It is no secret that snowboarding is an expensive sport. Between gear, lift tickets, and getting to the resort, just a single day can cost hundreds of dollars. While it may seem like snowboarding simply requires spending some money, there are various ways to cut down on all the expenses the sport brings, and one of the best ways is to purchase gear at a certain time during the year.
Each year, snowboard companies release their new gear for the upcoming season. This usually occurs around September or October, just weeks before the first resorts open. These new items are always full-priced, with snowboards typically ranging from $300 to $800, boots from $200 to $500, jackets between $200 and $400, and other price ranges for different types of gear.
Before releasing their new gear, snowboard companies often sell the previous year’s equipment at a discounted rate at the end of the season. These end-of-season sales typically start in early April as companies look to sell last season’s gear before releasing the new. The sales include many different equipment categories, such as boards, boots, bindings, goggles, jackets, pants, and other types of equipment. Sales vary depending on the retailer, but they can sometimes get as high as 80% off.
Gear from previous seasons is often very similar to the newly released gear. Newly released gear oftentimes comes with minor upgrades, but gear from earlier seasons performs very well and has a similar manufacturing process.
When purchasing gear at the conclusion of the season, it is important to act quickly to have the best selection. Once a piece of gear sells out, there is no restock. Because of that, it is important to keep an eye on when sales occur, as many people will try to purchase new gear as soon as sales begin.
There are many reliable retailers to buy gear from. Evo and Backcountry are among the most popular online retailers, but local snowboard shops often have discounts on gear as well.
So, if you’re eager to purchase a snowboard or other gear, the best time to do so is when the previous season’s models go on sale at the conclusion of the season. While it is always a sad time when the snow starts to melt, the excitement of stocking up on gear begins.
