Every Brand We Carry and Why: The Complete PTO Brand Guide

PTO Ski & Snowboard is an authorized dealer for over 39 brands. We don't carry that many by accident. Every brand on our wall earned its place through a specific question: does this brand make something our customers actually need, built to a standard we'd stake our reputation on?

That's a harder test than it sounds. The ski and snowboard industry has hundreds of brands. Some make great products but don't fit our customer base. Some look good on paper but fall apart in Pacific Northwest conditions. Some are fine products sold by companies that don't support their dealers. We pass on all of those.

This guide covers every brand we carry — what they make, where they come from, and why we chose them. If you want to understand how a small Beaverton shop thinks about brand selection, this is the page.

Ski Brands

Our ski wall covers everything from Swiss handmade carvers to carbon freeride machines to accessible all-mountain daily drivers. The common thread: every ski we stock has a clear identity and a customer it serves well. No filler.

Stöckli

Swiss handmade skis since 1935. Stöcklibuilds every ski in their factory in Wolhusen, Switzerland — roughly 60,000 pairs a year, each hand-finished with 140 individual production steps. Compare that to the million-plus annual output of brands like Atomic or Rossignol. Marco Odermatt, the dominant force in men's World Cup skiing, races on Stöcklis.

We carry the Stormrider all-mountain/freeride line and the Lasercarving line. PTO is one of only a handful of authorized Stöckli dealers in Oregon. We also run a Stöckli demo programso you can try before you commit — the right way to evaluate a ski at this price point.

Read the full Stöckli brand guide →

DPS

Carbon-forward boutique skis from Salt Lake City, founded in 2005. DPS was the first brand to produce full aerospace prepreg carbon fiber skis. Their construction is lighter and more lively than traditional titanal-and-wood layups, which makes them especially appealing for touring and deep snow. Ted Ligety, two-time Olympic gold medalist, joined as Head of Product Performance and is developing the Pisteworks carving line.

We carry the Wailer (all-mountain) and Pagoda(freeride/touring) series. DPS also offers Phantom, a one-time base treatment that replaces traditional waxing — a genuine maintenance advantage for riders who dislike wax routines.

Read the full DPS brand guide →

Black Crows

Founded in 2006 by pro freeskiers in Chamonix, France. Black Crowsskis are built around poplar cores, fiberglass, and ABS sidewalls — most models skip metal entirely. The result is a surfy, playful feel that rewards creative skiing. They're lighter and more intuitive than titanal skis, at the cost of some dampening at sustained high speed.

The Camox (97mm) is their all-mountain benchmark and one of the most popular skis in our demo fleet. We also carry the Corvus for big-mountain freeride and the Mirus Cor for frontside carving with freeride range.

Read the full Black Crows brand guide →

Nordica

Italian ski and boot manufacturer, founded in 1939 in Montebelluna — the boot capital of the world. Part of the Tecnica Groupsince 2003. The Enforcer is the industry benchmark for all-mountain skiing: dual-titanal construction, composed at speed, and capable of handling everything from ice to crud. The Santa Anais the women's counterpart — not a cosmetic downsizing, but a genuinely re-engineered ski with adjusted flex patterns and lighter weight.

If you want one ski that handles the full range of PNW conditions, the Enforcer in the 94 or 99 width is almost always in the conversation.

Read the full Nordica brand guide →

Blizzard

Austrian ski maker, founded in 1945 in Mittersill. Also part of the Tecnica Group (sister brand to Nordica). Where Nordica leads with raw power, Blizzard offers more nuance. The Rustlerline uses FluxForm carbon-polyamide construction instead of traditional metal — lighter, more playful, with a different kind of stability. The Black Pearlhas been the most consistently recommended women's all-mountain ski across professional reviews for years.

We also carry the Brahma for groomer-focused advanced skiers. Blizzard tends to be slightly under-marketed relative to its quality— many customers discover it through a recommendation and become long-term loyalists.

Read the full Blizzard brand guide →

Faction

Founded in 2006 in Verbier, Switzerland. Factioncarries freestyle DNA into freeride and all-mountain territory. Candide Thovex — arguably the most creative skier alive — helped shape the CT line. The Dictator is their stiff freeride charger. The CT is softer, twin-tip capable, and built for creative skiing from park to powder. The Prodigy brings true-twin freestyle geometry to every width from 88mm to 116mm.

