Never mind the bone-dry foothills, the dead patches on your front lawn and the temps in the 90s. Labor Day weekend is here and that means one thing for skiers and boarders: deals.
If you're looking to buy some new winter sports gear, Utah retailers say prices between now and Sept. 2 are as low as they'll go.
"Labor Day kind of sets the stage for the winter season," said Sports Authority district manager Rich Kohler. "It's just the time to buy."
Sports Authority is the retailer behind the behemoth Sniagrab (billed as "bargains" spelled backwards), a massive parking lot event where customers can sift through last year's models of skis, boards, boots, apparel and assorted other winter equipment discounted from 40 to 90 percent off original prices. Now in its 59th year, Sniagrab has become an annual ritual for winter sports enthusiasts and Kohler said he expects tens of thousands of bargain-hunters to descend on the Sports Castle, 5550 S. 900 East, Murray, between Aug. 31 and Sept. 2.
"It's the single largest winter sports event in our company and the largest winter sports retail event in the world," he said. "It's the best prices of the year."
But Sniagrab is by no means the only sale in town nor is it the first.
Ski 'N See's Ski-A-Rama parking lot sale runs through Sept. 2 at its Sandy store, 9400 S. 772 East.
General manager Ryan Larsen said while the sale has been tied to the traditional Labor Day ski kick-off, the retail blowout really serves a more practical purpose: His stores need to make room for new merchandise. That means "phenomenal" discounts and selection of sizes and brands for consumers, he said.
"We could hold the sale in October and make more money, but this is a way to clean house," Larsen said. "This sale is all about the chaos in a circus tent. People like to be scavengers."
Pre-Labor Day sales aren't just for those looking to buy. Season rentals offer an economical way to test out a new brand or type of ski or board, or to outfit a growing child. Starting Sept. 1, AJ Motion Sports is offering season rental specials with 30 percent off if you book online.
jnpearce@sltrib.com
Twitter: @jnpearce
The Iceman Cometh eventually
Many retailers offer ski, snowboard, apparel and rental specials before Sept. 2.
Salt Lake City area
AJ Motion Sports
www.ajmotionsports.com
Online booking starts Sept. 1
Save 30 percent on season rentals
Christy Sports Powder Daze
Snowbird location only Third Level, Snowbird
801-742-2871
Sale continues throughout Oktoberfest
Up to 70 percent off ski and board gear and apparel
The Lifthouse
3698 E. Ft. Union Blvd.
801-943-1104
Aug. 30 - Sept. 2
Up to 70 percent off of last year's gear
Ski 'N See Ski-A-Rama
9400 S. 772 East, Sandy
801-571-2031
Aug. 22 - Sept. 2
More than 50 percent off
Sports Authority Sniagrab
5550 S. 900 East
801-263-3633
Aug. 31 - Sept. 2
40 to 90 percent off last year's ski and snowboard equipment and apparel
Sports Den
1350 S. Foothill Drive
801-582-5611
Aug. 29 - Sept. 2
50 - 75 percent off last year's apparel, skis and more
Park City
Jan's Mountain Outfitters
1600 Park Ave.
435-649-4949
Aug. 30 - Sept. 2
30 to 50 percent off 2012 gear and apparel
Ogden
Alpine Sports
1165 Patterson St.
801-393-0066
Aug. 29 - Sept. 2
40 to 50 percent off clearance; up to 25 percent off new merchandise
Diamond Peak Mountain Sports
2429 N. Hwy. 158, Eden
801-745-0101
Clearance sale on now
20 to 80 percent off gear and apparel