The U.S.-based ski manufacturer DPS Skis reported partnering with Kohla, the Austrian brand specializing in mountain sports equipment, to be its exclusive North American distributor of climbing skins and accessories and backpacks effective November 2023.
“Kohla has been a dominant global climbing skin brand but has had very limited distribution in the U.S. and Canada. With the brand’s premium technology and unwavering quality reputation, we’re thrilled to have the opportunity to grow Kohla’s distribution and broaden the value that we offer to our dealers and customers,” said Thomas Laakso, senior vice president at DPS Skis and Phantom Glide. “Kohla’s climbing skins are best-in-class and align with our brand ethos, and will be a perfect companion to the DPS lineup of touring skis.”
Kohla was founded in 1932 in Innsbruck, Austria, by Max Kohla and remains a family-run business specializing in mountain sports gear, emphasizing backcountry ski and snowboarding. The company noted it is “the world’s largest manufacturer of climbing skins.” Kohla field tests its products at its headquarters in Austria’s Stubai Alps.
“Kohla has been a family-run Austrian mountaineering company since its start in 1932,” said Thomas Span, CEO of Ibex Sportartikel, which runs Kohla. “Our heart and soul are in the mountains, and we share with DPS a respect for those mountains as well as a passion for snow sports. It’s obvious to us that we have found in DPS Skis the best partner with which to expand our presence in the U.S. and Canada.”
Photo courtesy Kohla
