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?
This Week In SeniorsSkiing.com (June 24)
Remember Winter? More Indoor Skiing, Kayaking Tips For Seniors.
First day of summer this week has many SeniorsSkiing.com thinking of their warm weather activities. We asked about what you were going to be doing this summer in our Spring Subscriber Survey 2016. We learned:
- 70 % of respondents will be traveling domestically; 35% traveling internationally
- 61% will be hiking
- 56% will be cycling
- 32% will be kayaking
Those are the major summer activities for our very active readers. The more “relaxed” sports–fishing, sailing, boating– ranked in the 15-25% range. A smaller percentage were into running, tennis and surfing. The picture emerges from this data and others that our readers are really into keeping very active at the high end of high. Nice to know.
So, we are lucky to have Tamsin Venn contribute a very helpful article on Kayaking for Seniors. Tamsin is a frequent contributor to SeniorsSkiing.com, a ski instructor and publisher of Atlantic Coast Kayaker, a highly respected magazine. She points out 10 tips that can make the kayaking experience more enjoyable and less mysterious. If you haven’t tried kayaking, you really must give it a go. It’s truly a wonderful experience on the water.
We also hear from another attempt to extend winter, or at least skiing, into a year-round endeavor. Snobahn, a European company, has opened its first facility in Centennial, CO. And none other than Bode Miller is a booster. Check out the video in the article; it could be a great teaching-coaching tool.
Finally, we just had to show you a far out video from pro-skier Giray Dadali, who is flipping his way down Snowbird’s cliffs in deep powder. Just a reminder that there is, in fact, winter, and, yes, it approaches as every summer day goes by.
Check out our new advertiser, 70+ Ski Club, a perfect match for our readership. 70+ has lots of trips and activities for seniors planned for 2016-17.
Coming up in future weeks will be more survey results, poll results, and more articles from our outstanding crew of correspondents.
Thank you for reading SeniorsSkiing.com. Remember, there are more of us every day, and we aren’t going away.
Snowbird Video Brings Back Winter Memories
How To Learn Cliff Jumping At Snowbird In The Pow.
On the first day of summer, we celebrate winter with a very cool video from pro skier Giray Dadali who is showing us how to jump the cliffs at Snowbird.
Pro skier Giray Dadli works it at Snowbird.
Credit: Teton Gravity Research
So, if you are thinking that summer is too long, here’s a way to get back to those cool days of winter. Hang in there.
http://www.tetongravity.com/video/ski/prosbro-and-a-gopro-snowbird-2016-pov
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