A Western Tradition Bites The Dust

The “Sniagrab” Is Gone Forever.

Ouch. Another major retail chain bites the dust and with it goes the famous “sniagrab” sales.
Credit: Harriet Wallis

“Sniagrab” is the word “bargains” spelled backwards. More than just a catchy name, Sniagrab was the famous Labor Day blowout sale held by sporting goods retailer Sports Authority. Everything –skis, boards, boots, and all gear and clothing – left over from last season was assembled in a warehouse-type setting and sold at rock bottom prices.

People would wait for hours to be the first through the doors to snatch up the hottest deals. And while waiting in line, there often were handouts and give-aways to stoke the fever. Here in Salt Lake City, many of the state’s 14 resorts had booths and sold season passes at the lowest pre-season prices. Sniagrab was a Labor Day addiction.

Sniagrab created a frenzy that heralded the upcoming ski season. When I lived in New England I chomped at the bit to move West and get to a famous Sniagrab sale. But now the 60-year Sniagrab tradition is kaput, never to happen again.

Sports Authority, a nationwide sporting goods retailer, announced bankruptcy in March and now all 450 stores are closing. Will you experience Sniagrab withdrawal symptoms?

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Harriet Wallis

Harriet Wallis has been a ski writer, editor and photographer forever. She learned to ski on a dare when she was in her mid 30s and has been blabbing about it ever since. Her work appears in regional and national print and online publications. Ski Utah named her Journalist of the Year. You can see more of her articles here: https://www.alta.com/stories/102-year-old-powderhound.

She's a senior-age skier based in Salt Lake City and she enjoys nearly a gazillion ski days each winter. She also enjoys two stainless steel knees.

Harriet loves to be outdoors, so during other seasons she swims, bicycles and kayaks. She also single handedly rips up her yard, converting it to an arid and low water landscape with indigenous plants that she propagates. Skiing is a lot easier!

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