The Snowbound Expo, formerly known as the Boston Ski and Snowboard Show, serves as a major annual event for snow sports enthusiasts in New England. Held at the Boston Convention and Exhibition Center, the expo features over 170 exhibitors and 40 resorts, offering attendees opportunities to secure discounted lift tickets, view new gear, and participate in various activities. Beyond standard show specials on equipment and vacations, the event provides several avenues for consumers to access freebies, no-cost tickets, and charitable incentives.
Free Admission Opportunities
Several avenues exist for attendees to gain free entry to the Snowbound Expo, provided specific codes or actions are utilized during the registration process.
Promotional Codes Attendees can utilize specific promotional codes to secure complimentary tickets. The New Hampshire Ski Club posted a code, "MICHAELC," which grants a free ticket when used during registration on the Snowbound Expo website. Additionally, the United States Deaf Ski and Snowboard Association (USDSSA) offers a code, "UDSSSA," for free admission to the event scheduled for November 14-16, 2025.
Group Membership Members of the New Hampshire Ski Club are invited to attend the expo, which is described as the largest snow sports expo for families, skiers, and riders in New England. The club provides instructions to use the specific code at checkout to receive a free ticket.
Charitable Donation Incentives
In a specific occurrence noted in the source material, Vermont ski areas organized a relief effort during the Boston Ski and Snowboard Expo for victims of Superstorm Sandy. While this specific event took place in 2012, the structure of the offer illustrates a recurring type of incentive found at these expos.
Red Cross Donation Program Attendees who made a minimum $10 donation to the Red Cross received a voucher for a free or discounted lift ticket, entry into a grand prize ski and stay package, and a coupon for a free pint of Ben and Jerry’s ice cream. To be eligible, donors had to show a Ski Vermont representative the validating SMS response or email from the American Red Cross dated between November 5 and 11 at the expo.
Matching Donations During that specific event, Sugarbush matched all donations dollar-for-dollar up to a maximum total of $25,000. Long Trail Brewing matched the first fifty $10 donations.
Show-Exclusive Discounts and Deals
While not strictly "free" products, the Snowbound Expo offers significant discounts on lift tickets and gear that represent substantial savings compared to retail prices. These offers generally require in-person attendance at the expo to redeem.
Bretton Woods Bretton Woods offers an exclusive $79 adult ticket offer, valid Monday through Friday during non-holiday periods. To secure this pricing, guests must visit the Bretton Woods booth at the Snowbound Expo and purchase by 11:59 pm on November 16, 2025.
Cranmore Mountain Cranmore Mountain provides show-only savings, including: * A 4-pack of transferable lift tickets for $319 (retail value $516). * A single-day lift ticket for $89 (retail value $129). Both ticket types are direct-to-lift and valid any day of the upcoming winter season.
Midweek Ticket Specials Some exhibitors offer a $50 midweek lift ticket, which is good all day and all night. This special is typically only available in person at the expo.
Freebies and Activities for Families
The expo is designed to appeal to families and non-skiers, offering various complimentary items and activities beyond ticket discounts.
Children's Activities and Freebies For children, the expo offers ongoing live entertainment. Additionally, children can visit vendor tables to collect freebies, play small games, and participate in hands-on activities such as Slack Rope walking and the ELITEAM Fitness Challenge & obstacle course. Children have the opportunity to try on skis and "ski" down a small hill. Many ski resorts distribute bumper stickers, which are popular among children.
Non-Skier Engagement Non-skiers are encouraged to attend to pick up brochures and discuss day or weekend specials with resort representatives. Attendees are advised to ask about "show specials" and inquire how long the discount is valid.
Gift Card and Magazine Requirements To receive specific gifts such as a gift card and magazines, attendees must complete a survey on the computers located at the entrance to the expo.
Entertainment and Events
The Snowbound Expo features a variety of entertainment and educational opportunities included with admission.
Speakers and Panels The event hosts a lineup of speakers, including Donny Pelletier, Mary Walsh, and New Hampshire native Andrew Drummond. The USDSSA plans to host a panel of deaf athletes, with details to be shared closer to the event date.
Live Demonstrations and Activities Attendees can enjoy the Mega Indoor Slope, live Rail Jam sessions with Gilson Snow, Cross Country Skiing demonstrations, and "Learn to Ski" sessions. The "Share Winter Trail" activity is also available. The show features an aerial acrobatics show called the Skyriders.
Beer Garden Long Trail Brewing operates a Beer Garden where attendees can enjoy a variety of beers.
Event Logistics and Requirements
Dates and Location The Snowbound Expo is held annually in November. Specific dates mentioned in the source material include November 14-16, 2025, and previously November 12-15 (in a past year). The venue is the Boston Convention and Exhibition Center, located at 200 Seaport Blvd, Boston, MA.
Ticket Purchase Policies Most show specials, including free tickets obtained via promo codes, generally require the attendee to be present at the show to redeem offers unless otherwise noted. For example, the Bretton Woods offer requires purchase at their booth during the expo.
Survey Completion Specific freebies, such as gift cards and magazines, are contingent upon completing a survey on-site at the entrance computers.
Conclusion
The Snowbound Expo in Boston provides a centralized venue for snow sports enthusiasts to access a variety of freebies and promotional offers. Consumers can secure free admission through specific promotional codes or membership benefits, such as those provided by the New Hampshire Ski Club or USDSSSA. The event also features exclusive discounts on lift tickets from major resorts like Bretton Woods and Cranmore Mountain, which offer significant savings compared to retail prices. Additionally, families can take advantage of free entertainment, children's activities, and vendor freebies. While some offers are tied to charitable donations or on-site surveys, the majority of free and discounted opportunities require attendance at the expo to redeem.