DPS Skis

What DPS Skis does

DPS Skis is a privately held premium ski manufacturer founded in 2005 by ski engineer Peter Turner and professional skier Stephan Drake. The company designs and produces full carbon fiber skis at a single vertically integrated factory in Salt Lake City, Utah, employing more than 60 engineers, craftspeople, and athlete-employees. It serves powder, all-mountain, carving, touring, and freeride skiers across global markets through a direct-to-consumer e-commerce channel and an authorized dealer network spanning the United States, United Kingdom, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland, and Liechtenstein.

DPS builds skis across disciplines via distinct product lines including Lotus (powder), Kaizen (all-mountain), Wailer (freeride), Pisteworks (carving, co-developed with Olympic champion Ted Ligety), Pagoda Tour CFL (touring), and Koala (freeride, launched 2024). Each ski uses two full sheets of aerospace-grade carbon fiber rather than fiberglass or partial-carbon layups, positioning the brand at the ultra-premium price band of $995–$2,495 per pair. The 2022 launch of Phantom Glide, a proprietary base treatment designed to optimize glide across varied snow conditions, introduced a platform-level differentiation lever beyond the construction method, with a Nordic variant extended to cross-country skis.

The revenue model combines DTC e-commerce with authorized dealers and demo center partners (e.g., Alpenglow Sports, Mudroom, SkimoCo), augmented by brand-extension partnerships such as the 2025 Strafe Outerwear collaboration. Customer-retention mechanics include a lifetime warranty, the Revive ski trade-in program, and a GearTrade circular-economy resale channel. Olympic-level athletes such as Ted Ligety (integrated into Pisteworks product development since 2023) and Chris Davenport (hired 2025 as Head of Ambassador Relations) are directly embedded into product development, distribution strategy, and community engagement, blurring the line between athlete endorsement and operational involvement.

Name

DPS Skis

Legal name

DPS Skis

Website

https://dpsskis.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2005

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

DPS Skis is a privately held premium ski manufacturer founded in 2005, producing full carbon fiber skis at its Salt Lake City factory. The company sells direct-to-consumer and through authorized dealers, serving powder, all-mountain, carving, touring, and freeride skiers worldwide.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Ski Manufacturing

akta.pro primary industry

Ski & Snowboard Equipment Retail (Skis, Boards, Boots, Bindings, Poles) (CRAMAJAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Ski Touring / Backcountry & Avalanche Safety Retail (AT Gear, Skins, Beacons, Probes, Shovels, Airbags) (CRAMAJAD), Ski & Snowboard Apparel Retail (Outerwear, Base Layers, Gloves, Socks) (CRAMAJAB), Winter Equipment Rental, Demo & Repair (Skis/Boards/Boots, Tuning) (THAAAJAH)

Keywords

• Carbon fiber skis
• Ski manufacturing
• Winter sports equipment
• Alpine touring skis
• Powder skis

Headquarters

HQ city

Salt Lake City

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Supply Chain, Operations, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Ski Sales: Primary revenue from direct sales of premium carbon fiber skis through dpsskis.com e-commerce platform and authorized dealer network. Products include Lotus, Kaizen, Wailer, Pisteworks, Pagoda Tour CFL, Koala, and Powderworks lines.
2. Ski Bindings: Sales of DPS branded bindings (XVST, L 10, H 11 EVO, F 15 EVO) and third-party bindings (Look Pivot, ATK). Bindings are offered as add-ons to ski purchases or separately.
3. Ski Skins and Accessories: Pre-trimmed climbing skins designed for DPS ski widths and trim-to-fit options. Additional accessories include poles and travel gear.
4. Phantom Glide Products: Base treatment products including Single Application Kit, At-Home Kit, Nordic Kit, Base Care Kit, and Base Cleaner for ski/snowboard maintenance.
5. Strafe Outerwear: Partnership with Strafe Outerwear for ski apparel including jackets, bibs, pants, and down insulator jackets sold through DPS website.
6. Lifestyle Products: Apparel and accessories including hats, t-shirts, hoodies, snorkels, and bags branded with DPS logos.
7. DPS Revive Trade-In Program: Trade-in program allowing customers to exchange old skis from any brand for credit toward new DPS skis, supporting circular economy and customer loyalty.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

DPS Skis designs and manufactures premium full carbon fiber skis for powder, all-mountain, carving, touring, and freeride disciplines, all handmade at the company's Salt Lake City factory. The portfolio spans seven ski families (Lotus, Kaizen, Wailer, Pisteworks, Pagoda Tour CFL, Koala, Powderworks) and is complemented by Phantom Glide base treatment technology, bindings, climbing skins, poles, apparel, and travel gear. The company also operates the DPS Revive trade-in program and sells through authorized dealers and demo centers globally.

