Made in the USA (and Beyond): How Nivis is Balancing Quality, Credibility, and Growth
- Jack Flynn
- Aug 26
- 3 min read
Updated: Aug 27
From Latin Homework to Lifestyle Brand
The story of Nivis begins in 2015, not in a boardroom or a design studio, but in a high school Latin class. Tasked with creating a Roman god, founder Carter Ramos invented “Shred Nivis”—the god of skiing and snowboarding. The name stuck. That summer, after grueling shifts on a golf course where all he could think about was cold powder days, Carter took his earnings and bet them all on his passion for the snow. Nivis — the Latin word for snow — was born, and by the fall, Carter was selling T-shirts out of the back of his 2003 Ford Expedition with the Nivis brand on the front and back.
What started as a summer side hustle snowballed into something more. Nivis evolved from hometown merch into a legitimate outerwear company, fueled by Carter’s passion for snowboarding, relentless testing, and the drive to build something beyond the ordinary.
Prototypes, Powder Days, and a Steamboat Test Lab
The goal had always been to make technical outerwear and by 2017, Carter had teamed up with current partner and CEO, Bobby Morris to help make the transition from merch into technical outerwear. The next five years were devoted to prototyping and testing in nearly every state in the USA that is skiable, including a full winter in Steamboat Springs, Colorado.
“I had five prototypes hanging in my Steamboat apartment amongst the six of us,” Carter recalls. “Even though my roommates owned gear from big brands, they kept stealing my Nivis jackets. They just liked wearing them better.”
That validation pushed Nivis further into technical outerwear, with an obsessive focus on quality and performance.
Made in America—But Not Without Challenges
In 2023, Nivis launched a run of American-made technical shells, insulated jackets, and puffies produced by the same manufacturer behind Ralph Lauren’s Olympic ceremony jackets. The gamble resonated with skiers and riders who wanted premium, U.S.-crafted gear. But reality struck: production delays meant gear slated for November/December delivery didn’t arrive in full until June, derailing the season.
“It’s really hard to grow and get on schedule when you’re delayed,” Carter admits. “American-made gear is exceptional, but scaling it is tough. The U.S. is 20 years behind countries like China and Vietnam in technical outerwear infrastructure.”
Until the USA can catch up, Nivis has since adopted a hybrid model: overseas production for scalability, and small-batch American-made gear for customers who value sustainability, local jobs, and domestic craftsmanship.
Marketing Like a Major Player
Despite its youth, Nivis has already punched above its weight with a cinematic brand campaign filmed in Chile. Shot by professionals and with the help of La Casa Films and El Colorado Resort, the campaign gave Nivis credibility that drew comparisons to Arc’teryx.
“People were saying, ‘This looks like Arc’teryx.’ For a brand that’s only just launching, that’s huge.”
The Athlete Team Advantage
Like any authentic outdoor brand, Nivis has built an athlete roster to boost credibility and generate content. Riders like Dane Tudor and freeride snowboarder Jon Penfield not only bring legitimacy but also represent Nivis’s target demographic: passionate, professional, adventurous, and dedicated to the sport.
Looking Ahead: Jackets, Hats, and… Golf?
With retail expansion in motion and partnerships for USA made uniforms, Nivis is broadening its footprint. New products include ski pants and a variety of mid layers designed to serve as both daily staples and to elevate every descent.
And beyond snow? Nivis is eyeing the off-season. Many who take to the mountains for winter also take to the links in the summer.
“There are more golfers who ski than skiers who golf,” Carter says. That overlap along with the stakeholders connections at Nivis to the world of golf has inspired a new line of golf and athleisure wear set to launch in spring—helping Nivis smooth out the seasonal revenue spikes that come with a winter-only product line.
Why Nivis Matters
At its core, Nivis is East Coast grit fused with Western powder dreams. It’s a brand built on authenticity, perseverance, and the belief that a new generation of ski outerwear can compete with legacy giants.
From a Latin class project to high-end outerwear hanging in Aspen shops, Nivis proves that even in a crowded market, there’s room for fresh stories, fresh gear, and founders willing to bet it all on snow.
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