Opening Day is weeks away, and there's a local ritual first: the Vail Ski & Snowboard Swap. The 57th annual Swap runs Friday, October 2 through Sunday, October 4, 2026, at the Grand Hyatt Vail's Alpine Hall in West Vail.
A Vail tradition since 1969
The Swap started small. In the fall of 1969, a few enterprising locals organized a pre-season get-together where the Vail community could trade ski equipment before winter. It has benefited Ski (& Snowboard) Club Vail from the beginning and has grown into one of the largest ski and snowboard sales in the country. That cause gives the event its heart. SSCV is the valley's oldest nonprofit, founded in 1962 to offer training and competition programs for young athletes.
The Swap has changed along the way. When COVID-19 indoor capacity limits forced SSCV to cancel the 2020 Swap, Ski Pro stepped in to run it. The event later moved from its longtime home at Dobson Ice Arena to the Grand Hyatt.
Shopping hours
Hours are Friday, 10/2 from 5–9 pm; Saturday, 10/3 from 11 am–6 pm; and Sunday, 10/4 from 11 am–3 pm. Entry is free, but organizers ask you to reserve a free ticket on Eventbrite. The RSVP count helps them estimate attendance so they bring enough gear and staff.
You'll find alpine skis, snowboards, boots and bindings, plus plenty of winter clothing and accessories like helmets, gloves and goggles. Both new and used gear will be for sale, including equipment consigned by the public at good prices. Friday night gets you first pick of the used inventory.
Parking and getting there
There's parking on site, with overflow at the Lionshead Parking Structure (395 S Frontage Rd), and the Grand Hyatt is on the bus route. The address is 1300 Westhaven Dr.
Selling your gear
The Swap is a good way to clear out the garage and fund your next setup. Two drop-off windows remain: September 30 from 4–7 pm at the Ski & Snowboard Club Vail Clubhouse, and a final drop-off Thursday, October 1 from noon–5 pm at the Grand Hyatt's Alpine Hall.
Accepted items are skis with usable bindings, snowboards, snowboard bindings, ski and snowboard boots, and snow jackets and pants. If something sells, you get 75% of the sale price, paid by check or as credit to your card. The payment goes to the person who checked the gear in, who must be present with the card, and the name must match the check-in paperwork.
Pick up unsold gear Sunday, October 4 from 3–5 pm. Anything left after 5 pm goes to charity. Set a reminder.
Why it matters
The Swap is a bargain hunt, but it's also the valley's unofficial start to winter and a direct way to support local young athletes. Grab the kids, bring your old boards, and help keep a 57-year tradition going.
