jacquet, just wondering, why are you trying to compile a list of small, unknown snowboard companies?

it's not really in my scope because of my riding style and terrain preference, which is powder-freeride oriented.. lots of variable terrain covered in fresh snow.  we definitely get a couple days a year where i'd love to be on a carving deck, though.

  

I've been riding 20+ years, most of it on hardboot gear, and remember when at least 1/4 of the riders were on Burton PJ's or similar alpine decks.  The advent of pipes and terrain parks seems to have led younger riders away from that.  The difficulty with alpine gear is that it is such a niche market anymore, that it's impossible to find gear locally, so everything has to be ordered on personal research and blind faith, unless you attend one of the rare sponsored events in the nation where demo gear is available.  Bomber in Silverthorne, CO will still ship hardboot gear on a trial/rental basis. 

 

No doubt, you can tear it up on softboot gear, but once you get into hardboots, it feels like you're going from a recreational Cessna to an F-22.  Seriously, the edgehold and G-forces are unparalleled, and become what you crave.  The current crop of alpine gear has taken a HUGE technology leap over what it was, even 6 or 7 years ago, and of course you pay for it through the nose now.  But to set an 85 degree edge and be catapulted across the fall line...it's priceless.

 

 

 

"In action" clip, though excuse technical flaws.

[TUBE]njshVHxg998[/TUBE]

 

 

storm in a tea cup (edit) :) 

apparently LUX didnt get that memo either....

i thought i might need to reiterate....

cheers!

 

i might have... but i couldnt be asked to remember which one....

it may be that they have small footprints in america.... but they are by NO means a small operation!

Völkl, Nidecker, Head and Elan are some of the biggest names in the industry, PERIOD! though you might not know them as their real names....

Völkl and Head are really pretty big names in snowboards in europe!

Nidecker and Elan are as well, but specialize in pressing everyone elses boards.....

think (like spenser mentioned) yes and capita......

yes is nidecker, while capita is pressed by elan.

actually you got Völkl and Nidecker mixed up

Völkl is german, while Nidecker is swiss....

neither is small by any means!

but if its small you are looking for, try Goodboards

handmade in munich, germany

more tailored to big mtn and big boards.... apologize though, the site is in german, but if you click around, you can still get the specs of the boards....

Never heard of those board makers. But I checked them out from your post and they definitely look like something I would ride! Thanks!

Originally posted by spenser nidecker small?  they have been making boards since '84 and produce jones, yes, slash, and others.  one of the most respected factories out there.  the company has been around since 1887.

Should I have listed Oldenburg too? 

Would that have satisfied you? 

They had been producing Burton boards for 20 years. 

Did you know that? 

Should I quiz you where Oldenburg is now? 

Or should I hire Tom Sims to write my replies from now on? 

Cause you're getting on my nerves picking little fights over useless shit. 

What kind of contribution to the discussion are you offering with your pontificating observation? 

I named foreign brands with small footprints in USA. 

It's irrelevant how 'big' a company is in Europe if there is no American presence to an American shopper.

Gentem: http://www.gentemstick.com/

Death Label: http://www.garage-j.co.jp/product/

Death label get a lot of love in japan particularly from women riders (i see more women boarders on death lbel by far). 

Gentem is your pow heaven board. When you compare them both to US prices i imagine youll have a small fit.

A label thats kinda big but doesnt get the coverage in the US and so might slip under the radar might be endeavor. Their color series sells pretty well in Korea. 

 

Yonex (Japan) - http://www.yonex.co.jp/products/snowboards/index.html

Virus (Germany) - http://www.virus-snowboards.de/

Völkl (Switzerland)- http://www.voelkl-snowboards.com/

Fanatic (Japan) - http://www.fanatic-snowboards.com/fanatic-1213/htdocs/en/index.php

Trans (Germany) - http://www.trans-snowsports.de/snow/index.php?L=

F2 (Germany) - http://www.f2.com/snow/

Nidecker (Germany) - http://www.nidecker.com/

Website looks pretty ghetto though.  

I'm assuming it's a reaction to the Yes! snowboards brand.

if you're open to real small brands that are under most people's radars, but are still relevant in the real snowboard industry... something like dinosaurs will die would fit the bill.  they've been around for a while but are still very small and radical.  i could probably think of a few others.

unity and status are two others that come to mind.  there is also a new one starting up from the guy who is one of the better reps in the industry.  http://theinteriorplainproject.com/boards/... not sure if the brand is TIPP or if it's called no promises.

Even AngrySnowboarder likes 'em:

 

Snowboard companies or do they have to produce the boards themselves?

 

Also a company called Blank Snowboards www.blanksnowboards.com