GARDEN CITY, Idaho (CBS2) — The 71st annual Ski Swap takes place at Expo Idaho November 4-6, giving skiers and snowboarders the chance to buy and sell their gear.
Held by the Bogus Basin Ski Education Foundation (BBSEF), the ski swap is the largest of its kind in the Northwest. It's expected that there will be 20,000 items on offer this weekend. Shawn Smith, the Athletic Director for BBSEF said that all kinds of items will be on sale.
"Everything that you need for your skiing and riding experience, whether you're a beginner or an experienced snow sports enthusiast, we have everything that you need," Smith said. "Hard gear, all your skis, boots, bindings, clothing. You name it, we'll have it."
For those unsure of what items they want, there's help.
"We give all kinds of help," Smith said. "We have also some of our ski shops, our local ski shops are there (at the Expo). So we have a lot of people who are there to help people make decisions, especially if they're newer and don't know what they need. We can help them get dialed in and make the right purchase."
Pam Tucker-Kopp, the program coordinator of the BBSEF, said that the ski swap has grown rapidly over the past few years.
"It has grown pretty exponentially in the last few years," Tucker-Kopp said. "A lot of people getting into the sport, a lot of people moving into the Valley, looking to upgrade gear, change out gear, try something new. It's been a great growth pattern for us."
For those interested in selling their old gear, there are a few things worth knowing. Tucker-Kopp noted that checking in items to be sold is free of charge.
"Yes, check in is free," Tucker-Kopp said. "You just bring your items with you. It's best if they're cleaned. They sell better if they're cleaned and taken care of, and (then they're) put out for sale."
When asked about items that don't sell, she said that sellers are responsible for collecting them.
"So, we don't hold items for pickup," Tucker-Kopp said. "If your item has not sold, you have to come and look for it and pick it up between 3 and 5 p.m. You can check online. There is a website to check if your item has sold. If you are not certain that it has sold for sure when you look at that website, come on down, and we'll help you find it or make sure that it has been purchased, or is there waiting for you to be picked up.
The ski swap is Nov. 4-6. Admission is $5 every day, but if you bring a canned food item in on the 6th, admission is free.
More info on the ski swap can be found on their website.
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