Cruising along the rugged, snowy slopes of the Kittatinny Ridge, Gilson snowboards feel right at home. Perhaps that is because they are handcrafted from the timber of local Pennsylvania hardwoods. Or perhaps it is because Gilson Snow, the manufacturer of Gilson snowboards, is based right in the Appalachian foothills of Selinsgrove, PA.
Cofounded by Nick Gilson and Austin Royer in 2013, Gilson Snow now employs nearly 30 team members and ships its snowboards and skis to more than 40 countries around the world. “Pennsylvania is the sixth-highest density state in the country for snowboarders and skiers. There is just an extraordinary community of snowboarders and skiers in Pennsylvania, some amazing destinations here,” Nick Gilson said. (WNEP.com, November 17, 2022)
At the heart of Gilson Snow is a commitment to sustainability and responsible environmental practices. Their products are made with Pennsylvania Poplar because it is the lightest and lowest density hardwood, it grows fast and can be sustainably harvested, and it is delivered by local drivers. “The average snowboard and ski materials travel over 12,000 miles before reaching shelves. By tightening our supply chain and building for you instead of a warehouse, we have reduced the carbon footprint in every Gilson snowboard and ski.” (GilsonSnow.com)
Recognized as one of the world’s fastest-growing custom ski and snowboard brands, Gilson Snow still prizes its connection to the local community. “We love doing business in Pennsylvania. It’s all about the people,” said Nick Gilson. “There’s an awful lot of people here that have that ‘pull yourself up by your bootstraps—work your butt off and get the job done’ mentality.” (DiscoverNEPA.com, June 19, 2023)