The Jasper Ski Team’s annual Winter Sports Gear Swap returns on Saturday, Oct. 22, and organizers expect a wide variety of equipment to be bought and sold.

“It’s a great way for people to get good gear for a good price,” said Thea Mitchell, who’s helping to put on this year’s event.

While the money raised from the swap helps support the ski team, it’s not just ski gear that’s on sale. Mitchell said “anything winter” will be up for grabs including all kinds of ski equipment (alpine, freestyle, cross-country, backcountry), snowboard equipment, hockey gear and skates as well as clothing.

Admission is $2 and the event takes place at the Jasper Activity Centre. New and gently used equipment can be dropped off between 9:30 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. and the swap (and silent auction) will take place from 12:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.

Registration for the Jasper Ski Team is now open and the swap will also offer the last opportunity to sign kids and teenagers up. Mitchell said the deadline for registration is Oct. 22 and there will be sign-up forms at the Activity Centre that day.

According to the most recent count there were 34 families and 51 athletes (aged five to 15) involved with the team, Mitchell added, and participation has grown in the past year.

Money raised from the swap helps pay for coaching, gear and other necessities for the team.

“It helps with supporting the program and keeping the fees very reasonable,” Mitchell said.