Snow days may be a rarity in North Alabama, but for one November day, Scottsboro will once again become an unlikely destination for skiers and snowboarders.
Unclaimed Baggage is bringing back its annual Ski Sale on Nov. 7, and for the event’s 45th year, the Scottsboro retailer says it has assembled the largest inventory in the sale’s history.
More than 50,000 square feet of skis, snowboards, helmets, winter clothing and other cold-weather finds will be up for grabs, with discounts of up to 80% off retail value.
And, in true Unclaimed Baggage fashion, much of it comes with a little mystery attached.
The merchandise, including gear and apparel from brands such as Patagonia, Arc’teryx, Salomon, Canada Goose and Moncler, was sourced from luggage airlines were unable to reunite with its owners.
“The annual Ski Sale is a major highlight of our year,” Unclaimed Baggage owner Bryan Owens said. “It’s a chance to bring our community together and for skiers and winter enthusiasts of every level to gear up for the season, find great deals on great equipment and get one step closer to that first run down the mountain.”
The tradition dates to 1981, when Unclaimed Baggage began setting aside ski and winter gear throughout the year for one big sale. It has since grown into an event that draws shoppers from well beyond Alabama.
Some don’t even wait until morning.
Dozens of shoppers traditionally camp outside the store the night before for a coveted spot near the front of the line. Unclaimed Baggage leans into the tradition with fire pits and s’mores, pizza, games and movies, and even rents tents to those willing to spend a November night outside for first dibs.
This year, being early comes with a particularly fitting 45th anniversary perk.
The first 45 people in line will get a 45-minute shopping head start before the doors open, along with a $45 Unclaimed Baggage gift card and free Ski Sale T-shirt.
For everyone else, there should still be plenty to dig through. New merchandise will be released in waves throughout the day, and Unclaimed Baggage will add a second sales floor beneath a tent outside its main store.
One shopper could also leave Scottsboro with a reason to put all that new gear to use.
To celebrate the anniversary, Unclaimed Baggage is giving away a 2026-27 Epic Pass, providing access to more than 90 ski destinations around the world. Everyone attending the Nov. 7 sale can enter.
The 45th Annual Ski Sale runs from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Nov. 7 at Unclaimed Baggage in Scottsboro.
For a place where measurable snowfall is hardly guaranteed, Scottsboro has managed to build quite the ski tradition.
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