The question "where are snowboards made" is a pretty broad one - there are a large number of different snowboard manufacturers, and the factories where they produce their boards are spread across different locations across the world.
A comment on another post sparked my interest in wanting to discover where all the major snowboarding brands produce their snowboards.
I already knew a lot of them off hand, from talking with reps and generally researching for this website, but I hadn't done a more comprehensive summary of where the major brands operate from.
So below is what I discovered with regards to the following different brands.
- Arbor
- Burton
- Capita
- Endeavor
- K2/Ride
- Jones
- Mervin Manufacturing (GNU/Lib Tech/Roxy)
- Never Summer
- Niche
- Nidecker
- Rossignol
- Salomon
- Slash
- YES
Below will highlight both the headquarters and the factory for each snowboard brand - for most these are different locations.
ARBOR
Founded: 1995
Headquarters: Venice, CA, United States
Factory: Dubai, UAE - SWS (Sideways Sports)
Though Arbor are just as known for their Skateboards, they launched the brand with snowboards - in 1995, 3 years before starting to produce skateboards.
Manufacturing of Arbor Snowboards moved to SWS in Dubai in 2013. Previously they were manufactured in Furnitz, Austria at the Elan OEM factory - which used to manufacturer for a number of brands before going bankrupt.
BATALEON
Founded: 2001
Headquarters: Low Pressure Studio, Amsterdam, Netherlands
Factory: Titan Factory, China.
Bataleon have been around longer than you'd think and are most well known for their 3BT bases.
Bataleon board's are designed at the Low Pressure Studio in Amsterdam.
In terms of manufacturing, Bataleon used to have their boards produced at the Elan factory in Austria but when that closed they had to move production. Production was temporarily moved to Asia, but then returned to Austria, when Capita bought the Mothership. They are, at the time of writing, pressing their boards in the Titan Factory in China (thanks to Jay in the comment section, who spoke with Bataleon's online chat). Some production may take place at SWS in Dubai, but it's not verified that this is still the case for their latest models.
BURTON
Founded: 1977
Headquarters: Burlington, Vermont, United States
Factory: Uttendorf, Austria (KEIL) & Various locations in China
Essentially the founders of snowboarding, Burton still manufactured their snowboards in Vermont up until 2010. At that point a lot of production had already moved to Asia and Europe but higher end boards were still produced in Vermont. The production of those boards moved to Austria in 2010.
Burton still run their prototyping facility in Vermont, but production takes place mostly in China and Austria.
CAPITA
Founded: 2000
Headquarters: Gail, Austria (The Mothership) - founded in Seattle, WA, United States
Factory: Feistritz a.d. Gail, Austria (The Mothership)
When the ELAN factory disbanded in 2013, there were a number of snowboard brands without a factory, including Capita. Each of those brands sought new places to manufacture their snowboards.
Capita took perhaps the most interesting (and arguably best) new approach - creating their own factory - The Mothership - and new, environmentally sound production techniques. The brand was founded in Seattle, USA, but the Mothership appears to now be the heart and soul of the brand.
ENDEAVOR
Founded: 2002
Headquarters: Vancouver, BC, Canada
Factory: Ningbo, China (Maosen Sports)
Founded and based in Vancouver, BC, Canada, actual manufacturing takes place in China.
JONES
Founded: 2010
Headquarters: Truckee, CA, United States
Factory: Dubai, UAE - SWS (Sideways Sports)
Jones is part of the Nidecker group (see also YES, Slash and Nidecker).
Jones started out production in the GST factory. After the GST factory closed it moved to fellow Nideckerites YES's production home - SWS - in Dubai in 2016.
K2/RIDE
Founded: 1987/1992
Headquarters: Seattle, WA, United States
Factory: Guangzhou Province, China
K2 Sports LLC (which is in turn owned by Kohlberg & Company, and a few different owners before that), produce K2 snowboards and Ride snowboards. K2 snowboards, a subsidiary, was founded in 1987 and Ride Snowboards founded in 1992.
MERVIN MANUFACTURING
Founded: 1977
Headquarters: Seattle, WA, United States
Factory: Carlsborg, Washington, United States
Mervin Manufacturing operates the snowboarding brands Lib Tech, GNU, Roxy and Bent Metal.
They have their own factory and testing grounds in Washington, USA, and are highly focused on eco-friendly manufacturing processes.
