It’s anticipated like Black Friday, only the lineup is for used skis, not the new iPhone.
Recreationalists will mark the unofficial beginning of winter with the annual Juneau Ski Sale at 10 a.m. Saturday at Centennial Hall. The used gear sale is in at least its 65th year, said organizer Mike Satre. It’s been going so long they lost count.
“Our record keeping might be a little off,” Satre said.
The sale is a fundraiser for the Juneau Ski Club and Juneau Ski Patrol, two nonprofits which operate at Eaglecrest. The fundraising aspect is important, but the community aspect of the sale is just as significant to Satre.
“Really what this is is a big community event at the start of winter and the outdoor season. That’s just as important,” Satre said.
The Juneau Ski Sale operates by consignment: drop off your used gear at Centennial Hall, list a price for it, and staff will take care of the rest for a 25 percent fee. Drop off times are Friday from 4:30-8:30 p.m. and Saturday from 7:30-9:30 a.m.
Doors open at 10 a.m. and the sale lasts until 1 p.m. Many line up early to get the first crack at the best gear. There’s a $5 admission fee, but kids 12 and under get in for free. Items deemed too old or unsafe will not be accepted and unsold gear must be picked up from 4-5 p.m. Also, get with the times: the ski sale will not accept straight skis. Shaped skis — those with a concave shape that narrows under foot — have been industry standard since the early 1990s. Straight skis are now nearly worthless and useful only for fence making.
Juneau Ski Club and Juneau Ski Patrol split proceeds from the sale, Satre said. Established in 1939, JSC is one of the oldest ski clubs in the nation. The ski sale is one of their biggest fundraisers. They’ll use the money to pay for coaches, racing equipment and travel for their youth racers. Youth ages 6-18 can join JSC, where they have a chance to participate in 12-15 races a year and qualifying for U.S. Skiing Association regional events.
The Juneau Ski Patrol will use their proceeds to train their volunteer patrol staff. Eaglecrest Ski Area has paid patrollers, who are city employees but depends also on volunteer staff to monitor mountain safety.
More than just skis and snowboards, the ski sale has everything needed to stay warm and have fun in winter: clothes, snowshoes, boots, goggles, gloves and scarves will all be available.
“It’s a great place for people to outfit your entire family for the winter, even if it’s just finding a pair of snow pants for the kids to wear at recess,” Satre said.
A pair of skis draw the attention of a man at Centennial Hall Convention Center on Thursday, where volunteers were setting up for the Juneau Ski Sale. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
A pair of skis draw the attention of a man at Centennial Hall Convention Center on Thursday, where volunteers were setting up for the Juneau Ski Sale. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
A volunteer handles ski boots to be sold at the Juneau Ski Sale on Saturday. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
