THERE ARE SOME important things you need to know about the Hurricane Ridge Gear Swap and Winterfest.
For starters, they will take place on separate weekends.
The gear swap, which is officially named the Hurricane Ridge Gear Swap and Olympic Peninsula Outdoors Sports Expo, is on Saturday, and Winterfest is next Saturday, Nov. 17.
For many years, Winterfest was on a Friday and the ski swap happened the next day.
“That made the weekend too big for the volunteers,” Hurricane Ridge Ski Team assistant coach Lindsay Fox said.
“It wore everybody out.”
So last year, they separated the two events, which threw off many who had grown accustomed to the way things had normally been done.
This year, another twist has been added: the gear swap will be held at Jefferson Elementary School at 218 East 12th St. in Port Angeles.
Winerfest will still be at Vern Burton Community Center at 308 East 4th St. in Port Angeles.
More than a swap
Although the gear swap serves as a bit of a kick-off to the winter sports season and is a fundraiser for the Hurricane Ridge Ski Team, it is more than a ski swap.
So you can sell or buy kayaks, wet suits, bikes, fishing gear, hunting equipment, tennis rackets, skateboards, roller blades and all types of outdoor clothing.
“We hope to grow the event into an outdoor expo, not just a ski and snowboard [swap],” Fox said.
There will be both used and new equipment for sell.
Vendors such as Kitsap Sports, Adventures Through Kayaking, Olympic Raft and Kayak and North By Northwest Surf Co. will be at the expo with some of the latest equipment and clothing.
Here is how the gear swap works: Drop off the equipment that you want to sell Saturday morning between 9 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. at Jefferson Elementary School.
The expo lasts from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
The ski club receives 25 percent commission on items sold.
The money raised helps cover the costs of the ski team, which is a non-profit, including travel and race fees, payroll and scholarships.
Unsold gear can be picked up at 4 p.m. Unclaimed gear will be donated to local organizations.
Fox said most of the gear is sold at the expo.
Ski equipment for children is especially popular because used gear offers a cheaper way for kids to start skiing.
Kitsap Sports will also offer a boot fitting clinic, season ski and snowboard package rentals as well as ski and snowboard tuning.
You can also get information about ski school and purchase a season pass at the outdoors expo.
Expo tickets are $3 for individuals and $7 for families.
For further information, email skifox@wavecable.com.
Winterfest 2012
Winterfest serves as a fundraiser for the Hurricane Ridge Ski area.
The event includes a rib dinner by chef Steve McNab, an oyster bar, and a no-host beer and wine bar.
There also will be live music by Bill and Rudy, live and silent auctions and the top films from the VideOlympics will be shown.
Doors open at 5 p.m., the festivities start at 6 p.m.
Tickets can be purchased for $45 at Brian’s Sporting Goods and More in Sequim, and Swain’s General Store, Brown’s Outdoor, and Necessities and Temptations in Port Angeles.
Tickets at the door are $50 per person. A community table for eight costs $320.
You can get more information at www.hurricaneridge.com.
From the Ridge
A few more Hurricane Ridge ski notes:
■ Fox said that Hurricane Ridge should be ready to go by Saturday, Dec. 1, so skiers and snowboarders can take advantage of any December snow dumps, pending the road being open.
■ Right now, the Ridge is going through many changes, including the resignation of some longtime contributors.
Mountain manager Craig Hofer, assistant manager Steve Such and operations manager Dennis Doyle all announced their resignations and expressed gratitude in an advertisement on page A6 of the Friday, Nov. 2, editions of the Peninsula Daily News.
■ There is a mad scramble for ski and snowboard instructors at Hurricane Ridge.
Those interested should contact Fox at 360-461-6092.
Along with a paycheck, instructors get a discounted ski rate.
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Outdoors columnist Lee Horton appears here Thursdays and Fridays. He can be reached at 360-452-2345, ext. 5152 or at lhorton@peninsuladailynews.com.