Key takeaway: A blem is new gear with a cosmetic flaw, past-season is new gear from last year's line, and a demo is used gear from a shop's test fleet. Blems and past-season gear are new-condition buys; a demo needs the same once-over you'd give any used ski or board.
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The Short Answer: Three Labels, Three Different Deals
All three labels mean "cheaper than this season's full price," but you get something different with each one. Here's the quick version before you drop cash on next season's setup.
- Blem (blemished): new, never ridden, with a cosmetic flaw from the factory. Think a smudged graphic, a scuff on the topsheet or a tiny sidewall mark. It should ride exactly like the perfect one next to it.
- Past-season: new, never ridden, from a previous model year. Same gear the brand sold last winter, often with last year's graphics. Sometimes the current version is unchanged; sometimes it got a new shape or construction.
- Demo: used. Shops rent these to riders who want to try before they buy, then sell the fleet off. Demo skis usually come with demo bindings that adjust to many boot sizes, and they carry whatever days the fleet put on them.
Cosmetic vs. Structural: The Flaw Is What Matters
A cosmetic flaw changes how the gear looks; a structural flaw changes how it rides or how long it lasts. A legit blem should only have the first kind. A demo can have either, so check it.
Usually cosmetic (fine to buy)
- Misprinted or smudged topsheet graphics
- Small scratches or scuffs on the topsheet
- Minor base scratches that don't go through to the core
- A small chip on the sidewall paint that doesn't expose the core
Structural (walk away or get a shop opinion)
- Delamination: layers separating at the tip, tail or sidewall. Bubbling or lifting can mean moisture has worked inside.
- Core shots: gouges deep enough to show the material under the base.
- Cracked or missing edge sections.
- A bent or flattened profile: put skis base to base and look for an odd gap or a twist.
- Water under the topsheet: the backcountry site WildSnow notes that minor topsheet damage is usually not a big issue unless water has gotten underneath and is spreading.
Questions to Ask Before You Buy
Ask these and get the answers in writing (an email or the product listing counts).
For a blem
- What exactly is the flaw, and can I see a photo of it?
- Is it a factory blem, or was it damaged in the shop or in shipping?
- Is it sold as new, and does the brand's warranty apply to blems? (Ask; don't assume.)
- Can I return it if the flaw turns out to be more than cosmetic?
For past-season
- Which model year is it, exactly?
- What changed in the current version: shape, core, construction, or just graphics?
- Is my size still listed? Past-season sizes sell out and don't come back.
For a demo
- How many seasons was it in the fleet, and when was it last tuned?
- How many times has it been mounted, and were old holes plugged? WildSnow says to check how many times a ski has been remounted and that any old holes have been properly plugged.
- What bindings are on it, and will a shop still adjust them? Have a shop run a release check before you ride used bindings.
How to Compare a 2019 Blem With a Newer Model
An older blem is only a deal if it beats what a newer model costs on sale right now. Here's how to run the numbers.
- Find the current benchmark. Look up what a comparable ski or board from a recent season costs on sale. On October 12, 2026, for example, the Black Diamond Impulse Ti 98 (past season) was listed at $399.98 on Powder Deals.
- Find out what changed. Check whether the shape, core or construction changed between the old model and the new one. If only the graphics changed, the old one rides the same. If the shape changed, you're buying a different ride.
- Add the setup cost. A blem ski usually comes flat, so budget for bindings and a mount. A blem board needs bindings too.
- Ask about warranty and returns. See the next section.
- Decide. If the old blem plus setup costs close to a newer past-season model, the newer one is usually the better buy. If it's well under, and the flaw is truly cosmetic, it can be a great way to ride more for less.
Want an example? We broke down one older blem in detail: the GNU Hyperkyarve C2X (women's, 2019) Mervin blem.