NEVER SUMMER
Founded: 1991
Headquarters: Denver, Colorado, United States
Factory: Denver, Colorado, United States
One of the few companies that operates their factory in the same location as their headquarters. Academy Snowboards are also made in Never Summer's factory.
NICHE
Founded: 2010
Headquarters: Salt Lake City, Utah, United States
Factory: Small Mediterranean Town (according to their website)
Niche have bounced around a bit between factories. It was in the GST factory originally, before moving to the Mothership (Capita) and then the KIEL factory and now it seems like they've moved again, but only state on their website a "small Mediterranean town".
NIDECKER
Founded: 1984
Headquarters: Rolle, Vaud, Switzerland
Factory: Rolle, Vaud, Switzerland (Swiss Lab Factory) / Meditec, Tunisia / Titan, China
The Nidecker group encompasses a few different snowboard & binding brands. But they also have their own named brand snowboards (and bindings and boots), built in Rolle (Switzerland), Meditec (Tunisia) and Titan (China).
ROME
Founded: 2001
Headquarters: Waterbury, Vermont
Factory: Dubai, UAE - SWS (Sideways Sports)
Rome began in 2001 and produce bindings and boots as well as snowboards. They were acquired by Nidecker Group in 2018 and joined Low Pressure Studios in Amsterdam, Netherlands, where their boards are now designed.
Some of the Production process may also still take place in Utopie (Canada) and Playmaker (Taiwan) but this isn't verified for the latest models.
ROSSIGNOL
Founded: 1987
Headquarters: Isère, France
Factory: France and Spain.
Rossignol is a French brand but has been owned by various different companies over the years. They are more known for making skis - and that seems to be where their focus is these days. Their snowboards don't seem to get as much attention. Manufacturing was in Asia for a while, but moved their manufacturing back to Europe - or at least most of it, by the sounds of it.
SALOMON
Founded: 1995
Headquarters: Annecy, France (marketing based out of Portland, OR, US)
Factory: China. Manufactured in China with design and development undertaken in France.
Like Rossignol (and K2 and others not on this list), Salomon was originally a ski brand. And they now make a number of other products for running and hiking as well. They started making snowboards in 1995.
SLASH
Founded: 2012
Headquarters: Vorarlberg, Austria
Factory: Meditec, Tunisia and NBL Poland
YES
Founded: 2009
Headquarters: Switzerland - but designed in BC, Canada, I believe
Factory: Dubai, UAE - SWS (Sideways Sports)
YES is part of the Nidecker group (see also Jones, Slash and Nidecker).
Manufacturing started out briefly in Tunisia, then shifted to the now defunct GST factory in Austria. Production then moved to the SWS factory in Dubai in 2014.
So there you have all the current headquarters and factories for some of the major snowboard brands. Of course there are many other brands that haven't been included here but hopefully this helps to answer the question "where are snowboards made".
It's likely that some of the above will change over the years, but for now, these are the current locations as far as I can tell. Due to some brands not being that forthcoming about where their snowboards are made (and this also made this post take 3 times as long to write as I expected!), there could be some errors in the information above, despite a lot of research having gone into it.
For a more comprehensive list of brands check out the following (just note that the following hasn't been updated since 2014 so some of it is out of date - e.g. they still have the GST factory listed for a number of brands):
>>Where Are Snowboards Really Made
If you know of any errors in the info above or become aware of certain companies changing location, feel free to leave a comment below and I will update accordingly.
Image Credits
Photo by Ruth Hartnup [CC BY 2.0], via Flikr
Rossignol brought their manufacturing back to Europe, mostly France, with some Italy and Spain. Do a quick search for the latest. Thanks for the list!
Hey JD. Thanks for pointing that out – I have updated it now.
Still not sure what the take home from all this is.
I’m interested in Cardiff boards at the moment and was turned off a bit that they are made in China but seem like Western Pricing. G87 i believe. Who knows what other brands are out of there apart from Weston?
I swore off Mervin years ago after cracking a core on day 1, they did not want to help, said it was “impact damage, most likely from a rail” I’m not a park guy and did nothing but cruise it around and a few butters which is what probably cracked it, told them this and still nothing. Easy decision after that. It’s more how you handle an issue than the mistake made.
Say what you like about Burton, where ever its made they sort their issues out ASAP.
