Standing tall amongst the Cascade Mountains, Mount Bachelor is undoubtedly the MVP of Central Oregon’s winter lineup. The 360-degree summit view has fans from across the world, but it’s the locals who get the most out of the fresh powder on its slopes. From preseason laps on the cone to first chair days up the Pine Marten lift, Central Oregonians give Mount Bachelor its undeniable spirit. And when you combine Bachelor’s energy with that of Bend’s entrepreneurial record, you get a snowboard maker intent on bringing the Pacific Northwest’s outdoor culture to life.

Bend’s James Nicol and Ryan Holmes started SnoPlanks in 2012 with a desire to create surf-inspired snowboards custom-made for their home mountain. With humble beginnings in Nicol’s garage, the pair unleashed the power of the lightweight and flexible bamboo. Their initial designs soon caught the eye of the Bend Venture Conference and the snow-riding community.

As SnoPlanks grew in size and respect, Nicol and Holmes stayed true to their commitment to company innovation and the Bend community. The business owners developed a relationship with Oregon State University-Cascades and became regular guest lecturers in entrepreneurship classes. After over a decade of running the successful company, they made a generous decision.

A Surprising Gift

In 2023, Nicol and Holmes donated their passion project company to Oregon State University-Cascades. They approached Todd Laurence, an adjunct faculty member at OSU-C and the professor who initially invited them to guest lecture to help with the transition. Laurence, in turn, spoke with University Chancellor Sherman Bloomer and members of the business college to help sponsor the program. “Our goal is to create as broad of [a] participation level as possible,” says Laurence, who teaches Entrepreneurship, Business and Sales courses. “We’re trying to utilize all majors. From design to sales, the students do everything.”

SnoPlanks Academy

Thanks to the hard work of Laurence and the university, SnoPlanks Academy was established. As one of the few universities offering an Outdoor Products degree, OSU-C presented a unique opportunity to create a business centered around snowboards, enhancing students' education. SnoPlanks represents the brand in this context, while the Academy serves as the internal university program. The company has a five-person Board of Directors that manages 27 university students in the program. A six-person student officer team creates the business culture by managing the product, operations, supply, marketing, sales and finance divisions. Each Monday morning, all hands meet, while the Board meets quarterly. “The goal is for the University to fund the first three years and then start breaking even,” explains Laurence.

Real World Business Experience

Perhaps the biggest obstacle they face is manufacturing a product with a workforce that changes yearly. They utilize the original Bend-based SnoPlanks facility for research and development, thus allowing the students to learn not only how the snowboards are built but also how to design the boards, experiment with new materials and further push the limits of the industry. The boards are manufactured at Never Summer Industries in Denver, Colorado, giving students real-world experience dealing with other companies. The students were tasked with finding and partnering with a company whose brand best aligns with SnoPlanks's independent spirit. 

The SnoPlanks Academy team recently had an opportunity to show their product at the Snowvana outdoor products trade show in Portland. The marketing and sales teams showcased the 2024 boards, the ASYM Twin and Fish, alongside industry giants Atlas Snowshoes, IKON pass and Atomic Skis. The trade show drew thousands of snow lovers across the Pacific Northwest to check out new gear, participate in bike and skateboard contests and enjoy the film festival offerings. 

It’s About Snowboards

While the unique story behind SnoPlanks is entertaining, the true highlight of the company is undeniably the one-of-a-kind snowboards. Year after year, SnoPlanks has dedicated itself to reshaping the snowboard industry by sparking a passion for the sport. Each board is crafted to respond to a body’s natural comfort and give riders a better mountain experience.

The new SnoPlanks Asym Twin is built with Mount Bachelor in mind, giving the rider maximum responsiveness and stability while riding fast and carving hard all day. The stainless steel edges provide control, and the poplar-paulownia-birch blend gives the core an exciting feel. The snowboard’s graphic highlights topographical depictions of Oregon’s iconic mountains: Mount Bachelor, The Three Sisters and Mount Hood.

For those looking to ride powder on a piece of art, the Asym Fish was built to emulate a surfboard carving the mountain. Meanwhile, students Annie Sibul and Keeler Frangooles created the hand-drawn, mountain-inspired design. Whether you’re a holiday snowboarder or season pass holder, tackle the mountain with ease, knowing the snowboards were designed and built by snow riders for snow riders.

SnoPlanks is located at 63015 Layton Ave in Bend. Visit snoplanks.com for more information.