News Search

| 4928 Views
Push to The Latest: No

The annual Toronto Snow Show, Oct. 15-18, 2015, at the International Centre, helped kick-start the upcoming Canadian winter ski season—as well as the North American consumer show season. Featuring a mix of vendors, local retailers and 40+ resorts from across North America, thousands of consumers flooded the trade show floor looking to purchase the latest gear, the best season passes available, and unbeatable travel packages.

The annual Toronto Snow Show, Oct. 15-18, 2015, at the International Centre, helped kick-start the upcoming Canadian winter ski season—as well as the North American consumer show season. Featuring a mix of vendors, local retailers and 40+ resorts from across North America, thousands of consumers flooded the trade show floor looking to purchase the latest gear, the best season passes available, and unbeatable travel packages.

Over in the Ontario Zone, Snow Valley set up a mini-tubing station allowing, guests to experience the fun firsthand. Glen Eden continued its yearly tradition of handing out Mardi Gras necklaces with a C$10 lift ticket coupon, good Monday to Friday or for night skiing on weekends. Horseshoe Resort teamed up with Resorts of the Canadian Rockies to create the Ski Canada Card: for C$99, Horseshoe pass holders receive two lift tickets to all six RCR's resorts, including Kicking Horse, Kimberley, and Fernie in British Columbia, Nakiska in Alberta and both Mont-Sainte-Anne and Stoneham in Quebec. Guests can even choose to purchase additional lift tickets at 50 per cent off.

Catering to the golf crowd, Horseshoe also had another unique offer for this winter. Golfers who purchase a 2015-16 Valley Course Golf Membership by Nov. 1 receive a free five-day and seven-night ski pass for this winter.

Western Canadian resorts were also offering deals. Whistler Blackcomb, celebrating its 50th anniversary this season, offered several show specials. One example: a five-night/four-day package starting from C$103 per night based on double occupancy if booked by Nov. 1. At the Ski Big 3 ( Lake Louise, Norquay and Sunshine Village) both, package deals included 40 percent off lift and lodging at various accommodations in the Banff and Lake Louise areas.

In La belle province, the Eastern Townships resorts promoted their $25 Ski Dans L'est Passport. Guests who purchased the passport at the show received a free lift ticket and will also get 25 percent off lift tickets at Ski Bromont, Owl's Head, Mont Sutton or Mont Orford, as well as lodging and spa discounts. Owl's Head offered a C$73+ tax one-night stay and ski midweek package based on double occupancy that also includes breakfast. Guests staying at select hotels in Quebec City and planning to visit Mont-Sainte-Anne and Le Massif can ride a new Ski Bus from Dec. 19 to Mar. 28.

U.S. resorts were also offering plenty of great packages and options. On Saturdays from Jan. 30 to Mar. 26, guests can fly direct from Toronto to Vail's Eagle Airport via Air Canada. Guests who also visit Vail during off-peak times such as early December, mid-January and early March can take advantage of lodging and lift ticket discounts.

Meanwhile, Whiteface Mountain was promoting a three-night, two-day lift ticket package starting at C$453. Sugarbush promoted its Quad Pack deal, which includes four premium lift tickets for $229, with no blackout dates. And Jay Peak will continue to accept Canadian cash at par, so long as guests provide proof of residency.

And finally, for kids aged three to six, Burton Snowboards was on hand with a Riglet Park, helping to welcome the next generation of riders and give them a first-hand snowboarding experience.

Upcoming North American consumer shows include:

Oct. 23-25, 2015: Windy City Ski and Snowboard Show, Chicago, Ill.

Oct. 31-Nov. 1, 2015: The Calgary Snow Show, Calgary, Alta., Canada

Oct. 31-Nov. 1, 2015: San Francisco Ski & Snowboard Festival presented by SnowBomb.com, San Francisco, Calif.

Nov. 6-8, 2015: Colorado Ski & Snowboard Expo, Denver, Colo.

Nov. 6-8, 2015: The Seattle Ski & Snowboard Show, Seattle, Wash.

Nov. 7-8, 2015: The San Jose Ski & Snowboard Festival presented by SnowBomb.com, San Jose, Calif.

Nov. 12-15, 2015: Boston Ski & Snowboard Expo, Boston, Mass.

Nov. 14-15, 2015: The Sacramento Ski & Snowboard Festival presented by SnowBomb.com, Sacramento, Calif.

Dec. 4-6, 2015: The Los Angeles Ski & Snowboard Show, Los Angeles, Calif.

Blue Mountain's Jason Petznick and Dan Hughes.

Jonathan Reid of Skyline's Horseshoe Resort is excited for their new water ramps coming in April 2016.

Owl's Head official mascot with Luc "Skypowder."

Ski Quebec's Gabrielle Larose and Olypian Brian Stemmle.

The on-site Burton Riglet Park.

Alison Jones from The Lake Louise Ski Resort and Pete Woods from Ski Banff-Lake Louise-Sunshine.

Thanks to Snow Valley, guests had the opportunity to give tubing a try.

Ted Fisher and John Bleh from Sugarbush.

Abby Hein and Rhea Silver-Smith of Vail Resorts.