Black Diamond Raising Gear Prices 10-25% Due to Tariffs

Originally posted on SNOWBOARDER | By Josh Sullivan | Last updated Apr 24, 2025 1:38 PM ET

For months, the looming threat of tariffs has lingered over the snowboard and ski community. Now, Black Diamond is coming forward and telling customers straight-up: your stuff is going to cost more money.

“Beginning May 5,2025, prices on most of our products will increase 10–25% due to the recent wave of global tariffs introduced by the Trump Administration,” an email to customers said. “Tariffs have dramatically increased the cost of producing our gear - by more than double in some cases. Every outdoor brand operating on a global supply chain is experiencing similar issues. We’ve absorbed as much of this impact as we can, but to continue delivering the high-performance equipment you count on, a price adjustment has become necessary.”

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The tariffs include a base tariff of 10% on all imports, 25% on steel and aluminum products, and steep surcharges on products from China, Black Diamond said in the email. The landscape is “unprecedented and uncertain” the letter said, and the company says it is trying to be as transparent as possible before the price changes go into effect.

“These are the actions we’re taking today. Additional country-specific “reciprocal tariffs” have been paused for now, subject to further trade negotiations,” the letter states. “Depending on how these additional tariffs unfold in the coming weeks, further adjustments may unfortunately be necessary. As always, we’ll keep you informed every step of the way. We’re deeply grateful for your continued support and for being part of the Black Diamond community.”

Black Diamond's biggest contribution to snowboarding is outerwear. It also teamed up with Cardiff to make a splitboard, and makes climbing skins, trekking poles, and backcountry safety equipment. All of these items are typically a big purchase for consumers.

Black Diamond is not alone. John Lacy, the CEO of Burton Snowboards, told the Bennington Banner that the tariffs will have a major impact on its 800 employees worldwide. Burton sources two-thirds of its products from far-east Asia, and Lacy said that prices could increase between 46 and 145 percent.

"We are exploring other alternatives and different areas of manufacturing but by the time we set up, who knows what will happen next?” Lacy told the Banner. "We’ve received a lot of input on things to do, but how can you navigate the playbook if you don’t know what the rules of the board are?”

Across the aisle in the skiing world, Jason Levinthal, the founder of J Skis, says that the brand has plans to cut 70% of its marketing. J Skis are made in Canada, but Levinthal expects a price bump of 10 to 25%.

For more incite into how tariffs will impact the snowboarding and skiing industries, read Ian Greenwood’s story in POWDER.