The 34th annual Portland SkiFever and Snowboard Show, the gear sale and social event that traditionally kicks off the Mount Hood winter season, will run November 6-8 at the Portland Expo Center at 2060 North Marine Drive. There will be thousands of new and used gear items at deeply discounted prices from independent local retailers such as the Mountain Shop, Hillcrest, Next Adventure, Mountainology and U.S. Outdoor.

Big crowds are expected to attend this year’s SkiFever show, which will run from 1 pm to 10 pm on Friday, 10 am-10 pm on Saturday and 10 am-6 pm on Sunday.

SkiFever has a rich history in Portland. 35 years ago, U.S. Freestyle Ski Team veteran Dan Schindler convinced the big Portland ski shops to put aside their differences and work together on a huge preseason ski festival to get people pumped up for good times in mountain snow. Schindler and his business partner bought the name SkiFever from a Portland shop and got to work setting up booths and tables for a ski sale doubling as a preseason party. For more on the backstory of SkiFever and Schindler, click here.

Slopestyle stars will be performing trampoline tricks, and freestyle shredders will be riding rails. There will also be a massive ski swap section for used gear from local shops and the general public. Anyone wishing to sell used gear and get back 80 percent of the sale price can get more swap information here.

Oregon stalwarts Skibowl, Timberline and Mt. Hood Meadows will all be represented at this year’s show. There will also be out-of-state resorts in attendance.

Admission to the Portland SkiFever and Snowboard Show costs $14 for adults and $3 for juniors 6-12. Children under 6 get in for free. There is also a parking fee that you can avoid by transit or bike. For more information, see the SkiFever website.

Last modified: November 5, 2014