On a beautiful but cold day, about 1000 people had lined up long before the doors opened at 1.30pm. The first arrived at 8am.
Those attending the sale were tempted by thousands of items from skis and snowboards to boots, clothing and other winter equipment. One thousand two hundred items were sold. The ski club charged $2 an item, plus 15% commission on sales, and an entry fee of $3 an adult.
Wakatipu Ski Club sale organiser Peter Devine said the figures were down on last year, when 1400 items were sold to a value of $165,000.
"In the tighter economic times people might have been holding on to their old gear a little longer. We also had less used rental gear for sale this year. And, finally, it might have had an impact that there has only been snow on the mountains for less than a week, so many people might not feel close to the ski season yet."
The event, which has been held for more than 30 years, had been a been a team effort, staged by more than 100 volunteers.
"The best thing about our sale is that it benefits the community at large. The club raises funds, which supports young winter sports athletes and allows local families to get cheaper ski lessons. And at the same time it provides new and long-time residents with affordable ski equipment, which is a good incentive to get up on the slopes," Mr Devine said.
"It is like a big swap-shop. And it has been a very successful event," he said.
The Wakatipu Ski Club was founded in 1949. Mr Devine said it had about 1000 members.
