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July, 2025

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Now Roner is on Klint

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Session
Posts: 5408 - Karma: 22,549
Someone has some deep pockets I would assume. Just weird.
14 years ago
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alden.
Posts: 855 - Karma: 360
Klint was started and owned by a licensing company that also has the titles to the Rockstar and Paul Frank brands. They are based in San Diego and i don't think they actually have any passion for the sport other than being able to make money off of skis made in china. I personally feel like this is one of those companies i don't want coming into the sport, like Ed Hardy outerwear i also don't like the idea of Paul Frank skis.

Brands home page > http://www.snowfab.com/brands.html
paul frank skis > http://www.snowfab.com/news.html


14 years ago
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alden.
Posts: 855 - Karma: 360
sorry for dub post here but i wanted to make it clear that i have nothing against their team and think they rip, especially rainville and downey. no hate towards any riders whatsoever,
/rant
14 years ago
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BCASSASSIN
Posts: 1330 - Karma: 37
Couldn't agree more, all their riders are awesome ( love rainville ) but do some research and Klint is def a company we don't need in the sport.  They are as outsourced as you can get and that means a lower quality ski which means more danger to us who buy them.  Good rant Alden
14 years ago
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sagesnow
Posts: 3116 - Karma: 1,594
no way...downey moved to clint? that legit makes me bummed
14 years ago
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Justo8484
Posts: 3905 - Karma: 206
it's like dynastar's team from the early 2000's reincarnated...
14 years ago
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VinniCash
Posts: 456 - Karma: 7,529
ed hardy has to come in
14 years ago
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alden.
Posts: 855 - Karma: 360
http://www.klintsnow.com/team.html
14 years ago
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TeaJay
Posts: 101 - Karma: 47

Corporations control the world.

14 years ago
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special_k10101
Posts: 1498 - Karma: 72
i don't think the fact that their skis are made overseas means that they have inherently lower quality. k2 makes their skis in china and they have excellent quality. meanwhile, i've heard complaints about the quality of some domestically made skis.

i'd say jump on a pair of klint's skis before bashing them, because even if they have corporate backing, it doesn't mean they are a bad company. once again, k2 is part of a large publicly traded conglomerate but nobody complains about them because they represent the sport in an excellent way.

just reserve judgment.
14 years ago
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Clark_Griswold
Posts: 1283 - Karma: 49
.
14 years ago
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alden.
Posts: 855 - Karma: 360
I personally view k2 differently because of their origins. Starting as a ski company founded by two brothers who essentially pioneered fiberglass in skis on their own seems much different than starting out as a licensing company who wants to invest in a new market.
I have never rode a pair so i can't say anything about their quality. However i don't plan on riding a pair based on my views and understanding of them as a company.
Just my opinion though,.
14 years ago
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McFellon
Posts: 1841 - Karma: 2,005
Production in a country with little or no labour laws ≠ lower quality product, just reduced labour costs for the company that are often passed on to the consumer.
14 years ago
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BCASSASSIN
Posts: 1330 - Karma: 37
That must be why evertime we hear of lead in the paint on kid toys and horrible quality stuff it is almost always from China, get real.  Also, to the guy who compared Klint to K2.....do some research their beginnings couldn't be more different.
14 years ago
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JahSpriggs
Posts: 542 - Karma: 3,956
I just signed with klint, and it is the furthest thing from a corporation, I have skied for rossi for 3 yrs, fischer for 2 and nordica for 1, I have "seen" who makes the decisions in those companies, and it is not freeriders but the racers who own the companies ! Klint is fresh as can be, and unlike the other companies I listed, I actually know and get to talk to the owner of klint, which is awesome for an athlete, who is use to talking to a TM, who talks to someone else higher up, who talks to invisible owners, that I have never meet before and are as far away as can be from the sport we love. Don't judge before you know the facts!
14 years ago
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cheener12
Posts: 2881 - Karma: 5,887
Roner still skis? Haha
14 years ago
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afterbang_me
Posts: 385 - Karma: 152
They showed up last year at SIA with a huge display and obviously tons of money.  It will come down to how their product performs.
14 years ago
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Session
Posts: 5408 - Karma: 22,549
Since you're so plugged in and are a representative of the ski line. I as a prospective buyer am curious to know what factory the ski's come out of.