Product overview

DPS Skis is a premium ski manufacturer offering a focused portfolio of high-end carbon fiber skis and related products. The core offering centers on full carbon fiber ski construction with aerospace-grade materials, all manufactured in their Salt Lake City, Utah factory. The ski lineup is organized into distinct discipline-specific families: Lotus (powder), Kaizen (all-mountain), Wailer (all-mountain with traditional feel), Pisteworks (carving), Pagoda Tour CFL (backcountry touring), Koala (freeride), and Powderworks (limited edition experimental). Supporting products include Phantom Glide base treatment, climbing skins, ski bindings, poles, and travel gear, plus DPS Revive trade-in program and the Gold Medal customer loyalty program. The company also partners with Strafe Outerwear for apparel. Most products are available direct-to-consumer and through authorized dealers, with demo programs at select retailers.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Phantom Glide: Long-lasting UV-cured base treatment for skis and snowboards that provides superior glide performance without the need for traditional waxing. Available as a separate product line with its own website (phantomglide.com).
• DPS Revive
• Gold Medal Program
• USA 250 Collection

Products and services

• Lotus Ski Line Powder-focused ski family designed for deep snow surfing with refined rocker lines and balanced taper. The flagship line, celebrating its 20th anniversary in 2025, defines modern freeride aesthetics and includes the Lotus 112 (20th Anniversary Edition, $2,295) and Lotus 138 (20th Anniversary Edition, $2,495) with 90% rocker profile and 32m turn radius for deep powder performance.
• Kaizen Ski Line All-mountain ski family with a surfy, versatile feel suited for varied resort conditions. Includes the Kaizen 100 (regular $1,695, on sale $1,395) and Kaizen 105 all-mountain quiver killer, plus the Kaizen 100 USA 250 Edition ($1,795) celebrating American craftsmanship.
• Wailer Ski Line All-mountain ski line in a slimmer profile, offering a traditional feel across resort terrain. The Wailer 90 (regular $1,295, on sale $995 with $300 off) targets all-mountain skiers seeking versatility in a narrower waist.
• Pisteworks Carving Line Carbon fiber carving ski line designed with Olympic champion Ted Ligety, bringing high-performance carving to everyday skiers. Includes the Pisteworks 79 ($1,995) and Pisteworks 89 USA 250 Edition ($2,095) with precision edge hold, smooth power, and torsional stiffness for groomer-focused performance.
• Pagoda Tour CFL Lightweight backcountry touring ski line featuring proprietary Carbon Flax Construction that weaves aerospace-grade carbon with organic flax fibers to reduce torsional chatter while preserving rebound and damping. The Pagoda Tour CFL 90 ($1,695) is the lightest ski in the DPS lineup, engineered for touring efficiency without downhill compromise.
• Koala Freeride Skis Freeride ski line shaped by athlete input that blends freestyle playfulness with freeride power. Available in Koala 103 and Koala 111 waist widths with moderate 18m turn radius and balanced tip-tail rocker for quick pivots and smooth landings.
• Powderworks Limited Edition Limited edition experimental powder ski collection sold in small batches, distinct from the core Lotus powder line, designed for dedicated powder skiers.
• Phantom Glide Base Treatment UV-activated polymer base treatment for skis and snowboards that bonds with bases for long-lasting glide performance across all snow conditions without the need for waxing. Free from PFAS and fluorocarbons, factory-applied on all new DPS skis and available as kits (Single Application Kit, At-Home Kit, Nordic Kit, Base Care Kit, Base Cleaner) for individual application.
• Ski Bindings Alpine and touring binding offering including DPS-branded models (XVST from $300, L 10, H 11 EVO, F 15 EVO) plus third-party bindings such as Look Pivot 11 2.0 GW ($279.95) and ATK bindings, sold as add-ons or standalone purchases.
• Climbing Skins Pre-trimmed climbing skins designed for DPS ski widths (90mm to 124mm) with trim-to-fit options, made with 70% mohair and 30% nylon (Climb Pro S-Glide spec) for backcountry touring.
• Ski Poles Ski pole collection including Carbon Ultralight Adjustable, 3 Piece Adjustable, Extendable, and Fixed Carbon Pole options.
• DPS Lifestyle Apparel and Accessories Branded apparel and accessories including hats, t-shirts, hoodies, snorkels, and bags featuring DPS logos, sold to enthusiasts.
• Strafe Outerwear Official partnership with Strafe Outerwear offering technical performance ski apparel including jackets, pants, bibs, and down insulator jackets, sold through the DPS website, built for skiers who spend real time in real conditions.
• Travel Bags Travel gear line including the DPS Daily Duffel, DPS Hourly Daypack, and DPS LastBag for ski and gear transport.
• DPS Revive Trade-In Program Trade-in service program allowing customers to exchange old skis from any brand for credit toward the purchase of new DPS skis, supporting circular economy and customer loyalty. Operates as a dedicated platform at dpsrevive.com.

