Snow Jam 2009

Megan Burnett

This weekend the 13th annual Snow Jam event took place at the Del Mar Fairgrounds in San Diego, Ca. From Friday to Sunday the doors were open and So Cal’s snow and ski communities flooded through the doors to get their hands on last year’s products for ridiculously cheap prices, and some great deals on this season’s hard and soft goods.

To break it down for you, Snow Jam is like your local discount store that receives all the stuff that didn’t sell at the mall. That doesn’t mean it isn’t quality stuff, on the contrary I personally felt like I was being tortured throughout the whole time that I was there, because there really is a lot of quality items that you can stock up on. Wait being tortured? Couldn’t spend a dime this year because all my money is being saved for trips, but I still went because I wanted all of you to get a glimpse of what Snow Jam is so that next time it comes around you can take advantage!

Tickets just to walk through the door were $15.00 (ouch), but if you pre-pay for your ticket online you can always save a few bucks. Parking at the Del Mar fair is $9.00 (double ouch), but if you want to avoid that, just park a few blocks away and walk in. The good thing is that even if you ended up paying $9.00 for parking and $15.00 to get in, in the long run it’s actually still not that bad of a deal because you can turn in your ticket inside for a free lift pass to Mnt. High; a value of $30.00 - $50.00 depending on when you use it, or you can use it to get a discount on a season pass.

Snow Jam is broken down into “squares” that they sell off to vendors, ski resorts, beer suppliers, ect. Yes, if you are over 21 and want to enjoy a beer while shopping for this season’s apparel you can go right on ahead. When walking around it’s kind of like a convention with sales. Each little 10’ x 10’ area has a store there that is getting rid of everything from anywhere between 50 – 70% off. Sweatshirts, Boards, Bindings, Helmets, Jackets, you name it they got it! Also, resorts like Mammoth, Jackson Hole, Brian Head, Big Bear, and Heavenly are there doing raffles and giveaways for lift passes and free hotel stays.

Typically Snow Jam in San Diego attracts over 35 thousand people over the weekend! Last year over 7 million dollars was spent at the event and another 43 million dollars from those attending on lodging and lift tickets later that season (hence why resorts are making sure to show their faces at this event). Last year, 38% of attendees were women (hell yeah), and the rest obviously the boys.

Enough with boring statistics, here’s what you really need to know. Before you go to Snow Jam or other local snow conventions, make sure you know what you are looking for, especially if you are looking to invest in a new board, bindings, or boots. From what I saw none of the sales people were being too pushy, but I did hear some misleading information being given out about some boards that were anything but quality. A lot of these types of events do a board and binding sale together, which in the end can save you money, but in order to make sure that you are getting good equipment do your homework before you show up to buy.

Snow Jam will come around again, and there are similar events in most areas.  So think about saving your money: if you don’t blow it on the newest product coming out tomorrow, you could get that same product for much less at an event like this one.  As for all the riders in San Diego and southern California, I’ll see you at the next Snow Jam, but next time with lots of cash to spend!

Posted by Megan Burnett on 11/18