Having trouble trying to decide how to spend Penn State football’s bye week? Well, for those ski and snowboard enthusiasts, look no further than the lodge at Tussey Mountain, located at 301 Bear Meadow Rd. in Boalsburg.

Tussey’s 28th annual Ski Swap offers the State College community a chance to get into the winter spirit a few weeks early. While a large portion of the student body dreads the frigid “spring” semester walks to class, many snowsport-savvy Penn Staters look forward to getting in some fresh carves only a few minutes from campus.

The Ski Swap, which boasts thousands of boots, bindings, skis, snowboards, helmets, jackets, pants, gloves, and various other winter essentials both new and used, will begin Friday, Nov. 13 from 6 to 10 p.m. However, those looking for the best available gear typically start lining up a few hours early. Season passes will also be on sale throughout the weekend.

“People will start coming out [around] 4:00, 4:30, the line will go all the way down to the road, but it moves quick when you’re inside there,” said Aaron Weyman, Tussey Mountain’s Director of Marketing. “We have plenty of equipment to choose from.”

If you can’t make it out to lodge on Friday, there’s no need to worry. The sale will continue on Saturday, Nov. 14 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. and will finish up on Sunday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Those without transportation of their own can hop on the CATA B Route.

Tussey began offering State College residents eager to make some money off their lightly used or hand-me-down ski and snowboard equipment the opportunity to do just that in 1987. Despite the event’s current prominence, the Ski Swap wasn’t always the highly-anticipated community event it is today.

“We used to use the garage, we used the locker room, we used the Fun Centre, and so, as time went on, it just became more and more popular that we [ended up] taking over the entire lodge,” said General Manager Sue Matalavage.

Instructors from the Tussey Mountain Snowsports School, one of the area’s premier snowsports teaching centers, will be on hand to assist customers with any questions they may have about equipment or the upcoming season. You may recognize a few of them from the highly-regarded Penn State kinesiology classes held at the mountain each winter. James Franklin and quarterbacks coach Ricky Rahne even brought their kids out for some lessons last season.

Another advantage of being in this community, my daughters & Coach Rahne’s son taking ski lessons! @TusseyMountain pic.twitter.com/QsgPwcKETL

— James Franklin (@coachjfranklin) January 24, 2015

Let it snow, Happy Valley.