It was one of those Steamboat mornings where the air feels sharp but clean, the kind that usually has me thinking about hand warmers before my first run. Instead, I was standing in the lobby of Gravity Haus with a hot coffee and a brand-new pair of Swany gloves in my hands.

Ski Town Media was invited to spend a day with Swany, a renowned glove company that has taken root in Steamboat Springs. Swany has long been known in the ski world for making gloves that hold up when winter is at its worst – technical, durable and designed for real days on snow, not just bluebird marketing shots. This media ski day on Mount Werner wasn’t just about trying new product; it was an invitation to understand the brand from the inside out: how it’s evolving, who it’s investing in and why the Yampa Valley plays such a central role in its story.

Todd Givnish, vice president of sales at Swany, met us at the mountain early, a small stack of gloves under his arm. “Here, wear these today,” he said as he passed out the gloves. Minutes later, we were buckling boots and heading toward the gondola, gloves on, already doing their job.

As we loaded up and the gondola began to climb, Todd explained what it’s like to work for Swany out of Steamboat. He spoke about the privilege of leading a brand with a long reputation for product quality, and how exciting it has been to pair that legacy with new product design and marketing investment. “Having the opportunity to invite new consumers to enjoy Swany is a dream job,” he said, as the town dropped farther below us.

Somewhere above the trees, the conversation shifted from product to place. Todd talked about Swany’s partnership with Steamboat Springs Winter Sports Club. Ten percent of proceeds from SSWSC member purchases go directly back to the club. The partnership isn’t framed as a program or initiative; it is simply in support of kids getting outside, challenging themselves physically and mentally and, as Todd put it, “creating better humans.”

Looking out the gondola windows, it was easy to picture those athletes. Swany’s support shows up in big ways, like its sponsorship of major March 2026 events hosted by SSWSC, including the U16 Alpine Nationals and the Ski Jump and Nordic Combined Junior Nationals. These aren’t just competitions – they’re moments that shape young athletes and spotlight Steamboat on a national stage.

Athletes came up again as we neared the top. Todd spoke proudly about Swany’s sponsorship of Maddy “The Comeback Kid” Schaffrick. She’s the women’s snowboard halfpipe Olympian, whose resilience and return to competition reflect the brand’s long-term mindset.  “It’s an honor to support Maddy's efforts and we couldn't be more proud of her for making it to the Olympics in her comeback tour,” Todd says.

He also talked about one of his personal highlights: working with the SSWSC Freeride Senior Team. Rather than a traditional sponsorship, Swany has built a content contest and mentor program that gives these athletes real experience working with a brand – learning how to create social content, tell their stories and build relationships that extend beyond competition. “Working with the SSWSC Freeride Senior Team, on creating social content, and expanding their skill set in working with brands, has been a personal highlight,” Todd said. “It's an opportunity to not only support a wonderful group of athletes but to also grow their skill set, educating them on the business side of skiing.”

The day unfolded the way the best ski days do: long runs, lift rides that turned into conversations, and gloves that proved their worth every time the wind picked up. Between laps, we heard about Swany’s support of grassroots events like the Pash & Burn Banked Slalom, and how the brand stays committed off the snow as well – through annual photo shoots with local photographer Ben Duke, and a recent website redesign led by Steamboat-based designer Katy Martin of Joyful Design.

By the end of the day, it was clear this wasn’t a brand dropping into town for visibility. Swany is embedded in the Yampa Valley, supporting athletes at every level, reinvesting in the local community and working with the people who make Steamboat what it is.

I left with warm hands, tired legs and the feeling that I’d been invited into something bigger than a product demo. Many brands make great gloves, but Swany helps sustain winter culture in Steamboat – and you can feel it, run after run.