Shoppers browse through a wide selection of skis, snowboards, and winter gear at the annual Park City Ski and Snowboard Club's ski swap, held at the Basin Recreation Field House. Photo: Park City Ski & Snowboard

PARK CITY, Utah — As winter approaches, Park City Ski & Snowboard (PCSS) is gearing up for one of the community’s most anticipated seasonal traditions: the Park City Ski Swap. Running Friday, Nov. 7, through Sunday, Nov. 9, at the Basin Recreation Fieldhouse, this year’s event marks the 53rd anniversary of what has become one of the largest and longest-running winter sports swaps in the country.

The Swap serves as the unofficial kickoff to winter in Park City, drawing locals and visitors who come to find quality gear at affordable prices while supporting a cause that keeps kids active on the mountain. Every dollar raised goes directly to PCSS programs across Alpine, Freestyle, Nordic, and Snowboard disciplines, supporting over 1,200 youth athletes from the community.

“This is a large fundraiser for us, and it’s become a staple of the community,” said Tommy Eckfeldt, Performance Sports Athletic Director for Park City Ski & Snowboard. “It kicks off the winter here in town. Outside of getting snow on the mountains, people start thinking about getting geared up and ready for the season.”

The three-day event transforms the Basin Recreation Fieldhouse’s indoor soccer gymnasium into a wall-to-wall marketplace featuring new and gently used skis, snowboards, boots, poles, outerwear, and winter accessories. The event includes ski, snowboard, Nordic, cross country, and even ski mountaineering gear, along with outdoor apparel and winter equipment. Expert volunteers and staff will be available throughout the weekend to help shoppers find the right equipment for their needs and budgets.

Vendors selling new merchandise will also be on hand, offering customers the chance to score deals on brand-new gear alongside the gently used items.

For those looking to sell gear and make some money while supporting local youth sports, the Swap accepts alpine and nordic skis, snowboards, boots, poles, and clean, gently used winter apparel. This year features a change in drop-off locations: donations will only be accepted at Cole Sport in town and at the Utah Olympic Park (UOP) in the Kimball Junction area.

Tickets are required for entry and must be purchased online in advance. Pricing starts at $15 for Friday’s opening hours from 7–9 p.m., when the best selection is available. Tickets drop to $12 for Friday evening from 9–11 p.m., then $10 all day Saturday. Sunday features community giveback pricing at $5, with free entry for anyone who brings a canned good donation to support the Christian Center of Park City. Children 13 and under receive free admission all weekend.

At the event, credit cards are the preferred payment method, though cash is also accepted. Venmo and checks will not be accepted.

The Swap’s origins trace back more than 50 years to the Park City Ski Team, which created the event as a grassroots fundraising effort for young alpine athletes. What began as a modest gear exchange between families quickly evolved into one of the best ski swaps in the West, helping make winter sports more accessible to local families while funding the development of future athletes.

The event has become a well-oiled machine that requires an all-hands effort, with PCSS staff and numerous parent volunteers working together to check in items, process gear through the point-of-sale system, and load everything into the venue on Friday morning.

With early season snow already falling in the high country, organizers are optimistic about this year’s turnout. “With our early snow up high the beginning of this month, hopefully that’s stoking the excitement and enthusiasm for people to come in and start gearing up for the season,” Eckfeldt said. “We’re looking forward to a great season.”