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DPS Skis hostile takeover

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BigPurpleSkiSuit
Posts: 9099 - Karma: 65,215
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
Nov 14 2019 4:34PM
6 0
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armchair_skier
Posts: 2105 - Karma: 26,482
Whats a DPS?
Nov 14 2019 4:37PM
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IanAvery-Leaf
Posts: 9926 - Karma: 9,344
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
Nov 14 2019 5:02PM
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J_Christoph
Posts: 2519 - Karma: 8,750
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.
Nov 14 2019 5:08PM
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TRVP_ANGEL
Posts: 12420 - Karma: 114,465
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
Nov 14 2019 5:10PM
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GayWolf420
Posts: 36680 - Karma: 110,560
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
Nov 14 2019 5:49PM
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SavageBiff
Posts: 3483 - Karma: 14,756
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
Nov 14 2019 6:10PM
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aidanaughton
Posts: 155 - Karma: 487
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...
Nov 14 2019 6:33PM
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ghoti_hook
Posts: 237 - Karma: 1,169
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.
Nov 14 2019 6:41PM
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J_Christoph
Posts: 2519 - Karma: 8,750
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
Nov 14 2019 6:47PM
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armchair_skier
Posts: 2105 - Karma: 26,482
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.
Nov 14 2019 11:06PM
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SFBv420.0
Posts: 2539 - Karma: 3,124
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
Nov 15 2019 5:56AM
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Seekingseasons
Posts: 523 - Karma: 1,250
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.
Nov 15 2019 8:24PM
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Mista_Bob
Posts: 152 - Karma: 265
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.
Nov 15 2019 9:37PM
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Emma_Watson
Posts: 4483 - Karma: 6,662
_____ powder solutions
Nov 17 2019 1:26PM
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Ryanvdonk
Posts: 12808 - Karma: 1,945
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.
Nov 17 2019 1:43PM
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grifrowl
Posts: 200 - Karma: 471
Supposedly they were in the hole almost 1mil of investor cash/year for the last 5 years.
Nov 18 2019 1:40AM
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