BOZEMAN, MT – Bridger Ski Foundation’s (BSF) 55th Annual Ski Swap will take place November 4-5, 2023 at the Gallatin County Fairgrounds in Bozeman. Steeped in tradition, the event attracts local legends and newcomers alike, with more than 10,000 items for sale.
Skiers and riders will find equipment ranging from cross-country skis to fat powder skis, snowboards, poles, backpacks, helmets, boots, winter clothing, and more. In addition to consignment items from individuals, the Ski Swap also carries both new and used inventory from local retailers.
For those who want to make room for new gear, you can pre-register all of your consignment items online (preferably by October 31) and then drop everything off on Friday, November 3 between 10 am and 7 pm at the Fairgrounds. All sales take place in person, and BSF retains a 20% commission on sold items. You can pick up any unsold items at the end of the day on Sunday.
Bridger Ski Foundation expects 5,000 people to come through the swap throughout the weekend. “It’s a ski swap, but it’s also a celebration,” says BSF Communications Director Jenny White. “People willingly (and cheerfully) stand in line—some of them hours before the doors open.” You will also find local organizations and sponsors with information tables and giveaways. This year, BSF will award $50 Golden Tickets to local youth, and they will offer ski waxing services as well.
BSF takes a 20% commission if a consignment item is sold. With thousands of items going out the door, it is the biggest fundraiser of the year for the nonprofit club, which provides ski programs for more than 1,000 youth and adults and also grooms a vast network of Community Nordic Ski Trails, including snowmaking at Sunset Hills. “For BSF, the Ski Swap is also a community service. It gives the people of Montana easy access to more affordable ski gear. Instead of things gathering dust in someone’s garage for 20 years, we’re getting those items circulating back into the community.”
Intermountain Health has signed on to be the title sponsor of this year’s BSF Ski Swap, and a number of local businesses have also committed to supporting the Bridger Ski Foundation through this event. “It takes a village,” says White. “Bozeman has always been about keeping skiing a grassroots activity, and the BSF Ski Swap is a huge part of that.”
BSF Annual Ski Swap Hours:
Friday, November 3, 10 am - 7 pm: Drop off your consignment items. (Register them on the website first.)
Saturday, November 4, 10 am - 6 pm: Sale! $5 admission fee. Children under 12 free. (BSF members & Community Nordic Trail Pass holders get in free at 9 a.m.)
Sunday, November 5, 10 am - 2 pm: Sale! $2 admission and free after 12pm. Any sales tags marked “discount” will have a 50% markdown on Sunday.
2 pm - 5 pm: Unsold Item Pick-up.
MORE INFO: www.bridgerskifoundation.org/skiswap
BSF Membership & Trail Pass perks. Want to get into the Ski Swap early and for free? Purchase an annual membership to BSF or a Community Nordic Trails Membership to support the trails BSF grooms.
Selling items? Clean them up so they sell better. Be sure to register each item online first so that BSF can pre-print your sales tag with a bar code on it.
Cash: You’ll need cash when you drop off consignment items in order to pay the $1 per item fee. You’ll also need cash if you’re paying the admission fee ($5 Saturday, $2 Sunday). But don’t worry, you can pay for any items you purchase with a credit card.
Sunday deals. Many sellers opt to drop the price of their items by 50% on Sunday. Great deals can be found on day two!
Don’t forget to pick up items. If you have items on consignment, you can check online to see whether or not they’ve sold. Sellers must pick up their unsold items between 2 and 5 p.m on Sunday. Any items left unclaimed by 5 p.m. on Sunday, November 5, 2023 are permanently retained by Bridger Ski Foundation and may be donated to local nonprofits in need. For example, Big Sky Youth Empowerment (BYEP) will begin choosing ski gear for their programs at 5 pm.
Payout: BSF will mail checks to sellers for the amount of their sold item(s), minus the 20% consignment fee.
