222. Thomas Laakso — Bringing Innovation and Sustainability to Utah's Slopes

In this episode, Pete Codella, managing director of business services at the Governor's Office of Economic Opportunity, talks with Thomas Laakso, senior vice president of DPS Skis.

Laakso highlights Utah's unique advantage of outdoor access, which allows him to combine his career in skiing with living in the mountains. His material science and composite engineering background led him to work for brands like The North Face before joining Black Diamond and eventually co-founding an avalanche safety company. He oversees product and operations at DPS Skis, which is celebrating its 20th anniversary and is the largest ski producer in the United States.

Laakso emphasizes DPS Skis' commitment to using 90% domestic materials, which proved beneficial during supply chain disruptions. He details the company's 18-month design, manufacturing, and testing process, highlighting the strategic advantage of its Salt Lake City location for rapid iteration and testing on nearby mountains. DPS Skis, known for its carbon fiber construction and focus on freeride, recently launched a new Pisteworks line for hard snow carving. Laakso also discusses its Revive program, which refurbishes and resells used skis, including those from other brands, promoting sustainability by extending product lifespan.