UNR Ski Swap "Avalanche Sale" Kicks Off In Reno | Skiing
The annual UNR Ski Swap and Avalanche Sale is a much-awaited event that is taking place at the Reno-Sparks Convention Center. It's a partnership between the UNR Ski Team Boosters and Ski Pro, and it will continue throughout the weekend until Sunday.
This event is known as the "Avalanche Sale" because of the sheer volume of nearly 15,000 pieces of equipment that are up for grabs. This year, the organizers are expecting around 4,000 people to attend the three-day event. Moreover, it's the primary fundraising event for the University of Nevada, Reno Wolf Pack Ski Team, which makes it all the more important.
"We're going to generate I don't know 10, 20, 30,000 for the team depending on how well the swap does. Even though the University funds the team, we still need to come up with additional funds, and that helps with with transportation and lodging when the team goes on the road," explained UNR Ski Team Boosters President Greg Mason.
The Wolf Pack Ski Team recently gained NCAA Division 1 status, and this is their second season competing at this level. Therefore, fundraising is critical to ensure that the team can perform to their fullest potential.
The annual UNR Ski Swap and Avalanche Sale is a crucial event for the team as it provides the much-needed funds to cover their expenses and support their training and competition needs. With the support of the community, the Wolf Pack Ski Team can continue to grow and achieve great success.
"When (University) President Brian Sandoval and Stephanie Rempe brought skiing back it was a huge feather in our booster's cap. We've been trying to do that for a number of years and after all we're right in the middle of ski country," said Mason.
Ski Pro has been an integral part of the Avalanche Sale for almost a decade now. They bring millions of dollars worth of inventory to the event, making it a one-stop-shop for all skiing enthusiasts. The organizers and attendees alike appreciate Ski Pro's contribution to the success of the event. Moreover, Ski Pro has expressed their love for the people of Reno-Sparks.
'People come directly off the mountain to show up at our stores, so when we're talking with our customers here, they're telling us exactly which runs they're skiing on and which terrains they like to ski. So, it's very easy for us to (advise) qualify them on which product they need," explained Ski Pro Marketing Director Tom Tanner.
With the mountains so close, people are excited for skiing, and so Ski Pro bet big on the success of a retail event. Now the company is a stake holder in the success of the Wolf Pack Ski Team.
"Supporting a local team like this for the university, it's kind of a big deal for us. We specialize in mostly free riding and alpine, but now it's the race team," said Tanner.
In addition to the huge selection of equipment at the UNR Ski Swap and Avalanche Sale, attendees have the opportunity to register for an array of prizes. These prizes are drawn at the end of the day, and one of the most highly coveted is the Ikon Pass. The Ikon Pass is a season pass that provides access to slopes not just in the United States, but also in Europe and Japan.
On Saturday prices will be reduced by 5%, and then on Sunday they will be dropped to 10%
Swap hours are Friday from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m., Saturday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
