Wow, after hearing all these complaints I'm glad I wasn't there. Not.
I've always looked at the banquet cost going towards the chance to win a board or bindings. Who cares about the food. Last year once the beer ran out I bought bottles. Oh well. It helped to ease the pain leaving without winning a board. Then I went out on the town and smiled the whole time because I was in Aspen, Colorado.
In 05 I bought the package and demoed one board. I would have demoed more but I didn't want to take the time to get setup and lose time on the mountain. So in 07 I just got the lift tickets at a great price. Didn't demo at all, just rode with a ton of people and met some great new friends and caught up with others I met in 05.
I will say this though, if the St. Moritz ever closes there outdoor pool, I will be pissed.
See you in 2010, I hope.