anything 6 Posted November 25, 2011 Share Posted November 25, 2011 Does anyone know details on ski demo days in Niseko this year? I'm talking about the type of demo days where a ski/board brand sets up a tent and you simply swap your skis for a few hours and have a play. I usually test and buy skis this way when in the US, but this season I'm in Japan instead. In the market for something fatter than my current skis (105mm), but I've yet to ski a rocker, so want to test them out first. Last year I saw a few Burton snowboard huts on two occasions in March, but never got the chance to catch a ski brand running one. Perhaps its something that doesn't happen in Japan for skis? On the topic, I don't understand all the 'demo rental' stuff that I keep seeing in Niseko. Anyone explain the story behind this? Is it just a higher quality level of rental gear? Link to post Share on other sites
MagSeven 40 Posted November 27, 2011 Share Posted November 27, 2011 In March last year I saw a demo of this years Line Skis, so I guess it happens! Don't know details of when though I'm afraid. There was a tent and a load of demo skis set up at the bottom of the Ace Quad. Link to post Share on other sites
Mick Rich 78 Posted November 27, 2011 Share Posted November 27, 2011 I would love to go to one of the Gentem Stick demo days that I think they have there sometimes!! Link to post Share on other sites
anything 6 Posted November 27, 2011 Author Share Posted November 27, 2011 line is one of the brands im especially interested in. mr pollard really seems to know his stuff. hope I don't have to wait until march tho ive tried looking at a heap of resort's calendars, but no useful information yet perhaps each tent is a bit of a travelling group of demo staff with implied permission to setup shop at each location. they just arrive whenever they get around to it. Link to post Share on other sites
mfriedm 4 Posted November 29, 2011 Share Posted November 29, 2011 On the topic, I don't understand all the 'demo rental' stuff that I keep seeing in Niseko. Anyone explain the story behind this? Is it just a higher quality level of rental gear? First of all, there is a rental company called "Demo" in the area. Beyond that, many rental companies have two levels of rental gear. Normal level is "mid-range" or normal or regular or whatever. Upper level (powder boards, powder skis, etc.) is called "demo." Link to post Share on other sites
anything 6 Posted November 29, 2011 Author Share Posted November 29, 2011 First of all, there is a rental company called "Demo" in the area. Beyond that, many rental companies have two levels of rental gear. Normal level is "mid-range" or normal or regular or whatever. Upper level (powder boards, powder skis, etc.) is called "demo." talk about confusing! at least it looks like I might be able to hire some skis to test out a few options. effectively adds 10-20% to the cost of a pair of skis tho Link to post Share on other sites
iiyamadude 6 Posted November 29, 2011 Share Posted November 29, 2011 I asked my skiing friend about "demos" and asked him what distinguishes them. Answer? "Demonstrators use them". Got it? Link to post Share on other sites
muikabochi 208 Posted November 29, 2011 Share Posted November 29, 2011 ha, had the exact same conversation! Link to post Share on other sites
dyna8800 3 Posted November 30, 2011 Share Posted November 30, 2011 I hear ya about demoing skis, that is the only way to buy. Will be doing the same over year end holiday for some powder specific skis for my quiver, but at Snowbird in Utah... For Japan, ICI Ishii Sports has an annual new demo ski event usually held over a weekend at a ski resort in Honshu. In Niseko, Sports Takiguchi had an event last year in March to demo the 2012 new ski models. They might have another event, but may be better to just rent some pow skis since you probably want them before spring. @Mick Rich, to demo any of the Gentemstick boards, you need to bring your own bindings. They mount your bindings onto the board, since they do not manufacture/supply bindings. They usually have 2-3 demo events per year. I try to go to at least once a year, last one I attended was in Myoko. Alternatively, you can drop by the shop/showroom in Niseko and check out the boards there, they have them for rental as well. Link to post Share on other sites
anything 6 Posted November 30, 2011 Author Share Posted November 30, 2011 I asked my skiing friend about "demos" and asked him what distinguishes them. Answer? "Demonstrators use them". Got it? lol ill have to find an excuse to use that one Link to post Share on other sites
mfriedm 4 Posted November 30, 2011 Share Posted November 30, 2011 In Niseko, Sports Takiguchi had an event last year in March to demo the 2012 new ski models. They might have another event, but may be better to just rent some pow skis since you probably want them before spring. It looks like Sports Takiguchi's "new model trial" will be on 3/22 according to the Annupuri ski resort site. Link to post Share on other sites
R Roylance 0 Posted December 2, 2011 Share Posted December 2, 2011 The Salomon BBR Hokkaido testing tour starts tomorrow at Kiroro 3rd and 4th Dec, Nakayama Touge on the 10th and 11th Dec, then at Niseko Hanazono on the 17th and 18th Dec. As Max point out, I think a lot of the other demo events are held later on in the year once new models are released. Link to post Share on other sites
Mick Rich 78 Posted December 2, 2011 Share Posted December 2, 2011 @Mick Rich, to demo any of the Gentemstick boards, you need to bring your own bindings. They mount your bindings onto the board, since they do not manufacture/supply bindings. They usually have 2-3 demo events per year. I try to go to at least once a year, last one I attended was in Myoko. Alternatively, you can drop by the shop/showroom in Niseko and check out the boards there, they have them for rental as well. Cheers Dyna! Link to post Share on other sites
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