Mountains Hold Power
They draw us in, lift us up and make us feel their presence. With drama and scale, they inspire us to explore beyond and to immerse ourselves in the natural world. They backdrop our days and stand as a constant on our horizon. They share perspective and fuel our souls. And, to us, they will always feel like home.
Founder’s Letter (Messaging)
Jackson, Wyoming, in a VW Bug overloaded with every one of my worldly possessions—most importantly my skis, two bikes, a climbing rack and my fly rods. After growing up and going to college in Colorado, I tried the corporate career path on the West Coast, but it didn’t take me long to realize the city life was not the life I wanted to lead. So I headed home, back to the mountains.
As we charge into our second decade, we are continuing to build on the original vision. We’ve embraced better practices—recycled materials, organic fabrics and life-cycle design for the greater global good. We’ve backed causes that protect our most treasured places and ones that encourage a diversity of access, and most recently have become a Climate Neutral certified company.
Stio was founded in 2011 in Jackson, Wyoming, by mountain souls immersed in the Tetons and the spectacular wilderness that surrounds us. Already an epicenter of action, our hometown had an entire range of skiers, climbers, anglers, cyclists, paddlers and trail runners — from pro athletes and working guides to passionate advocates for all things outdoors. But we felt something greater was brewing in our valley and likeminded mountain towns — a common thread that connected these communities and outdoor cultures. We defined it as The Mountain Life — a new perspective of daily access and active balance and an all encompassing view that mirrored how we lived and what we believed.
For decades the Tetons have been a proving ground for skiers and riders. From the first descent of the Grand and the very first tram to the sidecountry revolution, our range has been home to visionaries at the forefront. In Jackson, our local heroes sparked change in the sport by the style they forged and the lines they left behind. The rugged terrain and bold vertical that inspired them are what drew all of us — including our founder — to these leg-endary mountains, famous for powerful storms, aesthetic lines and wild ski culture. This hometown heritage is why, at Stio, we’re skiers at heart.
THE TETONS
Our Home Range
The Tetons loom with presence and drama over our valley. And, while Jackson, WY, sits at the geographic hub for five ranges that form the headwaters of legendary rivers, hold hundreds of trailheads and are home to vast tracts of protected wilderness, it’s the Tetons that dominate our local skyline. More than just one of America’s most aesthetic ranges, they are a part of our daily experience and they keep us in constant awe. They’re where we ski, hike, bike, fish, paddle and climb and serve as a powerful reminder that we are fortunate to call this place home.
Let the Outside In
Mountains hold power. They draw us in, lift us up and make us feel their presence. With drama and scale, they inspire us to explore beyond and to immerse ourselves in the natural world. They backdrop our days and stand as a constant on our horizon. They share perspective and fuel our souls. And, to us, they will always feel like home.
Stio was founded from a mountain perspective, one that understood the importance of natural inspiration in every day. From where we stood, we saw an ethic resonating in our communities that focused on access, action and deep connection to the wilderness that surrounded us. We defined this emergence as The Mountain Life—an interconnected rethinking that encompasses culture and connection, conservation and community, natural inspiration and active balance.
We make gear that embodies this entire ecosystem—with the functional range to transition from the epic to the everyday. We remain rooted in a vision and a viewpoint that encompasses all the elements of the mountain life. We’re fueled by this ethic as we embrace and advocate for connection to our natural world through elevated design, cultural immersion, greater stewardship and daily connection to our trails, rivers, and, above all, mountains.
Intro (Messaging)
After starting, then losing, my first outdoor apparel company, I found myself with an 18-month paid sabbatical in my pocket and time to spend with my wife and three children in the mountains.
Taking in the daily inspiration of the Tetons, I dreamed up Stio—a brand rooted in all aspects of the mountain life, emanating from the totality of my life and business experience.
Intro (Messaging)
10 years later, with your support, Stio is a company where we strive to do the right thing each and every day. We’ve embraced better practices—recycled materials, organic fabrics and life-cycle design for the greater global good—and backed causes that protect our treasured places. We haven’t always been perfect, but we’ve stayed true to our roots in the mountain life.
