Outfit Children with Ski Gear Without Breaking the Bank

Replacing outgrown ski equipment annually for growing children can get expensive. But we all want our kids to have safe and well-fitting skis, bindings, boots and helmets. Here are some places to find winter sports equipment on a budget that leaves you money for traveling to your family’s favorite mountain.

Because you’re not the only parent with growing skiers, many community organizations have an annual ski swap where you can trade outgrown skis, poles, boots and helmets for someone else’s. These are often sponsored by schools or sports clubs and teams, but some are sponsored by a retail store that uses the occasion to sell surplus new equipment or used skis taken in trade.

Rental centers at ski areas often sell used equipment as they update their stock. So do name-brand demo centers at ski resorts, although these are less likely to have youth sizes. Sport shops offering ski rentals are also a place to check for used skis.

Thrift and charity resale shops often have outgrown ski equipment and clothing donated by other families upsizing winter gear. Sites like Facebook Marketplace are a good place to look for ski equipment, and you can choose a distance range where you’re willing to travel to get it.

Less well-known is a movement called Buy Nothing, a community-based organization promoting a global reuse economy. With 128,000 Buy Nothing communities, it’s likely there will be one nearby. The rules of this hyper-local gift economy prohibit buying or selling, and allow no trades or bartering. You simply join your local group and post a notice you’re looking for ski equipment for certain ages. Responses will be free, but good manners suggest you will offer your own outgrown equipment to anyone else who needs it.