Backcountry weekends and epic all-dayers in the mountains call for serious preparation and reliable gear. Knowing that the professionals know best, The North Face partnered with their team of athletes to create their Steep Series™ collection and answer the need for functional and performant backcountry gear. From base layers and mid layers to GORE-TEX® shell jackets and bibs, The North Face Steep Series™ is a versatile kit that is ready for any mission. Shop The North Face Discover the Steep Series™ Collection The greatest focus behind the Steep Series™ collection was to be able to produce a kit that was function-first. The goal: to

In Canada, and anywhere it gets really cold, Canada Goose is known for warm parkas. Initially designed for arctic expeditions, Canada Goose adapted to growing demand from urbanites, and today you'll see their jackets and the famous roundel from Bordeaux to Beijing, Detroit to Davos, and everywhere in between. Choosing can be tough, so here's a guide to two of our favourites: the Trillium and Shelburne parkas for women. Shelburne Parka - Women Shop Shelburne   Trillium Parka - Women Shop Trillium Look & Style At first glance, it's the quilt-through, low-profile puffy padding that distinguishes the Shelburne from the

My first overnight test of the Oberon sleeping bag coincided with the first official day of winter. Even though we’ve had snow on the East Coast since mid-October, I figured I’d have to wait so it wouldn’t be considered “fall” camping. Hauling a sled of gear into the wilderness and including no actual shelter gave the trip a greater sense of adventure. The plan was to build a lean-to and camp fireside. Well, I’m writing this review so I’m pleased to say it was successful! Shop Therm-a-Rest Our review of this product The pros are: Comfortable Lightweight Compressible The cons

It's not always easy to combine technical efficiency with elegance when it comes to winter coats. Between oversized jackets and elegant models barely insulated, it often feels like having to choose between feeling warm or looking stylish. Fortunately, some brands offer advantageous compromises. This is the case with Indygena, a Montreal brand whose products combine minimalist designs and comfort with success. Located at the confluence of the outdoor world and the urban world, Indygena focuses on the technical efficiency and durability of its clothing. Result? Timeless products that adapt to your lifestyle. We invite you to discover three parkas that particularly

Canadian winters have never been kind to my feet.  Managing snow, rain, ice and keeping warm is has been a continual struggle for me.  As a photographer in a small ski town, I find myself hiking through snowbanks to get the perfect shot, needing solid footing and grip to walk my puppy, and above all be a cozy retreat for my toes after long days skiing.  I promised myself I would never spend another winter switching from rubber boots, to mukluks, to riding boots and back again. When my new Bogs Snowday Tall Insulated Boots arrived, I knew I could

The NeoAir Xtherm mattress has been a great new addition to my camping set up, and I’m pleased to say it will be joining me on many future adventures. From camping in a lean-to, the back of a Subaru, or even taking a nap on the living room floor this mattress is very versatile. Shop Therm-a-Rest NeoAir Xtherm Mattress Our review of this product The pros are: Tough Comfortable Lightweight The cons are: Fill valve takes time to get used to Features I’ve paired this mat with the Therm-a-Rest Oberon bag with amazing results. The first test was slightly elevated

‘Take a hike’, he replied brusquely. Splendid idea, I thought – but what should I wear? I have two excellent hoodies by The North Face. It depended on my choice of activity, the conditions and its terrain. Ventrix by The North Face is the breathable synthetic ventilation system drawing rave reviews, awarded the 2017 Editor’s Choice award by Backpacker’s Magazine. Micropores in the fabric stretch with your movements, allowing excess moisture vapour to escape as they expand. When aerobic activity slows, they contract, retaining body warmth. The result is a highly adaptable fabric that regulates body temperature during cold-weather activity.

