Winter comes every year whether I’m ready for it or not and I never seem to be ready. It has nothing to do with not enjoying the snow. It’s because I haven’t crossed off all the autumn tasks from my list. I can always use one more day to try to accomplish my “to- do” list, but my family works best under a deadline. There is nothing like a snow prediction and a looming ski swap that gets us reviewing our winter gear needs. This year I’ll just be sneaking the Halloween candy while doing it. I’m just making sure it’s good enough for the kids. Truly.

This year the Lake Placid Ski Club and New York Ski Educational Foundation are once again hosting their annual ski swap at the Lake Placid Elementary School, 318 Old Military Rd, on Saturday, Nov. 2 from 9 to 11 a.m. Look for current Alpine, cross-country, snowboard and outdoor gear so you and your family are ready to hit the trails when winter is here to stay.

If you have up-to-date gear (dated 2010 and newer) and apparel to sell, the drop off is Friday, Nov. 1, from 6 to 7:30 p.m. A few other ski area swaps are the Old Forge Polar Bear Club’s sale at McCauley Mountain on Nov. 2 and West Mountain Ski Club’s November 9, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., at the West Mountain Ski Area, Queensbury.

For those parents of third- and fourth-graders, the ISkiNY.com Kids Passport Program is a sweet deal for anyone wishing to ski a variety of NYS mountains or learn to ski.

There are two different types of family fun passports: Learn to Ski/Snowboard or Ski and Ride. The Ski and Ride Passport is a booklet of coupons for “free” lift tickets (with paying adult) for 27 listed ski mountains including the Adirondack ski resorts of Gore, McCauley, Titus, Oak Mountain and Whiteface. For each paying adult, the child gets to use one coupon up to three times per participating ski area. (Note: There is a $31 processing fee and proof of the child’s age.) The Learn to Ski/Snowboard program includes one free lesson, rental and lift ticket, one 20% discount on a Learn to Ski/Snowboard package and one 20% discount on an Adult Learn to Ski/Snowboard package. (Please double-check the ISkiNY.com website for an updated list of local mountains accepting the Learn To Ski/Board pass.

Between the ski swaps and discount lift tickets, the whole family can be outfitted for the winter season. Enjoy getting ready for the snow!

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Diane Chase is the author of the Adirondack Family Time guidebook series. For more family-friendly activities go to AdirondackFamilyTime.com.