Kelowna ski swap raises funds for young athletes

With winter approaching, the Big White Ski Club is preparing to turn pre-season gear shopping into a fundraiser for its next generation of skiers.

The club’s 55th annual Ski Swap takes place at Trinity Church in Kelowna on Oct. 23 and 24, bringing together families looking for affordable equipment and sellers hoping to pass along gear they no longer use.

Shoppers can browse second-hand skis, snowboards, boots, poles and winter apparel, while local retailers will have new equipment and accessories available at reduced prices.

Club president Karim Hemani says the event serves a dual purpose: helping people prepare for the slopes and generating money for the club’s alpine programs.