How to Find Deals on Snowboarding Gear

One of the few problems with snowboarding is how expensive the gear is. Between a board, bindings, clothing and accessories you could quickly spend thousands of dollars. Then you have no money left over to plan a snowboard trip to any place worth riding. The thing about snowboarding is there's really no great reason to pay top dollar for all your gear. With a little planning, every piece of snowboard gear that you buy will be significantly below retail price.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Step 1

Shop early. Many snowboard shops hold tent sales and other events to sell unsold goods from the previous season. These often take place in the summer or fall. While you won't find the newest gear for the upcoming season, you will find prices drastically slashed, likely by 50 percent or more.

Step 2

Shop late. Probably the best time of year to buy snowboard gear is from early February to the end of the season. Online retailers like Sierra Snowboard and Backcountry start reducing prices steadily, and so do many local shops. While it can be difficult to spend hundreds of dollars on a new snowboard that will find its way straight into the closet in mid-July, buying in February and March still offers some time to get your new gear out on the snow.

Step 3

Get on some email lists. Too much random spam is a drag, but many retailers hold periodic sales that you can easily miss if you don't religiously check the website (who wants to do that). Keep your eyes out for subject lines that read: 50 to 70 percent off, and dive on it. It may not always be what you need, but it's worth checking it out.

Step 4

Consider buying used. Not everyone wants to ride around on someone's old clunker, but when you first get started, fact is, you don't need a high-tech new board. Save some money and shop used. In addition to websites like eBay and Craigslist, visit local shops to see if they have any old demos or rentals they'd be willing to sell. Also, check with friends as they probably have an old board sitting in the garage collecting dust.

Step 5

Work at a shop or other industry venue. Manufacturers want industry employees riding their gear so that they will recommend it to customers. They offer huge discounts and proform opportunities. Before signing on just to buy your gear, ask other employees there what the store's policy is on discounts; you may need to put in some time before gaining access. Also, don't start working there in late fall or mid-winter and expect to get the best deals. Proforms will likely be sold out, and you may be stuck with just the job.

Step 6

Shop blowout sites like Steep and Cheap, Brociety and Whiskey Militia. These sites sell gear at ridiculously low prices (60 to 70 percent off range), but they sell one item at a time until it's sold out. You can set up alerts so that you get notified when something new is put on sale; this way there's no need to constantly check in. These sites may not always have snowboarding gear, but when they do, it's sure to be a steal.

Tips & Warnings

Make it a rule not to pay retail price. With the number of sales and other ways of cutting prices, there's really no reason to buy anything that doesn't have a sale sticker on it. Familiarize yourself with a lot of different online retailers. While you may think you have found the best possible price, a better price may be waiting at that small, obscure shop website that you haven't found yet. Don't just rely on the big names.

Make it a rule not to pay retail price. With the number of sales and other ways of cutting prices, there's really no reason to buy anything that doesn't have a sale sticker on it.

Familiarize yourself with a lot of different online retailers. While you may think you have found the best possible price, a better price may be waiting at that small, obscure shop website that you haven't found yet. Don't just rely on the big names.

Avoid buying gear that is cheap and poorly made. You can find quality gear from the big manufacturers at discounted prices instead of skimping.

Article Written By Joe Fletcher

Joe Fletcher has been a writer since 2002, starting his career in politics and legislation. He has written travel and outdoor recreation articles for a variety of print and online publications, including "Rocky Mountain Magazine" and "Bomb Snow." He received a Bachelor of Arts in political science from Rutgers College.

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