Product Picks
Product Picks
Local shops gear up to start the season; Holiday Valley to host Demo Day Dec. 18th
The anticipation is at an all time high. After a summer of playing in the sun and watching the Mountain Ops team tear down the old Yodeler lift and then erect a brand new high speed detachable quad in its place, Holiday Valley has finally been able to fire up the snowmaking guns and start the process of blanketing the resort in snow. And some recent help from Old Man Winter has really helped take the hype to the next level.
Throughout Ellicottville, people are shopping for new gear. As a result, the local ski and snowboard shops are experiencing preseason visitation numbers that rival some January weekends. Excitement is in the air and it’s not just because of the holidays. Holiday Valley will open any day now; much to the delight of all its fans.
As far as ski and snowboard gear goes, these are almost unprecedented interesting times. Due to certain supply chain shortages, some brands’ gear hasn’t even been delivered yet. Every shop in the area is doing its best to outfit customers in equipment that will work for them - whether it’s a seasonal rental or something brand new and fresh off the delivery truck.
If you find yourself in the market for new gear but not sure exactly what you want, then block December 18th off in your calendar because that is the date for Demo Day at Holiday Valley. Starting at 9:00am and running until approximately 3:00pm, Demo Day is the perfect opportunity for you to see firsthand what is new and exciting in the ski and snowboard world.
Not only do you get to try out some of the top new equipment, as long as you have your own boots and a valid Holiday Valley lift ticket or pass, you get to try it for free! And because Ellicottville’s amazing specialty shops will be slopeside of the Holiday Valley Lodge, joined by reps from some of the top brands in the business, you’ll have the opportunity to ask all the questions you want about what equipment will work best for you. So whether you ski or snowboard, Demo Day has the latest and greatest gear for you to check out.
LET’S BREAK IT DOWN
It might be cold outside but according to Trey Clauss, The City Garage crew is going to bring the heat with the gear they will be showcasing. The K2 Mindbender Collection of freeride skis not only looks great but also covers a range of abilities from intermediate to expert. They’ll also have the Salomon Stance, an ultra-versatile ski that thrives in any type of condition and every type of terrain. Last but not least, The City Garage will have the Armada Declivity and Reliance on hand at Demo Day. No matter where you want to shred and what conditions you find yourself in, these Armada sticks will take you there in a full throttle fashion and are a freeride ski that should be on your radar.
The Mud Sweat ‘n Gears team will have an array of some of the top skis out there. Nick Sciara let us know that they’d have something for everyone at Demo Day. Ladies, you can look forward to checking out the Volkl Secret and Kenja. If you’re a hard-charging woman who prefers stiff, heavy skis, the Secret might be perfect for you. And the Kenja is a ski for the rad woman who loves to ski everything on the mountain with speed and precision.
Next up is the Nordica Santa Ana, which delivers serious all-mountain fun. Its perfectly balanced design and construction, including a narrower platform, deliver quicker edge-to-edge transitions and better grip for more precise carving. MSG will also have the Wild Belle series, which is tailored to the unique needs of female all-mountain skiers. These skis deliver a fun, playful, and powerful ride that’s stable at any speed. Finally, the Blizzard Black Pearl 88 skis shine on corduroy, in soft off-piste snow, over bumps and around the trees.
For the guys, MSG will have the Volkl Mantra with a tip and tail rocker - a true power freerider. The Titanal frame combined with carbon tips not only provides stability and damping effects but also great liveliness. The Volkl Kendo delivers impressive carving performance thanks to the three different radii in the sidecut. These enable precise power transmission, uncompromising liveliness and optimum turning behavior never before experienced with Titanal skis.
The Nordica Enforcers are Nordica’s best-selling skis. They offer a more playful feel and even greater versatility, all while continuing to deliver its legendary all mountain performance. For a trusted ride that’s especially smooth and stable, it pairs an all new carbon chassis with a new core profile and two sheets of metal.
To close out their Demo Day selections, the Blizzard Brahma 88 will take the energy you give it and transfer that power into the snowpack, so you can rip down the mountain with confidence and ease.
On the snowboard side of things, The Boardroom will have the best gear from powerhouse brands like Burton, Lib Tech and Salomon. From park boards to freeride resort slashers, there is a board option for everyone. But the highlight offering will be the Burton Step On boots and binding system. All you have to do is … Heel. Toe. Go. But it’s not just about ease of use. Step On’s heel-to-toe connection puts pro-caliber control where it matters most, providing an effortless connection for riders at every skill level. Step-On is easily one of the hottest items at The Boardroom, so if you’re in the market for new boots and bindings, this is a set-up that you’re going to want to check out. In the roughly five seasons that The Boardroom has been carrying Step On, it has sold well over 200 pairs to customers with nearly every one of them giving rave reviews on the functionality of the system and its ease of use. If you ride with any skiers in your crew, this binding will save you from a lot of scorn and judgement as they will never have to wait for you to strap in at the top of the slope again.
Dekdebrun’s Apex Store will also be on-site offering skiers the opportunity to try out the Apex ski boot system. The holy grail of skiing is a boot that has it all: performance at the highest level in any terrain. Comfort and warmth from start to finish. The ability to walk easily and safely. Apex is like skiing in the comfort of a snowboard boot but with the control of a ski boot. It will exceed your expectations in every way.
With the start of the season nearly here and Demo Day and other fun Holiday Valley events on the docket, fans of winter are undoubtedly very excited to begin their snow-filled adventures. We here at EllicottvilleNOW wish you a safe and exciting winter. For more information on events at Holiday Valley, check out www.holidayvalley.com.