Dupraz Splitboarding 2024/25 Preview

Retail Buyers Guide: Splitboarding 2024/25 Retail Buyer’s Guide
Brand: Dupraz
Interviewee: Marketing Dupraz

How would you describe the current state of the snowboard market? What big developments, changes, challenges, and/or opportunities are you seeing and how is your brand navigating them?
From our side, we see the interest for our shapes growing year by year. This winter we will celebrate the 20th anniversary of Dupraz snowboards and the D1 shape, which has, and continues to be a true game changer in the snowboard industry. Nowadays, people are really looking for the best quality and cost performance in a product that will offer them the best experience on the slopes – this is exactly what Dupraz brings to the table with the D1, a unique snowboard which excels in all conditions.

Following overall price increase, any positive developments with regards to manufacturing, sourcing, or logistics and the changes you’ve made? Are there any examples you can share of how your business pivoted effectively? What developments are you seeing with regards to product pricing?
We have worked hard to minimize price increases as best we could without lowering the quality of raw materials or manufacturing. Our boards are still proudly made in Europe with high quality European components for the most durable construction.

Is e-commerce sales still strong since most brands have been put a lot of effort in physical retail?
E-commerce is still strong for us especially in countries currently without distribution. However, local shops are still a very important part of our identity, as they are the best place to be introduced to the D1 and the world of ‘Duprazing’.

After last winter and the lack of snow in Europe, what’s your overall sales and production/inventory strategy for 24/25?
Our strategy is to keep the same pragmatic value proposition for both riders and retailers we’ve had since the beginning. Producing a versatile shape that performs in all conditions, in different sizes and flexes to offer an almost custom fit and a unique riding experience for customers. We offer a timeless product which stands above the yearly trends and planned obsolescence decided in far away boardrooms.

Does your brand have any new developments concerning sustainability and/or how you are positioning any environmental messaging?
We still choose to keep our manufacturing in Europe with high quality European raw materials under European industry rules, which are some of the environmentally strictest worldwide.

What are your top product marketing stories for next season?This winter we will celebrate the 20th anniversary of Dupraz snowboards, and the 40th anniversary of Serge starting to shape snowboards…so stay tuned!

D-Tour 6’0

SPLITBOARD SPECIFIC

What about new board construction, innovation, or shape trends? Any big advancements in functionality? Skinning, transitions, etc., plus riding? Any specific effort on ranges for 24/25? If yes, where and why?
For next season the D-tour, our high line carbon splitboard, will be carried over and we will also be introducing a new split model with classic construction at a more affordable price point.

Are you using any new materials in your splitboard for 24/25? If so, what, and why? We’re interested in anything new in inserts / edges / cores / sidewalls / glue / resin/ wood types / base material, top sheet here.
The D-tour will receive a new top sheet with protection against pole and crampon strikes while skinning, in addition to working with the factory on small improvements to the wood core and other materials.

Any new design or pattern approaches in your 24/25 gear? Any collabs on the line?
For 24-25 we will back to minimalist and soul surf designs on our products. We find those are a classy look and they age well.

Key products

D-Tour 5’5:
The D-Tour 5’5 and D-Tour 6’0 bring the proven D1 shape to splitboard form in a lightweight carbon construction. From icy ridges to big lines to the deepest tree runs, rest assured you’ll have the best possible board underfoot, exceeding your expectations at every turn.

D-Tour 5’5