Quantifiable outcome

• Carbon construction provides infinite fatigue life - skis maintain performance characteristics year after year unlike metal skis which fatigue
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration1 record

Feature8 records

Partnerships

Three partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Strafe OuterwearcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOfficial outerwear partner united by mountain-first mindset and commitment to technical performance and refined design. DPS sells Strafe products through their website, including jackets, bibs, pants, and down insulator jackets. Both brands share commitment to gear built for skiers who spend real time in real conditions.
• GearTrademinorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorThird-party resale platform through which DPS participates in circular economy programs, expanding used gear availability as strategic response to tariff-related cost pressures and declining consumer optimism.
• Demo Center PartnerscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorNetwork of specialty outdoor retailers offering DPS demo fleets where customers can test skis before purchasing. Includes Alpenglow Sports, Confluence Kayak & Ski, Jagged Edge Mountain Gear, Jans Mt Outfitter, Mountain Ops, Mount Snow Ski Werks, Mudroom, Performance Ski, SkimoCo, Stein Eriksen Sport, and Troy's Ski Shop.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Blizzard / Tecnica Group: Large Austrian ski manufacturer offering a broad range of performance all-mountain and freeride skis including carbon constructions (e.g., Brahma, Cochise). Represents a scale incumbent competing in similar categories to DPS with global dealer reach.
• Atomic: Austrian ski manufacturer (Amer Sports) producing a wide range of alpine, touring, and all-mountain skis. A broad incumbent comparable to DPS across resort, freeride, and touring categories with significantly greater scale.
• Salomon: Global ski and winter sports brand owned by Amer Sports, with extensive freeride, all-mountain, and touring ski lines. Competes broadly with DPS across multiple ski disciplines through a much larger distribution footprint.

Emerging players

• WNDR Alpine: Emerging US ski brand using bio-based and sustainable materials in ski construction. Comparable emerging premium boutique brand with technology-forward construction approach similar to DPS's materials innovation.

Direct peers

• 4FRNT Skis: Independent premium ski brand founded by professional big-mountain skiers, focused on powder and freeride skis. Comparable to DPS in athlete-founder heritage and premium freeride positioning.
• Black Crows: Independent French ski brand founded by former pro skiers, selling premium all-mountain and freeride skis globally via DTC and specialty dealers. Shares DPS's athlete-rooted heritage and premium positioning in the freeride category.
• Liberty Skis: Independent US ski brand producing handmade premium skis in their own Colorado factory, with focus on freeride and all-mountain categories. Comparable vertically-integrated domestic ski manufacturer with DTC channel.
• Icelantic Skis: Colorado-based independent ski manufacturer producing premium handmade all-mountain and powder skis with direct-to-consumer focus. Comparable US-based boutique ski maker with similar craft manufacturing model.
• Moment Skis: Independent US-based ski manufacturer producing premium handmade skis in a dedicated factory, with DTC e-commerce and dealer network. Closest US-headquartered comparable to DPS in scale and direct-to-consumer ski brand model.
• Stöckli Ski: Swiss premium ski manufacturer known for high-end, performance-grade skis. Closest analog to DPS in the premium/ultra-premium ski tier with comparable pricing and similar focus on quality construction and craftsmanship.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubevimeo.com/dpsskis
• Xx.com/dpsskis
• Facebookfacebook.com/DPSSKIS
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/dpsskis

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about DPS Skis