Ottawa Ski Show History
The Ottawa Ski Show originated in October 1987 and had it’s first show at Lansdowne Park in Ottawa.
With the closure of Lansdowne Park as an exhibition venue at the end of 2011 the Ski Show was moved to the CE Centre (now known as EY Centre) in 2012 where to this day it has been held.
The Ottawa Ski Show has seen many changes in the ski industry. Retailers have come and gone. Fashions have changed from fluorescents to earth tones to brights. Resorts and hotels have changed names and management. Equipment has evolved and improved. Through it all The Ottawa Ski Show has continued for over 30 years guiding sports enthusiasts to the best products and services for their specific needs.
A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE OTTAWA SKI SHOW
The Ottawa Ski Show/Le Salon du Ski d’Ottawa originated in October 1987 and was organized by Steve Caron and Debra Caron with the sponsorship and assistance of the Canadian Ski Patrol. The initial show took place at Lansdowne Park.
The exhibits and the Sale and Swap were held in the The Coliseum at Lansdowne Park for the initial show in 1987.
The Coliseum was built in 1903. Initially intended as an agricultural show building the Coliseum went through numerous additions, renovations and accidents before it was finally demolished in 2012.
The Coliseum actually hosted an agricultural show with cattle the week before the initial 1987 Ottawa Ski Show. The building had to be fumigated before the ski show to remove its special ‘odour’. Attendees at the show commented that the swap space smelled like a barn. Little did they know that cows were standing a week earlier where they were now trying on boots.
The Ski Show was moved to The Ottawa Congress Centre for the 1989 and 1990 shows. It returned to Lansdowne Park and its Exhibition Hall in 1991. The Show remained at the Lansdowne Park Exhibition Hall until 2011 with a couple of interludes in the Aberdeen Pavilion.
The Carons transferred the Ski Show to a media company that managed it from 1998 to 2002. After a sharp decline in Show attendance the Carons reacquired the Show in 2003 and changed the format of the event from a 3 day show to a 2-day free-to- public event. This format has continued to this day.
With the closure of Lansdowne Park as an exhibition venue at the end of 2011 the Ski Show was moved to the CE Centre (now known as EY Centre) in 2012.
Steve and Debra Caron continued to manage the Ski Show until 2014 when the ownership and management of the show was transferred to Monica Kunstadt and Kunstadt Sports.
Kunstadt Sports had been a participant in the Show since they opened their retail stores and were the key anchor retailer since 2003. Because of their long history with the Show and knowledge of the industry, Steve and Deb Caron considered Kunstadt to be the logical and best choice to assume full management of the event. Their confidence was well placed as the event has grown under the management of Kunstadt Sports.
Most of the exhibitors today are the same exhibitors who started with the Show in 1987. For example, Harvey Brodkin and The Snowhawks Ski & Snowboard School started with the first Show and today many of its students from 1987 have their own children in the School.
The Ottawa Ski Show has seen many changes in the ski industry. Retailers have come and gone. Fashions have changed from fluorescents to earth tones to brights. Resorts and hotels have changed names and management. Equipment has evolved and improved. Through it all The Ottawa Ski Show has continued for over 30 years guiding sports enthusiasts to the best products and services for their specific needs. And as the temperature drops in October the Ottawa Ski Show gets people excited and motivated for the new winter season.
With the closure of Lansdowne Park as an exhibition venue at the end of 2011 the Ski Show was moved to the CE Centre (now known as EY Centre) in 2012 where to this day it has been held.
The Ottawa Ski Show has seen many changes in the ski industry. Retailers have come and gone. Fashions have changed from fluorescents to earth tones to brights. Resorts and hotels have changed names and management. Equipment has evolved and improved. Through it all The Ottawa Ski Show has continued for over 30 years guiding sports enthusiasts to the best products and services for their specific needs.
A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE OTTAWA SKI SHOW
The Ottawa Ski Show/Le Salon du Ski d’Ottawa originated in October 1987 and was organized by Steve Caron and Debra Caron with the sponsorship and assistance of the Canadian Ski Patrol. The initial show took place at Lansdowne Park.
The exhibits and the Sale and Swap were held in the The Coliseum at Lansdowne Park for the initial show in 1987.
The Coliseum was built in 1903. Initially intended as an agricultural show building the Coliseum went through numerous additions, renovations and accidents before it was finally demolished in 2012.
The Coliseum actually hosted an agricultural show with cattle the week before the initial 1987 Ottawa Ski Show. The building had to be fumigated before the ski show to remove its special ‘odour’. Attendees at the show commented that the swap space smelled like a barn. Little did they know that cows were standing a week earlier where they were now trying on boots.
The Ski Show was moved to The Ottawa Congress Centre for the 1989 and 1990 shows. It returned to Lansdowne Park and its Exhibition Hall in 1991. The Show remained at the Lansdowne Park Exhibition Hall until 2011 with a couple of interludes in the Aberdeen Pavilion.
The Carons transferred the Ski Show to a media company that managed it from 1998 to 2002. After a sharp decline in Show attendance the Carons reacquired the Show in 2003 and changed the format of the event from a 3 day show to a 2-day free-to- public event. This format has continued to this day.
With the closure of Lansdowne Park as an exhibition venue at the end of 2011 the Ski Show was moved to the CE Centre (now known as EY Centre) in 2012.
Steve and Debra Caron continued to manage the Ski Show until 2014 when the ownership and management of the show was transferred to Monica Kunstadt and Kunstadt Sports.
Kunstadt Sports had been a participant in the Show since they opened their retail stores and were the key anchor retailer since 2003. Because of their long history with the Show and knowledge of the industry, Steve and Deb Caron considered Kunstadt to be the logical and best choice to assume full management of the event. Their confidence was well placed as the event has grown under the management of Kunstadt Sports.
Most of the exhibitors today are the same exhibitors who started with the Show in 1987. For example, Harvey Brodkin and The Snowhawks Ski & Snowboard School started with the first Show and today many of its students from 1987 have their own children in the School.
The Ottawa Ski Show has seen many changes in the ski industry. Retailers have come and gone. Fashions have changed from fluorescents to earth tones to brights. Resorts and hotels have changed names and management. Equipment has evolved and improved. Through it all The Ottawa Ski Show has continued for over 30 years guiding sports enthusiasts to the best products and services for their specific needs. And as the temperature drops in October the Ottawa Ski Show gets people excited and motivated for the new winter season.