More than 23,000 winter sports enthusiasts, families and elite athletes, will gather next month to launch the 2026–27 North American snow sports season at Snowbound Expo 2026. Scheduled for November 14–15, 2026, the Northeast’s premier winter sports event is moving to a new venue: The Earth Expo & Convention Center at Mohegan Sun in Connecticut, offering a more accessible location for visitors from Boston, New York City and Connecticut.
The seasonal kick-off comes at a time of unprecedented momentum for the industry. The 2025–26 Participation Study recently released by Snowsports Industries America (SIA) revealed that a record 32 million Americans took part in snow sports last winter, the highest participation total seen in six seasons.
Snowbound Expo 2026 will capture this surging consumer demand by bringing together over 200 exhibiting brands and resorts. Visitors can look forward to an immersive, dynamic weekend packed with gear and apparel shopping, exclusive expo deals, film screenings, and direct interaction with professional athletes.
The line-up for the Snowbound Expo features some of the most influential figures in winter sports, led by Travis Rice and Jessie Diggins. Travis Rice is widely regarded as one of the most influential snowboarders of all time, pioneering modern freeriding and creating era-defining films like The Art of Flight. His impact on the culture and progression of snowboarding is unmatched. Sharing the top tier is Jessie Diggins, the most decorated American cross-country skier in history. As an Olympic gold medalist and overall World Cup champion, Diggins single-handedly transformed the profile and success of cross-country skiing in the U.S., making her a monumental figure in competitive winter sports.
Joining them are further key players who have shaped their respective disciplines, including freeskiing icon Tom Wallisch, trailblazing free ride snowboarder Kimmy Fasani, and iconic photographer Dean Blotto Gray. The line-up also includes Natural Selection Tour co-founder Liam Griffin, advocate Ellen Bradley, and deaf mountaineers Scott and Shayna. The full weekend schedule is available.
Activities on offer at the expo highlight an interactive playground designed for winter sports enthusiasts to gear up, connect, and get inspired ahead of the season. At the heart of the event is the Inspiration Stage, where attendees can hear directly from legendary Olympians, explorers, and elite athletes. Beyond the speaker line-up, visitors can explore the Colorado Ski Shop, hang out in the Snowboard Zone, enjoy exclusive VIP meet and greets, or discover travel destinations in the Resorts & Tourism Village.
Colorado Ski Shop is bringing over $2 million worth of winter gear to the show floor, offering savings of up to 60% off all weekend long. Visitors can purchase everything on-site, including complete adult ski packages starting at $499 and kids’ packages from $299. Complete snowboard setups, including boards, boots, and bindings, start at $499, while individual snowboards are marked down by 30% to 40%. Premium outerwear, helmets, and goggles from top brands like Arc’teryx, Oakley, and Patagonia are also reduced by up to 50%.
Shoppers can speak directly with the people who make the gear, as manufacturer representatives from brands like Nordica, Salomon, and Capita will be on the floor. Additionally, a dedicated Seirus display will feature exclusive event pricing on their heated gloves. For winter enthusiasts wanting first pick of the inventory, the Powder Pass grants early access at 9:30 AM, offering a full hour of crowd-free shopping before general admission doors open.
Snowbound Expo balances educational content with hands-on activities by introducing several brand-new attractions that elevate the energy, including a high-flying Trampoline Show, the Slope Set-sponsored Alpine Runway for winter fashion, a Creative Zone, and a themed Ice Bar. Thrill-seekers can also catch the highly anticipated Rail Jam, an intense, invitation-only rail competition located next to the Snowboard Zone where top East Coast athletes will compete live. To continue the energy going after the main show floor closes, the event features the Après Party After Hours. Taking place on Saturday from 8:00 PM until late, this nightlife experience will transform the festival space with live DJ sets, an exclusive runway show, and huge giveaways for attendees.
There are exciting exclusive giveaways and interactive highlights available. Visitors who arrive early to beat the queues will stand a chance to win a full season of skiing, as an Ikon Pass worth $1,449 will be given away at the entrance each morning of the show. Also, up for grabs are two pairs of REKKIE Smart Snow Goggles, valued at $400 each. Additionally, audio brand SHOKZ is scheduled to host giveaways throughout the weekend, adding to the exclusive perks available to expo attendees.
“We are launching Snowbound Expo 2026 with our biggest and most dynamic features yet, making it the ultimate family ski and snowboard event of the year,” said Kate Hawley, Event Director for Snowbound Expo. “Moving to our brand-new venue has allowed us to deliver an incredible ‘Home of Winter Sports’ experience, complete with an epic Rail Jam, an Alpine runway, athlete fireside chats, and the absolute latest gear. There is no better place for the winter sports community to come together under one roof, feel the pure winter stoke, and kick off the season.”
Snowbound Expo 2026 tickets start at $16.00 per day, while a full weekend pass costs $30.00. Seniors over 65 can purchase concession tickets for $12.00, and children under 12, as well as companion aides, receive free admission. For the ultimate experience, the $55 Powder Pass VIP Ticket offers single-day entry with exclusive 9:30 AM early access to score the best deals at the expo. This premium package also includes a VIP wristband and a Snowbound Expo t-shirt – both collectable at the onsite registration desks – along with a beer token and a guaranteed meet-and-greet with your choice of Travis, Jessie, Kimmy, or Tom. Additionally, attendees have the option to upgrade their ticket for $25 to meet another speaker, which includes entry for a second day if that speaker is scheduled on a different date.