Freezing Canadian winters demand the warmth of a sophisticated down parka. Thankfully, Nobis (which in Latin means ‘us’) has over a decade of expertise designing men's and women's winter apparel in Toronto for freezing northern weather. Their refined collection of jackets, coats, and accessories continues to elevate and resonate, but in this feature, we'll focus on their most popular parkas. Shop Nobis Nobis Tech: Advancing Product & Material Along with the warmth derived from heavy down fillings, the following parkas feature advanced material alterations. Innovative waterproof membranes and seam-sealed construction contribute to versatile pieces that give wearers comfort and the

“Weather isn’t rocket science, it’s way harder than rocket science” - Robert (our ski guide) Let’s start at the end: Iceland changed my life. I was brought to the land of ice by Smartwool Canada to learn about their Fall-Winter product line. What better place than Iceland to discover and test Smartwool’s merino wool products? A country of extreme weather, extreme emotion, and extreme fun. These three subjects kept popping up on our journey to find the best spring ski lines in the north of the country. The Tröllaskagi Peninsula in mid-April offered an ideal setting to try out Smartwool

Nothing is more invigorating than a multi-night winter trip. Lung-searing fresh air and clean powder can quickly dispel your winter doldrums. Luckily, tent or hut sleeping during frigid weather is less of a problem thanks to Marmot’s lineup of ultrawarm sleeping bags. Marmot’s wide selection of sleeping bags can make for a tough choice. We’ll look at warm bags for differing cold temperatures instead of year-round activities like trekking or mountaineering. Let’s start with the deepest cold... Shop Marmot's sleeping bag 1. For Extreme Cold: Col MemBrain Down Sleeping Bag -20F/-29C The Col MemBrain is rated down to -29 Celsius.

Kombi knows cold. Founded in Montreal by the family that still runs it, Kombi has been equipping people against freezing temperatures since 1961. Everyone notices the number of Kombi kids’ mitts keeping little hands dry and warm in the schoolyard. Mittens and gloves for adults are soaring in popularity too. This season Kombi introduces two new lines to their family: Elite and Metro. Shop Kombi Elite for Him and Her Gloves The Timeless - Femme Shop Mitaines la Béatrice - Femme Shop Mitaines The Mentor - Homme Shop Gants Free Fall - Homme Shop The Elite Collection Sports in winter

Iceland is known for many things. OK, just kidding. But what it should be known for is ski touring – holy moly does it have amazing ski touring. And where there’s touring, there’s cold weather with extreme and variable conditions. That’s where Smartwool’s Smartloft jackets and vests come into play. Shop Smartwool's Smartloft Collection  I flew out to Dalvik, a tiny fishing village in the Troll peninsula in the northwest of Iceland, to spend some time with Smartwool and truly test their products. As you may or may not know, they are renowned for their base layers and socks, but

Head to Norway to live a journey in the life of Kari Traa, the brand and the founder. Everyone dreams of flying to a far-off destination knowing adventure awaits, but not knowing the exact details of that adventure. Well, I’ve always dreamed of this, and my recent trip to Norway with Kari Traa was my chance to live it. The only challenge was packing for the unknown. I arrived at Oslo and was greeted by smiling members of Kari Traa’s team waving Norwegian flags. Already, I was seeing the warm Kari Traa team spirit. Discover Kari Traa The team took

Introducing world-exclusive milkweed parkas made through a collaboration between Quartz Co., Altitude Sports and Monark™ for the third year. Made in Canada, these parkas will ensure optimal warmth and showcase the clean style of the Quartz Co. brand. With this collaboration, we want to offer our customers a sleek winter parka that showcases the fashionable designs of Canada’s very own Quartz Co., known for their craftsmanship and durable high-quality products which are both beautiful and functional. Shop the Collaboration Milkweed: a plant-based and locally grown insulation Once thought of as a weed, this fibre has been gaining notoriety as an insulator, which

Since 2013, Québec has been celebrating a new provincial treasure. Previously confused for a weed and often called milkweed, Asclepias plants produce an ecological, renewable and a non-animal insulation material. You will eventually be able to find it in winter coats, parkas, boots, gloves and more. Testing Milkweed Insulation Jean-François Tardif, a mountain climbing lover, climbed Everest equipped with milkweed-insulated clothing. He even said he was too hot for the temperatures in which he was climbing (-22 degrees to +25 degrees in the sun). He tested a one-piece jumpsuit, an anorak and a blanket, all insulated with milkweed. He could

Full disclosure: I may be wearing the Shashka Pant Bib as I write this review.  They are that comfortable, stylin’ and best of all, breathable! As a new bib enthusiast, my last pair weren’t GORE-TEX, and while they were great to keep snow out of my back, the deep powder skiing I see in BC’s interior ranges would leave my base layers damp, and I chilled.  As a photographer and filmmaker who works in backcountry catski and heli-ski lodges, I needed these. Here’s why. Buy the Shashka Pant Our review of this product The pros are: Made of GORE-TEX® Efficiently

