Demo Events — Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont
Here's the demo day list for the 2017-18 season, based on current information.
If you've never attended a demo day, see below.
Maine
Sugarloaf
This season’s date; Dec. 9, 8 am – 12 pm
Fee: $10
Under 18 must be accompanied by an adult.
Volkl, Rossi, Atomic, Blizzard, Nordica, Burton, Fisher,
DPS, K2,
Parlor, Salomon,
Stöckli
Downhill Supply Co. Demo Days — Registration: Oak Room at the Base Lodge
http://sugarloaf.com/activities-and-nightlife/events
Sunday River
$10 fee (includes $50 credit). Nov. 25
Register in the South Ridge Welcome Center, 8 am - noon
Suppliers: Volkl, K2, Blizzard, Atomic, Salomon, Fischer, Nordica, Head, Rossignol, Dynastar, “and more”
http://www.sundayriver.com/events-and-activities/events-calendar/demo-days
Vermont
Jay Peak
9:00 am - 4:00 pm
Rotating lineup of skis, depending on day
Foundry Lawn (near Miso Hungry)
December 23
January 13
February 10
March 10
April 7
https://jaypeakresort.com/things-to-do/events/jay-peak-demo-days
Killington
December 11-12, 9 am to 4 pm
Test Fest — 2-day ski & snowboard demo event & after-party
Details TBD
Base of Superstar — registration: Roaring Brook Umbrella Bar (under 18 needs parent/guardian)
http://www.killington.com/site/to-do/events-calendar/index.html/1562270322?
Mount Snow
Saturday, Dec. 16
Details to come
http://www.mountsnow.com/events/calendar/demo-day/
Okemo:
Saturday, Dec. 16, 8 am-1 pm (last demo out at 1 pm)
Spring Demo: March 17, 2018
(Snowboarders, BYOBindings)
details pending
Jackson Gore Courtyard
Inaccurate list of brands
from past events (no current info):
Nordic, Volkl, Head, Never summer, K2, Atomic, Dynastar, Blizzard, Elan, Scott, Stockli (?), Icelandic, Salomon, and more.
NOTE: I’ve been going to this over the past three or four years — Stöckli’s never been there.
NOTE 2: Kästle seems to show up at the spring demo.
https://www.okemo.com/event/december-demo/
Stowe
Under new management.
Normally there’d be a demo day, but it’s not currently scheduled.
New Hampshire
Loon Mountain
Dec. 16, 10 am – 1 pm; registration: Governor’s Pavillion
Fee: $10
“Top brands”
http://www.loonmtn.com/experience/events/demo-day#.WhBej7aZPMV
Mount Sunapee
December 9-10, all day, on the beach
BOB SKINNER’S SKI & SPORT DEMO DAYS
Rossignol, Volkl, Nordica, Dynastar, Blizzard, Head, Fischer
http://mountsunapee.com/mtsunapeewinter/onthemountain/events/events.asp
Demo days are fun and economical ways to test out a variety of skis from a variety of manufacturers. Most are free (those that aren't are noted above). All you do is show up with your boots on and your poles in hand, and your credit card or driver's license available.
You will register at a central location, stating name, address, and telephone (cell phone — useful if you forget to pick up your credit card!!
), boot size (extra cred for knowing your BSL), height, weight, and skier type. They'll hold your credit card or driver's license at the registration desk until you're done for the day (don't forget to go back for it!!). You'll be given a ticket that gives your height, weight, boot size, and skier type — binding info.
Then, check out the tents. When you see a ski you want to try, ask the rep or the tech (when he or she is free). The tech will ask for the ticket with your binding info (DIN, BSL) and will set the demo bindings to match. He or she will have you step into the binding in order to check forward pressure. Then you're good to go. Generally they'll ask you to ski only a couple of runs or so, but that can vary.
Caveats:
• Some say you're not demoing the ski so much as the conditions. While that's true, you're also demoing different skis under comparable conditions — comparing skis under the same conditions. You get information.
• Sometimes the tune can suck. If the ski is acting
really weird, it's may not be the ski. It may be the tune. Manufacturers don't design skis to act squirrelly when you ski them. Even great brands can show up at the mountain with terribly tuned demo skis. I demoed some Kästle LX72s last season that were dangerously grabby, far grabbier than my SL skis, which are tuned to .5 / 3. You can (and should) mention it to the tech, but he or she may not believe you (unless you're a known quantity).
Good luck, and have a blast. If you're into gear, demo days are great ways to deepen your knowledge of different skis, different ski constructions, and different brands.
