Max Snowboard Rentals On A Roll

Edited by Robyn Hakes
(6-17-98)

While many shops are closing their doors for good this year, Max Snowboard Rentals of Colorado, on the other hand is looking to open them up. According to Vice President Tom Sapiro, the company has already acquired three new locations and is looking for two to four more stores to open by the beginning of the '98/ 99 season.

"We are coming off of a very good year," Sapiro says. "The opportunities available with increased snowboarding days at resorts means we can further penetrate the resorts and capitalize on the continued boom in snowboarding."

The new locations, slated for Squaw Valley, The Canyons, and Vail, bring the shop total to thirteen. All the Max locations specialize in rentals, offering new equipment every year, and also sells apparel. "We provide by far the best rental facility and equipment out there," Sapiro continues. "Our goal is to encourage more beginning boarders with a positive experience. We give them confidence with their setup on the hill by giving them correct equipment."

When asked whether the concept of a specialty snowboard shop is becoming obsolete, Sapiro answered, "Absolutely not. You expect good service. You spend a lot of money for a board, and it should not be self-help. People still buy sunglasses from little specialty boutiques, it's the same with snowboarding.

"There's still tons of room for retailers," he continues. "The big-box [stores] are not at resorts, and there's a ton of purchasing done at resorts."

Max Snowboard Rentals are located in spaces anywhere from 800 to 3,000 square feet. According to Sapiro, you have to be willing to adjust your operations if you want the space at resorts. But though resort locations are the ideal situation, he says he will continue to open up stores in urban areas as well.

In addition to offering rentals, all Max stores have complete backshops with Grindrite machines.

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