For those who are not familiar with Black Diamond, it is a brand devoted to climbing and skiing with a passion that is showcased in each individual products. From their apparel and accessories to their gear and equipment, Black Diamond products are designed for life on rock, ice and snow. While climbing and skiing are their expertise, Black Diamond is also an expert when it comes to gloves. Whether you're a climber or a skier, their extensive glove collection offers a variety of styles and features sure to meet the needs of individuals in search of technical gear. Shop Black Diamond A post

  With more than 120 years of experience, you could say France’s Rossignol was there when the notion of skiing as a sport began. A foundational ski brand driven by innovation and the pursuit of perfection, Rossignol has greatly influenced the growth of alpine skiing as we know it. Shop Rossignol The Origins of Success Carpenter and passionate skier Albert Rossignol made his first wooden skis in 1907 in his French homeland. It was the birth of a brand. By the following year his prototype won its first national prize. Four years later production went industrial. The skis gained traction

Arc’teryx launched Veilance in 2009 to create precision, performing apparel for a contemporary urban lifestyle. Veilance offers minimalist form, clean lines, and a city-bound aesthetic while drawing from the advanced engineering and technical ingenuity Arc’teryx is known for. The result is one of the world’s leading brands and looks. Everything about Veilance leads back to their Vancouver origins. The clothes are designed in the Vancouver office. All material and tooling development is done in British Columbia’s lower mainland. Veilance patterns and prototypes are created and sewn in-house. The hand-crafted production happens mainly at the local Arc’teryx factory, where their own

Loose sweaters, flared pants, print tees – the 90’s are back in full force in the lifestyle fashion world. The North Face, long a leading crossover trendsetter, brings back the ultimate authentic winter look from the era: The Nuptse. Shop The North Face Women’s 1996 Retro Nuptse Jacket Shop Women’s 1996 Retro Nuptse Jacket Shop Men’s 1996 Retro Nuptse Jacket Shop Men’s 1996 Retro Nuptse Jacket Shop Named for a Mount Everest neighbor, the Nuptse was conceived as an alpinist’s jacket. The innovative concept was revolutionary: horizontal baffles kept down insulation in place despite high levels of movement. The light

Meet Jane and Clark, the third collaboration between Quartz Co. and Altitude Sports. These Canadian down-filled winter parkas for him and her are exclusive to our online store. The coats offer contemporary urban aesthetics, outstanding warmth and fitted snow-proof protection for frigid Canadian winters. Let’s get to know Jane and Clark, the result of two Montreal-based companies who pride themselves on a shared minimalist aesthetic and expertise in winter fashion. A closer look at Jane Jane is temperature-rated to -30 C, with her 650 Canadian goose down filling packing a powerfully warm punch. She’s longer than the usual down-filled coat,

When the forecast calls for snow and the mountains are looking pristine, a peaceful day in the backcountry is exactly what the doctor called for. Discovering new lines, stumbling upon untouched powder stashes and simply enjoying the lack of crowds and chaos. Mountain Hardwear knows that in order to enjoy backcountry explorations to their full extent, you need durable gear that you can rely on. From bluebird days to whiteout pursuits, the appropriate gear is essential which is why they created the CloudSeeker™ collection. Made up of a set of mittens, gloves, technical jackets for both men and women as

Jean-Philippe Robert, CEO of Quartz Co. in Montreal, is used to visiting Japan. We at Altitude Sports followed him during his latest trip to discover his favourite hidden gems in Tokyo. On a late autumn day the two of us set out wandering Tokyo, I with my camera, both of us wearing our JS X Quartz Co. Champlain Japanese Edition parkas - the result of a collaboration between our friends at Quartz Co. and Japan’s Journal Standard, exclusively available in Canada from Altitude Sports. Journal Standard is one of Japan’s leading purveyors of fine clothes, with 25 locations in the

When creating an alpine collection for the most demanding athletes, it is crucial to refer to the pros for the most accurate and critical feedback. This is why Mammut has involved the Mammut Pro Team in every aspect of the development process for their latest Eiger Extreme collection. A collection composed of products that have been designed to withstand the harshest conditions for extreme alpine scenarios. From remote expeditions to technical ski mountaineering, the Eiger Extreme collection is crafted to withstand the alpine. Shop Mammut Discover the Mammut Eiger Extreme Collection The Eiger Extreme collection allows Mammut to live up to

