How to Sell Used Skis

Sell or Trade in Last Season's Skis and Boots

Old skis

Yoray Liberman/Getty Images

Ski and boot manufacturers come out with new gear every year, so it's easy to replace your old equipment. But what about your old skis and boots? Don't waste money or storage space by letting your equipment sit uselessly in the back of your closet or in a corner of your garage. In fact, your used ski equipment might actually garner you some cash that you can put towards a new pair of skis or boots. Here's how to sell used ski equipment.

Inspect Your Equipment

Before attempting to sell your used ski equipment, make sure it's in working order. If you think you can get away with selling something that's broken, think again. Most likely, it'll just end up in a hassle for you, especially if the buyer ends up wanting to return it. Make sure you thoroughly check all the details on your equipment. For example, examine the bindings on skis or the latches on boots before you put it up for sale.

Gather Make and Model Information

If you want to sell your equipment, "Rossignol 2010 Skis" or "Nordica Ski Boots" isn't going to do it. Make sure you have the ski brand, year, and specific model name on hand. It's also helpful to know if the equipment is designed for men or women, beginners or experts, or for use in parks or glades, for example. The more specific the information you have about the product, the better.

It's Clean-Up Time!

No one wants to buy a pair of dusty skis or musty boots. Take the time to clean up your equipment, which is another good opportunity to check over everything and make sure it's in a condition decent enough to sell.

Take Your Skis to a Local Ski Shop

Browse ski shops near you and see if they accept used skis. They might be able to sell them on consignment for you and take a percentage of the sale as a commission, or you might be able to trade them in for a discount on better equipment. Decide what works best for you, but don't settle on the first shop you encounter. Instead, keep your options open and collect and compare the information relevant to your decision before selling your skis.

Consider Online Sports Equipment Marketplaces

If no ski shops in your town have used equipment deals, don't lose hope. Fortunately, the internet has many solutions for you! Online sports gear marketplace sites are an easy way to sell your used equipment. Here are some websites where you can sell your used equipment:

Sell Your Gear Online

If you want to sell your gear fast, you don't have to limit yourself to websites specifically targeted to sports equipment. If you're Internet savvy, you probably already know that almost anything and everything can be sold on sites like eBay, Craigslist, and Facebook's Marketplace. While these sites aren't as easy to use as the trade-in type of websites listed above, they do make it pretty convenient to sell your gear. They can also be a useful way to establish a price for your gear.

Look out for Snow Sports Swaps at the End of the Season

Once the lifts close for good, many ski resorts, ski clubs, and ski shops host massive used equipment sales where skiers can sell or exchange their skis and boots. Keep an eye out for events like these at resorts near you, advertised on the website of the resort or ski club.

Tips for Selling Your Skis

  • Like cars, the value of used skis depreciates very quickly. You can get an idea of how much your equipment will sell for by comparing the prices of similar makes and models, but keep your expectations low because you won't be able to sell them for the same price that you bought them for.
  • On the same note, if you're going to sell your equipment, do it sooner rather than later, because its value will decrease drastically with each season.
  • Use caution when selling online. Although most trade-in sites are relatively secure, take extra care to avoid scams if you're selling on eBay or Craigslist.