As the weather gets colder, I find myself dreaming of fresh powder days in the mountains. But gear-heavy sports like skiing and snowboarding come with a big environmental footprint.
When I bought my Arbor snowboard years ago, I’ll be honest: I chose it mostly because the wood topsheet was beautiful. But the more time I’ve spent on it, the more I’ve wondered about what actually goes into our gear. Snowboarding and skiing are such incredible ways to connect with the outdoors, yet the boards, skis, and accessories we rely on aren’t always made in the most planet-friendly way.
The good news is that things are changing. A handful of ski and snowboard brands are rethinking materials and production, using everything from bamboo and bioplastics to flax fibers and renewable energy. Others are designing gear that can be recycled or safely repaired so it lasts longer. It’s not perfect. Winter sports will always be gear-heavy. But there is some genuinely exciting progress being made in the winter sports industry.
Here are some of the companies leading the way, plus a few planet-friendly waxes for a smoother, cleaner ride.
Sustainable Boards & Skis
Arbor makes some of the most beautiful snowboards out there, with sustainably sourced wood topsheets that give each board a unique look. They run their production on 100% solar energy and use plenty of renewable and recycled materials, all while supporting reforestation projects through their Returning Roots program.
🌍 Widely available in the US and Canada through their website and most big snowboard shops. Arbor also ships internationally through select retailers.
Borealis is a French brand that uses bamboo, sustainably harvested wood, and plant-based resins to build their boards. Their topsheets are made with bioplastic instead of petroleum-based plastics, and they keep things low-impact with water-based inks and lacquers. Even their shipping is well thought out – they send their boards by boat whenever possible.
🌍 Mostly in Europe, but some shops in the US and Canada carry them. They also ship worldwide through their website.
3. Lib Tech
Lib Tech skis and snowboards are built with renewable wood cores, bio-plastic tops, and low-VOC resins. Their factory in Washington state uses wind and hydro power, and sawdust is recycled into soil. Lib Tech has been steadily pushing sustainability in ski and snowboard manufacturing since the 1980s.
🌍 Widely available across the US, Canada, and Europe, with online retailers offering global shipping.
4. GNU
GNU snowboards, also part of Mervin Manufacturing, share the same eco-conscious production practices as Lib Tech: renewable wood cores, bio-plastic tops, low-VOC resins, and renewable energy-powered factories. GNU focuses on performance and sustainability in equal measure.
🌍 Easy to find across the US, Canada, and Europe, with online availability and international shipping.
Founded by climate advocate Jeremy Jones (who also founded Protect Our Winters), Jones Snowboards are built with eco-conscious materials like castor bean-based bioplastics, recycled steel edges, and sustainably harvested wood. Their factory runs on 100% solar power, which has cut their carbon emissions massively.
🌍 Widely available in the US and Europe, with international shipping through their website and outdoor retailers.
Niche is a small but innovative brand that created the world’s first fully recyclable snowboard. They use renewable bio-resins and recycled materials, and every step of their process is designed to shrink their carbon footprint. If you’re looking for something truly different, this brand is worth checking out.
🌍 Based in the US, but they ship worldwide. You can also find them at select snowboard shops in Europe and Canada.
If skis are more your thing, Earlybird is a Swiss brand making some of the most sustainable skis out there. They use FSC-certified wood, flax fibers, plant-based resins, and non-toxic printing to build lightweight but durable skis. They’re a small company, but they’ve made a name for themselves among eco-conscious skiers.
🌍 Mainly in Europe, though some retailers do ship abroad. Worth looking into if you’re based there or traveling for the season.
8. Meier Skis
Handcrafted in Colorado, Meier Skis has a strong local-first philosophy. They build their skis with sustainably harvested aspen and beetle-kill pine – a waste stream that would otherwise be burned or discarded. Everything is produced in small batches, which keeps waste low and quality high. Their skis often feel a little extra special because they’re made start-to-finish under one roof, and you can actually visit their “Craft Skiery” in Denver to watch them being pressed.
🌍 Primarily available in the US, with international shipping available. A few European shops also stock limited models.
Hybrid Brands With Green Options
These four companies are not fully sustainable across their entire catalog, but each one has specific models or practices that are worth highlighting. If you choose something from these brands, it helps to double-check the product page to make sure you are in fact getting the greener option.
Lokomotiv focuses on responsibly sourced wood cores and small-scale production, which naturally keeps their footprint lower than many larger manufacturers. Their skis feel unique and crafted rather than mass-produced.
🌍 EU-based with European shipping.
Rossignol’s Essential line is built with 77% recycled or bio-based materials and is designed for full recyclability at the end of its life. It is one of the strongest efforts from a major ski brand to rethink materials and waste in snow sports.
🌍 Sold worldwide through major outdoor retailers.
3. Gilson
Gilson builds their boards in the US using locally sourced wood and a hands-on manufacturing approach. They also offer repair services to help extend a board’s lifespan instead of replacing it.
🌍 US-based with worldwide shipping.
Nix uses renewable materials and focuses on handcrafted construction. Their lineup blends traditional craftsmanship with updated, lower-impact materials.
🌍 US-based with select international shipping.
Eco Wax for a Smoother Ride
A fully plant-based, biodegradable wax with zero petroleum. It’s known for being surprisingly fast and consistent across temperature ranges, and a lot of ski schools and rental shops have started using it because it performs just as well as conventional waxes without the pollution.
🌍 Widely available in the US and Canada, with international shipping through their website and select outdoor retailers in Europe.
🌲 Nzero
Made in Spain from 100% organic vegetable-based ingredients, Nzero offers different formulas for cold, warm, and universal conditions. Their production focuses on low emissions and minimal packaging waste.
🌍 Popular across the EU, especially Spain, Italy, and France. Ships internationally through their site and major European sports retailers.
A biodegradable, petroleum-free wax made from natural ingredients. It’s designed to hold up well in variable conditions and aims to reduce the chemical runoff that traditionally ends up in snowmelt and local waterways.
🌍 Based in the US with international shipping available. Found at smaller independent ski shops and online eco retailers.
🌲Purl
Purl makes plant-based, biodegradable wax that performs reliably in both resort and backcountry settings. They also offer biodegradable prep pads and lower-impact tuning tools, so you can build a more sustainable tuning kit from the ground up.
🌍 US-based with worldwide shipping. Also stocked in select Canadian and European ski shops.
No gear is perfectly sustainable. Winter sports will always require materials, transport, maintenance, and power. But each choice matters. Opting for boards and skis built with renewable wood, eco-resins, recycled metals, or manufacturing powered by clean energy helps shift the industry. And choosing an eco wax means less chemical runoff on snow and soil.
As always, the most sustainable gear is the one you already own. But when you do need to shop again, these brands offer alternatives that align a little more with values, so you can ride with a clearer conscience.