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Ski swap happens in a different way thanks to local ski shops

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BOISE, Idaho — As the Treasure Valley received its first snow of the year, it's a reminder to many that ski season is just around the corner.

A long time tradition in the Treasure Valley involves the giant ski swap that happens every year at Expo Idaho, but this year, that event got canceled because of the coronavirus.

Local ski shops sprang into action to host smaller, safer swaps to help skiers and snowboarders get ready for winter.

This weekend MCU Sports, Play it Again Sports, Idaho Mountain Touring, and Greenwood's Ski Haus each did their part to limit gatherings while at the same time helping families swap their gear.

"It is a rallying time for people to start getting stoked for the ski season and having used gear gets a lot of people into the sport at a much less expensive cost," said Chuck Cremer of MCU Sports.

The ski swap is also the largest fundraiser of the year for the Bogus Basin Ski Education Foundation.

The organization makes it their mission to provide mountain access for children in the Treasure Valley.

"I don't think we are going to be able to do quite as much, but the stoke factor is really high, and the public is really excited that we are all doing it," said Cremer.

Bogus Basin is planning to open for the season on the Friday after Thanksgiving, and people are looking forward to hitting the slopes.

"I've been waiting all summer, trying to get everything together, and I'm excited. It's going to be a great time," said Nathaniel O'Rouke, who works as a ski instructor at Bogus Basin. "I came in here today and got amazing help immediately."