Every spring, ski shops start clearing out current-season inventory to make room for next year's gear. If you know what to look for — and what to avoid — end-of-season sales are the best time to buy ski and snowboard equipment. But there are traps. Some deals are genuinely great. Others will cost you more in the long run.

When Do End-of-Season Sales Happen?

Most ski shops across the country start discounting in March, with the deepest markdowns in April and May. In the Pacific Northwest, the timeline is a little different. Mt. Hood Meadows typically operates into April or May. Timberline stays open into June, sometimes July on the Palmer snowfield. That means PNW shops often run sales later than shops in Colorado or the Northeast.

The general pattern looks like this:

  • March: First markdowns appear. 10–20% off select models.
  • April: Broader discounts. 20–30% off most current-season gear.
  • May: Clearance mode. 30–40% off skis and boards. Sizes get thin.
  • June–July: Whatever's left goes deep. But selection is very limited.

The sweet spot is late March through April. Discounts are meaningful, and there's still a reasonable selection of sizes and models.

What Gets Discounted — and by How Much

Skis and Snowboards: 20–40% Off

This is the headline category. Current-season skis and boards typically see 20–30% off in early spring, climbing to 30–40% by May. Popular sizes (170–180cm in skis, 155–160cm in boards) sell first, so if you're in a common size range, don't wait too long.

If you're looking for an all-mountain ski, check our best all-mountain skis for 2026 guide to narrow down your options before you shop.

Boots: 15–30% Off

Boot discounts are real, but they come with a massive caveat (more on that below). Expect 15–20% off in April, 20–30% off by May. Sizes are less of an issue with boots since shops carry a wider range of mondo points. But specific models in specific widths can still sell out.

Bindings: 10–20% Off

Bindings don't get discounted as aggressively as skis or boards. They're a lower-margin product to begin with. You'll see 10–15% off most of the spring, occasionally 20% on outgoing models.

Outerwear and Accessories: 30–50% Off

This is where the real deals are.Jackets, pants, goggles, gloves, helmets, base layers — shops need this stuff gone before summer. You can find high-quality outerwear at 40–50% off, which makes end-of-season the best time to upgrade your kit. Goggles and gloves in particular get marked down heavily.

What to Buy Now vs. What to Wait On

Buy Now: Skis and Snowboards

If you know what you want — the model, the length, the waist width — buy it when you see it on sale. Skis and boards in popular sizes go fast. Unlike boots, the fit on a ski is much more forgiving. A ski that's a centimeter or two shorter or longer than your ideal length will still ski well.

If you're between sizes, the end-of-season floor model might actually work in your favor. Shops sometimes have demo or display skis at additional discounts, and these have already been base-ground and tuned — they're ready to ski.

Not sure what length you need? Our ski length guide breaks it down.

Buy Now: Outerwear and Accessories

Jackets, pants, goggles, gloves — these change incrementally year over year. The colorways change, the branding moves around, but the tech is largely the same. A 2026 jacket at 40% off is the same waterproofing and breathability you'd get from a 2027 jacket at full price. Buy now. Save the money.

Wait: Boots (Unless You've Been Fitted)

Here's the boot caveat: never buy boots just because they're on sale.A $600 boot at 30% off sounds great until you realize it doesn't fit your foot and you spend the entire season in pain.

If you've already been fitted — if a fitter has told you “you need a Nordica Sportmachine in a 26.5, 100 flex” — then yes, absolutely buy that boot on sale. But if you haven't been fitted, the sale is not the time to figure it out. Come in, get fitted properly, and buy the boot that works for your foot at whatever price it happens to be. Read our why boot fitting matters guide if you need convincing.

New Model Timing

Understanding the gear cycle helps you time your purchase. Here's how it works:

  • January–March:Brands announce next year's lineup at industry trade shows. Reviews and previews start appearing online.
  • March–May: Current-season gear goes on sale. This is where you are right now.
  • August–October:Next year's models arrive in shops. For the 2027 season, that means new gear hits shelves in late summer and early fall of 2026.
  • October–December: Full-price season. Everything is new, everything is in stock, and nothing is discounted.

The key insight: 2026 models start getting discounted in March 2026, and 2027 models arrive in August–October 2026. If you want the latest and greatest, you wait and pay full price. If you want a great deal on excellent gear, you buy end-of-season.

How to Shop an End-of-Season Sale

A few practical tips for getting the most out of spring sales:

Know What You Need Before You Walk In

Sales create urgency, and urgency leads to bad decisions. Before you shop, know your ski length, your boot size (if you've been fitted), and what category of gear you're looking for. “I need a 176cm all-mountain ski around 100mm underfoot” is a much better starting point than “I want new skis.”

Don't Chase the Deepest Discount

A 50% off ski that's the wrong length for you is not a deal. A 20% off ski that's exactly right is. Buy the right gear at whatever discount is available.Don't buy the wrong gear because the price tag looks good.

Consider Floor Models and Demos

Demo skis and floor-model boards often come at additional discounts beyond the sale price. These have been ridden, but in most cases they've been well-maintained. A fresh tune — base grind, edge sharpen, hot wax — and they're ready for another full season.

Check the Bindings

If you're buying skis, you'll probably need bindings too. Some shops offer ski-and-binding packages at a better combined discount than buying separately. Ask about package deals.

Ask About Mounting

Binding mounting is typically an additional cost. Some shops include free mounting when you buy skis and bindings together during a sale. It's worth asking.

One Last Thing

End-of-season sales are a great opportunity, but they're not the only consideration. The best gear is the gear that fits you and matches how you ski.A perfectly chosen, properly fitted setup at full price will serve you better than a random bargain that doesn't match your ability or your terrain.

If you're not sure what you need, come talk to us. We'd rather help you buy the right thing at 20% off than watch you walk out with the wrong thing at 40% off. That's what a real ski shop does.