Ski and Snowboard News, Deals, and Events

The San Francisco Ski & Snowboard Festival, which aims to celebrate mountain culture and the winter sports lifestyle, will make its debut Nov. 1-2 at the Fort Mason Center's Festival Pavilion.

The Festival will feature expo booths dispensing the latest information from Sierra resorts and beyond as well as reps from winter-sport-oriented manufacturers. There also will be a huge, million-dollar sale, with saving up to 70 percent on ski and snowboard gear and clothing. Don't forget the traditional ski show distractions such as rail jam exhibitions.

But, because this show is in San Francisco, you can expect some things to be a bit different.

First off, the Ski & Snowboard Festival will have a wine tasting and expo on Saturday and a similar expo for beer lovers on Sunday.

There are interactive booths in which you can plan vacations, purchase lift tickets and hotel packages, and explore the slopes of various resorts. 

Finally, you can check out career opportunities in ski country at the Tahoe Job Fair.

Admission to the show is $20 - and includes one lift ticket good at Bear Valley, Dodge Ridge, or Sierra Summit - but you can save $10 by purchasing tickets at the SF Boardfest Web site. The wine and beer tasting expos cost an additional $20.  Doors open both days at 11 a.m. and close at 8 p.m.