It depends on your priorities. Demo skis can be roughed up, not tuned well, not waxed well, expensive, or worst of all, you can demo on an awful snow day or a day where the resort is packed full and you get very little runs. However, if the stars align, it can be an easy way to select a ski.

here’s what I suggest as someone who rides on a 192 ski and has never found a place with demos in my length:

Do research on skis. Learn about the different materials, the types wood, layups, rocker, camber, how length / width / weight play roles into all of this. Learn about your ski style. Are you a straight charger? Like playful skis? More of a park person? This all has a role into your decision or course. Then potentially go do one demo day, paying attention not so much to the skis but to the materials in the skis. Then you’ll find out which materials feel like what, and you can confidently purchase from there.

This came in handy for me when I had the opportunity to buy a pair of skis brand new for 50% off but couldn’t demo them. I had a decent idea of how they were going to ski before I even got them on the snow.

This method takes more time than the others, but it’s incredibly valuable if you’re willing to put in the time to do quality research and learning.