Aspen Ski Club Hosts 71st Annual Sports Swap This Saturday

Aspen —Snow has started to dust the high peaks, turning the landscape into a study of white and gray, while the air in the midvalley grows crisp and cold. It’s the kind of weather that makes you check the forecast twice, wondering if the season is finally arriving. For the folks who lace up their boots every weekend, this shift in the atmosphere signals that it’s time to prepare, and the Aspen Valley Ski and Snowboard Club is leading the charge with its annual Sports Swap.

The event returns this Saturday, Oct. 17, marking its 71st year of bringing the community together. From 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., The Arts Campus at Willits will host vendors from across the Roaring Fork Valley, offering everything from skiing and snowboarding gear to hiking and biking equipment. It’s a chance to find that specific pair of boots or that jacket you’ve been eyeing, often at prices that make sense. A portion of the proceeds goes directly to AVSC’s scholarship fund, helping offset program fees for local athletes.

Jared Ettlinger, AVSC’s stewardship director, noted that it’s an opportunity to grab past-year inventory and used gear at a longstanding community event. He mentioned that you never know what deals you might stumble upon, whether it’s new touring boots, barely used jackets, or powder skis for the winter ahead. The 2026 Backcountry Symposium will begin immediately after the swap, keeping the energy high for those staying for the afternoon sessions.

Beyond the gear, the club is gearing up for other traditions. Registration is open for the Owl Creek Chase, a 25-kilometer point-to-point cross-country ski race from Snowmass to the AVSC Clubhouse, scheduled for Jan. 10, 2027. Sophie Hamilton, the Nordic program director, described it as an event steeped in tradition that truly takes a community effort to pull off. There’s also a 15k option and a 1k “Owlet” race for the kids, ensuring there’s something for everyone.

The club recently hosted its second annual Heart of Gold evening on Sept. 29, honoring its “Club 1937” donors and latest scholarship recipients. August Teague, AVSC Executive Director, told attendees that their generosity creates access and opportunity, giving kids a place to grow in confidence and discover what they are capable of. It’s a reminder that behind the gear and the races, there’s a deep-rooted belief in the next generation of athletes in the valley.

As the snow continues to fall, the anticipation builds. The swap is more than a transaction; it’s a ritual. You walk in with a list, but you walk out with something unexpected, something that fits perfectly into your plan for the season. The lights at TACAW stay on late, the hum of conversation mixing with the rustle of plastic bags and the occasional laugh. It’s a warm spot in the middle of the cooling world outside.