In 1987, we made our first board; the Gyrator. We also introduced the first cap construction boards to the market. They were constructed with a fiberglass wrapped foam core, aluminum binding retention system, UV protected ABS top sheet, and steel edges. Back then we even had a sick team, made up of Sanders Nye, Dan Donnelly, Marcella Dobis, and Susie Riggins.

In the 1992/93 season, K2 Snowboarding was pushing freestyle - all boards, the AC, HC, and DC series, were made with torsion box construction. This was K2's first year in the strap boot and binding market (can anyone remember the 'Blue Balls'?). The team riders were Shawn Farmer, Dan Donnelly, Nick Perata, Adam Merriman, Sanders Nye, Susie Riggins, and Kelly Jo Legaz. This is the first year we introduced almost 300 snowboarders to the backcountry over the next 5 years by taking shop employees from all over the country on an annual trip to hike Mt. Rainier in Washington.

In 1993/94 K2 introduces the first wide board for big footers, the FATBOB also known as the "Original Fatty" variable width theory. K2 comes out with the Freestyle Vario Binding that had slots in the disc using a new 4x4 insert pattern for infinite stance adjustments. K2 is first U.S. Company to standardize a hole pattern and keep it - eventually uniting 99% of all manufacturers. The team back then consisted of Daniel Franck, Dan Donnelly, Shawn Farmer, Morgan LaFonte, Nick Perata, Kevin Young, Tex Davenport, Tim Manning and Adam Merriman.

The 1995/96 season, K2 Snowboarding debuted the first step-in binding, the Clicker Step-In System at the SIA show in Las Vegas. We also started using midflex in all boards, something we do even today. And after starting out with the worlds first Cap boards, then going to sidewall boards we came back - with the industry leading Kevin Young Cap board.

The 1996/97 season, our new team riders were Travis Parker and Marius Sommer. K2 Snowboards introduced the Zeppelin, the first board with torsion fork technology. K2 staff and 140 shop employees hike Mt Rainier for the last time. The party got so big they didn't welcome us back!

In 1998/99, K2 introduced the Luna, K2's women's specific board. The Luna went on to become and still remains one of the best selling boards on the market. K2 launched a backcountry line of products the year before and adds Clicker crampons to it for this season. A new line of outerwear is developed using SympaTex', a waterproof, breathable fabric.

In 2000/01 the team was Travis Parker, Chris Engelsman, Brian Savard, Tina Dixon, Louie Fountain, Marco Lutz, Martina Tscharner, and new members Bobby Meeks and Wille Yli-Luoma. K2 rents out Mt Baker for 3 days for the first annual Festical. Over 300 dealers from all over the world come to camp out, snowboard, and party with K2 Snowboarding staff. Special guest Spearhead rocked the house on the last night of the event.

2001/02 - After making the cap then sidewall then cap boards, K2 Snowboarding finally develops the best of both worlds. Hybritech Construction is introduced with boards built with cap tip and tail, sidewall throughout the rest of the board. Riser technology and the variable height theory, found in the Recon Riser, is the newest innovation. BOA technology, cable closure system, debuts in the women's Venus snowboard boot. Travis Parker's pro model, the Scorpaznatica, and Wille Yli-Luoma's pro model, the Temptation are the newest snowboards. The Mix is the new, aggressive women's board.

2002/03 - We introduced Perimeter, snowboarding's first soft shell outerwear line. And next season, look for the T1 boot, with new patent pending Access liner featuring Boa cable closure system. Our goal is to make product that will result in a better ride, a better experience. And we keep at it because we love it, and it's fun.

2003/04 It's now been 15 years since we made our first snowboard. We have survived through the continual evolution of the snowboard industry, leading the way in technology and innovation. Some of our ideas through the years have been a bit wacky, but most of them have gone on to become industry standards. This year brought the WWW, Travis Parker's side project for the park fanatic. The Disciple for the rider who secretly wants to be talked about and always has a new expensive car. For the ladies, the Skyla is added to the line-up for girls who are looking for something to progress on. Most notably, 03/04 was our first year working with Boa Cable Closure Systems for the most precise and fit with a quick turn of a nob.

2004/05 Cinch Technology progresses the sport forward. An innovative binding design that only K2 was capable of bringing to the market first. We also introduce Vibram, makers of the best soles in footwear, to our boot line. Gretchen Bleiler joins our pro team to step it up to new levels for women. This year we extended our commitment to women by donating one percent of net sales to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation. With this, we created the K2 Women's Alliance, a team of female shredders that will guide the way our women's products will look, feel and perform.

Since 1987 K2 has focused on the progression of Snowboarding through our technology, our team, and the basic love of shredding. Urban, Backcountry, Park and everywhere in between we have dedicated our lives to make your experience and ours a better one on snow.

We are snowboarding....

Thanks for all the years,

K2 Snowboarding

Check out the upcoming 2011 K2 Snowboard technologies and reviews