The snow guns are blasting up at Sunday River and Sugarloaf and the Farmer’s Almanac predicts a long cold winter. Sunday River actually opened for early bird skiers on Monday, Oct. 18, to usher in the 2015-16 season.

It’s time to gear up, and the good news is that on Saturday, Nov. 7, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., the Seacoast Ski Club is once again hosting their mammoth SKI SWAP. The amount of gear that is available is extensive with a concentration on Skis, Snowboards, and Boots.

It’s a welcome event for the cost conscious and a grand kick-off to the snow season. It is a one day only event from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

New Ski equipment can put a huge hole in your checkbook, but the deals and the massive amount of goods that are available at this ski swap are a boon for the thrifty.

Sometimes the amount of cash required for a skier or a ski family can keep folks off the slopes. When you add up the price of equipment, lift passes, gas, and associated expenses, the hill seems steep. A recent survey of the Scarborough ski shops revealed the following tags: A new Burton snowboard and boots will set you back $900. The new crop of high end skis will run from $600 to $1100. A new helmet around $100. Ski boots $199 to $600. Add gloves, socks, and goggles and bill is staggering.

But at the swap, you can outfit your adventure for less than the price of a carriage of groceries. The folks at the Seacoast Ski Club, an army of volunteers, insure that all sale equipment is in good working order. However, it is highly recommended that your purchase of skis and snowboards receive a complete tune, wax and sharpen at one of the local shops. A full tune runs between $25-$35.

Along with Skis and boots, there is a variety of accessories available, most of the accessories are new, but they are last year’s models at about a 50-percent discount. Two of our local ski shops, Putnam’s and Bob and Terry’s have an assortment of last year’s skis and boards models right out of the box. Gloves, goggles, snowshoes, helmets, the entire gamut of ski related merchandise is up for grabs.

The Seacoast Ski Club is a terrific organization that has been presenting the swap for decades – this will be the 32nd annual swap – and it gets bigger every year. The swap is organized under tents. All the skis are displayed in racks under one tent and the boot room is shelved by size.

There is a substantial range of price depending on the age and condition of the equipment. Members of the Club are on hand to offer knowledgeable advice on appropriate equipment, help with boot fittings and suggest the best type of gear that is age and ability appropriate. If you are in the market for boots, be sure to wear your preferred ski socks as this is a major major factor in proper fit.

Although the doors officially open at 9 a.m., the line begins to form much earlier. Coffee and donuts are thankfully available.

If you happen to have ski equipment that you would like to sell, you can bring your equipment to Portsmouth’s Putnam’s Ski Shop between the hours of 5:30 and 8:30 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 5, Friday, Nov. 6 5:30 t0 8:30 p.m. or on Swap Saturday from 7 to 11 a.m.. Ski equipment must be in good condition. If the club sells your equipment, the club retains just 20 percent of the purchase fee. Unsold equipment can be picked up and returned to the seller, but pick-up time for unsold equipment is only 3-5:30 p.m. on the day of the Swap, Nov. 7. Putnam’s Ski Shop is located 2998 Lafayette Road (Route 1) in Portsmouth, NH.

The Seacoast Ski Club sponsors many ski trips throughout the snow season. Trips to exotic locations like a nine day trip to Austria, a summer trip to Chili and the trips out West are offered. Three day trips to ski resorts closer to home include Sugarloaf, Stowe, Jay Peak, Killington, and Okemo.

The club membership continues to grow, at present there are over 550 members. Yearly membership fee is only $25. Membership is open to everyone. For complete information on the Club visit the web at www.seacoastskiclub.net or call 603-431- 7764.

Snow sports help to make our long snowy Maine winters a time of celebration. If you need an attitude adjustment in regard to snow, ice, and cold weather, snow sports can prove a very effective antidote to winter blues.

— Greg Morell is an avid skier, snowboarder and cross country enthusiast. He can be reached at [email protected]