Exploring the Iconic Burton Snowboards

Burton Snowboards, Burton Snowboard has carved its name into the history of snowboarding, pioneering the sport and shaping its evolution since its humble beginnings. Central to this legacy are the Burton boards themselves, each bearing a unique story that reflects the innovation, passion, and dedication of the company and its founder, Jake Burton Carpenter.

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Burton Snowboards, Burton Snowboards has carved its name into the history of snowboarding, pioneering the sport and shaping its evolution since its humble beginnings. Central to this legacy are the Burton boards themselves, each bearing a unique story that reflects the innovation, passion, and dedication of the company and its founder, Jake Burton Carpenter.

History of Burton Snowboards

Burton Snowboards, established by Jake Burton Carpenter in 1977, is a private company specializing in snowboarding gear, including snowboards, bindings, boots, outerwear, and accessories. The company operates its flagship store in Burlington, Vermont. It remained under the private ownership of Jake Burton Carpenter until his passing in 2019, after which his wife, Donna Carpenter, who has been involved in the business since 1983, continued to play a significant role in its operations.

Burton Snowboards was established by Jake Burton in 1977.
Co-founder Dimitrije Milovich, an East Coast surfer, also founded the snowboard company Winterstick.
Their snowboard designs were inspired by the Snurfer, created by Sherman Poppen in 1965.
In 1977, Burton handcrafted the first Burton snowboard in his garage in Londonderry, Vermont.
Due to financial constraints, Burton used polyurethane on the prototype.
The company relocated to Manchester, Vermont, in 1978.
Jake Burton advocated for ski resorts to allow snowboarders on their lifts.
The Suicide Six Ski Area (now Saskadena Six Ski Area) in Pomfret, Vermont, was one of the first to permit snowboarders in 1982, followed by Stratton Mountain, Jay Peak, and Stowe.
As resorts began to accept snowboarders, the sport gained popularity, and Burton became a leading supplier.
In 1982, Burton promoted its products at the National Snowboarding Championships at Suicide Six.
Snow Valley also allowed snowboarders and hosted the US Open in 1984.
The National Snowboarding Championships moved to Stratton Mountain in 1985 and became the U.S. Open Snowboarding Championships, owned and operated by Burton, which helped legitimize the sport.
In 1985, Burton started its European Division in Innsbruck, Austria.
Distribution began in New Zealand in 1986.
The Burton factory moved to Burlington, Vermont, in 1992.
The Japan division opened in Urawa-shi in 1994.
By 2014, Burton employed 400 people in Burlington and 1,000 worldwide.
In 2008, Burton faced criticism for producing snowboards with self-mutilation and Playboy bunny images. The Burton Love model was discontinued in 2012 and replaced by Mr. Nice Guy.
By 2009, Burton owned ten companies selling snowboards, outerwear, and shoes. In 2008, Burton also began making surfboards in Vermont.
Jake Burton and his wife Donna Gaston Carpenter, married in 1983, hosted the Fall Bash for many years to promote goodwill among employees and friends. The 2009 event was controversial due to attempted press censorship.
In 2010, Burton announced it would stop manufacturing in Vermont and move production to Austria, with some production later shifting to China.
In December 2011, Donna Carpenter was named president of the company. By 2013, she estimated that Burton held 40 to 45% of the snowboarding market, worth $236 million, with 35% of sales in the U.S., 30% in Europe, and the rest in Japan and Canada.
In May 2014, Mike Rees was appointed CEO, with Jake Burton remaining as founder and chairman. In December 2015, Donna Carpenter became CEO after Rees left, and John Lacy was named president.
In 2016, Chief Creative Officer Greg Dacyshyn expressed a desire to maintain the sports and lifestyle aspects of the brand.
Jake Burton Carpenter passed away on November 20, 2019, due to a recurrence of testicular cancer.

Burton Snowboards: Technique and Marketing of Boards

Burton is currently the second-largest snowboard manufacturer in the United States, with its products available in over 4,348 stores worldwide, including 1,536 in the U.S. In 2003, Burton began permitting several online retailers to sell its products. Prior to this, Burton products were exclusively available through local stores. The decision to expand online was made to provide customers with an additional purchasing option, reducing the need to switch to other brands.

