What is the Alpen Group's "Members Only" "New Model SKI Test Ride and Order Event"?

The Alpen Group is popular among avid skiers thanks to its wide selection of winter gear and various member-only services. What's unique about Alpen's ski test ride events is that after trying out the new model, you can purchase the product at a special price after receiving customer service and negotiating with an expert advisor. This year, Alpen is holding test ride events in various locations, and I attended the one held at Shirakaba 2in1 Ski Resort on Saturday, March 15th, so I'd like to report on it

Advanced buyers

The venue was Shirakaba 2in1 Ski Resort in Nagano Prefecture, which is close to the Tokyo metropolitan area and is known for its good snow quality and high rate of sunny days

Even though the slopes were quiet in the early morning, the event space next to the rest house was unusually packed with skiers, creating a quietly energetic atmosphere. Skiers had gathered to be among the first to try out the new ski models

This is because Alpen test rides are limited to members and are accepted on a first-come, first-served basis. Skiers were extremely eager not to miss the chance to purchase at a special price. According to Matsumoto, an expert ski advisor at Alpen Suwa Interchange, which hosted the event, it has become rare to see advanced models on display in stores recently, and popular models can sell out by April. Apparently, the way advanced skiers buy is to carefully consider the skis on the snow rather than in the store and then make a reservation immediately

Perfect teamwork

Once the skiers have chosen their skis, the Alpine staff quickly set them up and send them off with spirited voices. The pace of activity is so fast that it seems as though one person is riding several skis at a time, and it seemed like it would not be easy to ask for a questionnaire, which was the purpose of this interview. There was no unnecessary conversation between the skiers and the manufacturer's staff, and they answered questions precisely, otherwise they were silently maintaining the test skis. It was the first time I had seen someone even tune up the edges at a test ride event

Compared to freeride skiing, basic ski test rides are streamlined, with every conversation and choice made efficiently. It's a battle with yourself, where you steadily hone your skills while communicating with your equipment. Matsumoto likened the test ride to a competition, and the general flow is that the morning is the qualifying round, where you make a rough guess, then share information with your teammates over lunch and get organized, and then the deciding match is in the afternoon

The Alpen test ride event was well organized, with Alpen employees covering booths where manufacturer staff were unable to attend. When we went around to each manufacturer to ask for cooperation with our coverage, they said, "We're here to support Alpen, so there's no problem," which gave us a sense of the well-established cooperative system between the shops and manufacturers. Security measures were also thorough, with barcode scanning used to control entry and exit to prevent theft and other problems

More than just skiing

At the alpine test ride event, there are venues that not only display skis but also skis and accessories. A corner on the second floor of the rest house is set up like a shop, and it is equipped with a changing room. You can try out everything you've been interested in all at once

Professionals don't give up

By the afternoon, sleet had begun to fall, creating harsh conditions, but the enthusiastic skiers continued their test rides at a steady pace, and staff continued to help them make the best choice, asking questions like, "We think this will be the last one, but is this one okay?" right up until the last rental time

We interviewed Mizuhara-san from Alpen Outdoors Flagship Store Shinjuku, who was particularly polite during our day-long on-site interviews, and he shared his thoughts with us

Alpen's test ride events are held at various ski resorts over a period of two months, allowing you to compare the same skis under different conditions. This is a special opportunity to try them out and buy them at a special price, even before the early order event. Members can receive free services, including individual counseling and bonus points, so be sure to come to a test ride! We look forward to seeing you at the Alpen Outdoors Flagship Store in Shinjuku!

Even after the test rides on the snow were over, the competition continued. This time, the business meeting was held indoors with the "ski expert advisors" from each Alpine store. (Some venues are held outdoors.) The ski talk was particularly lively, with everyone sharing their impressions of the skis and sharing personal stories

The users went home feeling satisfied, and the staff used their feedback to improve the test drive. I was very impressed by the professionalism of the work

Alpen Group's Strengths

Alpen currently operates three stores: "Winter Stores" that stock everything from standard items to popular products, "Winter Expert Stores" where advisors with specialized knowledge and processing techniques are always on hand, and "Burton Stores."

Among these, the "Winter Expert Store" is the one with advisors with specialized knowledge always on-site.
They have a product lineup and advisors tailored to the characteristics of the region, such as powder or park, and offer various processing services. They also have a wide selection of products, including high-end models, limited edition models, popular brands, and trending products.
In addition to product knowledge, the advisors have test-ridden all the skis and snowboards sold at Sports Depot Alpen to check the actual gliding feel, so they can give accurate advice tailored to your needs.

Upcoming test drive information

Three more test ride and order events are scheduled until the second half of April at two venues in Nagano and Hokkaido. Not only will you be able to purchase at a special price, but you'll also have the chance to receive Alpen Points. Why not give it a try?

[Information]

Alpen Co., Ltd.

2-9-40 Marunouchi, Naka-ku, Nagoya, Aichi Prefecture
460-0002 Official Website: https://store.alpen-group.jp/corporate/

Shirakaba 2in1 Ski Resort
2021-1
-Yatsugano-Yakogamine, Tateshina-machi, Kitasaku-gun, Nagano Prefecture, 384-2309
Official website: https://whitebirch.co.jp/shirakaba2in1/