Winter begins on Mercer Island when the smell of snow wafts over the Cascades and the schools announce their contingency plans for icy mornings. But preparing for winter fun begins when the leaves are still turning on the trees and most people are more focused on raincoats than ski jackets.
Whether you plan to buy new gear, rent for the season, or look for great deals on used equipment, fall is the prime time to get the skis, boots, snowboards, and other gear that will keep you warm, dry, and having fun all winter long. While few places on the island have much outdoor equipment, this guide rounds up the best places in Seattle and the Eastside for islanders to find their winter outdoor gear.
Where to buy used ski and snowboard gear
If you want to save a little money by picking up pre-loved winter sports equipment, head to the Newport Ski Swap. The annual fundraiser for Bellevue’s Newport High School happens November 10 and 11, with more than 500 individuals and six shops selling gear of all sorts, including cross-country, downhill, and backcountry skis, snowboards, and every type of clothing and accessory that you might need. If you act fast (before November 8) you can also sell your old equipment to fund the new stuff – despite the name, this is actually a giant consignment sale, rather than a true swap.
For a more curated collection of used gear, Seattle’s own outdoor gear chain, REI Co-op, sells used snow sports gear that they inspect and approve for resale. The Re/Supply program is part of their effort to reduce their carbon footprint, and you get an added discount for trading in your own gear, too.
Play it Again Sports in Seattle buys and sells used sporting goods of all kinds, including every flavor of winter sport you can think of. They also offer season-long ski, snowboard, and snowshoe rentals.
To keep things close to the island, check out the Mercer Island Thrift Store. The island is full of snow sports enthusiasts, and when they clean their clutter, the Thrift Store gets stocked up on jackets, snow pants, ski goggles, and so much more.
Where to rent winter outdoor gear
Renting gear for a day or two here and there works well for occasional skiing or trying out a new aspect of the sport, and the best way for newer or still-growing skiers to outfit themselves for ski school sessions or regular outings is with the season-long rentals offered by many of the ski and snowboard shops in Seattle and on the Eastside. All of the shops listed below in the guide to new ski and snowboard gear also do season-long rentals, as does Play It Again Sports, listed above. Shops often start to run out by mid-November, so get there soon.
A few additional options worth mentioning for unique rentals include Gearhouse, a social club for outdoor enthusiasts that also rents gear for backcountry ski touring, splitboarding, and mountaineering to both members and non-members for short trips. Local non-profit The Mountaineers also maintains a gear library that rents snowshoeing and cross-country skiing gear, with membership starting at $65 for the season.
Where to buy new ski and snowboard gear
Sturtevant’s is the closest and best for getting outfitted in the latest and greatest near Mercer Island. Their Bellevue shop has a big collection of ski and snowboard gear, including every piece of clothing or accessory you will need before hitting the slopes – plus they have expert staff ready to help you shop for the right items. For higher-performance gear, more experienced skiers might also make the trek to Seattle’s ProSki, which specializes in expert-level gear (though carries items for all types of skiers). Backcountry specialists can head across the water to Fremont’s Cripple Creek Backcountry to home in on the best equipment for that sub-genre.
Additional Winter Sport Reading – Check out our article Mercer Island to the Mountains: Favorite ski destinations, schools & lessons.