 Poster: A snowHead
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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Well I thought it worth the price of my free ticket but certainly no more! The Monarch display team put on a good show and some interesting chats with people on various stands (inc of course the  stand) but certainly seems much smaller and quieter this year. Won tickets for London as well so will see if that is any better.
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Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
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RobW, Good to know about the station carpark! I got the train today but that could well come in handy in the future
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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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Enjoyed the Animal bike show as well (I know, nothing to do with skiing, but still great to watch) - the guy who did the commentating for that was absolutely brilliant ! First time I've ever been to a show, it was roughly what I expected. What surprised me was that stands like Ellis Brigham weren't offering any show discounts. Surely that's one of the ideas of these things to shift more gear by slightly discounting it.
Has the show previously been much bigger and busier in recent years ?
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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ArseneWengen, Last few years the show has been pretty much stable in size, but this year there is I think probably two rows less of stands: one to the left as you go in and one along the back. Everyone always complains about the show, but the crowds still go so they must be satisfying some people. You used to get a lot more small specialist shops there, but the cost of a stand now is so high that they few bother anymore - I think the only small ski shop there this year is White Mountain (who are local so no staff accommodation costs). One big(ish) retailer that I noticed not there this year is Two Seasons who always used to have one of the bigger stands.
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Yep seemed a touch smaller to me than when I last went a couple of years ago.
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Yes agree - smaller with EB the only large retailer (not discounting prices) plus few smaller retailers.
The retailers selling off older (cheaper) equipment &/or ex hire stuff seemed popular - not sure why as gear looked like junk to me!
Lots of bored looking stand reps standing about ...
If you choose to go - Good advice from RobW - park at station if you do go ... £5 pay at station ticket office machine.
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You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
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I find the NEC show is just like the Daily Mail Ski mag, I always think I should like it but get disappointed when I go there/read it.
We did the same as RobW, and parked at the rail station, agree ticket payment machines were hard to find although made sense if you'd come in off a train! Agree if we'd paid full price for tickets and parking I'd be feeling hard done by now rather than just disappointed.
I do wonder where these shows go, I always want to see new gear and tech gear, things I perhaps couldn't find in my local shop but the shows don't seem to cater to that.
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Is the Metro Show (is it still called that ?) at Earl's Court pretty much the same size as the NEC event ? Or is that slightly bigger ?
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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RobW, thanks for the tip about using the station car park. Saved me a few £ today.
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And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
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ArseneWengen, last time I went to the London show it was much bigger than the NEC show, my guess would be three times bigger if not more
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Good GOD!!!! - It really is doom and gloom with you lot isn't - if you can't say anything nice talk about the bloody weather like you usually do!! I went yesterday and had a great time, there was lots of interesting people to discuss all aspects of skiing with - AND WHY THE HELL would Ellis Brigham offer you discounts after investing millions in all the latest kit for this season
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You know it makes sense.
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Montblancskier, It's a perpetual moan about ski shows.
The point re EB is captive audience and opportunity to maximise sales. If a member of the public has paid to get into a show, extortionate parking etc , how do you think they feel if there's only one retailer there selling stuff exactly the same as in a store. Retailers and consumer products groups talk all the time about stratifying the consumer base. It wouldn't kill anyone to offer a 5% discount on goods bought at the show as a reward for those keen enough to go. They might even shift more kit rather than people saying - "well it's full price anyway, might as well check online when I go home".
I think they used to be a dumping ground for last season's kit which is where the reputation for bargains came from. Maybe with smarter buying, eBay and internet liquidation there's just less hangover stock around these days.
I think ski shows are a dying breed as the internet enables you to access better information faster and more accurately than talking to someone on the stand.
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Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
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fatbob, having said that I saw at least two other retailers there offering some amazing details of stock, one & two and in some cases three years out of stock. Personally I think this is pathetic whinging, the UK industry needs people getting behind it and giving it a boost not moaning about it all the time - because trust me you will moan even more when all the small guys have gone bust and there is no UK industry.
So put up or shut up having a go at the likes of the people who are trying to put on these ski shows for you and offer constructive critism - or perhaps you should do it yourself!!
I support the UK industry and will continue to do so
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Poster: A snowHead
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| Montblancskier wrote: |
- because trust me you will moan even more when all the small guys have gone bust and there is no UK industry.
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All ski shops near me have already gone bust long ago. Frankly one deserved to given their lack of expertise and risible stock, the other was probably a victim of its own somewhat bizarre business model. The ones that I would make an effort to divert to are still going strong because they have real expertise and passion for the sport.
