1. Look for an Adaptive Ski Program
2. Join or Start a DoSomething.Org Campaign
3. Reach Out to Local Organizations
4. Be Creative!
5. Recycle Your Equipment
6. Ask Your Local Ski Shop
7. Donate Online
8. Find a Youth Sports’ Charity
If you’ve tried unsuccessfully to sell your skis, you might think that there’s only one option left: the dumpster. However, you don’t have to trash your old skis and boots. As long as they are still in good condition, you can spread the skiing love and donate them. If they aren’t in working order, you can even recycle them. Here’s how to donate your old ski equipment.
Look for an Adaptive Ski Program
Ask the adaptive ski program at resorts near you if they’re currently accepting equipment donations. While adaptive ski organizations are usually looking for monetary donations, many will accept equipment donations as well. For example, the Adaptive Ski Program in New Mexico accepts donations-in-kind, including gently used helmets and ski goggles.
Join or Start a DoSomething.Org Campaign
DoSomething.Org is a website that brings communities together for good causes. You can search the website to see if there are any sports equipment drives happening near you.
Reach Out to Local Organizations
Your town’s Boys and Girls Club, YMCA, or even school ski teams or ski clubs might be looking for donations of skis, poles, boots, and helmets. As long as your equipment is modern and in good condition, call or e-mail the organizations and offer to donate your equipment.
Be Creative!
Donate your old skis to Green Mountain Ski Furniture, which turns skis into chairs, benches, and tables. You can also have some fun and make a sled out of your old skis! There are several other “Do-It-Yourself” projects that creatively use your used equipment.
Recycle Your Equipment
Even if your equipment is broken, the Snow Sports Industries of America (SIA) accepts old equipment for their Snow Sports Recycling Program, which aims to recycle old equipment to prevent it from sitting in landfills and contributing to pollution. If you have old equipment that’s not in working order, look into donating it to the SIA. You can also find ways to recycle sports equipment at Earth911.com.
Ask Your Local Ski Shop
Some ski shops will accept your used ski equipment and either donate it to charity or recycle it for you. For instance, Colorado Ski and Golf accepts unwanted ski equipment. They donate gear in good condition to charitable organizations and shred unusable equipment for recycling purposes.
Donate Online
You can list your skis under the “Free” category in the “For Sale” section of Craigslist. Just be sure to list your items in your own region, so you don’t have to worry about shipping costs. You’ll likely find an eager ski bum looking for a free pair of skis for the upcoming season.
Find a Youth Sports’ Charity
Many organizations are dedicated to enabling underprivileged kids to participate in sports. For example, Sports Gift is a non-profit organization based in California that donates sports equipment to underprivileged children who otherwise wouldn’t be able to participate in sports. Sports Gifts makes it easier to organize an equipment collection program in your community. Additionally, Sports For the World’s Children occasionally organizes equipment donations.
