Unclaimed Baggage draws national crowds for winter shopping at annual Ski Sale event

SCOTTSBORO — North Alabama may not be known for its snow-covered slopes, but it is home to one of America’s largest ski events – and it all comes from lost luggage.

Next month, thousands of travelers, skiers and bargain hunters from across the U.S. will descend on Scottsboro for the 44th annual Ski Sale Event at Unclaimed Baggage, the nation’s only retailer of lost luggage.

The one-day spectacle on Nov. 1 will offer more than 50,000 square feet of ski gear, winter wear and holiday treasures at up to 80% off retail value.

“This event is one of America’s most delightfully unexpected traditions,” said Sonni Hood of Unclaimed Baggage. “It’s quirky, it’s sustainable, and it brings thousands together to celebrate the thrill of discovery.”

Since 1981, the event has become one of America’s biggest and most unusual shopping traditions. Shoppers camp out overnight, many traveling hundreds of miles, to claim their spot in line. Every item sold comes from unclaimed luggage – goods once packed for journeys which took an unexpected detour.

Ranked in the top 10% of international travel destinations by Tripadvisor’s 2025 Travelers’ Choice Awards, Unclaimed Baggage gives these items a new life, offering shoppers sustainable and affordable alternatives at a time when budgets are tight.

Year-round, the retailer saves up all ski gear and winter wear that comes through its facilities – rolling them out at this one-day event each year.

Aisles are stocked with skis, snowboards and helmets at steep discounts alongside top outdoor brands like Patagonia, Arc’teryx, Canada Goose, Moncler and The North Face.

This year promises more product than ever before, including tens of thousands of winter items, surprise rollouts throughout the day and a jumbo tent in the parking lot to house the overflow.

The inaugural “Ski Sale Fest” camping experience

For more than a decade, Unclaimed Baggage has treated its most dedicated Ski Sale shoppers to a unique camping experience the night before the event.

Tents are pitched, RVs are parked and families settle in to secure an early spot in line – enjoying games, giveaways, movies and more. The next morning, the first 50 guests in line earn a 30-minute head start and the chance to win a $450 shopping spree.

This year, the retailer has announced its first “Ski Sale Fest” camping experience – a free, family-friendly event designed for both adults and children on Halloween night.

The night features:

• Concert by Nashville singer-songwriter Morgan Alexander
• Food trucks and firepits
• Hayrides through a cemetery
• Outdoor movies under the stars
• Snow machines creating flurries in Alabama’s autumn air
• Reservable tents for camping (proceeds donated to a local homeless service center)

For more information about the ski sale, visit Ski Sale 2025 – Unclaimed Baggage.