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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fatbob, That's pleaseing to hear but would you expect them to sell you this year's kit at a discount, just because you want them too?
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Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
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Montblancskier, I'd expect a savvy business to know that a reasonably clued up punter needn't ever pay RRP for outdoor kit and therefore they'd be better with 95% of my cash now rather than 0% (if I go to a rival who'll easily offer 10% discount) or 60% if I do buy off them later in the season. It's all a bit moot for me as there is very little I actually need (but as if to prove my point it doesn't stop me being periodically tempted by sport pursuit).
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
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Knocking on £50 as a day out for two, I'd say that the weekends show wasn't all that compelling. That said looking around the NEC show's of all descriptions seem to be in decline. Perhaps they will turn the place into a giant indoor karting center.
As a comparison when we left and walked past the after show party for the Dive Show there seemed a lot more exhibitors, I think they managed to justify 2 halls. Odd given the comparative participation rates for the two sports.
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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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AndAnotherThing.., I think its more about the fact that Divers in general are much more likely to get up of their back bottom and support an event like this, thus there are more exhibitors, more DEALS, sorry will re-empathise that for those who only want DEALS to be had. Instead of sitting on their hands and then joyfully moaning about it instead of doing anything about it.
I read this old fashioned, clonky forum regularly and very rarely find anyone being positive or trying to do anything for the UK Ski Industry. Put your own houses in order first!!
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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| Montblancskier wrote: |
I read this old fashioned, clonky forum regularly and very rarely find anyone being positive or trying to do anything for the UK Ski Industry. Put your own houses in order first!! |
Way to make friends. What is the UK ski industry anyway? Scottish resorts, dry slopes and fridges? Any chancer of a camping shop or general clothing retailer that happens to stock a few ski clothes in winter? Zara? Decathlon? Primark? The same visionaries who wouldn't stock a ski over 90mm wide as "there is no UK market for that"?
& why are customers who first and foremost are viewed by the "industry" as walking wallets obliged to put themselves out for the convenience of the "industry"? It's the "industry's" job to work out how best to serve me as an individual and tailor its offerings appropriately.
Last edited by You'll need to Register first of course. on Mon 29-10-12 17:41; edited 1 time in total
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I agree with the point about supporting UK business versus presumably resort shops but the NEC show has barely changed over the years yet the way I purchase has. I now use the Internet to search out my gear and mostly purchase that way from good UK retailers (edge and wax and Lockwoods to name a couple).
I'm afraid I don't have the answer to how to make the show more interesting/enticing. With reference to the Dive show I wonder (don't know) if they just have 1 show at the NEC rather than NEC and London. Maybe the ski industry is stretching itself too thin with 2 mediocre shows rather than 1 good one?
I suppose I go to the shows hoping to see new gear/learn new things yet I haven't seem to have done that for quite a few years. Yes, a few bargains are nice too but I don't expect that. The stands that give information on resorts have probably been taken over by the Internet too where you can get a huge amount of information quickly.
I wonder what would happen if entry to the shows was free to all?
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fatbob, what you do for a living? Have you any idea how many people make their living from trying to make your one week a year as good as possible. It is not just the network of dry slopes etc around the country as you suggest. I have to say your reply to me is not very ingratiating to them either is it, or perhaps having read all the other posts you don't care about the TO's the airlines, the small independent accommodation owners, the specialist retailers, the distributors the resort ambassadors etc etc who make up the industry in the UK because its all about you and whether you can save a £5 here and there
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You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
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I went on a free ticket too but got ripped off on the parking, Id have to agree it was quite a waste of time and overpriced at £10 + petrol.
One thing I was after was a large bag to put a pair of skis and a board in, I found one that would do which said it was reduced from the RRP of £89.99 to £59.99 but before I bought it I thought Id check online for the same product. The very same company had the same bag and it said RRP£59.99 now £34.99 so it looked like they had invented a new higher price and then reduced it to the RRP so people thought they were saving. Still it gave me a chance to see it properly and so I ordered it online from them when I got back.
Id have to agree the ex rental stuff looked naff too and it was very quite all round, but then they did have it on the same weekend as Freeze
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| Phyllis Stein wrote: |
The retailers selling off older (cheaper) equipment &/or ex hire stuff seemed popular - not sure why as gear looked like junk to me!
