SnoPlanks Academy
SnoPlanks Academy
Bring your stoke!
You are that person. Designing a new snowboard as you cruise down the mountain. Obsessed with modern branding and how to do it best. Running a business has always been your dream.
You are SnoPlanks Academy.
Run a snowboard company while earning an OSU degree in Bend
In 2023, SnoPlanks founders James Nicol and Ryan Holmes made an extraordinary move. Wanting to give students the truly hands-on opportunity of running an outdoor products company, they donated their Bend-based snowboard company to OSU-Cascades.
SnoPlanks Academy at OSU-Cascades was born.
Snoplanks is in your hands
At SnoPlanks Academy, you and your fellow students will have the chance to take charge of various aspects of the SnoPlanks snowboard company, including:
Product Design
Supply Chain Management
RFQs
Financial Analysis
Market Execution
Sales
The world-class business faculty and staff at OSU-Cascades will guide and support you every step of the way.
And running an outdoor products company as a college student? Now that stands out in a job interview.
The product
When SnoPlanks was founded in 2012, they crafted snowboards by hand using lightweight bamboo, which resulted in sustainable and high-performance powder boards. SnoPlanks snowboards have been sold by national retailers like Tactics and Backcountry, and have been featured in publications such as Outside Magazine, Snowboarder and Teton Gravity Research.
The next chapter is up to you! What will the next hot board look like? Will you manufacture overseas or domestically? Will you sell directly to consumers or use a retail model?
A true experiential learning opportunity
SnoPlanks Academy needs your skills and talents. Our Launch Cohort includes students from all majors including business administration, outdoor products, engineering and arts, media and technology.
OSU-Cascades Faculty
Executive Director
Academic Program Director
Research & Development Lab Manager
Student Leadership Officers
President
VP of Product
VP of Marketing
VP of Sales
VP of Operation and Supply Chain
VP Finance & Administration
Business Functions
Product
Marketing
Sales
Operations and Supply Chain
Finance and Administration
How to Apply
Launch Cohort (2025)
• Term: Spring 2024 – Winter 2025
• Produce Winter 2025 Product Line
• Current Student Leadership Team will define roles, selection criteria and process
• Applications due mid-March
Growth Cohort (2026)
• Term: Spring 2025 – Winter 2026
• Produce Winter 2026 Product Line