Capita have always been great and it has to be said their ethos and factory has to be the most respectable of the list.
Doesn’t matter so much where it’s made in terms of quality. If the guy on the day is having a bad day or a machine is slightly off or the glues, resins had an issue, differences in wood etc etc, any one of these variables can make your board and unlucky lemon. It’s a lottery in some ways. There is no brand out there imune to the odd mistake or issue beyond their control.
Hi Aaron, thanks for your message and thoughts.
No take home intended. This was just for interest’s sake.
Winterstick Snowboards owns and operates its own factory at the base of Sugarloaf in Maine USA. Chairlift shares the old horse barn on the west mountain side.
Two one more snowboard Manufacturers for the list from Squamish, BC.
KNWN MFG by Jason Broz knwnmfg.com Customs hand made in Squamish. Others in China.
Spline by Justin Lamaroux splinesnowboards.com All made in Squamish
Hi Nate, our Slash Headquarters is run as family business from Vorarlberg, Austria. Independent, no partnership. Please make correction. Thanks.
Best regards
Hey GiGi
Thanks for the clarification. Much appreciated. I have made the correction now.
On their website, Niche say their manufacturing is in a small Mediterranean town… such mysterious secrecy… I would guess Tunisia.
My daughter’s Arbor is showing considerable sign of wear and de-lamination from one season and a few knocks against the ski racks… yay Dubai manufacturing.
Hey Ek, thanks for pointing that out from Niche’s website. Sounds like they’ve changed again! Yes, very mysterious – but Tunisia is probably a good guess.
Update for Bataleon boards: They are now pressed in the Titan Factory located in China. Source: Bataleon Live Chat. Yes, I asked them the question of where their boards are manufactured.
Thanks Jay. Appreciate it!
Nitro is made at Playmaker in Taiwan.
Any idea where the Signal boards are made? I think they’re based out of California but not sure exactly where.
Hey JBare
Yeah, I think you’re right – Huntington Beach, California according to this.
I’ve deep dove into this matter a bit as well cuz I do prefer boards produced locally ofc. – even though boots and bindings are almost all Asia made besides some exotic ones like Clew (correct me if I’m wrong) making this a bit hypocritical topic. Seems like most of the producers are switching to “overseas” cheap production plants unfortunately. Nidecker now only mentions Tunisian and Titan China site on their web so the “Swiss” aura is gone as well. Burton seems to be a bit chaotic with their line up. Deep thinker, Free thinker, Pow wrench and Skeleton key all made in China (chatted with them, their online support is A+). You can rely on the product photos as well, I’f you spot “Made in Austria” proudly printed on the top sheet, that is a good sign, however if that is missing on the top sheet model description text, you have hands on one of those China “outsourced” boards. Also be aware that 2023 Custom board is EU made while “Smalls” version is China made.
Thank you, this info really helped guide some of my recent purchases, and I was having trouble finding it elsewhere! Much appreciated!
You’re very welcome Jack. Thanks for your message and glad we were able to be helpful.
Bought a Jones Ultracraft in 2020 made in UAE – already showing more wear than my (2014?) Jones Flagship made in Austria which seems indestructible. I think the factory matters but also all the major brands are going with “environmental friendly” manufacturing but it seems the tradeoff is a less durable board.
I think that being eco-friendly is a high matter, but when you know the work conditions that are close to slavery in Dubai. I would re-consider the green washing for better human treatment.
I started and maintain this spreadsheet (originally based on the 2014 article you linked above, but updated) of snowboard factories, where they are, and which brands build there.
Google Docs Snowboard Brands’ Factories Spreadsheet
There are a whole bunch of smaller brands that build their own boards, only a few of which I’ve included (like Prior in Canada), and even smaller “one man operations” who make awesome stuff but they are just too small and too many to list. Here too I included Hightide, also in Canada, as an example.
Hi Boris
Thanks for sharing. Awesome resource!
Niche, DWD and DC are no longer made at the Mothership. Just CAPiTA and Spring Break.
I recently got a Salomon Assassin (21/22 year model) and it has “Made in China” stamped on the base near the tail. When did they move their manufacturing over there? Do they make all their boards there? The die cut bubbled towards the back and a crease near the edge on the front seemingly came out of nowhere, which slashed my confidence in the brand.
Hi Rob
Thanks for your message.
