EBS STAFF
With the first snowflakes hitting windshields this week, powder fever is affecting Bozeman. Nowhere is it more contagious, perhaps, than the Bridger Ski Foundation’s annual Ski Swap, returning in its 57th year Nov. 1-2 at the Gallatin County Fairgrounds. The event draws lines around the block as locals hunt for deals on everything from powder skis to puffy jackets.
With more than 10,000 items on the floor, the swap is both the biggest ski sale and the biggest fundraiser of the year for BSF, now celebrating its 90th season. Proceeds support youth ski programs, scholarships and the grooming of Bozeman’s beloved Nordic winter trails, including Sunset Hills.
Seasoned ski swappers know the good items go fast, and early shoppers can gain access by volunteering or donating $90 or more to BSF’s new Build the Base campaign—an effort to establish the organization’s first-ever headquarters.
“The Ski Swap is more than just a ski sale,” said BSF Communications Director Jenny White. “People show up utterly stoked for ski season, and that vibe is contagious. It’s the kickoff to ski season. And it’s also one of the ways we can keep skiing more accessible in our community, by recirculating winter gear and making it more affordable to get a gear setup for winter.”
The Ski Swap will take place along the following schedule:
- Friday, Oct. 31: Gear drop-off, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.
- Saturday, Nov. 1: Sale, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. ($5 admission; early entry at 9 a.m. for BSF members/trail supporters)
- Sunday, Nov. 2: Sale, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. ($2 admission; free after noon, with 50% markdowns)
