How do demos work (stupid question probably) - Snowboarding Forum

Kesserendrel · 01-21-2012, 11:38 PM

So... I've never done a demo and for my next setup I want to demo the shit out of stuff, partially to find out what features I like in a board (flex, bottom profile, etc.). Everything I have now I bought because of reviews and recommendations, and I like it all well enough, but I have plenty of time to decide on my next setup, and I want to do it right.

I feel kind of stupid for asking, but how does it actually work? Cost money? Use your own boots and bindings when testing a board? Etc.

david_z · 01-21-2012, 11:46 PM

check your local mountain's events calendars a few times a year there will probably be a demo event. usually these are larger manufacturers (e.g., Burton) or local companies (rome in the northeast, mervin in the pac/nw, etc.) or smaller local brands.

Otherwise ask around at your local shops and see if they do any demos or if they rent in-season gear. none of the shops near me do this but I have heard of them so maybe you'd pay $25 to rent a new-ish board for a day, etc.

use your own boots 99% of the time and probably your own bindings, too, unless you're lucky enough to get to a private/industry demo event where you could check out all the gear.

WasatchMan · 01-22-2012, 12:07 AM

If its a certain manufacture having a demo day at your local mountain.

Basically they will set up tents in the parking lot, with usually their whole line up. If it's a brand like burton - they will usually have boards and bindings to demo.

So you just walk up to the tent, preferably with your boots on and bindings in hand. Most will require a driver license and a credit card - they write down your name and what board/time you took out. And you just hop on the lift, ride for usually about 3 runs/hour depending on how busy it is. If they are people waiting, try not to take long. Then you bring the board back and try another.

Kesserendrel · 01-22-2012, 12:22 AM

Thanks for the replies. It sounds like demoing out of a local shop is the way to go for me. I have a weekday pass, and I've only seen company tents during the week once. It's a good thing that one of the local shops stocks the brands I'm most interested in.

Nolefan2011 · 01-22-2012, 01:34 PM

Honestly, it's the way to go. No buyers remorse, you don't have to go through others opinions, which vary, because everyone likes something different in a board. I try to demo every board I purchase.

It's usually like $35 or so a day, you can trade in and out a few times (I have found the max to do is about 3 day, because you need a couple hours to get used to each board - sometimes longer). Most shops will apply your rental to the cost of the board.

01-21-2012, 11:38 PM	#1 (permalink)
Kesserendrel Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Gardiner MT Posts: 84	How do demos work (stupid question probably) So... I've never done a demo and for my next setup I want to demo the shit out of stuff, partially to find out what features I like in a board (flex, bottom profile, etc.). Everything I have now I bought because of reviews and recommendations, and I like it all well enough, but I have plenty of time to decide on my next setup, and I want to do it right. I feel kind of stupid for asking, but how does it actually work? Cost money? Use your own boots and bindings when testing a board? Etc.

01-21-2012, 11:46 PM	#2 (permalink)
david_z Official SBF Blogger Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Detroit suburbs Posts: 3,028 Blog Entries: 5	check your local mountain's events calendars a few times a year there will probably be a demo event. usually these are larger manufacturers (e.g., Burton) or local companies (rome in the northeast, mervin in the pac/nw, etc.) or smaller local brands. Otherwise ask around at your local shops and see if they do any demos or if they rent in-season gear. none of the shops near me do this but I have heard of them so maybe you'd pay $25 to rent a new-ish board for a day, etc. use your own boots 99% of the time and probably your own bindings, too, unless you're lucky enough to get to a private/industry demo event where you could check out all the gear. __________________ Repping the world's smallest mountains... Mt. Holly - 12 Pine Knob - 9 Alpine Valley - 2 Vail - 4 Breckenridge - 3 Crystal Mountain (MI) - 3 Hawk Island Snow Park - 5 Caberfae Peaks - 1 Boyne Mountain - 1 aGNARchy: no rules, just gnar!

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01-22-2012, 12:07 AM	#3 (permalink)
WasatchMan Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Salt Lake City, Utah Posts: 1,023	If its a certain manufacture having a demo day at your local mountain. Basically they will set up tents in the parking lot, with usually their whole line up. If it's a brand like burton - they will usually have boards and bindings to demo. So you just walk up to the tent, preferably with your boots on and bindings in hand. Most will require a driver license and a credit card - they write down your name and what board/time you took out. And you just hop on the lift, ride for usually about 3 runs/hour depending on how busy it is. If they are people waiting, try not to take long. Then you bring the board back and try another.

01-22-2012, 12:22 AM	#4 (permalink)
Kesserendrel Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Gardiner MT Posts: 84	Thanks for the replies. It sounds like demoing out of a local shop is the way to go for me. I have a weekday pass, and I've only seen company tents during the week once. It's a good thing that one of the local shops stocks the brands I'm most interested in.

01-22-2012, 01:34 PM	#5 (permalink)
Nolefan2011 Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Posts: 344	Honestly, it's the way to go. No buyers remorse, you don't have to go through others opinions, which vary, because everyone likes something different in a board. I try to demo every board I purchase. It's usually like $35 or so a day, you can trade in and out a few times (I have found the max to do is about 3 day, because you need a couple hours to get used to each board - sometimes longer). Most shops will apply your rental to the cost of the board.