Faction fills a niche that the traditional European brands largely ignore: skis for people who want to send it, style it, and still charge hard through variable terrain.

Read the full Faction brand guide →

Salomon

Founded in 1947 in Annecy, France.Salomon started as a binding manufacturer, invented the modern step-in binding, and expanded into boots, skis, and apparel. Now owned by Amer Sports (which also owns Atomic and Arc'teryx). The QST line is a freeride-leaning all-mountain family. The Stance is more groomer-biased.

Salomon's biggest contribution to modern skiing may be the Shiftbinding — a hybrid that functions as a full alpine binding at the resort and converts to a pin touring binding for uphill travel. MNC (Multi Norm Certified) compatibility across their binding line means they accept alpine, GripWalk, and touring soles.

Read the full Salomon brand guide →

Atomic

Austrian, founded in 1955 in Altenmarkt im Pongau. The world's largest ski manufacturer.Mikaela Shiffrin — the most decorated World Cup ski racer in history — races on Atomics. The Maverick line is a versatile all-mountain family using HRZN Tech for tip float. The Bent series brought freeride credibility with surfy 3D tip shaping. The Hawx boot line is one of the most respected in the industry.

Atomic sits in the mainstream premium tier — not boutique pricing like Stöckli or DPS, but a clear step above entry-level. The Maverick vs Salomon QST comparison is one of the most common questions we get, since both come from the same parent company but ski very differently.

Rossignol

France's largest ski manufacturer, founded in 1907 in Voiron — one of the oldest ski brands in the world.Rossignol's heritage is alpine racing, but the modern lineup spans from the beginner-friendly Experience to the aggressive frontside models and the freeride BLACKOPS series. Performance skis are still made at the Sallanches factory in France.

Rossignol is also the parent company of Look bindings, Lange boots, and Dynastar skis. That ecosystem means boots, bindings, and skis designed to work together.

Völkl

German, founded in 1923 in Straubing, Bavaria. One of the few European brands still manufacturing on home soil. Völkl's Mantrahas been one of the defining all-mountain skis for 20+ years — stiff, purposeful, built for skiers who drive their turns with commitment. The Deaconline covers groomer carving with the same engineering precision. Völkl is part of the MDV group alongside Marker bindings and Dalbello boots, so complete system setups are a strength.

Snowboard Brands

Our snowboard selection runs from the brand that built the sport to factory-owned independents to volume-shifted PNW originals. Same principle as skis: every board on the wall has a reason to be there.

Burton

The brand that built snowboarding. Burton was founded in 1977 by Jake Burton Carpenter in Vermont. Jake passed away in 2019; the company remains privately held under Donna Carpenter and an employee trust. Burton invented or popularized more snowboard technologies than any other company: the Channel binding system, Squeezebox core profiling, Step On click-in bindings, and FSC-certified wood cores.

The Custom has been in production for 30 years and remains the all-mountain benchmark. We also carry the entire ecosystem: boards, EST and Re:Flex bindings, Step On systems, and boots. Burton's Channel system does create a binding compatibility consideration — we explain that in our Step On vs traditional bindings guide.

Read the full Burton brand guide →

CAPiTA

Founded in 2000. Every board built at The Mothership— CAPiTA's own factory in Austria, running on 100% renewable energy. In-house manufacturing from raw materials to finished product is rare in snowboarding. CAPiTA does it because founder Blue Montgomery wanted full control over quality, materials, and environmental impact. FSC-certified wood cores, bio-based resins, solvent-free printing.

The D.O.A. (Defenders of Awesome) is a hybrid camber true twin that handles everything from park laps to all-mountain cruising. The Mercury is the directional all-mountain pick for riders who want more stability and float.

Read the full CAPiTA brand guide →

Ride

Founded in 1992 in Seattle — a PNW brand designed and tested in the Cascades. Now part of the Nidecker Group. Ride's biggest contribution is the volume-shifted shape: boards designed wider and shorter than traditional boards, so you size down 4-8cm without losing float or stability. The Warpig is the board that started that movement.

SlimeWalls (urethane sidewalls that absorb vibration) are a genuine ride quality differentiator. Heavy PNW snow gets choppy fast, and SlimeWalls smooth it out in a way standard ABS sidewalls don't. That alone makes Ride a natural fit for Mt. Hood riders.

