Forget "Black Friday." Think white. The 46th annual Down East Ski Sale is happening tomorrow, and for hundreds of downhill and cross-country enthusiasts -- and snowboarders too! -- it's the big event of the shopping season.

It's especially popular with budget-minded families.

The Gervais family arrives at last year's Down East Ski Sale. The sale has been a fixture of Maine ski culture since 1962.
SCOTT ANDREWS PHOTO

The sale runs from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday only at the Portland Expo on Park Avenue, near the ballpark. Expect about 10,000 items for sale. Contrary to popular belief, the vast majority of the items are new -- mostly unsold inventory from the '06-'07 season offered at huge discounts. Most of the top ski shops bring truckloads of gear for sale; they also send experienced sales reps to help out.

About 10,000 items of ski gear and apparel will be offered at the Portland Expo on Saturday.
SCOTT ANDREWS PHOTO

To be sure, there's still lots of used gear offered by private parties; this was how the sale began back in 1962. It's still run by the Down East Ski Club, which has been a mainstay of the Maine ski scene since 1948.

Also contrary to the popular notion, waiting lines have been minimal since the DESC moved the sale to the Expo.

In addition to new and used gear, many stop by the info displays set up by organizations such as Ski Maine and resorts such as Saddleback and Black Mountain of Maine. Get good deals on ski passes and vacation planning.

When you go to the Down East Ski Sale on Saturday, be sure to check out info displays such as Ski Maine's. Above, Joanne Taylor of Saddleback and Bo Bigelow of Ski Maine.
SCOTT ANDREWS PHOTO

The Ski Bum is a big fan of the sale; he's bought lots of stuff, most recently a complete set of nordic gear in 2006. He was assisted by Sarah Carter, daughter of David and Anne Carter, of Carter's Ski Shops and X-C centers in Oxford and Bethel.

Sarah Carter helped the Ski Bum purchase a new set of nordic gear at the 2006 Down East Ski Sale.
SCOTT ANDREWS PHOTO

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