Helmetflak

Many of those Demo's come from rentals (same with the guides...). With the current restrictions on, rentals around town are very low!

Some interesting comments and information in the article on here about Whistler. I've lived in town and work as a LBS for a few years now and its interesting to see how people generalized the whole experience. One thing is yes, things in Canada generally cost more than the states but as opposed to the rest of Canada, these is no "resort" tax. Competition is high among the shops and keeps that from happening. If you paid $13 for a tube chances are you didn't look around much (There are 10 shops in town) or got sold a thicker FR/thorn resistant tube. The park is F*CKED mid summer, it eats bikes. Come earlier or later and maybe you can get away with your trail rig after its rained more than once in the last month. If your not a smooth rider/know the trails your gonna be bashing your bike and blowing sh*t up. If your worried about tire prices many places in town (including Whistler Blackcomb) have used tire piles. Its expensive for us to recycle them in town so we just give them away. Last but definitely not least, RESPECT THE SHOPS! Sure sometimes your labour cost may be a bit high but you just ran into the shop freaking out about the derailleur YOU blew up (which wasn't our fault) and need it done on the spot. Never mind the 12 other rigs that came in before you. Yours needs done NOW. Considering this is the case very often I have no problem charging these rates when my shops policy is no more than a 24Hr turnover on all repairs if we have the parts.