Annual ski swap goes digital ahead of sale

The Big Mountain Ski Club will hold its annual ski sale and swap in Whitefish at The Wave on Saturday, Nov. 3.

The sale has been a club tradition since 1979, but this year it is getting a modern upgrade by going “digital.”

“Last year was our best year ever and we’re trying to be more efficient,” Sue Moll said.

For the first time, those wishing to sell good used sporting equipment and clothing for consignment at the sale, can register ahead of time online at http://www.bigmountainskiclub.org/ski-swap/.

Items will be entered online and then folks will print out bar codes, which will be brought to the sale with the items where staff will attach the bar codes.

Amy Meyer said the website is open for those wanting to register, or items can be registered during the drop-off.

“This is very similar to other consignment sales in the valley,” she said. “We’re really hoping to quicken the process, so it will be more like a store.”

At the ski swap, items available include skis, snowboards, Nordic gear, helmets, gloves, coats, ski racks, ice skates, and even a few off-season items like hiking boots or a bicycle.

The club likes to help those who are looking to swap out gear or for parents who need a bigger size for their children. Also, folks wanting to sell their unwanted items can make a bit of money by helping the nonprofit Ski Club.

Items for the sale can be brought to The Wave on Friday, Nov. 2 from 1-7 p.m. The doors will open for the sale for ski club members at 8:30 a.m. on Saturday, and at 9 a.m. for the public. Memberships can be purchased Friday, Nov. 2. The sale runs through 3 p.m. on Saturday with pickup of unsold consignment items from 3-5 p.m.

Membership is not required to sell items at the ski swap, and there are two separate logins on the website for those wanting to sell at the swap and for membership.

The Big Mountain Ski Club is a nonprofit service organization which offers free ski lessons for kids with a club membership. Proceeds from the sale go to fund the ski program and support other worthy organizations.

The Big Mountain Ski Club is currently in need of ski instructors for the 2018-19 junior ski lesson program which begins in January. Ski clinic training is provided at Whitefish Mountain Resort. Instructors can instruct Saturdays or Sundays through March. High school students are encouraged to help with lessons. The program culminates in March with a race day and picnic.

Price for a family membership to the ski club is $35 and that includes the free ski lessons for children ages 6-14.

For general information, call Sue Moll at 862-6635 or visit http://www.bigmountainskiclub.org/ For questions about the swap, call Amy Meyer at 890-9048.