The Boardroom
The Boardroom
Ellicottville’s snowboard shop discusses new products, banked slalom
This week we’re diving deep into The Boardroom Snowboard Shop, where Spencer Timkey and crew are stoked for fresh snow, new product, and newly formed partnerships. Learn more about the latest technology in helmets and goggles, how The Boardroom connected with a Buffalo-based company to build a new snowboard model, and the shop’s ability to now offer ski and snowboard rentals through their online store. And of course, we have to talk about The Boardroom Banked. Let’s go…
eNOW: Be honest… have the vibes ever been higher at The Boardroom?
SPENCE: The vibes have never been higher. The momentum we’ve seen from the past few seasons with so many new people getting into snowboarding has continued, and we’re especially thrilled to see so many youngsters standing sideways for the first time. Throw in an early season dump - the boys’ powder surf and pow slash edits were featured on the Instagram accounts of Burton, Snowboard Mag, Out of Collective and more - so suffice to say the engine is running very hot at 6113 Route 219. Product offerings from the industry’s best brands - including boasting the area’s largest selection for Burton Step On - help us stand out from the crowd in terms of specialty snowboard retail. We want to do one thing really well, and that’s snowboarding.
eNOW: How’s product curation looking this year?
SPENCE: When we go into our buying cycle, we try and curate a product selection that can appeal to the entire spectrum of snowboarders. Our weekend warrior dad who’s chasing his kids around is going to be looking at a snowboard completely different than the kid lapping park all day. What’s important to us as we walk someone through their purchase is that we find the right product mix that will maximize the fun they’re going to have. What do they want out of the snowboard? By offering a wide range of options - pricepoints, colorways, flex patterns, etc. - we can dial in almost anyone into that perfect setup. It’s not just snowboarding, however. A lot of our outerwear and accessory brands are crossovers, meaning we can still service our friends on skis for jackets, helmets, goggles, gloves and base layers. Find everything from high-end Burton [ak] with Gore-Tex to the outstanding value-driven Porter jacket from Under Armour.
eNOW: Tell us about the Old Growth Exchange.
SPENCE: For the past few years, we’ve been hearing about this guy who’s been custom-building skis in Buffalo. His name is Jon Capozzi, and he is Old Growth Handcraft. Last season, he approached us about wanting to build a snowboard. We sat down, spec’d some stuff out and he got to work. While a lot of our guys absolutely love the board he built, we knew that from a retail standpoint it was too stiff. So we went back to the drawing board, dialed in the shape, picked out the topsheet material (after going through about 50 species of wood) before settling on the final build design. Jon’s shop is located on Exchange Street in Buffalo, and we figured that would be an awesome name. They’re now in the shop in 155, 158 and 161W centimeter lengths, and we do have a demo for anyone that wants to come try one out.
eNOW: The Boardroom’s online store now also offers rental booking. Details please…
SPENCE: We’re a snowboard shop. But did you know that the store originally started as Barnyard Ski Rental? Ski and snowboard rental is such a huge part of our business, and we wanted to make that process 1) easier for our customers, and 2) legitimize the store by joining the 21st century. The online rental booking software is clean, easy and will streamline the process for both us and our customers. It’s our first season with it, and we know they’ll be some growing pains, but we’re super hyped on it and encourage folks to check it out if they’re going to rent with us.
eNOW: You boast one of the largest selections of goggles and helmets in the area. Can you give us a rundown of some of the brands you carry and what sets them apart?
SPENCE: We dedicate so much retail space to helmets and goggles for a couple of key reasons. First, helmets. What we know now about the brain, getting into a helmet that fits properly is so important. Everything we sell comes with MIPS (Multi-Directional Impact Protection System), which disperses the energy of impact. That comes standard in all helmets from Giro, Smith, Anon and Oakley. The second: Goggles, and clear vision. When you can’t see on the hill, you’re not going to have very much fun. A lot of the goggles we sell will come with two lenses - one for daytime light and one for low light - that change fast and efficiently. The Anon M series is fully magnetic with MFI (Magnetic Facemask Integration) where the facemask magnetizes to the bridge of your nose. The Oakley Mod7, which is very future, sees the lens/goggle attach directly to the helmet with no straps. Sometimes, we find we’re guilty of offering almost too many options when it comes to goggles and helmets. Suffice to say, you’ll probably find something you like.
eNOW: Is it too early to start talking Boardroom Banked #5?
SPENCE: Never. We are in the early stages of planning The 5th Annual Boardroom Banked, which will take place on Champagne at Holiday Valley on Sunday, March 5, 2023. The Banked is a day by snowboarders, for snowboarders, and we use it to raise money for a great cause. Last season, we were unfortunately turning riders down the day of the event, so we’re trying to find a way to grow it so more can participate. We’ll benefit P.U.N.T. Pediatric Cancer Collaborative again this season, so keep it locked to our Instagram for more information on signups, donations and more.
The Boardroom Snowboard Shop is located at 6113 Route 219, Ellicottville, NY. Find them on FB/IG and at boardsandpowder.com.