Get ready for winter at the annual Midwest Pioneer Ski Swap, your ultimate destination for top-quality cross-country ski equipment. Whether you’re a seasoned skier or just starting out, our ski swap, hosted by Pioneer Technology’s content creators at pioneer-technology.com, offers an unparalleled selection of both new and used gear. This year, we’re making it easier than ever to find the perfect skis, boots, and accessories to hit the trails.
Event Details: Your Guide to the Midwest Pioneer Ski Swap
Mark your calendars for two days of incredible deals and expert advice at the Midwest Pioneer Ski Swap. To ensure a comfortable and efficient experience for everyone, we’ve implemented a time slot system for Saturday and a first-come, first-served approach for Sunday.
Time and Dates:
- Saturday, November 9th: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM (Time Slots) – Please note that time slot sign-ups for Saturday are currently full.
- Sunday, November 10th: 11:00 AM – 4:00 PM (First Come, First Served) – Sunday is open to all without time slot reservations.
Location:
Find us at our shop, conveniently located at:
415 Country Road 81
Osseo, MN 55369
Getting Ready to Buy: Expert Advice at the Midwest Pioneer Event
Navigating the world of ski equipment can be daunting, but at the Midwest Pioneer Ski Swap, you’re not alone. We pride ourselves on providing exceptional customer service. We’ll have extra staff on hand, including experienced ski experts, to assist you in finding the perfect fit. From skis to boots, and everything in between, we’re here to ensure you leave with the right gear for your winter adventures.
Key Information for High School and Middle School Skiers:
For our younger skiers and their families, here’s what to keep in mind when shopping for equipment at the Midwest Pioneer Ski Swap:
- Classic Ski Preferences: Many coaches recommend waxable or skin skis for classic skiing techniques.
- Sizing is Crucial: Come prepared with the skier’s weight, height, and shoe size to ensure accurate fitting.
- Binding Compatibility: Be aware that some used skis may feature SNS bindings, which might not be compatible with all boot systems. It’s important to note that no SNS boots will be available for sale at this year’s swap. However, skis with SNS bindings can be adapted to work with NNN/Prolink/Turnamic systems.
Advice for New and Touring Skiers:
If you’re new to cross-country skiing or interested in touring, consider these points when choosing your equipment at the Midwest Pioneer Ski Swap:
- Intended Use: Think about where you’ll primarily be skiing – groomed trails, frozen lakes, or off-trail adventures. This will influence the type of skis best suited for you.
- Classic Ski Options: Decide on your preference for classic skis: waxable, skin, or fishscale, each offering different benefits depending on snow conditions and your skiing style.
- Explore Ski Packages: Learn more about ski packages and getting started in the sport by visiting our website at Pioneer Midwest Ski Packages.
Selling Your Equipment at the Midwest Pioneer Ski Swap
The Midwest Pioneer Ski Swap isn’t just for buyers; it’s also a fantastic opportunity to sell your gently used cross-country ski equipment and give it a second life.
Equipment Drop-off:
Equipment check-in begins on October 28th. To avoid congestion, especially on weekends, we encourage weekday drop-offs during our regular store hours.
When dropping off your items, please ensure they are accompanied by our completed item drop-off form. You can conveniently fill out all fields on the form digitally before printing.
What Kind of Equipment We Accept:
To maintain the quality of equipment offered at the Midwest Pioneer Ski Swap and to best serve newcomers to cross-country skiing, we have guidelines on what equipment we can accept:
- Skis: We accept skate, classic, and touring skis with modern bindings (NNN or SNS). Backcountry skis are not accepted.
- Boots: NNN/Prolink skate, classic, and combi boots are welcome. Please note that SNS boots will not be accepted for sale.
- Poles: Composite and carbon poles with hand straps are accepted. Poles with basic loop straps typically don’t resell well.
- Bindings: Loose NNN/Prolink/Turnamic bindings can be sold. SNS bindings are not accepted for sale separately.
- Clothing: Please note that we are no longer accepting used clothing for the Ski Swap.
- Other Items: Rollerskis, wax, wax tools, and ski bags are accepted.
- Not Accepted: Alpine or snowboard equipment will not be accepted.
Pricing Your Items for Sale:
Unsure how to price your equipment? A general guideline is that year-old gear in good condition can sell for about 50% of its original price. Equipment that is two years or older and in good condition typically sells for 30-40% of the original price. Our experienced staff at Midwest Pioneer can assist you with pricing if you need help.
Service Fees:
A service fee applies to all sales. Choose between:
- 5% Service Fee: Applied to payouts in the form of in-store credit. Credit will be deposited into your store account on Monday, November 11th.
- 15% Service Fee: Applied to payouts via check, which will be mailed to you.
Pick-up of Unsold Items:
We will notify you via email if you have any unsold items to collect after the swap. All unsold items must be picked up by December 1st before 3:00 PM. Items not picked up by this deadline will be donated.
Important Notice:
To ensure fair access for all customers, ski purchases are limited to 4 pairs of used skis per person.
Don’t miss the Midwest Pioneer Ski Swap – your gateway to winter adventure! We look forward to seeing you there.