Warranty: Policies Differ by Brand
Warranty terms differ by brand, and so check the brand's own policy before you buy. Keep your receipt. Here are the policy pages for the brands in the deals below:
- Black Diamond warranty and repairs
- Burton warranty
- Lib Tech warranty
- Union Binding Company warranty claims
Buying a demo or a used blem from another rider? Ask the brand whether its warranty transfers to a second owner.
Common Mistakes
- Treating "blem" as "damaged." A real blem is new. The flaw should be cosmetic only.
- Treating "demo" as "new." A demo has days on it. Inspect it like any used gear.
- Ignoring mount holes. Count them on any used or demo ski.
- Forgetting setup costs. Bindings, a mount and a tune add up fast.
- Buying the wrong size because it's cheap. The best deal is the one that fits how and where you ride.
Past-Season Deals We Found
These are past-season and prior-year listings on Powder Deals. We re-checked every one on October 12, 2026: all five were still listed as available at the merchant, but several are down to one or two sizes. Prices change fast, so check the deal page before you buy. None of these is labeled a blem or a demo; they're new past-season gear.
| Gear | Listed Oct 12 | Was | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Black Diamond Impulse Ti 98 Skis (past season) | $399.98 | $799.95 | All-mountain skiers who want metal for hardpack |
| Black Diamond Women's Impulse Ti 104 Skis (past season) | $424.97 | $849.95 | Women chasing a wider one-ski quiver |
| Black Diamond Men's Recon Stretch Shell (past season) | $299.40 | $499 | Resort and sidecountry days |
| Lib Tech Cortado Women's Snowboard (2024/2025) | $349.99 | $499.99 | Women riders who want last year's board for less |
| Union STR Men's Snowboard Binding (2024/2025) | $142.95 | $219.95 | Riders building a budget setup |
- Black Diamond Impulse Ti 98 (past season): listed at $399.98 at Black Diamond Equipment on Oct 12. See the deal (affiliate link: we may earn a commission)
- Black Diamond Women's Impulse Ti 104 (past season): listed at $424.97 at Black Diamond Equipment on Oct 12. See the deal (affiliate link: we may earn a commission)
- Black Diamond Men's Recon Stretch Shell (past season): listed at $299.40 at Black Diamond Equipment on Oct 12, down from $349.30 when we first checked on Oct 8. See the deal (affiliate link: we may earn a commission)
- Lib Tech Cortado Women's Snowboard (2024/2025): listed at $349.99 at Equipe Sport on Oct 12, with only one size still listed as available. See the deal (affiliate link: we may earn a commission)
- Union STR Men's Binding (2024/2025): listed at $142.95 at Equipe Sport on Oct 12, with only one size still listed as available. See the deal (affiliate link: we may earn a commission)
Want to know whether to buy now or wait? Check the price history on each deal page. If the current price is at or near the lowest we've recorded, it's a reasonable time to buy. If it has been lower recently, consider waiting. Browse more on the Powder Deals deals page.
FAQ
What does "blem" mean on skis or snowboards?
Blem is short for blemished. It's new gear with a cosmetic flaw, like a smudged graphic or a topsheet scuff, sold at a discount. The flaw shouldn't affect how it rides.
Is a demo ski new or used?
Used. Demo skis and boards come from a shop's test fleet, so they have days on them. Inspect the base, edges and mount holes, and have a shop check the bindings.
Is past-season gear worse than the current model?
Not necessarily. Some models carry over with only new graphics. Others change shape or construction. Ask what changed, then decide whether the discount is worth it to you.
Do blems and demos come with a warranty?
It depends on the brand and the seller. Check the brand's warranty page and ask the seller before you buy.
How many times can a ski be mounted?
There's no single number. More holes mean more chances for water to get in and less fresh material for a new mount. Ask about mount history, and get a shop's opinion on any ski with several sets of holes.
Sources
- WildSnow, Used Gear Buying Guide: Skis, Boots, Bindings, Skins
- Brand warranty pages linked in the warranty section above
Prices and availability were checked on October 12, 2026 and may have changed. Powder Deals earns a commission on some purchases made through links on this page.