Read the full Ride brand guide →

Nitro

Founded in 1990, dual-headquartered in Seattle and Innsbruck, Austria.Nitro is one of snowboarding's original independents. Still privately owned by founder Tommy Delago. Boards are manufactured in Austria. Team riders include Marcus Kleveland and Halldor Helgason — some of the most progressive freestyle riders in the world.

Nitro's strength is the full ecosystem: boards, bindings, boots, and outerwear, all designed as a system. Their Railkiller Edge technology stands up to park abuse. For riders who want a complete setup from one brand without Burton's Channel lock-in, Nitro is the answer.

K2

Founded in 1961 on Vashon Island, Washington. One of the earliest major ski brands to embrace snowboarding in the late 1980s.K2 pioneered fiberglass ski construction in the US and has been an accessible performance brand for decades. Part of the same group as Völkl, Marker, and Dalbello.

K2 occupies the accessible end of our board wall — good quality at fair prices, especially strong in the beginner-to-intermediate range. Their BOA-equipped boots punch above their price point. For families and riders who want solid gear without paying boutique markup, K2 does the job honestly.

Bataleon

Dutch boutique brand founded in 2005, part of the Nidecker Group.Bataleon's entire identity is built on 3BT (Triple Base Technology) — a three-dimensional base shape that lifts the contact points between your feet and the snow. The practical effect: dramatically reduced edge catches, smoother turn initiation, and a more forgiving ride.

The Evil Twinis their flagship freestyle twin — we compared it head-to-head with the CAPiTA D.O.A. here. For riders who prioritize catch-free playfulness over raw edge hold, Bataleon offers something nobody else does.

Jones

Founded by Jeremy Jones — one of the most respected big-mountain snowboarders in history.Jones Snowboards is built around backcountry and freeride snowboarding. Directional shapes, taper for float, and construction tuned for variable snow. If you're looking at splitboards for backcountry touring or dedicated powder boards, Jones is the specialist.

Rome

Founded in 2001 by a group of industry veterans who wanted to make rider-focused gear without corporate overhead. Rome makes boards, bindings, and boots with an emphasis on durability and value. Their Service Dog is a volume-shifted powder board that handles PNW heavy snow well at a price point below comparable boards from Burton or Jones.

Boot Brands

Boots are the most important gear decision you'll make. They're the interface between your body and the mountain. We carry boots from multiple manufacturers because foot shape varies wildly, and no single brand fits everyone. Our boot wall is organized by last width and flex, not by brand loyalty. Our full boot width guide explains the system.

Tecnica

Italian, founded in 1960 in Montebelluna. Tecnica's Mach1line has won SKI Magazine's Boot of the Year multiple times. The brand is known for C.A.S. (Custom Adaptive Shape) technology — heat-moldable shells that conform to your foot shape for a precise, personalized fit. The Cochise is their freeride boot, built for aggressive skiing with a walk mode for touring. Still family-owned by the Zanatta family, and part of the same group as Blizzard and Nordica.

Lange

French boot brand under the Rossignol Group.Lange is the race boot benchmark — the RS line has been on the feet of World Cup racers for decades. Their recreational boots carry that same precise heel hold and responsive flex. If you have a narrow-to-medium foot and value performance over volume, Lange is worth trying.

Dalbello

Italian, founded in 1876. Part of the MDV group with Völkl and Marker.Dalbello is known for the Cabrio three-piece design — a boot construction that provides progressive flex without the sharp break-point of a traditional overlap boot. Good for skiers who want power transmission with a more natural flex feel.

Salomon Boots

The S/PROline features Custom Shell technology — thermo-moldable shells with a lower cuff design that improves range of motion. Salomon boots are manufactured in Montebelluna, Italy. The fit tends toward medium-narrow, with precise heel pockets. For skiers who value modern boot technology with MNC binding compatibility, Salomon boots pair naturally with their Shift and STH2 bindings.

Atomic Boots

The Hawxseries is one of the most respected boot lines in the industry. Hawx Ultra (98-100mm last) for medium feet, Hawx Prime (100mm) for medium-wide, and Hawx Magna (102mm) for wider feet. Many Hawx models feature BOA closure on the lower foot — consistent, micro-adjustable tightening that works with gloves on. Made in Altenmarkt, Austria.

