Testing demo gear is the perfect way to try out new high-performance gear or finally try the gear you’ve been eyeing for a while. If you aren’t sure what you want, it may be helpful to talk to friends who love their gear or do your own research through ski forums and magazine reviews. If you still aren’t sure where to start, our team of highly trained experts is happy to give recommendations and help answer any questions you may have. Don’t forget to have fun with it, try gear that you normally wouldn’t, and test out different sizes. You might surprise yourself! 

When comparing demo gear, it’s important to test all skis and snowboards on the same terrain. Once you pick your terrain, you'll want to really pay attention to how the ski or board feels navigating the same path down the mountain. This will help you judge the gear based on the same variables. It’s also helpful to alternate between short turns and long turns to get a feel for how the skis or board respond to transitions. The goal is to find the gear that makes you the most comfortable, so be sure to really tune into how the gear makes you feel.  

There are many intricacies when buying new skis or snowboards including your skill level, preferred terrain, and body type. First, it’s important to be honest with what level you are at now to help you improve and have fun while doing it! Next, be realistic about how many days you see yourself on the mountain and where you will be using your gear. Lastly, it’s helpful to prioritize what is most important to you when it comes to cost, brand, quality, and performance. We have plenty of recommendations for those of you who are first-time buyers, looking to upgrade your gear, or looking to add new performance-focused gear to your quiver.