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Read Blinn

lakespapa
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Demo Events — Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont
I compiled a list last season that included most of the following resorts. Some haven't announced demo days yet. I'll update this list as I get more information. Here's what I've got so far. PM me with information you don't see here, and I'll edit it in for a nice, concise list.

See the PS at the bottom.

Maine

Sugarloaf
$5 fee. Dec. 10
Under 18 must be accompanied by an adult.
Downhill Supply Co. Demo Days — Registration: Maple Room at the Base Lodge
http://sugarloaf.com/activities-and-nightlife/events

Sunday River
$10 fee (includes $50 credit). Nov. 26-27
Register in the South Ridge Welcome Center, 8 am - noon
Suppliers (past) Atomic, Blizzard, Head/Tyrolia, K2, Nordica, Rossignol, Volkl/Marker, Never Summer Snowboards
http://www.sundayriver.com/events-and-activities/events-calendar/demo-days

Vermont

Jay Peak

9:00 am - 3:00 pm
Rotating lineup of skis, depending on day
Alice's Table Patio, Tram House Lodge
December 28 (Renoun)
December 30
January 14
February 18
March 25
April 8
http://jaypeakresort.com/things-to-do/events/event-listing

Killington
December 11-12, 9 am to 4 pm
Test Fest — 2-day ski & snowboard demo event & after-party
Details to come — Renoun will be there
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. 10
Details to come
http://www.mountsnow.com/events/calendar/demo-day/

Okemo:
Saturday, Dec. 10, 8 am-1 pm (last demo out at 1 pm)
Spring Demo: March 18, 2017
(Snowboarders, BYOBindings)
details pending
Jackson Gore Courtyard
Inaccurate list of brands:
Nordic, Volkl, Head, Never summer, K2, Atomic, Dynastar, Blizzard, Elan, Scott, Stockli, Icelandic, Salomon, and more
http://www.okemo.com/activities/calendar/december-demo/

Pico
No demo day listed yet.

Stowe
Saturday, Dec. 10
Mountainfest Demo Day
Location: Stowe Toys Center (registration) & FourRunner Quad Base Area
details pending
Renoun
https://www.stowe.com/activities/event/demo-day-at-stowe-mountain-resort/


New Hampshire

Crotched Mountain
Nothing currently listed

Gunstock
None currently listed

Loon Mountain
Dec. 10:
K2, Salomon, Dynastar, "and more"
Details pending
http://www.loonmtn.com/experience/events/demo-day#.Vhkb57w4Q4M

Mount Sunapee
December 10-11 & March 15 - 19, on the beach
BOB SKINNER’S SKI & SPORT DEMO DAYS
Rossignol, Volkl, Nordica, Dynastar, Blizzard, Head, Fischer
http://www.mountsunapee.com/mtsunapeewinter/onthemountain/events/events.asp

Wildcat
Saturday, Feb. 6
Parlor Skis Demo Day (Parlor Skis only: http://parlorskis.com)
http://www.skiwildcat.com/event/new-event-62/


P.S.
I pmed Cyrus Schenck of Renoun for his New England demo dates, which I've plugged in above. Here they are:

Dec 10th - Stowe
Dec 11- & 12th - Killington
Dec 28th - Sugarbush
Jan 14th - Jay Peak
There's also a date at the Heritage Club, if you're interested.

Demos at Smuggs and MRG are in the planning stages. I'll add dates when they come in.
 

Philpug

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Thanks Read! I will check with my eastern Rep contacts to see what will be on their docket besides what is listed here.
 

Bill Talbot

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I get that they want skiers to 'try and buy' skis early in the season BUT a demo day in New England in early Dec. is pretty pathetic as far as actually having good snow on more than a couple runs to try out the skis on. January, after the holidays would be a far better choice and at the very least give them a chance to open up more mountain with snowmaking...
 
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Read Blinn

Read Blinn

lakespapa
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Yeah. I prefer late-season demos. Okemo and Sunapee have them in March, too. Conditions are always a caveat with demos. And tune, of course.
 
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Read Blinn

Read Blinn

lakespapa
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Thanks Read! I will check with my eastern Rep contacts to see what will be on their docket besides what is listed here.

