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Do you know which brand made the world’s first modern snowboard?
Time:2025-07-08 Views:

What started as a tiny workshop in a garage handcrafting snowboards, powered by passion for the sport, smart event marketing, and a tight-knit rider community, has grown into the world’s leading snowboard brand.

Today, let’s take a look at Burton’s journey to the top — and see what lessons it holds for independent snowboard brands like ours.

The True Growth Story of Burton Snowboards

1977-1982 | From Garage to Ski Resorts Founder Jake Burton Carpenter built the world’s first modern snowboard in his garage, using wood and fiberglass. At the time, hardly any ski resorts allowed snowboarding. So, he carried his boards around, persuading resorts one by one and selling his first boards through grassroots events and word-of-mouth in extreme sports circles.

Takeaway: In the early days, niche communities are your market — and your product is the social code.

1983-1990 | Breaking Through with Competitions & Product Refinement

Burton zeroed in on local snowboard contests (which were tiny back then), sent his own riders to compete, sponsored events, and collaborated closely with riders to improve board performance.

Takeaway: Extreme sports brands grow by breaking through via competitions, and refining products alongside their core users.

1990-2000 | Commercial Expansion & Product Line Growth

As most North American resorts started allowing snowboarding, Burton seized the moment:

Scaled up from a garage workshop to an industrial factory

Launched apparel, boots, goggles, protective gear, and accessories

Signed pro riders to release “Pro Model” signature gear

Takeaway: Great products + star athletes + event marketing = the three key engines of brand growth.

2000-2015 | Global Expansion & Culture Building

Burton invested in Olympic and World Cup events, expanded into Europe, Japan, and Australia, launched streetwear collabs, snowboard camps, and extreme sports festivals. It gradually evolved from a sports brand into a snowboard lifestyle brand, becoming a youth culture icon.

Takeaway: A lasting brand is built on products, cultural value, and community belonging.

2015-Present | Premium, Eco-Friendly Innovation & Event IP Burton doubled down on sustainability, launching:

Step-On binding-free boot systems

Fully recyclable snowboards

Investments in proprietary events, snowparks, and rider clubs Today, it leads globally with a strategy combining technology, sustainability, and lifestyle culture.

Takeaway: Mature brands build long-term advantage through tech upgrades, event IP, and environmental responsibility.

Burton has shown us in 48 years: Great independent brands grow through product quality, event partnerships, subculture community, user co-creation, and diverse distribution channels — steadily and deliberately.

China’s snow sports scene started later, but it’s now in a golden era. In the next few years, we believe more Chinese snowboard brands will rise to the global stage and carve out their own legendary stories.

If you’re into Chinese snowboard brand stories or need OEM/ODM solutions for snowboard production, drop a comment — let’s ride this wave together!

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