Handmade Boards Around The World

If you got to create the snowboard or skis of your dreams, it’s likely that performance, feel and durability would play a major role in the process.

Inspired by a meeting with Taro Tomas of Japanese snowboard brand Gentemstick in the 2010s, Mikey Franco set out to build bespoke Snowboards with a unique look and feel - Franco Snowshapes came to be.

Mikey’s laser-focus on producing all-American boards per his extremely high standards in regard to world class performance, inspiring feel and greatest durability possible, paved the way to open the Franco Snowshapes Factory in summer 2020.

Snowboarding is such a passion sport, and we got to chat with Mikey about how his winter is going so far and what keeps him on his toes at the workshop these days—

A Lifelong Pursuit: Franco Snowshapes

Mikey, how is the snow in Jackson Hole?

It has been an interesting winter! It was a very slow start, with a few big storms over the holidays to get us back to normal. And now, dry and cold! That just gives me the chance to focus on testing and performance enhancements that you normally don’t encounter when the snow is perfect.


You obviously draw your creativity for shaping boards from your decades on the snow. What was the most extreme shape that you built last season?

The most extreme shape was not really strange in shape, but wild in components! I built a board with a solid, CNC-milled aluminum sidewall and a titanal and copper topsheet! My favorite ride to date. The definition of damp and stable! I did build a splitboard for a customer that wanted the shape to look like a coffin!

Is there a shape you are still considering to build for yourself?

There is always something brewing on new shapes! I actually want to build for myself a directional twin! I haven’t done that in ten years.

I’m also wanting to build boards with a stone topsheet, a leather topsheet, the list goes on!


What makes your boards so unique?

I think the thing that most people see first is our finish. Building boards with silk Kimono Obi belt topsheets, camouflage carbon fiber, copper, aluminum sidewalls, polished titanium, pigmented epoxy, and so forth.

But what truly makes each board unique and something that can’t be seen is how much each shape is tailored to the individual. Because we do an in-depth interview with each and every customer, the board is truly designed down to the millimeter.

From one core to another, the amount of wood that is removed and where it is removed from allows us to build a board that has a unique signature, matching the riders physical, mental, and emotional stake in snowboarding.

We even do an in-person “fitting” at Jackson Hole (where I still occasionally work as a guide).

The product consists of myself and the customer having early Tram access before the public, line-cutting, movement analysis, and finally a tailored shape based on that day’s observations.

How would you describe your process and how long does it take to make the board or skis?

The process is slow, by design. This is going to be an investment in your snowboard career. Taking our time assures us of getting it right the first time.

I want you to ride it for years, eventually handing it down or hanging it up on a wall when it’s seen its last days (usually 300-400). To that end, the board can take a week to many months, depending on ingredients and final finish as well as when you got your order in!

Currently, we are about 6-8 months out on orders that arrive today!

We build boards with precise CNC machining combined with hands-on processes, making each board both a precision machine as well as a hand-crafted work of art.

What’s your best advice for someone considering a custom built, bespoke board?

Ask questions! What is the builder’s background? Hint: being an engineer isn't the only trait your builder should have! Your shaper should have a deep understanding of customer service, of body mechanics, and yes, board mechanics, and engineering principles.

Understand the difference between “custom” and “tailored”.

Is the shaper going to let you pick from a selection of shapes and offer you your choice of printed topsheets and base color (custom) or build a board from scratch, creating every part of the board from core profile thicknesses, urethane sidewall hardness and colors, composite options, and a topsheet that the world has never seen before (tailored)?

Your first decision is this: is this going to be a board to add to my quiver or a board that replaces something in my quiver?

Will it be a daily driver or a super special board only brought out on special days?

Go with someone who’s passion for building boards matches your passion for riding them! Tomorrow we RIDE! Always! Get a taste for Franco Snowshapes on Instagram.