Yup.Very true.
But if you want top of the line stuff for a decent price, it's the only way to go. You still have to be prepared to shell out a lot of dough, but it is damn worth it if you're lucky enough to get the model and size you want.
I would never be able to get all that stuff paying retail price, actually I don't even think I would be prepared to spend so much even for a single Orage jacket.
Plus you have to know that even if Avalaan isn't cheap, it is easier for me to get for a very good price after the season is over, cause I live in Europe, so I don't have to pay any import taxes.
The interesting thing was that I ordered my York jacket from SierraSnowboard and had it sent over here + the import taxes and it was still have the price of the same jacket after season sale in europe.