We’ve got big news — and it’s the kind that deserves a celebratory throttle twist.
As of August 2025, Highmark Airbags is officially back under independent ownership. The brand you’ve trusted to keep you safe in the backcountry has returned to the hands of the people who built it — and we couldn’t be more fired up for what’s ahead.
🚁 A Quick Ride Through the Highmark Story
For anyone new to the brand (or just a fan of a good comeback story), here’s how we got here:
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2014: Mammut acquired the Snowpulse airbag technology, which had strong roots in both ski and sled markets.
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2015: Mountain Sports Distribution (MSD), Mammut’s North American distributor, teamed up with Mammut to launch Highmark by Snowpulse — a snowmobile-specific line. MSD designed the packs; Mammut built them.
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Following years: MSD eventually took full ownership of the Highmark trademark and grew the brand into the most trusted name in snowmobile airbags.
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2022: MSD was sold to private equity.
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March 2025: The decision was made to shut MSD down.
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August 2025: In a full-circle moment, original MSD owner Chuck Gorton and Golden, BC local Stuart Britton bought Highmark back — and launched Spire Outdoor Group, Ltd.
And just like that, Highmark is home again.
💥 Meet Spire Outdoor Group
Spire Outdoor Group is the new home of Highmark Airbags (and also the proud owner of Mountain Lab).
We’re a small but mighty team of longtime industry pros based in Golden, BC. If you've ever DM'd us, emailed or called us, you already know us - we're the same product development team, warranty and customer service crew as ever. Between the four Spire employees (not including the owners), we have about 45 years of Highmark time under our belt.
As a team, we’ve spent over a decade building, distributing, and riding with the gear we make. And now, with Highmark back in our hands, we get to steer the brand exactly where it belongs — with sledders, for sledders.
🙌 What This Means for You
The biggest takeaway?
We’re independent again. That means we make the decisions, we listen directly to riders, and we move fast. No corporate layers, no red tape — just a crew that cares deeply about the backcountry community and the safety of the people in it.
Here’s what’s happening next:
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The Ambassador & Athlete programs are continuing — and evolving.
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We’re working on a new pack for W26/27, built from rider feedback collected over the years. IT'S A SECRET SO DON'T ASK US ANY QUESTIONS.
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Inventory will be limited for the 2025/26 season as we transition, but our beloved dealer network is fully supported.
In short: we’re back to doing things our way — with the passion, responsiveness, and authenticity that got Highmark where it is today.
🔧 Building the Future of Avalanche Safety
At our core, Highmark Airbags has always stood for one thing: trust when it matters most.
Our goal under Spire Outdoor Group is to continue pushing that mission forward — with smarter pack design, better safety technology, and a closer connection to the community that rides with us.
We’re grateful to everyone who’s been part of this journey — from our ambassadors and dealers to every sledder who’s strapped on a Highmark pack before heading into the mountains.
The next chapter starts now.
And it’s going to be epic.
Follow along:
👉 Instagram @highmarkairbags
👉 Facebook @highmarkairbags
p.s. the photo we used here is from the absolute gems of humans at Boondock Nation. These gents have been using our pack with such loyalty, kindness and class for the last few years and we are so appreciative of their existence.