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Maybe because you realised they were trying to flog it for several times what it was worth/would fetch on ebay. Was a bit puzzled by the big 'closing down' sale as well, the pricetags were all skiwarhouse which is skiwear4less's bricks and mortar stores but no sign on the website they are shutting anything down!
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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yeah skiwear4less's is the stand that had the misleading prices on the bags. Think they were using every trick in the book
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And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
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Montblancskier, How on earth are airlines, resort ambasadors, UK owned overseas chalets etc the UK ski industry?
I spend a significant amount of cash every year in pursuit of skiing but most of it gets spent directly with the outfits that provide the best service for my needs whether that's direct with resorts, airlines, overseas accomodation, Holiday Autos, transfer companies, snowcentre, the odd quality UK retailer,TO etc. I don't need middle men or lowest common denominator providers that seem be be a large feature of the UK "industry".
It feels like we've gone wildly off topic, you clearly believe that UK skiers have a duty to turn up to retail shows, have a great time and spend lots of cash in support of some nebulous industry. I say people's time is precious and that if you're charging them to turn up to a glorified shopping mall you better have something to offer them. FWIW I think the concept of a "show" these days works better as an industry beano than a genuinely valuable event for customers.
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| Montblancskier wrote: |
| AndAnotherThing.., I think its more about the fact that Divers in general are much more likely to get up of their back bottom and support an event like this........... Instead of sitting on their hands and then joyfully moaning about it instead of doing anything about it. |
I'm intrigued by your 'sitting on their hands comment'. If I'm not mistaken most of the comments here are from people who attended the show. It's hard to know what more they could have done 
I'd have thought that by expressing their views on the show they actually gives the organisers chance to address the issues and improve it for next year.
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You know it makes sense.
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fatbob, clearly your time is not precious the amount of time you find to spout sh*te here. Why shouldn't any of the above have some claim to be a part of the UK industry. I know a number of excellent people who work bloody hard as Resort Amabassador's in the UK to help - yes you to get more informed about the resorts they work for. They live here, work here and pay tax here and then you snub them as being insignificant. You know what you deserve the UK industry caving in on you and making it much more expensive for you to go skiing.
My point which i am trying to get across is stop the moaing and whinging, if the retailer is not giving the price you want go elsewhere, if you attend a show try and look for the positive not the negative, support people and help them not scream them down. And how anyone can blame the Ski Show organiser for the NEC car park prices is ridiculous. Clearly you don't research on line at all to find things out you blindly troop off and then moan, moan, moan. I did research the car park price before going and worked out I could save £16 using the train and put the saving towards a helmet so actually my helemt was £16 cheaper than the price I was prepared to pay 
Seriously lighten up before you loose the very little crediability you have left!!!
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Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
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AndAnotherThing.., Its the way its done, you can't just moan have you suggested an improvement - er no, just moaned because the local hospice charity shop is not there banging out second hand skiwear at a tenner
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Poster: A snowHead
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I think Montblancskier has some issues, mainly being a rude and vexatious idiot.
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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Standee, really because i disagree with your point of view?
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Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
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| Montblancskier wrote: |
| Standee, really because i disagree with your point of view? |
no, because you're rude and vexatious, but I'd imagine you're also short and got picked on at school.
Last edited by Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see? on Mon 29-10-12 15:07; edited 1 time in total
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
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| Montblancskier wrote: |
| I read this old fashioned, clonky forum regularly and very rarely find anyone being positive or trying to do anything for the UK Ski Industry. Put your own houses in order first!! |
Yes I suppose, having been registered here for a few weeks now, you're eminently qualified to judge snowHeads and all who post to it 
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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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I am just expressing my views but it seems if views go against those who are the most vocal here they are wrong or ignored. Tell me why I am wrong and you are all right and then we can debate sensibly.
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Standee, No I am 6' 3" have played at Centre for a number of semi pro rugby clubs and happy to meet you in a dark alley one night!!
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| Montblancskier wrote: |
| Standee, No I am 6' 3" have played at Centre for a number of semi pro rugby clubs and happy to meet you in a dark alley one night!! |
wow, you're even more moronic than your original posts suggest.
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You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
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Standee, Me you were the one who suggested I was short and picked on at school, I just said I play rugby!
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| Montblancskier wrote: |
| I am just expressing my views but it seems if views go against those who are the most vocal here they are wrong or ignored. Tell me why I am wrong and you are all right and then we can debate sensibly. |
You haven't snapped a pair of Atomic skis lately have you?
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FAQ