The first Burton snowboards, the BB1, was a narrow board with single-strap bindings and a rope with a handle attached to the front.
In 2008, Burton introduced a single-channel binding-mounting system for its snowboards.
By 2009, this system was used on more snowboard models.
This new binding system called EST® (Extra Sensory Technology), was designed to give riders better control and a more responsive board feel.
EST® reduces weight by attaching the bindings from the sides rather than the middle, eliminating the need for a middle baseplate.
Burton Snowboards sponsors professional riders and events to attract interest.
The professional team includes Zeb Powell, Mark McMorris, Taylor Gold, Shaun White, Jeremy Jones, Kazuhiro Kokubo, Terje Haakonsen, Ellery Hollingsworth, Kelly Clark, Hannah Teter, and Kevin Pearce.
Burton avoids full sponsorship with solely Burton-affiliated brands.
The company has faced criticism for team member choices, such as removing David Carrier Porcheron and others in 2008.
Burton sponsors organic terrain parks called “The Stash,” made of natural features like rocks, stumps, and logs.
“The Stash” parks are located at Northstar and Truckee in California, Jackson Hole in Wyoming, Killington Ski Resort in Vermont, Avoriaz in France, and The Remarkables in New Zealand.
The Chill program started in 1995, teaches snowboarding to underprivileged children.
Chill has helped over 12,000 children since its inception.
Due to a graphics controversy in 2008 and concerns about its impact on youth, a local beneficiary ended its association with Burton.
Burton’s Learn to Ride program began in 1998, focusing on beginner-specific instruction and equipment.
It aims to provide the best initial snowboarding experience to encourage continued participation.
The program collaborates with the American Association of Snowboard Instructors, the Canadian Association of Snowboard Instructors, and major resorts globally.
In December 2016, Burton opened a pop-up shop on Newbury Street in Boston.

Where are Burton boards manufactured?

Burton snowboards are manufactured in the United States, Taiwan, Austria, Poland, and China. Burton snowboards are made in five different locations around the world.

What is 2nd quality, Burton?

2^nd Quality Burton Gear includes products that have either been purchased and returned or have minor defects from the factory that didn’t meet our stringent first-quality standards.

You’ll minimize resource consumption and be prepared to tackle everything from steep chutes to smooth groomers.

What is a Burton Channel Board?

The Burton channel board is designed to be relatively soft, primarily made from a piece of aluminum. Its durability and strength, however, come from the protection provided by the surrounding fiberglass. This combination of materials ensures that the board is both flexible and sturdy, capable of withstanding the demands of various snowboarding conditions.

The innovative construction balances performance and resilience, making it suitable for a wide range of riders and terrains. Whether navigating steep chutes or groomed trails, the Burton channel board offers reliability and a smooth ride due to this thoughtful design.

Is Burton owned by Nike?

Burton is not owned by Nike, Burton Snowboards is a privately owned snowboard manufacturing company that was founded by Jake Burton Carpenter in 1977.

Who is the founder of Burton?

Jack Burton is the founder of Burton. It was founded by Jake Burton Carpenter in 1977, Burton Snowboards is a privately owned company focusing on snowboarding equipment, encompassing snowboards, bindings, boots, outerwear, and accessories.

Based in Burlington, Vermont, the company boasts its flagship store. Jake Burton Carpenter maintained sole ownership until his death in 2019. Following his passing, his wife, Donna Carpenter, who has been actively engaged in the business since 1983, assumed a prominent role in its management and operations.

How do I choose a good snowboard?

You can choose a good snowboard by the shape and features:

Snowboard shape: Decide on a directional board for carving at high speeds, a true twin board for park and pipe riding, or a directional twin for versatility across all-mountain terrain.
Other snowboard features: Enhance your selection process by examining factors such as sidecut radius, effective edge, board flex, and base material.

In this video, you can learn how to find the right snowboard.

How to choose snowboard size?

You can choose snowboard size by snowboard features and your feet size:

Consider board width relative to your boot size.
Opt for a wider board if you have larger feet, as it provides more surface area and better float.
A narrower board is suitable for smaller feet, offering benefits like reduced toe/heel drag and enhanced stability at speed.

How to choose Burton snowboard bindings?

Burton’s Snowboard Binding Size Guide & Purchasing Advice:

Set a budget for your snowboard bindings.
Determine your riding style and preferred binding response, considering stiffness.
Select a type of binding that suits your needs.
Ensure compatibility between your chosen bindings and snowboard for mounting.
Choose a color that complements your snowboard aesthetic.
Refer to a snowboard binding size chart to select the appropriate size for your boots.

How to buy a snowboard for beginners?

Burton’s Snowboard Size Guide & Purchasing Advice for a Beginner:

Opt for a soft flexing board for effortless maneuverability.
Choose a full-rocker or flat-rocker profile for catch-free turns and forgiveness.
Consider a twin or directional twin board for versatility in riding in both directions.
Select an all-mountain-style snowboard for exploring various terrains.

In this article, we have discussed Burton Snowboards, if you have any suggestions/corrections, or information, you can write us in the comments or contact us via email. We will include your suggestions/corrections in our article.

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