ALBANY, N.Y., October 26, 2009 – For the 48th consecutive year, the annual Ski & Snowboard expo will return to the Capital Region to reenergize winter sports enthusiasts during three days of excitement at the Empire State Plaza Convention Center from November 6 through November 8, 2009.

Presented by Alpin Haus — New York’s largest ski and board shop – the Ski & Snowboard expo will offer a comprehensive look at the newest and coolest in winter sporting equipment, fashion and travel in a convenient, one-stop browsing and shopping environment.

Featuring over 100 exhibitor booths, family friendly activities and dozens of great giveaways, this year’s expo will provide winter sports fans with an early look at must-haves for the 2009–10 season.

Exciting Prizes and Giveaways

This year’s expo will include the return of “Free Lift Ticket Sunday.” On Sunday, November 8, the first 500 paid admissions through the door will receive a free lift ticket to Mount Snow in Vermont (restrictions apply). Attendees will receive a voucher at the box office, which must be redeemed on Sunday at the Mount Snow booth inside the convention center.

The first 500 paid admissions on Friday, November 6 will receive a mystery gift card to Dunkin’ Donuts. The gift cards will be worth anywhere from $2 to $100 and may be redeemed for coffee, baked goods, and a variety of other products at any participating Dunkin’ Donuts store.

Alpin Haus will raffle off two pairs of floor level seats to see the 2009 MAAC champion Siena Saints hit the court from a courtside seat at the Times Union Center. Fans can enter to win on Saturday, November 7 by visiting the Alpin Haus booth, but must be wearing Siena attire to do so. In addition, all patrons sporting their Siena “green and gold” who spend $50 or more at the Alpin Haus booth on Saturday will receive $5 off their purchase.

Exciting NEW Exhibits Featuring Local Companies

This year’s expo will welcome first time exhibitor and international sensation, SnowScoot. The SnowScoot offers a new winter challenge and thrill for all types of riders. A mix between a BMX bike and a snowboard, the SnowScoot allows riders to glide down the slopes and perform tricks and stunts just as if they were riding a bike. Invented in France in 1991, SnowScoot fever spread quickly and only two years after its introduction, riders were participating in the annual SnowScoot World Championships. The product is currently being distributed in 20 countries and is anticipated to be the next big trend on the slopes stateside.

Alpin Haus, recently named the Snow Sports Retailer of the Year, will have on display the latest in winter sporting gear. Expo attendees will get an up-close look at the wide variety of products available at New York’s largest ski and board shop, including the Hot Rod Igniter Ca XBI ski. Retailing for $599 (with binding), the XBI integrated binding system affords skiers greater versatility and enhanced control for tighter turns.

Alpin Haus will also feature the K2 Free Luv for women, an all-mountain tool for the advanced level skier with the new Marker ERS (Energy Response System) binding, which has a wider base giving the skier more effective power transfer. Snowboards will include the award-winning Lib Tech Skate Banana, which combines banana tech and magne-traction for full tip to tail edge contact and control.

From Glens Falls, NY, comes first-time exhibitor, Snow Pigs Plus. The home-grown company offers apparel and gear representing various winter outdoor activities, including alpine skiing, snowboarding, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, and snowmobiling. The company’s line of shirts, hats, stickers, mugs, and other products are instantly recognizable by the adorable pig logo adorning each item and are sure to make any snow enthusiast ‘squeal’ with delight.

Skate Park Returns

Boarding buffs will be invited to trade snowboards for skateboards as Shelter Skateboarding teams up with the Ski & Snowboard Expo to present the “Shelter Mobile Skate Park.”

The Shelter Skate Team will showcase their skateboard talent on the main stage at the expo. The shop, which features a full-line of equipment and apparel, is attached to a full-time skate park open to new or veteran skaters. The skate team, which features some of the Capital Region’s most popular skateboarders, will demonstrate their best tricks and talents on stage throughout the weekend.

Hit the Virtual Slopes for a Good Cause

Attendees will also have the opportunity to test out the hottest video game for ski lovers, Wii Skiing. The Nintendo game allows users to test their skills through a series of life-like simulations that offer a variety of challenges, charming visuals, and a great control scheme. Players will be charged a $2 fee to benefit the Double H Ranch. The Double H Ranch is a year-round program for children and families faced with life-threatening or chronic illnesses.

Gold’s Gym Winter Sports Season Fitness Tune-up

In an effort to help skiers and snowboarders perform at their optimal level during the upcoming season, fitness trainers from Gold’s Gym will be on hand to provide expo attendees with the fitness and health tips they need before hitting the slopes. The experienced trainers will demonstrate a series of easy-to-replicate exercises for sports fans to take advantage of this year. These “pre-season” tune-ups are a fun way to prepare patrons for a healthy season in the snowy mountains.

