What Is a Ski Swap? Plus 6 Tips for Scoring Deals

3. Make a Plan

Slow is smooth, and smooth is fast, remember? Rather than humming and hawing as you decide between multiple pairs of skis, do your homework beforehand so you know exactly what you’re looking for—while maintaining some flexibility. Maybe that’s a pair of intermediate carvers or some stiff all-mountain sticks. There is an immense amount of ski equipment out there, and it can be hard to parse through the ski models on the fly.
 
The same rule applies to ski boots. Make a note of your boot size, preferred flex (90? or 130?), and whether or not you want a walk mode. Boot-binding compatibility these days can be complicated, too, especially when you throw numerous models into the mix. So, do some research on your boots (Google: What bindings are X boots compatible with?) if you have a pair—and add bindings to your search query while you’re at it. DIN is the main thing to consider, but backcountry bindings bring some nuances. By absorbing some gear reviews and establishing some parameters ahead of time, you’ll set yourself up for success.

4. Don’t Buy Any Old Pair of Skis

Unless you’re learning to ski and only need a simple pair of starter sticks, don’t buy skis just because you’re at a ski swap. Sure, if the gear is cheap and meets your needs, go ahead and make the purchase. But ski swaps are hardly the only place to buy winter sports gear. Sales at retail stores exist, as do sales online. Many online retailers sell last year’s skis for surprisingly cheap, and an outdated topsheet is more than worth a deep discount. Think of your local ski swap as one tool in the gear-purchasing toolbelt. Facebook Marketplace and Craigslist can deliver some tempting offers, too.

5. Phone a Friend

If you’re lucky, you have a friend who knows entirely too much about ski gear. Don’t hesitate to lean on them. Combine their expertise with your pre-ski-swap prep, and you’ll be able to execute purchases like nobody’s business—crowds be darned. Heck, if they live in some other part of the country, literally call them after you've settled on something you might buy: “Hey dude, this pair of Mantras is super cheap; should I do it?” Just make sure you find some way to make it up to them.

6. Thoroughly Inspect Gear

You never know what might be lurking under the bases of those perfect skis. Inspect whatever you want to buy thoroughly. Check the bases, check the edges, and—near the center of the skis where the bindings go—check for drill holes. General wisdom says that skis can’t be mounted more than three times, as drilling beyond the three-mount mark can compromise a ski’s integrity. If there are a pair of bindings already attached to some skis with numerous drill holes, you may want to pass—unless you won’t need to move said bindings. This rule applies to outerwear, too. Try the zippers and look for fabric tears.

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