't be shy they love talking about skiing, it's their life. If it isn't a Warren Miller flick it will be one of the new genre big mountain productions but invariably you can pause for a minute or an hour watch a ski movie and get really stoked.
Support Your Local Ski Patrol or Snowsport Charity - Usually, there will be a booth supporting the Ski Patrol, or Wounded Warrior Project, or an Adaptive Ski and Sports. On your way out of the show, donate a little of what you saved on show bargains to help make someone's snow days a little brighter. You'll get all warm and fuzzy and it's not even Christmas.
