A behind-the-scenes look at Boston’s biggest ski kickoff, from resort gossip and gear highlights to fondue-fueled travel dreams and Ski Mom connections. Written by Nicole Feliciano, Nov 22, 2025.
That’s a wrap on the third annual Snowbound Expo in Boston. If you’ve been following along, you know the Ski Moms have been part of this event ever since Raccoon Media took over—one year we were even responsible for more ticket referrals than any other outlet (not that we’re competitive or anything…).
This year, the numbers were up across the board. Over 23,000 skiers, snowboarders, and winter-loving folks made their way to the Boston Convention & Exhibition Center from November 14–16—a 10% increase from 2024. Visitors came from 42 states, with plenty representing our New England base and a few traveling in from as far as Colorado. The expo also welcomed 234 vendors, up 14 from the previous year.
It’s safe to say Snowbound is gaining traction—and fast
Why Snowbound Always Makes My Calendar
Every November, I make time for this event. The logistics might be tricky (city parking, family schedules, frost warnings), but it’s worth it to connect with the incredible community of New England Ski Moms. These are women who brave long drives, early mornings, and icy roads to make ski season magic happen for their families.
The least I can do is carve out a few days in Boston to talk gear, swap stories, and soak in all the ski season energy.
Starting with NASJA
I like to get into Boston a little early to make time for the annual NASJA (North American Snowsports Journalists Association) meeting. It’s where snow writers and content creators from all over the country gather to talk shop—everything from Olympic coverage to media ethics to community building. If you’re a writer or creator looking to expand your ski community, get more details here www.nasja.org.
The Vermont Update: Fondue-Free, but Still Fun
One of my favorite pre-show events is the annual Ski Vermont gathering at Legal Seafood. It’s where we hear what’s new across the state’s ski resorts. Some updates were flashy, others a little more behind-the-scenes, but all of it paints a picture of a ski industry in motion:
- Mad River Glen officially sold its final co-op share and is pursuing a plan to add 1,100 acres to its terrain.
- Trapp Family Lodge is wrapping up room renovations. I’m curious to see the updates.
- Sugarbush is focused on infrastructure, with water remediation and new employee housing.
- Magic Mountain is adding limited night skiing—something I know some of our teens will love—and updating the beginner area.
- Jay Peak already had 48 inches of snow by mid-November and is adding a new summit restaurant, The Eleven Patio, with firepits and late-night food. Utah should be nervous.
Flirting with France: The Three Valleys
Vermont will always be home base for me, but that doesn’t mean I’m not tempted to explore beyond. After the Vermont event, I stopped by the Three Valleys (Les 3 Vallées) soiree and immediately added this French resort to my travel wishlist. This elegant network of European ski resorts is one of the largest in the world, and they do a great job marketing to families and mixed-ability groups. Plus, they served fondue at their event, which frankly feels like a brilliant strategy.
With (almost) empty-nester status on the horizon, I’m planning longer, more adventurous ski trips—and this one just might top the list.
Showtime at Snowbound
Once the networking wrapped up, it was time for the main event. Snowbound is a mix of brands, resorts, athletes, media, and snow fans. You can absolutely fill two days here, especially if you’re a gear geek or someone scouting your next family trip.
My focus? Talking with Ski Moms and checking in with brands—old friends and new discoveries alike.
What Caught My Eye on the Show Floor
Gripsta Ski Holders
Clever, colorful, and practical. These lightweight ski holders keep your skis together when storing or carrying. They’re easy to stash, glove-friendly, and compatible with nearly all ski types. One of those small-but-smart tools every ski parent should have.
Blizzard Black Pearl 88 – 10-Year Edition
To celebrate the 10th anniversary of the Women2Women (W2W) initiative, Blizzard released a limited-edition version of the Black Pearl 88. The graphic was designed by artist and ski patroller Malia Reeves, and $125 from each pair supports the Hilaree Nelson Scholarship Program, which helps fund women pursuing avalanche education, ski instruction, and guiding. Skiing with purpose—sign me up.
Wildtrack Nordic Ski Trips
Launched by two former British biathletes, Wildtrack offers luxury Nordic ski holidays in Norway and Italy. Small groups, gorgeous lodges, expert instruction, and a mix of fitness and fun. Whether you’re new to cross-country or in race training mode, this one’s worth looking into.
Ororo Heated Gear
Heated clothing has come a long way. Ororo’s pieces are now slimmer, more stylish, and powered by longer-lasting batteries with USB-C charging. I’m all in on adding a heated vest to my winter wardrobe.
NEWD Women’s Demo Day at Pico – March 20
The Ski Moms will be at the NEWD Demo Day at Pico Mountain on March 20. Expect gear demos, tech talks, giveaways, snacks, and a chance to try out the latest innovations in women’s ski gear. You can register at newdsnowdemo.com.
Ski Mom Pride: Sharing Booth Space with Diamant Gear
Huge thanks to Diamant Gear for sharing a booth with us this year. I’ve been a fan since spotting their ski bags back in 2023, and now the founders—Shai and Gavin—are friends too. They’ve taken a big leap this year, quitting their day jobs to grow the business full-time. The new colors are fantastic, and their roller boot bag is officially on my short list to test. (Aging knees and icy parking lots make wheels feel very wise.)
Somewhere between talking brand strategy and plotting blind date setups, I realized again how much I love this kind of community-building. You never know when a trade show friendship might turn into something bigger.
Also—shoutout to the Diamant guys for explaining the Donny Pelletier phenomenon to me. If you’re not familiar, he’s a character created by Olympic freestyle skier Troy Murphy (@donnypelletier207). Troy dreamed up the character as “Maine’s finest athlete” with a thick accent and a love of Sunday River. I had no idea about the backstory. It’s good to have friends of all generations.
Looking Ahead to 2026
After three days packed with stories, swag, and ski stoke, it was time to head home and chase some non-skiing adventures. I’m genuinely impressed with how the Raccoon Media team has grown this event into a can’t-miss stop on the pre-season calendar.
Next year brings a big change:
Snowbound Expo 2026 will take place at Mohegan Sun’s Earth Expo & Convention Center on November 14–15.
The move puts the expo closer to NYC and Connecticut resorts and opens up space for more speakers, activations, and attendees. I’m not sure I have it in me to brave the slots in pursuit of ski content—but I’ll be there, notebook in hand. Stay up to date on all things Snowbound here.
See you on the slopes.
And if you saw something great at Snowbound I missed, send it my way. Always happy to add to the list.