Rossignol Boots

The Speed (100mm last) and Speed HV+ (104mm last) lines cover medium through extra-wide feet. The Speed HV+ at 104mm is the widest-last boot we carry. If you have wide feet and other brands pinch, start here.

HEAD Boots

Austrian, with deep racing roots.HEAD's ski boot line uses Liquid Fit technology — a self-molding liner that adapts to your foot shape without heat treatment. A good option for skiers who want a customized feel without the time investment of a full heat-molding session.

Binding Brands

Bindings are the safety interface. They must release correctly when things go wrong. We carry bindings from manufacturers with proven safety records and broad compatibility.

Look

French, founded in 1951. Invented the first release ski binding. The Pivot 15has been in production in essentially the same form since the 1970s — a testament to how right the original design was. The turntable heel piece provides long elastic travel, which means fewer pre-releases during aggressive skiing. Part of the Rossignol Group.

Marker

German binding manufacturer, part of the MDV group with Völkl and Dalbello. The Griffonis the go-to all-mountain binding — reliable, light, and available in multiple DIN ranges. The Jester and Lordcover freeride. Marker's Sole.ID system provides multi-norm compatibility across alpine, GripWalk, and touring boot soles.

Tyrolia

Austrian, part of the HEAD group. Tyrolia has been making ski bindings since 1928. Their Attackline is a solid mid-range option — reliable release, reasonable weight, and good value. Often found as the OEM binding on system ski packages from multiple brands.

Union

Founded in 2004 in Montebelluna, Italy. Part of the Nidecker Group (same parent as Bataleon and Ride). Union only makes bindings. No boards, no boots, no apparel. That focus shows in the product. Manufactured in Italy with premium materials. The Strata and Force cover all-mountain riding. The Contact Pro is the freestyle pick. Standard 2x4 and 4x4 mounting works with every board on the market.

Protection & Optics

Helmets and goggles are safety equipment first, comfort items second. We carry three brands that approach protection from different angles — all with MIPS or equivalent rotational impact protection, all meeting or exceeding current safety certifications. Our helmet fit guide and goggle lens guide cover the details.

Smith

Founded in 1965 in Sun Valley, Idaho by Dr. Bob Smith, who invented the sealed thermal goggle lens.ChromaPop lens technology provides genuine optical clarity — it's not marketing, it's a measurable improvement in color contrast and terrain definition. Smith helmets are built for round head shapes, with MIPS across the lineup. If your head is round and you want the best lens on the market, start with Smith.

POC

Swedish, founded in 2005 with one mission: save lives. POC invests more in biomechanical crash research than any brand we carry. Their helmets consistently exceed minimum safety certifications. The fit is oval-shaped, which complements POC's Scandinavian design aesthetic. If safety certification depth is your top priority, POC is the brand.

Anon

Founded in 1998 in Burlington, Vermont. Part of the Burton family.Anon's standout feature is MFI (Magnetic Facemask Integration) — magnetic face masks that snap directly to the goggle frame for seamless cold-weather coverage. Perceive lens technology is sharp and responsive. If you ride Burton and want goggles designed with that ecosystem in mind, Anon is the natural fit.

Accessories & Apparel

Beyond the major hard goods, we carry brands that cover the rest of your kit — wax, tools, gloves, poles, outerwear, and sun protection.

Outerwear & Layering

• Descente— Japanese-engineered technical ski apparel. Premium fit and fabric technology. The brand behind the Japanese national ski team's competition suits.
• 686— Los Angeles-based snowboard outerwear since 1992. Durable, functional, and priced below European luxury brands. A strong mid-range option for PNW wet conditions.
• Fjällräven— Swedish outdoor brand founded in 1960. Known for durable, sustainable layering and their G-1000 fabric. Not a ski-specific brand, but their wool baselayers and midlayers are excellent.

Tuning & Maintenance

• Toko— Swiss wax brand, part of the Swix group. Temperature-specific wax formulas for precise glide tuning.
• SWIX— Norwegian wax and tools since 1946. The standard in cross-country and increasingly in alpine/snowboard tuning.
• One Ball— Pacific Northwest wax company. Simple, effective, and local. Their all-temp wax is a shop staple.