Staying Stylish on the Slopes

The winter’s top fashions will return to the runway at the Empire State Plaza as the New York Capital District Ski Council teams up with Alpin Haus to present the season’s sizzling ski and snowboard styles with daily fashion shows. Held Friday at 6 p.m., Saturday at 1 and 3 p.m., and Sunday at noon and 2 p.m., the fashion shows will give show-goers a sneak peek at the latest trends in outerwear and equipment.

Exhibitors, Auctions, and Workshops

Geared toward novice skiers and black diamond veterans, the expo will welcome the best of the best in ski resorts and mountains - including the world-renowned Jackson Hole, majestic Canadian mountains Owl’s Head and Le Massif, plus dozens of other top regional resorts in New York, Vermont and Massachusetts.

The expo will also include its traditional array of auctions, previously used equipment sales, workshops and seminars.

The Out of Control Ski Club, one of the largest ski clubs in the Northeast, will conduct workshops all weekend long to offer guidance in the proper selection of skis, boots, goggles, helmets and other items based on skill level and personal preference. The workshops include opportunities for alpine skiing, snowboarding, and cross country beginners to take away some tips and skills for the 2009–10 season.

The Après Ski Lodge

After a day of shopping and seminars, visitors can head to the inviting Après Ski Lodge where a variety of food and drink will be available for purchase to help show attendees relax and unwind.

At the Après Ski Lodge, winter sports fans will have the most comfortable seat in the house to watch legendary film maker Warren Miller’s 59th feature film, “Children of the Winter”, on an oversized video wall.

Shot in high definition, the film begins in Colorado and spans the globe including footage shot in Japan, Austria, British Columbia, Alaska and Iceland. The soundtrack includes Radio Head, Michael Franti and Spearhead and Beck with the usual ensemble of world-class athletes like Jonny Mosely, Daron Rahlves, Gerry Lopez and Wendy Fisher.

Advance Tickets at Hannaford Supermarkets

Advance discount tickets are available exclusively at Hannaford Supermarkets. Advance ticket fees are $6 for adults, a two dollar savings off the regular admission price. (Children’s tickets are also available in advance at Hannaford stores at the standard price of $4).

Tickets are available at customer service desks of Hannaford locations throughout the Greater Capital Region, Hudson Valley, and at select Vermont stores, including Bennington, Brattleboro and Rutland.

With each paid admission, visitors to the expo receive a coupon book (while supplies last) which includes hundreds of dollars worth of discounts on lift tickets to several ski resorts, winter ski apparel and equipment.

Visitors can enter to win the Ultimate Snow Package at the show. The package includes Fischer CXT 200 skis w/system binding and master pole or Axis Soar Snowboard with Axis boot and binding, courtesy of Alpin Haus; and a ski & stay package for two including a two night stay and lift tickets for two days, courtesy of Pico Mountain. The winner will be announced at the expo on Sunday at 4 p.m. The winner need not be present.

Admission, Hours and Parking

Expo hours are Friday, November 6 from 4 p.m. – 9 p.m.; Saturday, November 7 from 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.; and Sunday, November 8 from 11 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Admission at the gate is $8 for adults and $4 for children ages 7 – 12. Children six and under are admitted free.

Parking is available at the Empire State Plaza Visitor’s Lot for $5. All drivers and each adult passenger must have a valid photo ID. If the Visitor’s Lot is full, additional parking is available for no charge in the East Garage. The East Garage is joined to the Empire State Plaza via walkway.

The Ski & Snowboard Expo benefits an outstanding cause. Each year, the expo and its presenting sponsor, Alpin Haus, donate a portion of the proceeds to the Adaptive Winter Sports Program at the Double H Ranch. The Double H, located in Lake Luzerne, NY, provides free ski, snowboard and snowshoe lessons to children ages 6 – 21 dealing with chronic and life-threatening illnesses.

While at the Ski & Snowboard Expo, patrons can also find the region’s largest display of 2009 and new 2010 vehicle models at the Empire State Plaza Auto Show, November 6 – 8. As many as 30 manufacturers will be represented with over 160 cars, trucks, sport utility vehicles, minivans and specialty vehicles on display.

For more information, call 518.383.6183 or log onto www.albanyskiandsnowboardexpo.com for additional details about the Ski & Snowboard expo, plus giveaway promotion rules and restrictions.