TRAVERSE CITY Lining up by numbers before dawn... sifting swiftly through sizes and styles...snapping up deals unheard of in stores.
It must be the Grand Traverse Ski Club's Used Equipment Sale, an annual extravaganza of used skis both downhill and cross country as well as bindings, boots, helmets, poles and clothing accessories. West Middle School was a hive of activity this weekend during the sale, where on Saturday and Sunday $100,000 of equipment changed hands.
Held for more than 40 years, the event is in part a fundraiser for the club, which nets 20 percent of the proceeds $20,000 this year. The money is used for a variety of club projects, including offsetting costs of ski and snowboard clinics, paying for upgrades at Hickory Hills, training coaches, purchasing race equipment and making donations to the three Traverse City-based high school ski racing teams.
Another benefit to the sale is that it makes a general contribution to skiers throughout the region.
"Most importantly, however, the Ski Sale is a community service that provides an affordable way for families to purchase quality, used equipment thereby promoting winter sports activities," said Laura Ness, president of the Grand Traverse Ski Club. "Additionally, the ski sale benefits the community by providing an outlet for the resale of out-grown or seldom-used equipment."
More than 100 volunteers pitched in to make the sale a reality, including members of area high school ski teams on hand to answer questions and provide fitting guidance.
"It's fun helping kids, even parents, tell them what to look for," said Ben Dirske, a tenth grader at St. Francis High School, on hand Saturday with members of the school's racing team.
Both a buyer and seller like many at the sale, Dirske also found time to snap up a pair of giant slalom skis. Saving an estimated 60 percent on that purchase by buying used, for years he and his family have both found deals and passed on unneeded items as he grew in the sport.
"I've gone to this ever since I can remember," Dirske said.
Measuring sets of ski tips against her height, Norah Johnson, 9, was looking for just the right fit in racing skis. Operating on the idea that the height of the skis should allow the user to kiss their tips, Johnson was getting outfitted for another season as a member of the Leelanau Ski Club.
"It's fun to have the snow blowing in your face," said Johnson, who joined the club at three and has been skiing since she was 18 months old.
Dan and Kirsten Stiebel, of Traverse City, and their two children, ages six and ten, attended looking to pick up both ski and snowboard equipment. They had never been to the sale before but stopped by Saturday afternoon looking for bargains.
"We're hoping to get the family outfitted," Dan Stiebel said. "It seems like a good deal."
Another first-time attendee and enthused convert was Michele Shane, of Traverse City, who stopped by Saturday for downhill ski equipment to fit a six year old and a three and a half year old. Both veteran skiers despite their tender ages, the older sibling's pink selections do not suit her brother as hand-me-downs. With each growing so fast, annual upgrades are needed, although the Shanes have rented child-sized equipment in the past.
"The whole family can ski together now that they can keep up with us," said Shane, looking ahead to this ski season.
For more information on the Grand Traverse Ski Club, see www.gtskiclub.org.
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