Accessories

• LEKI— German pole manufacturer since 1948. Trigger S system for quick-release straps. Solid construction, reliable grip.
• Dakine— Founded in 1979 in Hawaii, now a cornerstone of board-sport accessories. Gloves, packs, bags, and board travel gear.
• Gordini— American glove brand since 1956. Good warmth, good dexterity, good value. A practical choice for PNW wet conditions.
• Sun Bum— Florida-based sun protection. Their mineral sunscreen works in cold weather and wind without the greasy feel that ruins goggle seals.

Specialty Brands

• Van Deer— Founded by Marcel Hirscher, the most dominant slalom and giant slalom racer in World Cup history (67 wins, 8 consecutive overall titles). Austrian-made, race-focused skis with limited distribution. For carving purists who want equipment designed by someone who truly understands what a ski should do at the limit.
• Ogasaka— Japanese ski manufacturer, founded in 1912 in Nagano Prefecture. Over 110 years of continuous production. Known for meticulous construction and a following among Japanese racers and technical skiers. A true niche brand for the connoisseur.

How We Choose Brands

Every brand we carry passes through the same set of questions. This isn't a formal rubric we print out — it's how we actually think when a brand representative walks in the door.

1. Does the product work in PNW conditions?Cascade Concrete, variable temperatures, wet snow — not every product designed for Utah powder or Colorado cold performs here.
2. Does it fill a gap in our lineup?We don't need three brands doing the same thing at the same price. Each brand occupies a specific niche.
3. Can we stand behind it?Warranty support, dealer communication, product consistency season to season. If we can't get issues resolved for our customers, the brand doesn't belong on our wall.
4. Is it honest value? Premium pricing is fine when the construction justifies it. Overpriced-for-what-you-get is not.
5. Would our staff recommend it without hesitation?Our team rides. If they wouldn't put a friend on it, we don't sell it.

That process is why we carry 39+ brands, not 150+. A bigger brand wall doesn't mean a better shop. Here's how that philosophy compares to evo and REI.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does PTO carry every product from every brand listed here?

No. We curate within each brand. For example, we carry Stöckli's Stormrider and Laser lines but not their racing stock. We carry Burton's Custom and Family Tree boards but not every colorway of every model. Our selection reflects what works for PNW skiing and what our customers actually need. Browse our full inventory.

Can PTO price match other authorized retailers?

Yes. We price match any authorized US retailer on identical in-stock items. If evo or REI has it cheaper, bring us the listing and we'll match it.

Which brand should I choose if I'm a beginner?

Brand matters less than fit and construction at the beginner level. Start with our beginner ski guide or beginner snowboard guide— those recommend specific models by intended use, not by brand name.

Why doesn't PTO carry [specific brand]?

Usually one of three reasons: the brand doesn't fit our customer base, the dealer support isn't good enough, or we already carry a brand that covers the same niche better. We re-evaluate every season.

Is PTO an authorized dealer for all these brands?

Yes. Every brand listed on this page is sold through an authorized dealer relationship. That means valid manufacturer warranties, genuine products, and access to warranty service.

Can I demo skis or snowboards before buying?

Yes. We run demo programs for several brands, including Stöckli, Black Crows, and DPS skis. Demo fees can be credited toward a purchase. Ask in-shop or check our collection pages for current demo availability.

Where is PTO located?

5639 SW Arctic Dr, Beaverton, Oregon — 10 minutes west of downtown Portland, right off Highway 217. We do boot fittings, binding mounting, tuning, and professional boot fitting in-house.

Does PTO ship gear?

Yes. Full inventory is available at ptoski.com with free shipping on orders over $100. For boots and anything requiring fitting, visiting in person is strongly recommended.

How do I know which ski or snowboard width to get?

Start with our PNW waist width guide for skis or our snowboard sizing guide. PNW conditions shift the ideal width 5-10mm wider than national recommendations.

Can I compare products side by side?

Yes. Our comparison tool lets you compare specs, dimensions, and prices across any products in our inventory.

Start Shopping

Now that you know what we carry and why, you can browse all products, compare gear side by side, or dive into a specific brand collection. If you're not sure where to start, our best all-mountain skis and best all-mountain snowboardsguides narrow the field quickly. Or just come in. We'll ask what you ride, where you ride it, and how you ride it — and we'll take it from there.