I have a board that was given to me a couple of years ago and the foam started separating from the base. I'm still attached to it, but I'm not sure if it's worth taking it to a repair shop or if it's going to cost me almost as much as a new one.
How long has it been sitting unused? If it's mild delamination and the board has sentimental value, specialized snowboard shops can usually fix it by properly gluing the foam back and sealing it, and it normally ends up way cheaper than a new board 🏂 What I'd recommend though is calling a couple of places to get quotes before you decide, because depending on the damage it can vary a lot. If the board is pretty beat up or the repair costs more than half of what a new one goes for, then it's better to just invest in a fresh one.
Delamination can be fixed in many cases, but it depends on how much area has separated and whether the internal structure is damaged. If it's just an edge or a small area, it's definitely worth taking it to a specialized repair shop: they clean it properly, apply marine adhesive (which handles moisture and freeze-thaw cycles), and seal it with resin. The cost is quite a bit less than a new board, so if you're attached to it, it's the logical option.
What you do need to keep in mind is that if the delamination is really extensive or if the foam inside (the core) is breaking down, that's when it gets complicated. A good repair shop will be able to assess it in person and tell you pretty quickly whether it's worth fixing or not. A lot of places offer free estimates, so it's just a matter of asking them with no obligation. If the repair ends up being expensive, that's when you think about ditching the board, but it'll probably come out way cheaper than you're expecting.
Don't lose hope so fast - fixing it usually ends up way cheaper than you think. The thing is, the price really depends on where the delamination is: if it's on an edge or the tip, repair shops can stitch and seal it pretty quickly, but if it's spread toward the center of the board or affects a whole area, then it gets more involved. The important thing is to call a couple of snowboard-specialized shops and tell them exactly where the separation is - a lot of them'll give you a quote over the phone for free. If your board has that sentimental value you mentioned, it's worth at least checking before you toss it.
Before taking it to the shop, check carefully how much area is affected: if the delamination is just on the edges or the tip, it'll almost certainly be fixable. What you should do is call a couple of shops and ask for a quote with photos of the board, because some charge by damaged area and others by labor hours, so you'll actually see if it's worth it or not. If the foam is separated in the middle of the board or there's major structural damage, then it probably won't be worth it, but you won't know unless you ask around.
Most repair shops will charge you something pretty reasonable just to check out the board with no commitment, so it doesn't hurt to call ahead before deciding whether the repair's worth it or not. What also matters is that if the internal structure (the wooden core) is still intact and only the top sheet came unstuck, that's fixable and usually way cheaper than buying a new board.
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