Renoun Skis Earns Climate Label, Challenging an Industry on Thin Ice

BURLINGTON, VT – April 13, 2026 – As the ski industry confronts the existential threat of a warming planet, Vermont-based manufacturer Renoun Skis has drawn a new line in the snow. The company announced today it has become the first ski brand to achieve Climate Label certification, a rigorous, third-party verification of corporate climate action. The move, announced ahead of Earth Day, signals a deeper commitment to environmental accountability in a sport fundamentally dependent on winter.

Renoun, which first gained notoriety for its direct-to-consumer sales model and patented VibeStop™ technology, is no stranger to climate initiatives, having previously been the first Climate Neutral certified ski company. This new certification, however, represents a significant evolution. It moves beyond simple carbon offsetting to a more demanding framework of measurement, reduction, and direct financial investment in climate solutions.

“The ski industry has a climate problem: we depend on snow,” said Rob Golden, Renoun’s CEO, in a statement. “Climate Label certification isn’t a marketing move. It’s acknowledging reality, taking accountability for our carbon footprint, and building a brand that can survive it.”

A New Standard for a Sport on Thin Ice

The challenges facing the winter sports industry are stark and well-documented. Research shows that from 2000 to 2019, the average U.S. ski season shrank by five to seven days compared to previous decades, resulting in an estimated $252 million in annual economic losses due to lost skier visits and the rising costs of snowmaking. As resorts become more reliant on energy-intensive artificial snow, the industry's own carbon footprint comes under greater scrutiny.

It is within this context that The Change Climate Project, the nonprofit administrator, developed The Climate Label. The standard aims to restore consumer trust by moving past vague “carbon neutral” claims that faced growing skepticism. To earn the label, companies must annually measure their complete greenhouse gas emissions—from raw materials to customer delivery—and develop public, time-bound plans to reduce them. Crucially, they must also fund climate solutions by paying an internal price on their carbon emissions.

“Companies that achieve The Climate Label are part of a unique group of climate leaders that have chosen to factor the costs of climate change into their business,” says Austin Whitman, CEO of The Change Climate Project. For Renoun, this means annual verification of its entire supply chain, from North American raw materials to its manufacturing facility in Quebec, Canada.

While Renoun is the first ski brand to achieve this specific certification, it joins a growing movement within the industry. Brands like Atomic have set science-based targets to halve emissions by 2030, Faction Skis operates as a certified B Corp, and Rossignol Group is implementing its “RESPECT” program to reduce its carbon footprint. Renoun’s certification, however, places a unique emphasis on transparent, annually verified financial commitment to climate action.

Performance Meets Planet

Renoun has built its brand on the promise that technology can deliver a superior on-snow experience. The company’s patented VibeStop™ technology, an adaptive polymer integrated into the ski’s core, has been a key differentiator. The material, a type of non-Newtonian fluid, remains compliant at low speeds for a playful feel but firms up in response to high-frequency vibrations on hardpack or at high speed, providing stability and edge-hold.

“Most dampening systems add weight or deaden the ski. VibeStop does neither. It actually adapts in real time,” explained Jascha Herlihy, Renoun’s Head of Product Development. The company backs this with performance data, reporting that 48% of its customers experience better control at high speed and 40% report reduced fatigue.

The Climate Label certification applies this same data-driven, results-oriented approach to its environmental strategy. By committing to the standard, Renoun argues that premium performance and planetary responsibility are not mutually exclusive. The brand, which has won multiple ISPO Gold Awards for innovation, is now betting that its customers value environmental engineering as much as they do mechanical engineering. This dual focus is evident across its product line, from the carving-focused Atlas 80 to the best-selling Endurance 98 all-mountain ski.

Building a Community Beyond the Bindings

Renoun’s business strategy has always been unconventional. As North America's first direct-to-consumer ski manufacturer, it bypassed traditional retail channels to build a direct relationship with its customers. This philosophy is most fully realized in its RenounPro membership program, launched in late 2025.

The program functions less like a simple purchase and more like a subscription to the brand itself. Members receive a new pair of skis upon enrollment and are guaranteed automatic upgrades to the latest models every 24 months. A “SwapAnytime™” feature allows them to exchange their skis for a different model for a nominal fee, ensuring they always have the right tool for the conditions. Beyond the gear, the membership provides access to an exclusive app, special ski trips, and discounts on partner products, fostering a sense of community.

This model creates a loyal customer base and provides the company with a predictable revenue stream. It also ties directly into its sustainability mission. By managing the lifecycle of its products and building a community around shared values, Renoun is creating a more circular relationship with its skiers. As CEO Rob Golden noted, “When you build a real community around the sport, skiers stay. And our Climate Label certification backs up what we’ve always believed: you can build a premium ski brand that’s accountable to the planet.”

Renoun's certification is a bold declaration in a market where consumers are increasingly wary of “greenwashing.” By submitting to a rigorous, transparent, and financially demanding standard, the company is testing the hypothesis that true climate leadership can be a powerful driver of brand loyalty. For a sport whose future is written in snow, it’s a test the entire industry will be watching closely.