PEOPLE LINED up outside the door of the arena an hour before the start of the largest annual northern B.C. ski swap Nov. 7, hoping to get in on the deals early.

The Shames Mountain Ski Club and the Canadian Ski Patrol annual ski and snowboard swap saw the items brought in sell quickly in the first hour, which is typical for the event.

Ski club member Jennifer Lewis said the 30 volunteers set up the swap and put each item’s details into the computer from 4 p.m. until midnight last Friday.

When she arrived at the arena at 7:50 a.m. Saturday, five people were already in line, ready to wait for more than an hour to get in.

People came from all over the north, including Smithers, Kitimat, Prince Rupert and the Nass Valley.

Usually there are no more customers after 11 a.m., but this year, several people were still buying items.

Brad and Debbie Toth looked at several pairs of skis for their daughter Sarah and found a pair she liked.

They didn’t want to pay too much in case she grew out of them by next year.

Lewis said that’s the advantage of the ski swap: parents can buy skis one year and swap them the next, allowing them to get their children on the slopes for less money than if they bought new equipment. Many items are bought one year and show up in subsequent years to be swapped over and over, she added.

This year, credit and debit cards were accepted in addition to cash and cheque and many customers were pleased to have those choices, Lewis said.

People who drop off their items to swap set their own prices, keeping in mind that the ski club takes 20 per cent to split with the ski patrol, she said.

Northern Escape Heliskiing joined the swap this year along with Ruins, All Seasons and Winterland.

Customers could also get their season passes complete with their picture, which saved them from having to drive up to the mountain to do it.

They could also register for all Shames Mountain Ski Club programs.

Those planning to swap and shop at next year’s ski and snowboard swap are advised to show up early to get the best choice of items.