SPOKANE COUNTY, Wash. — The largest ski swap in Spokane returned this Saturday after a three year hiatus with over 27,000 items this year.
The Spokane Fair and Expo Center opened its doors at 9 a.m. for a two day ski swap, but before it opened, many avid skiers and snow boarders were already in line waiting to enter the center.
One of them was Samuel Nixon, who walked into center this morning hoping to buy some discounted gear. Little did he know, this year's ski swap would have everything he could have imagined.
"For me, I've been using a board I bought off of craigslist like 10 years ago so it was time for me to come and check it out,” Nixon said.
The ski swap is the one place a year where people don't have to empty their bank accounts. And with post-pandemic inflation, many avid skiers and snow boarders were looking forward to the ski swap's return.
Kaj Brakash, who also attend the ski swap, was looking for new skis.
“The new ones are really expensive. People have used these skis so we know that these are good. Good for use. More so the cost can be lower," Brakash said.
Some other items people could find at the swap were clothing, helmets, goggles, boots, children's gear, Nordic & AT/backcountry gear, and Cross-country equipment.
And it wasn't just ski items.
The swap also had season passes at discounted prices for mountains, including Mount Spokane.
"It's awesome, I think this is a great event to get people to ski more because I love skiing and it makes me happy and I think it can make everyone happy,” said Kelly Hoag, a ski swap shopper.
Organizers say most of their inventory are from ski stores who didn't sell last year's gear. People also had the option to drop off old ski equipment they didn't want anymore.
The ski swap will return for a second day on Sunday, Oct. 30, from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. Many items will be 25% off on Sunday. The admission cost is $5 and children 12 years old and younger enter free with an adult.
The event is a fundraiser hosted by Mount Spokane Ski Patrol, an organization entirely made of volunteers. The ski swap provides them the funds for the entire ski season.
"It's so awesome. This is actually my first swap and I think this is a good one to be initiated with because the turnout has been unbelievably huge,” said Kameron Smith, a Mount Spokane Ski Patrol Volunteer. “I don't know the count on how many people have come so far but it's not stopping."
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