Five reasons to make the Ski Expo this weekend

A Flickr photo.

Expo 2008.

​An estimated 30,000 ski and snowboard junkies will flock to the Colorado Convention Center this weekend for the 18th annual Ski and Snowboard Expo. Here, five reasons you should be one of them:

1. Every resort in Colorado will sell season passes and lift tickets, while Loveland and Arapahoe Basin will sell their four-packs -- offering you the chance to compare them all side by side before making such a large investment.

2. Many top skiers and snowboarders, including former Olympians, will be on hand at the Expo, signing autographs and chatting with attendees. Freestyle gold medalist Donna Weinbrecht will host the Olympic Theater, addressing how she pursued and achieved the gold medal. Also on hand will be Kris (Fuzz) Feddersen, who competed in the 1988, 1992, and 1994 Olympics and coached the 1998 Olympic Aerial Ski Team, and current National Ski Team member Dylan Ferguson.

3. The Flying Ace All Stars will hit the the trampoline. Members include Casey Finley, a former member of the U.S. gymnastics team, and people bouncing off of trampolines is always entertaining.

4. Exercise: There's a climbing wall and the Breckenridge Kids Slope, a beginner-style ski slope that you should probably stay away from.

5. The main draw, of course, is the bevvy of deals on ski and snowboard equipment. There will be over 20,000 square feet of gear available to people at steep discounts, ranging from 40 to 75 percent off retail.

Early announced deals include the K2 Lotta Luv ski, which is priced fifty percent off at $399, and the popular Volkl Mantra, offered at $479.99, down from the normal price of $825. Giro will be selling their Nine 9 helmet at 50 percent off for $49.99, and Tecnica will have their Vento 70 boots for $219.99, a $200 savings.

Snowboarders can look for great deals on the women's Palmer Touch board, Expo priced at $99.99, a screaming deal off its normal price of $399.99. The Burton Farm Snowboard is being sold for $269.99, down from $449.99. The K2 Domain boot is being sold for $79.99, down from its normal price of $139.99.

Details: Admission is $12. Hours are 12:00 p.m. to 10 p.m. Friday, 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Saturday, and 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Sunday. Keep abreast of the latest developments at the Expo Facebook Page or the Expo Event Page, and get a coupon for $2 off admission.