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DPS Skis hostile takeover

BigPurpleSkiSuit
Posts: 9109 - Karma: 65,309
Nov 14 2019 4:34PM

I know this is NSers and we make jokes about DPS all the time but damn this hurts to read:

https://blisterreview.com/industry-news/dps-skis-co-founder-stephan-drake-no-longer-with-dps

Update: 11.13.19 — Statement from Stephan Drake

I spoke with Stephan earlier today, and in addition to our conversation, he also provided this statement:

“To clarify, the change in control at DPS this late summer was the result of a hostile takeover by a single investor who yielded a large economic hammer. Based on positive growth, an innovative pipeline, and future vision, I had the support of the other investors, the board of directors, advisory board as well as new investors from both inside and outside the industry. Our collective efforts were ultimately blocked.

That is the extent of what I will say regarding the past at this point in time.

After a few months of what felt like mourning a stolen child–– something that I poured my entire soul, creativity and existence into for fifteen years, I am now exploring new ventures. The best brands possess an intense and inherent top-to-bottom respect and loyalty to mission and culture. I am energized to pursue fresh innovation with a tight group of talented people with the right principles and values. Announcements pending in the upcoming months.”

We will be extremely interested to see what the future holds both for Stephan and for DPS.

**This thread was edited on Nov 14th 2019 at 4:39:28pm

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armchair_skier
Posts: 2110 - Karma: 26,547
Nov 14 2019 4:37PM

Whats a DPS?

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IanAvery-Leaf
Posts: 9926 - Karma: 9,344
Nov 14 2019 5:02PM

armchair_skierWhats a DPS?

Dad Powder Ski

but for real this sounds super wack, Stephans a great dude and I wish him the best in his future endeavors

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J_Christoph
Posts: 2519 - Karma: 8,750
Nov 14 2019 5:08PM

Honestly have a lot of respect for the guy. I hope he finds some success elsewhere. I’ve never had a chance to try a pair of DPS but they look like awesome skis that have a lot of thought put into their design.

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TRVP_ANGEL
Posts: 12422 - Karma: 114,571
Nov 14 2019 5:10PM

That single investor's name?

Vail Resorts

Next years DPS line has a built in speed limiter that reduces speed whenever it hears a yellow jacket yelling

**This post was edited on Nov 14th 2019 at 5:12:10pm

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GayWolf420
Posts: 36710 - Karma: 110,904
Nov 14 2019 5:49PM

Interesting. A bummer to hear though. Sounds like it was a passion project starting off when they were building skis in garages in SLC (IIRC i remember someone telling me thats how they started off making DPS') and it just took off from there. Jokes aside about them being the typical "rich dude at Alta ski", They have a passion for skiing and their products and giving people something worthwhile for their money so its always a bit of a bummer to see that get spoiled by investors from outside the ski world.

Is this becoming a common thing within the ski industry? Does anyone with a background in it have some sort of insight to give? Ive been hearing/reading about all sorts of investor groups starting to get involved with ski companies.

**This post was edited on Nov 14th 2019 at 5:50:39pm

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SavageBiff
Posts: 3483 - Karma: 14,756
Nov 14 2019 6:10PM

That’s a shame

sounds like NS group should put some effort into boycotting dps

what I mean is groups of ya will come at me and other members I’ve seen it over shit that don’t necessarily matter, use your community and put that energy into letting dps know that despite great skis no ones interested in supporting the single investor type...

just a thought

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aidanaughton
Posts: 155 - Karma: 487
Nov 14 2019 6:33PM

SavageBiffThat’s a shame

sounds like NS group should put some effort into boycotting dps

what I mean is groups of ya will come at me and other members I’ve seen it over shit that don’t necessarily matter, use your community and put that energy into letting dps know that despite great skis no ones interested in supporting the single investor type...

just a thought

5 whole dollars says that no more than 1 person on this site has a pair...

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ghoti_hook
Posts: 237 - Karma: 1,181
Nov 14 2019 6:41PM

You think there is any chance he hooks up with Sterbenz and WNDR? Sounds to me like he definitely still wants to stay in the business but is willing to go his own direction. I’m sure he will have a cult following as soon as he starts his next project.

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J_Christoph
Posts: 2519 - Karma: 8,750
Nov 14 2019 6:47PM

SavageBiffThat’s a shame

sounds like NS group should put some effort into boycotting dps

what I mean is groups of ya will come at me and other members I’ve seen it over shit that don’t necessarily matter, use your community and put that energy into letting dps know that despite great skis no ones interested in supporting the single investor type...

just a thought

It’s probably safe to say most everyone here has consistently been taking their nickels and dimes elsewhere already

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armchair_skier
Posts: 2110 - Karma: 26,547
Nov 14 2019 11:06PM

TRVP_ANGELThat single investor's name?

Vail Resorts

Next years DPS line has a built in speed limiter that reduces speed whenever it hears a yellow jacket yelling

**This post was edited on Nov 14th 2019 at 5:12:10pm

Brakes automatically deploy when riding switch or going over 4.57mph whilst on Vail property.

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SFBv420.0
Posts: 2539 - Karma: 3,124
Nov 15 2019 5:56AM

aidanaughton5 whole dollars says that no more than 1 person on this site has a pair...

I got 5 pair 4 sets of l120's and a l138 so I know there's another

you wanna double or nothin that whole $10 I ski em better than you?

I feel bad for Stephan but he gave up control for the almighty dollar

and the companys been going meh for a while now

with the dumming down of the best ski they ever made the l 120 into the 124

and the tour line is sandwhich cap crap

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Seekingseasons
Posts: 523 - Karma: 1,250
Nov 15 2019 8:24PM

The skis run you BAC and if you are under 21 with any kind of amount of alcohol in your system, they sound out a beacon signal and double eject you. If you are over 21 and also over .08, same thing happens.

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Mista_Bob
Posts: 152 - Karma: 265
Nov 15 2019 9:37PM

SeekingseasonsThe skis run you BAC and if you are under 21 with any kind of amount of alcohol in your system, they sound out a beacon signal and double eject you. If you are over 21 and also over .08, same thing happens.

I’d be done before I ever leave the parking lot.

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Emma_Watson
Posts: 4483 - Karma: 6,662
Nov 17 2019 1:26PM

_____ powder solutions

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Ryanvdonk
Posts: 12808 - Karma: 1,945
Nov 17 2019 1:43PM

TRVP_ANGELThat single investor's name?

Vail Resorts

Next years DPS line has a built in speed limiter that reduces speed whenever it hears a yellow jacket yelling

**This post was edited on Nov 14th 2019 at 5:12:10pm

DPS already has a built in speed limiter cause they're built for rich dentists who want to turn every 2 seconds.

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grifrowl
Posts: 200 - Karma: 471
Nov 18 2019 1:40AM

Supposedly they were in the hole almost 1mil of investor cash/year for the last 5 years.

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