I am also curious as to the thickness of the base material, and edges. Rocker/camber profiles would be nice to see also.
14 years ago
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Caleb.E
Posts: 3556 - Karma: 1,015
this could get interesting
14 years ago
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TRIKD
Posts: 67 - Karma: -3
No I think its all about the $$$$...peep.
http://klintsnow.com/klint.html
Just another BRAND to feed the masses. Buy local or buy small.

14 years ago
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e.will
Posts: 1981 - Karma: 967

Well, I haven't skied the pow ski, but the Pure and the other park ski is rock-solid. Super poppy ski, quick swing weight, and light.

As for the whole, "corperations are bad for skiing" arguement, i'd say it has some merit; it all comes down to HOW the corperation manifests itself in the ski industry. Klint has by no means gone out and signed comp skiers that are consistantly in the limelight; they went out and got film stars who are respected for their skills, not necessarily their position within the industry.

I see Klint being the hardgoods version of Under Armour. Remember when they entered the game? everyone hated on the idea of that, but they built a team of talented skiers, organized their mtn division offices around industry veterans as opposed to jocks from baltimore. Dash Longe was one of the first skiers on UA - one of the least jockish skiers out there.

With Ben Grunow and George Couperwaite (who i might add signed Tanner Hall to rossi when he was 13) running the show, Klint will be successful as a company, garnering the respect of Newschoolers and older industry folks.

Last time i checked, there is nothing wrong with being successful. Klint seems like a genuine venture into quality ski production by an already successful individual.

oh, and i don't have any connection to Klint. I know the guys involved through my time at stowe. I even "ride" for another company.

14 years ago
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Session
Posts: 5408 - Karma: 22,549
I'm a little more subjective. And look for more info. Klint provides none.

14 years ago
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JsNeagle
Posts: 1406 - Karma: 1,580
Not exactly.  The owners of Klint also own the factory in which their skis are made.  It is the Swallow Skis factory, and it is in Japan, not China.

I wouldn't be quick to call them out as a big company that doesn't care, they've been making skis for a long time, and wanted to develop a new brand to bring their skis into the US/Europe markets.  We have them in the shop I work in and so far they look like nothing but quality.  It will, however, be interesting to ski on them.

I agree that they may be spending so much money on their team that it's almost a negative, but I can definitely understand where they're coming from.
14 years ago
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JsNeagle
Posts: 1406 - Karma: 1,580
Sorry to double post, but it's the Swallow Factory in Japan.  I can probably answer most questions you have about the company, we looked into it thoroughly before bringing them into our shop.
14 years ago
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dylansiggers
Posts: 1667 - Karma: 6,097
#occupyklintskis
14 years ago
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CaroSauve
Posts: 259 - Karma: 154
dude u dont know what u r talking about !! try the ski first and then hate if you want....idiot !!! I think the company knows more stuff about skiing then you do !
14 years ago
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snomaster
Posts: 3348 - Karma: 5,783
trade show booths don't mean jack. my [former] employer just had a huge display at a trade show and a few months later they are bankrupt. beware of smoke and mirrors. we see it happen all the time. I've been over supporting corporations for skis for a few years now. we vote with our dollars everyday. be conscious.

we still haven't seen anything about Klint's signs of quality, such as ski construction materials, or even something as simple as flex.
14 years ago
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Session
Posts: 5408 - Karma: 22,549
You can know plenty about skis and still pump out garbage. You're letting your Tanner Rainville obsession cloud your judgement.

