VAIL, Colorado — When Steve Rosenthal first attended the Vail's annual Ski Swap 14 years ago, he was buying ski gear for four people. His family — wife Sally and two daughters Cassidy and Chelsea — had just moved to the valley from St. Louis and they were ready to take to the slopes. Now, even though he's got a garage full of gear, he still goes to the swap each year.

“It's tradition,” he said. “We always buy something — a new pair of boots, poles or a pair of skis if we can find a good deal.”

But you won't find Rosenthal, who owns Colorado Footwear in Vail and Beaver Creek, waiting in the line winding outside of Dobson Ice Arena tonight.

“I don't have to be the first one in anymore,” he said, saying he'll likely go to the Swap on Saturday. “If the stuff is gone early, then it's gone. Then I just go to my garage where I have my own swap. Eighty-seven pairs of goggles here, 70 pairs of gloves here ...”

‘Stock is way up'

The annual Ski & Snowboard Club Vail Swap turns 40 this year. It's one of the longest-running events of its kind in Colorado. This year, organizers expect there will be about 25,000 pieces of merchandise for sale, up from about 13,000 pieces last year, which was lower than usual because a vendor dropped out at the last minute.

“Stock is way up,” said Nigel Cooper, one of the Swap organizers. “Our kids section should be very strong as well, which is very important.”

Other new things include a booth specializing in Ski & Snowboard Club Vail logo merchandise where you can score some vintage apparel, as well as a booth where people will be taking pre-orders for Christmas trees that will arrive after Thanksgiving.

“Our prices are beyond great,” Cooper said. “They will be the cheapest trees in the valley and proceeds will benefit the scholarship fund.”

A booth will also be selling raffle tickets to win a New York City weekend getaway complete with lodging, air fare and tickets to see Bruce Springsteen in concert at Madison Square Garden. Tickets are $20 each or six for $100 and the ski club expects to sell around 2,000.

“They're beautiful side stage tickets for Springsteen, with backstage passes to the E-Street lounge,” Cooper said.

Sage advice

Jennifer Geisness, the Ski & Snowboard Club Vail development director, had a few pieces of advice for swap newbies.

“Definitely try to go for the early bird hours on Friday because that's when you'll have your best selection. If you are coming at that time though, be prepared to wait in line outside and dress warmly.”

Once inside the swap, be prepared to check your coat at the coat check.

“That way people are able to try things on and we also do that for security,” she said.

High Life Editor Caramie Schnell can be reached at 970-748-2984 or cschnell@vaildaily.com.

If you go ...

What: Ski & Snowboard Club Vail Swap

Where: Dobson Ice Arena, Vail

When: 5 to 11 p.m. Friday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday

Cost: $15 from 5 to 7 p.m. Friay; $10 from 7 to 11 p.m. Friday; $5 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday and free after 2 p.m. on Saturday

More information: www.skiclubvail.org