Fourteen independent U.S.-based ski and snowboard companies have banded together to promote buying U.S.-made product for the upcoming ’13/’14 winter season. This venture brings together startups and established companies alike, all working together to showcase U.S.-built product.
“We believe in small business, and more specifically quality craftsmanship and manufacturing based in the US,” said Zak Anderson, Co-Founder of Montana Ski Company. “Pooling our resources and combining efforts in the Colab is critical because we don’t have the same marketing budgets as the larger ski manufacturers, so through the Colab we can, in a way, step up to the plate with the big boys.”
The efforts of the initial USA Colab include promoting U.S.-made products and announcing the USA Colab group through an ad campaign in SKIING, Powder, Freeskier, Snowboard, and Backcountry magazines.
“Wagner joined the Colab because we love American made products and we’re proud of the precision-crafted skis that we create in our Colorado factory,” said Pete Wagner, CEO & Founder of Wagner Skis. “We would be very excited if going forward all skiers and snowboarders asked the standard car-buying and farmer’s market question: Where is this produced?”
In addition to internal funding, the Utah Governor’s Office of Economic Development has matched money contributed by the five Utah-based companies participating in the USA Colab.
Founding Members of the US Colab include:
Batalla, Bluehouse, Fat-ypus, High Society Freeride Company, Icelantic, L2R Snowboards, Meier Skis,
Montana Ski Company, RAMP Sports, Rocky Mountain Underground, Voile, Wagner Custom, Zoo York Snowboards, 4FRNT