14 years ago
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ski@jaypeak2
Posts: 2810 - Karma: 507
Wow i havnt heard Ben Grunow's name in forever. I remember him killing shit at stowe back in 2000, kid was unreal at the time. He was also on dynastar too if my memory serves me correct.
14 years ago
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BROSEIDON
Posts: 3702 - Karma: 1,495
First pair of Klint skis I've ever seen were at Sunday River this weekend, the tail was snapped.
14 years ago
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Session
Posts: 5408 - Karma: 22,549
LOL
14 years ago
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afterbang_me
Posts: 385 - Karma: 152
haha I doubt it. the skis are typical chinese produced skis.  nothing special, mid to low grade materials. they look pretty for a first generation from a company tho
14 years ago
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snomaster
Posts: 3348 - Karma: 5,783
Reminds me of Coreupt.
14 years ago
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Karma_Police
Posts: 2655 - Karma: 1,628
Occupy Wallstreet called, they said they don't want anything to do with the ski industry.  Please proceed to the closest Klint dealer.
14 years ago
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ectreeskier11
Posts: 697 - Karma: 366
same. apparently produced in japan though, not china. buy your skis from a ski company, not a marketing company with a ski division.
14 years ago
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Karma_Police
Posts: 2655 - Karma: 1,628
A lot better than you, yes he does.
14 years ago
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grambo
Posts: 1125 - Karma: 93
You know that the boutique brands like Armada and 4FRNT are corporations right? Even the small independents are typically organized as LLC's. Hating on "corporations" makes you look like a complete fucking moron when you mean to say "large multinational publicly traded companies" which sounds slightly less retarded.


14 years ago
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snomaster
Posts: 3348 - Karma: 5,783
More precisely, I meant that i like to support privately held companies. Though I did just buy Armada outerwear with a family discount code.
14 years ago
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Session
Posts: 5408 - Karma: 22,549
Armada isn't a boutique brand.
14 years ago
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KravtZ
Posts: 6637 - Karma: 2,629
the bottom line is.... 98% of this site has never set foot on a pair of klint skis. They have a sick team and for all we know they absolutly rip. Great quality, and overall killer sticks. Just because htey are a corporation does not make them bad at all. IF anything its good for the riders because there probably getting paid more then a small "core" brand and will probably get paid more as the ocmpany grows. As far as overseas production, think about it. If you were a company would you not want to outsource shit? Fuck i would save me a shit ton of money. If the quality is up to par shouldnt matter.
14 years ago
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afterbang_me
Posts: 385 - Karma: 152
this is true
14 years ago
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grambo
Posts: 1125 - Karma: 93
What's the difference? There are massive privately held companies as well, look at the private equity world, it has no impact on the organization's role within the community of customers who buy and use their product. Pubcos can be taken private as well, didn't that happen with Rossi a few years ago?

You could even argue that public companies are more transparent due to the stringent reporting requirements they have, whereas private has to report barely anything in the public domain.

Boutique is probably the wrong term for Armada, 4FRNT etc. as they have large international distribution. I was trying to think of a word for brands like them that are between the small independents and the large incumbents.

Re: Klint, sounds like they have sound management behind the brand and concept, you know, actual skiers. Curious to see the product in person. Lots of herp derp knee jerk hating in this thread.
14 years ago
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afterbang_me
Posts: 385 - Karma: 152
I dont think the concern is just herp derp knee jerking.  People are just concerned because there is a new big player and they want to know what the intentions are. obviously every business is trying to make money but SKIERS on a SKI FORUM like knowing what drives a ski company..... this is klints big introduction and people are curious.
14 years ago
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peterpants
Posts: 260 - Karma: 637
ive got two pairs right now (pure and krypto) and they look sick! havent skied them yet but ill be sure to put up a review of some sort once i do
14 years ago
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SLCSKI3R
Posts: 59 - Karma: 19
I hate the name,... "Klint" reminds me of the love part in a woman's vagina.
14 years ago
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I.B
Posts: 8137 - Karma: 24,369
Their logo looks exactly like i too. haha


/5500 posts
14 years ago
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I.B
Posts: 8137 - Karma: 24,369
Their logo looks exactly like i too. haha


/5500 posts
14 years ago
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Session
Posts: 5408 - Karma: 22,549
Can you take some up close pictures of the sidewall finishing, and the tips and tails?
14 years ago
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hemlockjibber8
Posts: 6006 - Karma: 3,704
Whats the connection to Electric? Same team manager or something? Take a look at the teams eyewear
14 years ago
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iggyskier
Posts: 10462 - Karma: 10,255
Pretty sure Ben Grunow is the team manager for both.
14 years ago
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NBCskier
Posts: 3877 - Karma: -289
why do you people give such a fuck? "core" or not...let niggas do what they gotta do to make some skrill.
14 years ago
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