Winter will be here before you know it and if you missed out on the summer sales for ski gear (yes there were some) don’t fret. There are still deals to be found. Here are some places to look if you are in the market for new stuff.

Swap meets are a great place to find new and lightly used winter clothing and gear. You will find waterproof jackets that work well for skiing, snowboarding, snowmobiling, fleece jackets for layering and casual winter jackets for just wearing around town. You might also see down coats or thinner shells that would work great for cross country skiing or winter running.

The type of pants you may see are just as varied. Bib pants, backcountry ski pants with full side zips, thicker pants for snowmobiling or resort skiing . The latter often come in more colorful patterns.

The gear itself is amazing. You can find hockey pads, skates and helmets, skis and snowboards. Expect to also see telemark skis, cross country skis, poles, and boots for all the sports I’ve mentioned. Winter boots for snowmobiling, snow shoes, ski helmets, gloves, race suits, and just about anything else you imagine will be found here.

Swap meets are also a great place to make a little extra money if you have winter sports items to sell. The host of the swap meet usually keeps a percentage of the sales and pays the sellers the remaining amount. Ski clubs often host swap meets, yet sometimes the event is held to profit other causes. These usually take place early to mid November so keep your eyes out for ads listing the date and location.

Another place to look for new and lightly use items are on internet classifieds. For example, where I live a radio station sponsors an free online classified ad section. It does quite a bit of business and works just as well as ads in the local newspaper. Beware of Craigslist due the fact that scam artists lurk there, but if you stick to local sellers you‘ll have better luck. Ebay can be another source to use, however it requires monitoring for bids.

Whatever your favorite winter sport may be, realize that you don’t have to pay full retail price to get what you need. Between swap meets, second hand stores, classified ads and internet options, there are many ways to spend less money on gear and clothing, thus allowing you to keep more money in your pocket. Consider all of these options when shopping for yourself or for someone else (the holidays are just around the corner)!