From Classroom to Company
GILSON Snow began as a middle school science project, when teacher Nicholas GILSON and his colleague Austin Royer brought Nick’s childhood prototypes into the classroom to explore how fluid dynamics could shape snowboards. What started as trial and error experiments, some that rode like “canoes down the mountain,” evolved into breakthrough designs and the foundation of one of the most loved independent brands in snow sports.
Launched with Students
In 2013, with the support of their students, Nick and Austin launched GILSON out of a Nashville classroom. From those first boards pressed in a makeshift basement workshop to today’s factory in Pennsylvania’s Appalachian Foothills, our mission has remained the same: pioneer innovation, build with integrity, and create unforgettable experiences on the mountain.
American Craftsmanship
Every snowboard and ski is handcrafted in the USA using locally sourced Pennsylvania Poplar, which is lightweight, sustainable, and grown close to home. We pair modern technology with generations of American woodworking craftsmanship, certified by Real American Hardwood and the Keystone Wood Products Association. By building for you instead of for warehouses, we also reduce our carbon footprint and prove that there is a better way to do business.
Innovation Through Failure
At GILSON, we embrace failure as part of the creative process. Our founder’s journey, from dyslexia to design breakthroughs, shaped a company that thrives on curiosity, resilience, and rethinking the status quo. Today, riders in more than 50 countries trust our gear to deliver smooth, playful rides backed by community and craftsmanship.
All About the People
For us, it is all about the people, the riders we build for, the teammates we build with, and the community that makes this possible. Whether you are a longtime supporter or just discovering GILSON, thank you for being part of our story.
A Message from our Founder
I’ve been asked more times than I can count what really matters in this endeavor, and my answer has never wavered.
It’s all about the people.
It’s about the people we get to build for around the world, and it’s about the people we get to work with—those who astonish me with their creativity and deep sense of care for our work and community.
I built the first prototype for a 3D GILSON Snowboard in my parents’ basement when I was a 14-year-old kid.
I was building sailboats and shaping surfboards at the time, and I didn’t understand why snowboards and skis were flat underneath when everything else in this world was curved.
I didn’t understand a lot of things. I am dyslexic, and traditional academia didn’t come easily to me. I learned that in order for me to succeed, I needed to begin with failure.
GILSON was undoubtedly my longest-living process of failure for over 13 years, and for those who rode our early boards, I trust you know what I mean 😉 Thank you for your early support.
Without repeated failure, we wouldn’t be here today. We do not fear failure; we use it.
This way of thinking leads us to places we could not possibly dream up on the front end.
Like all dyslexic kids needing to learn differently from their classmates, GILSON has learned to operate in fundamentally different ways from our industry.
We are committed to pioneering better ways of doing business and rethinking everything in our process.
Today, we are shipping out to riders and skiers in over 50 countries from our factory in the Appalachian Foothills, and we remain deeply committed to our roots.
Thank you for giving me and our team the trust and freedom to explore new ways of thinking. It is the most critical factor in our effort to give you our absolute best.
Thank you for being a part of our reason to exist. It quite simply is all about the people.
If you’re already in the GILSON community, thank you for your support. We wouldn’t be here without you, and we are grateful we get to dedicate every day to building and creating unforgettable experiences on the mountain.
If you haven’t made the jump yet and are thinking about ordering a new ride, thank you for your consideration. We’d love to build your new board or skis for you.
With immeasurable gratitude,
