At Venture Snowboards in Silverton, the boards start out as a pile of lumber in the parking lot and leave ready for backcountry adventures.

The company started 15 years ago and specializes in split snowboards that, as the name implies, come apart and are used to hike up slopes in the wilderness.

Being based in Silverton has presented advantages and challenges for the company, co-owner Lisa Branner said.

“Being located right in the heart of some of the most gnarly mountains in the lower 48 has pushed us to develop high-performance boards that will perform in no-fall zones when the stakes are high and to build super durable boards that will take the abuse these mountains dish out,” she said.

The company also has developed a partnership with Silverton Mountain ski area guides who test all their snowboards.

However, the remote location and slow Internet have presented obstacles for the company.

When rock or snow slides close the mountain roads, it can impact the company’s ability to receive materials, ship orders and travel.

Until recently, Silverton was the only county seat in the state without fiber optic lines, and the unreliable Internet really can slow things down; so, Branner is looking forward to a more reliable connection.

Despite the challenges, the owners aren’t looking to move.

“I would say that overall, the benefits of being located here far outweigh the challenges. Not only does this location let us feed our powder addiction, but being able to literally step right out the front door and test our product is huge in terms of product development,” she said.

mshinn@durangoherald.com