Great — Thanks Phil. The information resorts put up can be inaccurate, as well as slow in coming. I went to Okemo last March, hoping to try a Laser AX. Stöckli wasn't there, but Kästle was. The Kästle rep told me Okemo's list was years out of date.
 

Philpug

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December demos are very important, especially in the east. When people are touting "Demo...demo...demo...you must demo before you buy..." What are the options? How long can people wait to demo? I have no problem with early season demos and they do provide a service to the consumer.
 

Bill Talbot

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December demos are very important, especially in the east. When people are touting "Demo...demo...demo...you must demo before you buy..." What are the options? How long can people wait to demo? I have no problem with early season demos and they do provide a service to the consumer.


Well, I've waited 50 years to 'demo' a pair of skis, so I guess the answer is, it depends! I've got nothing against the process, but what I might 'learn' from skiing anything the second week in Dec. most years would be marginal anyways. I just do my homework and then roll the dice. since most skis are pretty good these days it's really more a matter of being honest about what you want to do with them in what conditions. Plug and play :cool:
 
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cantunamunch

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We have mid-January rep demos. They are an exercise in frustration. They are an exercise in listing what skis the reps do *not* have anymore (let alone in my size).

So sure, I demo in January. I demo 165cmish middle-of-the-line skis, 160cmish mid-performance carvers, womens' skis and maybe, just maybe, the rep's own personal skis which will be by far the best experience simply because they are the only appropriate ones.

Put me down for demoing in December. The snow is marginal? Of course the snow is marginal. If I didn't ski on marginal snow I would have a 2-day season. I'd rather ski the right ski in the wrong snow than ski a pathetically undersized line-filler ski on the right snow.
 
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Bill Talbot

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We have mid-January rep demos. They are an exercise in frustration. They are an exercise in listing what skis the reps do *not* have anymore (let alone in my size).

So sure, I demo in January. I demo 165cmish middle-of-the-line skis, 160cmish mid-performance carvers, womens' skis and maybe, just maybe, the rep's own personal skis which will be by far the best experience simply because they are the only appropriate ones.

Put me down for demoing in December. The snow is marginal? Of course the snow is marginal. If I didn't ski on marginal snow I would have a 2-day season. I'd rather ski the right ski in the wrong snow than ski a pathetically undersized line-filler ski on the right snow.


why would you even bother to get on wholly inappropriate skis for your needs? Seems like a waste of your time?
 

cantunamunch

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why would you even bother to get on wholly inappropriate skis for your needs? Seems like a waste of your time?

*shrug* it's fun to play with gear, one can develop an idea of 'feel' differences even when the skis are grossly undersized, there's a good chance herself will talk about some of the models sometime, and, like I said, there's an even chance of getting on something special.

So, it's not so much of a waste as a walk on the wild side. Like a wine drinker going to a witt beer tasting. Not to say red dress run.
 
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Read Blinn

Read Blinn

lakespapa
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Ok, Northeast types, now's your chance to ski what looks revolutionary: Renoun.

Killington — February 11
Pico — February 12 (I will be there!)

Be there or be square. :D
 

dave-o

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Hi Read and All,
I'll be in Boston Mass. travelling to Bangor Maine from Friday 24th to Sunday 26th February and so far I just found an Elan demo day at Pico for the 25th.

Does anybody have any news of other NE demo days for 24th- 26th Feb?
 
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Read Blinn

Read Blinn

lakespapa
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Hi Read and All,
I'll be in Boston Mass. travelling to Bangor Maine from Friday 24th to Sunday 26th February and so far I just found an Elan demo day at Pico for the 25th.

Does anybody have any news of other NE demo days for 24th- 26th Feb?

Check event calendars at the resorts you're likely to ski. Sugarloaf has an Amalgam demo on the 25th, I see. The big demo days seem to be scheduled early and/or late in the season.
 

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Sooo, does anyone know about demo days for 2017-18? Specifically looking for Kastle but won't say no to Renoun or Stockli.
 
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Read Blinn

Read Blinn

lakespapa
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Kästle is often at Okemo demos — not always in December, but they're usually at the spring demo.

There's a Stöckli dealer in West Dover. I've never attended one of Snow's demo days, but it's possible Stöckli attends (the dealer is First Trax).
 

KevinF

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Stowe usually has a demo day in early / mid December. Last year had both Renoun and Stockli tents.
 

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