A pair of brand-new plastic-wrapped skis is a hard-fought prize at the annual snow sale. Photo: Nicholas Ward.
With the ski season kicking off this weekend, arguably one of the best-kept secrets in winter sports is on in Jindabyne as the town’s annual Snow Sale packs Memorial Hall full to bursting with everything snow-related.
The event lets people sell their old ski gear, with 20 per cent of the profits going towards supporting the Kneller Foundation, which raises money for local children’s sport.
But it’s not just beat-up old relics on offer.
What makes the day different to a run-of-the-mill townhall market is support from the region’s nearly 30 snow sports retailers and rental shops.
Many of these businesses use the day as an opportunity to sell off old product lines, ex-hire gear, and sometimes skis still in the plastic, at rock-bottom prices.
Getting the choicest items requires dedication, with people queuing around the block on opening morning.
As well as helping people declutter, the Kneller Foundation event is one of the small town’s biggest fundraisers for the year.
Established in 2013 by brothers Scott and Luke Kneller in honour of their father Rob, the foundation has run the sale since 2023.
According to the brothers, the foundation was set up to honour their father’s legacy through helping kids live an active lifestyle, a goal that was important to Rob during his life.
In its first year, they raised more than $25,000, which allowed them to subsidise snow sports programs for every child in kindergarten and years one and two at Jindabyne’s two primary schools.
It’s the quick or the dead at the annual Jindabyne Snow Sale. Photo: Nicholas Ward.
The snow sale is far from the only event in the Jindabyne region as the winter economy gets underway.
As the gateway to four snow resorts – Selwyn, Charlotte Pass, Thredbo, and Perisher -winter is a busy time for the town. Around one million tourists pass through every year.
Perisher and Thredbo are both opening their slopes this weekend, with Thredbo hoping to open more terrain as soon as the tens of centimetres of snow that are predicted fall over the next week.
Thredbo, which has built a reputation for its seasonal festivals, is opening with a weekend of live music, events, and fireworks scheduled.
Perisher, meanwhile, has brought back its PEAK music festival, hosting 15 bands across seven stages in the alpine village.
The region’s two smaller resorts, Charlotte Pass and Selwyn, open in two weeks.
The Jindabyne Snow sale will be held in the Jindabyne Memorial Hall from 8:30 am to 4 pm on Saturday, 7 June, and from 8:30 am to 12 pm on Sunday, 8 June.
