In the market for a new ride, but looking for a company that uses environmentally friendly manufacturing? Venture Snowboards might be the one you're searching for. They make buying your new board a "green-guilt"-free experience. Venture is located in Silverton Colorado, one of the coolest high-country towns that hasn't become completely gentrified yet, and they're making an effort to green-up their company.

Klemens and Lisa Branner own and operate their small, independently owned snowboard company out of a historic storefront in downtown Silverton, high in the San Juan Mountains, building every board from scratch. They use only sustainably harvested hardwoods for the cores, and source as much of the materials as they can from the US, cutting down the need for costly, fuel-intensive transport and helping to build America's local economy.

Venture has been running on 100% wind power since its inception in 2004, proudly supporting sustainable energy and the conservation movement. They are planning to build a new factory in Silverton in early 2009, using both passive and active solar elements in the building and focusing on the use of reclaimed and recycled building materials.

To top it off, they belong to 1% for the Planet, donating 1% of the company's sales to environmental groups around the world. Total donations from 1% for the Planet have now topped $30 million.

And with an extreme ski area, Silverton Mountain, with expert-only terrain and nearly limitless backcountry opportunities, right nearby, you know these guys put hours and hours into testing their boards.

If you're ready for a new board, or just want to drool, surf over and check out Venture Snowboards.

Image: alexindigo at Flickr under Creative Commons License