BY KAREN BOSSICK

The nation may be focused on the 29 days leading up to the presidential election. But in Sun Valley the bigger focus is on the 52 days leading up to the start of the 2024-25 downhill winter ski season. (Galena Lodge kicks the Nordic season off six days earlier on Nov. 22).

The annual Rotarun Ski Swap is set for Saturday, Oct. 12, at Sturtevants in Hailey.

Skiers and boarders will be able to unload gear and buy new gear with a portion of sales benefitting the Sun Valley Ski Education Foundation’s programs at Rotarun Ski Hill, a few miles west of Hailey.

Expect an assortment of skis with psychedelic graphics and just plain grey. PHOTO: Liz Chamberlain and Rotarun

Admission to the Ski Swap is free, and Wylde Beet and La Parrilla will be on site to provide coffee and pastries and Mexican fare. The street will be closed to provide a safe, pedestrian-friendly environment for attendees to shop and socialize with their ski-and-ride community friends.

Pre-register the winter sports equipment and closing you wish to sell online through https://rotarun.org or MySkiSwap.com. Clothing and equipment may be dropped off between 3 and 6 p.m. Friday, Oct. 11, at Sturtevant’s in Hailey or Sturtevants in Ketchum at 340 N. Main St. Sellers may choose to opt-in to the end-of-day fire sale in which items will be marked half-price from 3 to 4 p.m.

The Ski Swap will be held from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Sturtevants in Hailey. Cash and credit cards will be accepted.

Unsold gear may be picked up between 10 a.m. and noon Sunday, Oct. 13 at Sturtevants in Hailey. Unsold gear will be donated.

Twenty-five percent of the sales from the Ski Swap go to programming and operations at Rotarun Ski Area. That includes the tuition-free Rota-Rippers and Rota-Ravens afterschool programs and free public ski evenings for the community.

Questions? Contact Liz Chamberlain at liz@rotarun.org. or, call 208-788-6204.