Trail Mix: Fresno Ski Club gear sale/swap this weekend

Find bargain prices on used and new winter sports equipment this weekend at the Fresno Ski Club’s annual Ski Sale & Swap.

The event, which dates back more than 60 years, begins Friday evening and runs through Sunday at the old World of Baseball building at the northwest corner of Shaw Avenue and Fresno Street. People can find a variety of equipment while also having the opportunity to sell their own used goods.

A $5 donation is asked at the entrance from each adult or family, with all proceeds benefiting the Fresno County Chapter of Special Olympics and the Central California Adaptive Sports Center at China Peak. Admission also enters each attendee into a raffle to win season passes to China Peak and Badger Pass and other prizes.

Registration for consignment sales are 3-9 p.m. Friday and 8-10 a.m. Saturday. Reclaiming of equipment not sold will take place from 2-4 p.m. Sunday.

Representatives from China Peak will be at the sale Friday evening to sell and distribute season passes. Other vendors include Herb Bauer’s Sporting Goods, Sun Sports (Turlock), 4 Seasons Sports (Lodi) and Land Park Ski & Sports (Sacramento).

When: 6-9 p.m. Friday, 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Sunday

Where: 5901 N. Fresno St. (former sites of World of Baseball and Cost Plus stores)

Details: www.fresnoskiclub.com

China Peak nearing opening – Thanks to some storms earlier this month, China Peak is getting closer to opening – possibly for the Thanksgiving weekend.

The ski resort near Huntington Lake reports it has received 10-12 inches of snow in the past week and a season total of 29-38 inches, and it has started snowmaking operations, though conditions have not been ideal.

“Snowmaking has been only average, with an ‘inversion’ causing the colder temperatures to settle at the base of the mountain, warmer temps at the mid and upper elevations, limiting our efforts to the beginner slopes,” China Peak reported on its website Thursday.

A large storm is forecast to hit the Lakeshore area approximately Tuesday through Thursday, so conditions at China Peak are subject to change.

“Without a good sized storm or a big change in the snowmaking conditions on the upper slopes we are pretty much limited to beginner terrain at the base area for the Thanksgiving holiday period, Friday through Sunday, November 27-29. Of course a storm and cold temps could change all that quickly.”

China Peak’s annual Pray for Snow Party is 7 p.m. to midnight Saturday at Sequoia Brewing Company on Champlain and Perrin avenues in north Fresno. The resort will be selling season passes, taking pass photos and raffling numerous prizes, including lift tickets, gift cards and season passes, in anticipation of the upcoming ski and snowboard season.

Meanwhile, Dodge Ridge in Pinecrest northeast of Modesto is opening Wednesday and expects to have 70 percent of the mountain open. Badger Pass Ski Area in Yosemite National Park is scheduled to open Dec. 11.

Turkey Trot – The annual Thanksgiving benefit race at Woodward Park returns with its traditional 5K (3.1-mile) run/walk and 2-mile walk. Proceeds go to creating Thanksgiving baskets for Fresno’s hungry and to support local cross country teams. Both races begin at 8 a.m. Thursday in waves of three based on pace times.

Socks will be given to the first 2,000 entries. The 5K event is chip-timed. Prizes include a plaque for the overall male and female winners and medals for those who place in age groups. The walk is untimed. Race fees cost $30 per person.

A costume contest for the best costume and largest family costume will be held before the race start at 7:30 a.m.

Details: www.fresnoracecalendar.com

Walk with a doc– Take a walk at River Center on Saturday with the San Joaquin River Parkway and Conservation Trust as part of its free walking program to promote healthy living.

Walk for an hour along the Lewis S. Eaton Trail while receiving tips and advice from a local physician. Show up at 8:45 a.m. Walking starts at 9 a.m.

Details: www.facebook.com/SJRPCT

This story was originally published November 19, 2015 at 5:16 PM with the headline "Trail Mix: Fresno Ski Club gear sale/swap this weekend."