Ski season is not too far away so it’s time again to make sure those ski boots and winter jackets are ready to go.

Residents will have a chance to find a few winter sports goods this weekend at the annual Big Mountain Ski Club annual ski sale and swap Saturday, Nov. 5 at The Wave. The sale has been a club tradition since 1979.

“We think of this as a community service,” said club president Sue Moll. “It’s a chance to get affordable ski equipment and clothing.”

She said it’s not unusual for a whole family to come in and get all the gear they need for the winter.

Items available include skis, snowboards, Nordic gear, helmets, gloves, coats, ski racks, ice skates, and even a few off-season items like hiking boots or a bicycle.

The club likes to help those who are looking to swap out gear or for parents who need a bigger size for their children. Also, folks wanting to sell their unwanted items can make a bit of money by helping the nonprofit Ski Club.

“It’s important to make it affordable for people,” she said. “Skiing is a good family activity.”

Money raised through the swap helps pay for the club’s costs to fund free ski lessons for kids with club membership and assist with the skiing program for third-grade through fifth-grade at Whitefish Schools. Proceeds also support other worthy organizations like DREAM Adaptive, the Whitefish Middle School ski club, the SNOW bus, Glacier Nordic and Flathead Valley Ski Education Foundation.

Cost of membership to the ski club is $20 for single, $25 for couple and $35 for a family.

The annual ski sale and swap in Whitefish will take place at The Wave on Saturday, Nov. 5. Bring good used sporting equipment and clothing for sale to The Wave on Friday, Nov. 4 from 1 to 7 p.m. The doors will open for the sale at 8:30 a.m. on Saturday for ski club members and 9 a.m. for the general public. Membership can be purchased on Friday. The sale runs through 4 p.m. on Saturday, with pick-up of unsold items from 4-6 p.m.

The Big Mountain Ski Club is also in-need of ski instructors for the 2016-17 junior ski lesson program which begins in January. Ski clinic training is provided by Whitefish Mountain Resort. Instructors can instruct on Saturdays or Sundays through March. High school students are encouraged to help with lessons. The program culminates in March with a race day and picnic. A family membership to the ski club is $35 and that includes free lessons for children ages 6-14.

For more information, contact Sue Moll at 862-6635.