Yeah it’s a really confusing one. With a bit more research, I see differing reports from some saying they’re made in France/Bulgaria but others saying made in China. When I did my initial research everything pointed towards France/Bulgaria – but if it’s saying made in china on the board, then that lends more evidence that they’re made in China. Not sure why it’s hard to find definitive info on this – this reddit post might be worth a read. But it looks like they are designed and developed in Annecy France and manufactured in China, based on what I can find out.
Thanks for pointing this out – I will adjust this post to reflect the new information.
Hey Nate! I received an email response from Salomon customer service on Feb 16 stating “all of our snowboards are currently made in China.” So there you go.
Hey AMac
Thanks for the clarification. I will update the post for that.
What about Winterstick the original snow surf company?
Hi Joe
Thanks for pointing them out. Winterstick isn’t a company I’ve come across much. This list was mostly comprised of brands that I currently test. Looks like Wintersick boards are manufactured in Maine. When I get some time, I’d be happy to add them to the list.
Just bought a Bataleon Blow and it had a “Made in China”. This is one of their lower-end/beginner boards.
I just purchased the new evil twin plus their top of the line board, and it is also made in China. I emailed the company’s customer support and indeed they have moved all manufacturing from Austria to China
Good to know, thanks Deacon
So my comment did finally wake your interest to do some research;)
Thx for the article Nate!
Thanks Nate!
Love the environmental aspects info here as well.
The company in Austria (Burton) is called KEIL and SWS stands for Sideways Sports afaik…
Best regards
Hi gox
Thanks for your message and for the corrections there.
SWS is a funny one. Found a couple of sources that say Solico Winter Sports and a couple that say Sideways Sports. But Sideways Sports is more recent, so I think your right there. Did they change their name or are the Solico Winter Sports sources in error?
This is very informative. I always wondered where they were made. Are any companies Canadian made?
SWS Snowboards Dubai
Hi Dan
Thanks for your message.
Of the brands that I test currently there aren’t any of them made in Canada, but YES Snowboards and Endeavor Snowboards are designed in Canada. Stepchild are another that are a Canadian company, but I don’t think their factory is actually in Canada either. I’m sure there are probably some small brands that actually build in Canada, but I’m not sure
PS: Thanks for the link. That’s one of the ones I found after the last comment too.
Prior makes semi-custom and custom boards out of Canada. One of their boards is a favorite of The Good Ride.
Wired Snowboards higher price boards are made in British Columbia and you can get a cheaper Asian made version of the same decks for less $$$
Rome Snowboards are an American company from Vermont I believe. But there boards are made in Quebec Canada. Excellent boards from what I have researched. I’m looking at buying the “ravine” model.
Hi Ryan
Thanks for your input. I will have to add Rome in here. We were able to test some Rome boards last winter for the first time – and really good boards from our experience.
My 22/23 Rome Ravine says made in UAE…
I’ve owned several Rome boards over the years, and till 20-21 season the boards were made in Taiwan, now they are made in UAE at SWS, as well as most of Nidecker owned brands
Hey Alex
Thanks for the info. This is definitely a moving target! Upon further research to corroborate that I have made the change now.
I’ve had a made-in-Quebec Torque JAX all-mountain board for about a month, now. It’s been in a variety of different trail conditions, from fresh corduroy to flash-frozen, iced-up bumps and it has handled everything I’ve thrown at it. TB Snowboards are also made in Quebec and Vaughn snowboards are made in New Brunswick.
Rome is SWS since ndk hopped in
K2/ride is made at Kaitai Sports in Weihai China
I had a bad experience with Ride. I not going to condemn the brand, but first time I use my twinpig 2020, the top sheet cover started to come out and I never hit anything the bottom is in perfect condition but the top sheet is ruined.
Never Summer is the best.
And you can’t beat Made in Colorado!
I AGREE Shredder !
Talked to someone at Jones today,they told me to there boards are built in Dubai
UNBELIEVABLE !!!
Never Summer
Made in The U.S.A.
Nuff said !
To my amazement Mervin produces a Roxy called the Wahine in 2019 but it isn’t made in Washington. I haven’t heard a solid answer where it is actually made but I bought one for under $300. It is essentially the opposite of every board Mervin makes…full wrapped edge, traditional camber, no mag, and a fiberglass topsheet. It just shows that outsourcing happens with the companies you’d less likely believe would do that. Not to say it’s garbage….just different.