Next season's new model ski test drive event is held by Dream Gate Co., Ltd. in Naeba in mid-March every year. It is popular because it is held jointly by multiple pro shops and offers test drive models from a wide variety of brands and genres. Let's report on how things went this year.
More than 30 popular brands gather on a weekend in Naeba in mid-March
“DREAM GATES PRESENTS 24-25 NEWMODEL SKI Test Drive” has been held for over 10 years. Every year in mid-March, many brands' climbing flags are erected and manufacturer tents are spread out at Naeba Ski Resort, which is already a spring tradition.
This year, in addition to the Naeba venue on March 16th and 17th, the first round was held at Hakuba Tsugaike on February 24th and 25th. Both venues required online registration in advance, but the Tsugaike venue quickly filled up to capacity. The situation was the same at the Naeba venue, which was fully booked on Saturday and Sunday and was held at full capacity.
The feature of this test ride is that it is jointly held by Aspen/F Junk/Fusou & Boot Tune/Ski Shop Vail, which is operated by Dream Gate Co., Ltd., and a professional ski shop that has its own "commitment" to Alpine, Basic & There will be a lineup of notable models from popular brands covering a variety of genres, including carving, all-mountain, and freeskiing (powder, backcountry, and touring).
Also, the location of Naeba, which is easily accessible, is good. What's more, being able to test ride on a wide variety of slopes in a vast field is probably an attractive feature. This season, due to the light snow, the venue was changed from the usual Prince Hotel Building 6 to in front of Building 2. The field was on the far left with the Prince Hotel in the background, but because it was on the edge, the specially installed loud DJ and BGM echoed throughout the venue, creating a great atmosphere.
What brands were exhibiting?
Most of the brands that were selling products on both days were like this. Over 30 famous and popular ski and accessory brands are exhibiting, making it a large scale test ride event.
“This is what makes the test drive event so appealing!” Feedback from users who participated
The advantage of such test drive events is that you can try out next season's models as soon as possible!
It seems that it is not just that simple. When we spoke to the guests who came to the venue this time, we learned that test drives have a variety of meanings and appeals to users. It's quite interesting, so I'd like to introduce the testimonials, including what models I tried. (Bonus: Of the 8 groups we spoke to, 7 groups were STEEP users (readers). The STEEP editorial department was happy to hear this lol)
You can ask the manufacturer a lot of questions about the board you're interested in, so you can get a better understanding of the board.
The two were talking with a Wapan rider in front of the Wapan tent. The person on the right said, ``I came looking for a model that allows you to enjoy both powder and slopes in one ride.So far today I've ridden Wapan, LINE, and blackcrows, but the yellow graphics of Wapan are particularly cool. I'm drawn to it.The ride quality was also very good.''
The person on the left says, ``I've been skiing for about 35 years. I ski everything except backcountry skis and alpine skis.The 150cm Wapan I tried out looked like it would be good for park rides.''
He says that the test drive sessions are great because you can ride and compare various models and hear a lot of detailed information from the staff about the boards you like. With Wapan's rider's presence, he was able to hear detailed technical explanations about the feeling of riding and how to handle the board, and said, ``I like Wapan even more.''
I bought it at this test drive event last year too! Find the board you want to buy
The two of them have tried out the DPS.
They will be participating for two days starting Saturday, and will be trying out many test-drive machines. The person on the right said , ``I'm looking for a thick and short board for my next bike.However, such a board is hard to come by.It's a pity that ARMADA's SHORTPANTS were not available this time.Actually, I attended this test drive event last year as well. When I arrived, I decided on ATOMIC's BACKLAND."
I usually ride basic skis, but I learned the benefits of freeride skis.
The man in front of the ICELANTI tent is actually a basic skier.
"Usually I do basics and ride a foundation board. When I tried riding the ICELANTIC, it was really easy. I didn't have to worry about the snow quality to turn. It's much more slippery than a foundation board. That's right. Now I want to get serious about riding a freeride board. As I get older, I get better at easier boards (lol)."
A place to meet good boards, like a graphic art gallery
"We're watching STEEP!" they said, letting us take a fun photo.
The man said, ``This is my first time riding a NOMADO on an ICELANTIC.I usually ride a GS board.The ICELANTIC has a unique feel, it's great.'' A woman said, ``I ride NOMADO94 and MEIDEN102. They were both easy to ride.It's my first time at a test drive, but I'm glad I found a good board.You can see a lot of graphics at once! It's like an art gallery and it's fun!ICELANTIC "The model with the gold snake graphic on the black base is really cool!" he said with great excitement.
