Nitro
Nitro is a snowboard brand founded in Seattle in 1990 by Tommy Delago and Sepp Ardelt. Alongside boards, boots and bindings, it makes technical outerwear, apparel, beanies and bags.
| Founded | 1990, Seattle |
|---|---|
| Founders | Tommy Delago, Sepp Ardelt |
| Ownership | Privately held, rider owned |
| Development | Salt Lake City and Oberammergau |
| Website | nitrosnowboards.com |
What is Nitro?
Nitro Snowboards is a privately held, rider owned snowboard company. Development started in 1989 and the brand name was chosen in January 1990 at a café in Seattle, where founders Tommy Delago and Sepp Ardelt launched the business.
Products and positioning
Nitro's core is snowboard hardgoods, but the brand also covers soft goods for the mountain and the street:
- Snowboards and splitboards
- Boots and bindings
- Technical outerwear and lifestyle apparel
- Beanies, bags and luggage
Boards, bindings and graphics are developed in Salt Lake City, while most hardgoods development takes place in Oberammergau, Germany. The company has satellite offices in Switzerland, Germany, Italy, Norway, Canada and the United States.
Distribution
Nitro sells through specialist board sports retailers, including European online specialist Blue Tomato, and through its own website.
Why it matters
Nitro is one of the longer standing independent names in snowboarding. Its outerwear and apparel ranges extend a hardgoods brand into fashion adjacent categories, a common route for board sports companies seeking year round relevance with their community.
Frequently asked questions
Who founded Nitro Snowboards?
Nitro was founded in 1990 in Seattle by Tommy Delago and Sepp Ardelt.
Does Nitro make clothing?
Yes. Besides snowboards, boots and bindings, Nitro makes technical outerwear, apparel, beanies and bags.