The 5 Most Reliable Places To Find Vintage Ski Gear

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Nostalgia evokes strong emotions.It's quite profound how a song, smell, or even a piece of ski gear can transport us to another time. A warm feeling of safety washes over us as we recall fond memories from the past.The sport of skiing, for whatever reason, has held on to its past tightly.Ski resorts often hostvintagecostume days in the spring, '80s-style one pieces are making a comeback, and rocking a classic neon green hat that saysAlta '95would surely earn a fist bump or two at the local ski resort watering hole.Nostalgia, along with vintage ski gear, is all the rage these days. We're here for it.Keep reading for a list of the best places to find vintage ski gear for next season.This piece is part of POWDER's Summer of Ski Nostalgia content series. Stay tuned in daily for more nostalgic articles, and keep an eye out for the upcoming Summer of Ski Nostalgia badge to identify future content.You can also view all of POWDER's summer nostalgia content here.Want to keep up with the best stories and photos in skiing? Subscribe to the new Powder To The People newsletter for weekly updates.

The world is changing, but eBay is still one of the best places to find vintage ski gear.

Photo: ymgerman/Getty Images

1. eBay

eBay is the best option for finding and purchasing vintage ski gear due to its seemingly endless inventory. As one of the most popular websites to sell used goods between private parties to ever exist, eBay's catalog of vintage ski jackets, hats, pants, mittens, scarves, and other gear is almost overwhelming. Search for a specific product, and odds are you'll find it.I enjoy checking eBay for vintage/retro skis that I wouldn't mind adding to my personal collection one day. I will own a pair of Volant Spatulas at some point, but I need a lot more money in the bank to justify their nearly $3,000 price tag.

You never know what might turn up on Facebook Marketplace. Keep your eyes peeled for gems like these featured in POWDER during the 1970s.

Photo: POWDER

2. Facebook Marketplace

Facebook Marketplace can be hit or miss depending on your locale, but here's a tip: You can easily change your location within the app. The best place to find vintage ski gear on Facebook Marketplace is in ski towns. If you know you're visiting a ski town soon, or wouldn't mind visiting one to acquire your bounty of vintage ski gear, change the location, and get to searching.Many folks are willing to let their vintage jackets, boots, and skis go for a rather cheap price on Facebook Marketplace. It might take a bit of haggling, but you could walk away with quite the impressive haul.Try broadening your search and location radius if you're not finding what you're looking for. Another tip—stay patient. Some sellers can be difficult to coordinate with, but the juice is well-worth the squeeze.

Related: 5 Ski Brands You Used To See in POWDER Magazine

Skiers were rad in the '90s. Check your local ski shop or consignment store to see if any of their relics have survived.

Photo: Karl Weatherly/Getty Images

3. Re-Sale/Consignment Store/Ski Shops

Re-sale and consignment stores, specifically those that sell ski gear, or are located in ski towns, are a fantastic place to find vintage gear. It might take some digging, but the payoff could be huge.Some ski shops will have a consignment area tucked away with vintage gear. Ask your local shop if there's one in the back.Nearly all of my ski pals have sourced authentic vintage ski gear from consignment and re-sale stores for barely any money. The gear looks awesome, and everybody has fun wearing it. It's one of the best ways to spend a spring Saturday in the sun.

You never know what could be hanging in your family member's closet. My guess is that somebody in this skier's family wouldn't mind trying on her rad 1990s one-piece. Photo taken at Sun Valley, Idaho.

Photo: Karl Weatherly/Getty Images

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4. Family and Friends

Does your Mom tell stories about skiing in the good ol' days? Ask her if she has any of her old gear tucked away in the basement. Odds are she'll be down to let you have it. The same goes for other family members and friends. Skiers are an odd bunch. We tend to hold onto gear for inexplicably long periods of time. It's just what we do.

Some ski swaps are so big that shops opt for temporary tents to host the event.

Photo: Franklin Towers

5. Ski Swap

Ski swaps, also known as consignment sales, are popular events hosted by ski shops typically at the beginning or end of the ski season. They provide an excellent opportunity for skiers to make some money on their old gear, and acquire new-to-them pieces at a reasonable price. I've found plenty of functional gear at ski swaps, but there are usually a few vintage gems that find their way onto the shelves. Vintage ski jackets, poles, and artwork are the most common goods you'll find at a ski swap.Check with your local shop for their ski swap schedule and show up early. Ski swaps are often popular events due to the opportunity to save money. Don't be surprised if there's a line already formed outside the ski shop when you arrive!

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The 5 Most Reliable Places To Find Vintage Ski Gear first appeared on Powder on Jul 1, 2025