The test drive event is a fun place to communicate and socialize with the manufacturer's staff!
The three of them were having fun talking about skiing in front of the SWANS tent.
I thought they were actually Yamamoto Kogaku's ``relatives,'' but a staff member said, `` We meet each other at this Naeba test drive event every year, and we've known each other for 10 years.This year, they haven't come yet.'' That's what I was waiting for.In addition to lending out products, we value test drive events as a place to communicate with our customers, and we use the feedback we receive here for development.''I was surprised. is. From the two of you
"We don't have any other SWANS products! The lenses are overwhelmingly good, as they suit the Japanese face shape. At this test drive event, you can try it out by sliding on the snow wearing goggles and a helmet. , I buy new ones every season if I like them.I look forward to chatting with them at Naeba every year.'' The test drive event not only allows customers to experience the performance of the product, but also serves as an opportunity to interact with the manufacturer's staff.
Test drives are good because you can finally make the decision to buy by actually riding the car.
A self-proclaimed freestyle beginner who came from Tokyo. He currently uses K2's RECONA, and at today's test drive he test drove the ARMADA ARV94, FACTION Prodigy1, and LINE BLADE.
``The ARV94 feels quite stiff, and the Prodigy 1 is very solid and easy to ride.I've been interested in BLADE for a long time, but I can't decide until I ride it.It turns really well and is a lot of fun, so I wanted it.Test ride What I like about it is that you can make the final purchase decision."
Since it's local, feel free to go out and enjoy the local love
A couple had a long conversation with the staff at the MOMENT tent. Since he lives in the Yuzawa area, he came here casually. A big fan of MOMENT, a brand based on Kagura. She is also a regular customer of pro shop MOMENT. He is grateful that local brands always provide friendly support, which makes them his first choice when choosing skis.
``This guy even bought two MOMENT skis!'' his wife laughs. The good thing about MOMENT is its high gliding properties, so you don't have to worry about the weight. At the test ride event, he compared his rides with others and said that he felt a renewed sense of the quality of the board and his love for his hometown.
A chance to try out boards you don't normally ride to improve your freeride skills!
The two from Kanagawa have been skiing for over 20 years, have Arai Resort season passes, and ski powder on a daily basis. There was a lot of excitement talking about powder in the 4FRNT tent, but when I asked him about it, he said that the purpose of his visit this time was to ``try basic skiing.'' ``I don't usually get on the basic board, so I needed an opportunity like this.Basic skis are highly maneuverable.When carving, you can feel the power being transmitted to the board right away and it's easy to turn.It's especially easy to make small turns! I'm also thinking of taking the 2018 certification.I think if you get the basics right, you'll be able to skate well in freeride as well.''
I see! Test rides can also be an opportunity to try out different types of boards or jump into a new genre in order to pursue freeriding.
What are your thoughts on Dream Gate, which you hosted?
We asked Mr. Maruyama, the on-site general manager of Dream Gate, the sponsor of this test drive event, about the results and impressions of this test drive event.
``Tsugaike, which was held in February, was a full-fledged test drive event specializing in freeskiing. Naeba was an even larger event that included basic and alpine skiing, but on Saturday the 16th, about 200 people attended. On the 17th (Sunday), about 150 people came and it was very lively.Large test ride events like this are decreasing in the snow industry, but if you come, it's a valuable opportunity to try out various models. It's a great opportunity, so I think you'll appreciate it.
This time, to liven up the venue, we brought in DJ Muscle Rikiya, who played cool music, including nostalgic masterpieces such as ZOO's ``Choo Choo TRAIN,'' and created a bit of flashiness. And as a nice surprise, actress Anna Umemiya came to visit us!
The majority of visitors to the Naeba venue are skiers who can ride basic or carving skis. I think there is a trend that people who like fairly expensive brands and models are paying attention to them and actually purchasing them.
Among freeride models, the RMU and FACTION are probably popular among VAIL customers. The skis that seemed to work well for my ASPEN customers were fat skis from manufacturers of alpine skis such as FISCHER, ELAN, SALOMON, and ATOMIC. It also depends on the color of the pro shop.
I think it's a valuable opportunity for users to be able to see products from so many brands at once and try them out easily. This event is held every year, so please come and visit us next time! ”
Interview cooperation: Dream Gate Co., Ltd.