The Nivis Story

The grit of skiing in tough conditions shaped us. Growing up skiing on the East Coast, you learn to navigate poor conditions, icy terrain, bitter cold, and fierce winds. It’s a wet cold that’s entirely different from the dry chill out west. We’ve skied it all—from the frozen hills of West Virginia to heli-skiing adventures in the untouched wilderness of the Rockies.

Nivis was born from a group of East Coast guys with deep ties to the mountains, each of us coming from Richmond, Virginia, but with lives that have stretched across the country. Fun fact: Jim Bridger, the famous mountain man with national forests, towns, and resorts named after him, was a Richmonder too.

Carter, our founder who started Nivis in high school, has spent years traveling the country by truck and plane, testing our prototypes, showing them to retailers, and building relationships along the way. He’s skied countless resorts in all kinds of conditions, met some great people, had some wild adventures, and nearly crashed into a ravine off of Interstate 80 at night when his truck fishtailed and kissed the guardrail in a snowstorm going from Utah to Wyoming.

But skiing isn’t just a sport to us; it’s a lifestyle. We believe in working hard and playing harder, and our journey to create Nivis reflects that. We’ve tested every jacket we could get our hands on, searching for the perfect one. We never found one that lived up to our standards. So, we decided to make our own—designed for those who push the limits and strive for greatness on and off the mountain.

When it comes to manufacturing, we’re proud to be one of the few brands offering a line of premium technical jackets that are assembled in the USA. Working closely with manufacturers in New Jersey,  as well as overseas, has allowed us to refine our designs down to the last detail. From fabric selection to the countless components that go into making the perfect sleeve — every piece is crafted with precision. Being close to East Coast factories and design hubs while also being in constant communication with manufacturing partners in California gives us a unique advantage in quality control and innovation that is passed on to you. 

At Nivis, we’re more than just our brand—we’re skiers, adventurers, and innovators. Our gear is built for those who live for the mountain, no matter where they call home. If you have the passion, you can get out there and rip.