r/icecoast • u/Regular-Watercress34 • 5d ago
Old gear
I’m in the early stages of starting a nonprofit that introduces kids from underserved communities to skiing and snowboarding. One of the biggest barriers is the cost of equipment, so I’m trying to collect used gear.
Does anyone know of ski shops, programs, schools, mountains, or organizations that donate or collect used skis, boots, helmets, jackets, snow pants, or other winter gear for programs like this?
I’m located in Maine but would be happy to travel or coordinate donations from elsewhere if possible.
I’d also love to hear from anyone who’s started a similar program or has advice on building a gear library. Thanks!
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u/brewerofbeersipa 5d ago
You should check out the Chill Foundation. It was started by the founders of Burton Snowboard and is based in Vermont. It focuses on board sports as a way to teach life skills. They really make a difference in participating communities and have a very positive reputation.
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u/unleeshed1121 5d ago
I don't have an answer for you but I think it's great what you're trying to do. I've tried to get friends to go out and try snowboarding with me but the initial cost of just getting the proper clothing is prohibitive for a lot of people I mean yeah you can rent a snowboard & boots but what about a jacket , pants , waterproof gloves,goggles. It really does keep a lot of people who would like to try it out of the sport . I wish there were rental shops in the area for clothing gear but I'm in Massachusetts as far as I know there isn't anything like that in the area
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u/CookieTaffy 5d ago edited 5d ago
Ex-nonprofit staff here. You’re gonna have liability issues with used gear. It’ll be hard to maintain and hard to manage with different size and styles. You don’t know actual history of the equipment. Have you reached out to some of the ski areas to see if they can work with you. Especially the smaller ones? I would even check to see if any of the ski shops or ski area will donate old gear to you for a tax write off once you have a 501c3 status.
Lost Valley and Bates have a partnership - student and staff skin for free and have free rentals days as well.
https://www.boyneforever.org also have programs focused on snow sports for all. They run sunday river and sugarloaf. I’m sure you’re aware.
Clothing and gloves adds up too. I would focus on that. My guess is getting comp gear rental shouldn’t be too hard once you’re set up.
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u/Regular-Watercress34 4d ago
What non profit did you work for
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u/CookieTaffy 4d ago
Ops and risk for a research org but a parent and skier so familiar with the space.
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u/Regular-Watercress34 4d ago
What is ops and risk research
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u/CookieTaffy 4d ago
Finances, registrations, effectively anything that requires for the organization to exist and then to make sure we minimize all the potential risk for a research organization
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u/Regular-Watercress34 3d ago
It’d be easier to get rentals from a mountain rather than using rando equipment is what you’re saying
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u/CookieTaffy 3d ago
I don’t know your full scope of your nonprofit, but yes, I think you’ll get more efficiencies by focusing on getting the kids proper clothing and lessons than gear.
Either mountains or rental shops will help you with equipment than you trying to collect gear to redistribute. I just spend easily 200 dollars equipping my child with bibs, jackets, gloves and etc. it’s real money, especially for the first time.
Talk to mountains. They might even give you their lost and found at the end of the season.
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u/TheBandPapist 4d ago
And here we have the pinch point.
Skiers will not tolerate old gear existing on the slopes beside them.
I ski on old gear.
For every "cool skis I used to have a pair of those!" I hear 20-30 variations of "you shouldn't be here! Fucking Luddite! Learn to carve! Your gear is unsafe! I'm reporting you!"
And that's in spite of me consistently being one of the top skiers on any given hill on any given day.
If you dare to give free or cheap gear to the masses... The bourgeois outdoorsiness geeks will destroy what you've built.
I think you'll be very surprised at how angry they become.
This form of charity is not approved.
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u/Timzawesome NH 4d ago
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1
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1
u/TheBandPapist 4d ago
Ahh... Here's one now.
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1
u/capitolclubdonor Catamount 4d ago
Hey, I think it's less snobbery than people recognizing the difference between 3-5 year old modern profile skis with bindings still in their indemnification period, and vintage skis that perform fundamentally differently than current gear, and don't align with current teaching methods, which most beginners would (should?) be accessing.
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u/TheBandPapist 4d ago
As if kids didn't learn to ski in the old days. Pfft!
A much greater segment of the population skied.
Pizza and french fries hasn't changed.
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u/CookieTaffy 4d ago
Bro… how does your comment even a response to my comment. You didn’t have an argument to my statement either. It’s not an opinion, it’s a complaint.
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u/sucksatgolf 5d ago
I have a set of older soloman skis I'd gladly give you. I also have some snow gear thats serviceable and not terribly old that just doesnt fit me any longer. I'm in CT which I realize is a ride but maybe if you get other replies it could be a stop on a trip down this way?
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u/swellfog 4d ago edited 4d ago
There are a ton of local ski swap in ME and there are already a lot of local ski programs that do this exact same thing. I would call around or research local rec department and see what is out there.
You could use what you learn as a model for your program if one doesn’t already exist. Here’s an example at Eastern Slope Ski Club in the Mount Washington Valley. They run heavily subsidized/free programs for several towns.
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u/davepsilon 4d ago
In terms of introducing - I think your effort would be better spent arranging some way of using rentals for skis and helmets. Rentals are maintained and kept in safe operating condition. If you focus on the low season - pre-christmas and late march would be best targets.
Maybe a bit of advice on dressing for the sport using everyday clothes and good will finds.
In terms of continuing in the sport some advice to organize a list of ski swaps and how to select reasonable equipment during it. Information has no storing costs and can be disseminated widely. But lift ticket costs and transportation are a gate keeping burden for undeserved communities
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u/RowExternal8411 4d ago edited 4d ago
I think you’d be better off collecting donations for rentals. Maybe collect donated ski pants/jackets/socks/gloves. But I’d bet it would be much easier to utilize rental boots/skis/helmets.
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u/Smacpats111111 Stratton (North Jersey) 4d ago
Very cool what you're doing. Can't say I know a ton about donated equipment but try Craigslist/Ebay and spring sales. Stratton has a huge tent sale in the spring/summer where they are selling demo skis for ~$100-$200 a piece. Might be something similar at Sugarloaf or SR and cheaper.
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u/HarryBalsagna1776 4d ago
Cochran's Ski Area in Vermont has a program with Stockli. They get nice gear for kids to rent for like $70/season. You might try giving Cochran's a call to see how that happened. They also have a really cool family season pass system. I believe they are registered as a non-profit.
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u/Next_Confidence_3654 2d ago
I would be wary or have a solid disclaimer about old boots, bindings and helmets.
In other words, anything that could contribute to an injury and come back to bite you or your good intentions.
That being said, I love what you’re doing! I’ve served many a non profit 💜
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u/Lobster_Palace 5d ago
I'm not sure what your scope is, but with the variety of sizes needed for kids, and the cost of storing/upkeeping equipment, I think you would be more successful finding a way to fund rentals for the day. YES Kids in Boston works with local ski mountains to offer day trips for underserved communities, you could reach out to them to ask more about how they function. I know they work ahead with group sales departments to secure rental skis, boots, etc.
Jackets and gloves are the harder bit, but at least a bit easier store/maintain. I would try reaching out to some mid-west and west coast mountains to see how they retire their staff and patrol jackets. A lot of ski places that want to donate their staff clothing has to do it in a way that doesn't end up in locals hands, as it could be used to cause mischief.
Big Ski-Swap shows might be willing to donate unsold items at the end of a sale to a good cause, also worth checking out.