While waiting for the first snow we drove to nearby Vermont for the annual Burton Fall Bash. Come meet the Burton family. Shop Burton “My job is as fun as it ever was, and selfishly, that’s a priority for me. It’s pretty awesome for somebody to do something for forty years and still enjoy it.” – Founder Jake Burton Family and Friends in business since 1977 Burton is a family-run company: Jake Burton & Donna Carpenter are making sure it stays that way, even after 40 years as the world’s premium snowboard brand. Each fall they invite over two thousand people

Initially designed as an alternative to glitter and neon which was the norm for ski apparel in Europe at the time, Peak Performance adopted a more versatile mountain look. Today, the brand continues to produce versatile and technical outerwear designed for life on the slopes. Whether you're a chairlift lapper or prefer seeking solitude in the backcountry, Peak Performance offers a variety of ski kits sure to suit your skiing needs. Long jackets, technical and anatomically fitted, tapered mid-cuts and slim fits, Peak Performance knows skiwear and they know how to get the skier's look. While the classics are revamped

Since the arrival of my brand new set of Keen Pyrenees boots, I’ve been incredibly excited to put them to the test. This will be the second set of Keens I’ve owned (previous being winter hikers) and I am already familiar with the quality build and comfort of the brand. Buy These Boots Our review of this product The pros are: Comfortable Waterproof Ankle Support Durable The cons are: Heavy for some After wearing them inside for a day and a few evening strolls, I figured they’d be up to the task of their first 30km hike. Nestled in southern

Portland is a progressive city. It's renowned for a blend of do-it-yourself startups, craft breweries, and as headquarters for multiple athletic companies. In 2007, a former Portland-based executive decided to start an eco-friendly clothing and outerwear brand, drawing inspiration from a trip to Polynesia. The executive chose a name inspired by the Maori greeting "Nau Mai! Haere Mai!" - meaning "Welcome! Come in!." The name, which is pronounced "now," is a call to action. To its founders, it resonates as a contemporary, sustainable approach to West Coast clothing. Think ‘green' fibers and fabrics, sustainable manufacturing, and pioneering environmental programs. A

Cooler weather calls for layers, insulated clothing and this season's Smartwool Smartloft insulation. The brand has embraced the beloved characteristics of wool and branched out to create the 'world's most comfortable insulation' - Smartloft. Made from 50% recycled materials, this light, lofty, warm and sustainable insulation is made up of 88% wool and 12% polyester. The 88% wool portion is comprised of 50% recycled Merino 250 scraps and 38% virgin wool so you get the warmth you love within an eco-friendly way. Shop Smartloft Collection Smartwool has been at the forefront of the base layer industry and a favourite among many. With a

Sherpa Adventure Gear is a brand with a mission. Designed to withstand the Himalayan elements, their products are an ode to the grace of Sherpas who beautifully equipped themselves for high altitude climbing in the harshest conditions. From staying warm and dry to simply feeling comfortable during your journey, the wisdom of the Sherpas was admiringly adopted in the designs of Sherpa Adventure Gear. Shop Sherpa Adventure Gear Every Purchase Counts Each garment is handcrafted in Nepal and has provided meaningful employment and income to so many of the families within the area. For every garment you purchase, 25 cents is donated

Getting prepared for the fast approaching winter months means searching for a new stylish and warm winter coat to get you through the frigid storms and sharp winds. The ideal winter coat will have a longer fit that covers most of your upper body and shields your lower back from harsh winds and cold park benches. While a fully weatherproof jacket is essential, having one or two insulated jackets that aren't necessarily waterproof are great for the cold dry days where water protection isn't crucial. Whatever style of winter coat you are looking for, Arc'teryx has an excellent selection of

Mammoths roamed the Swiss Alps thousands of years ago. Mammut, the name chosen by the makers of mountaineering clothing and gear, translates to mammoth: the massive prehistoric beast on the logo reflects the strength of the products, and is one of the most recognisable signs of robust reliability in mountain sports. Shop Mammut In the Swiss town of Dintikon in 1862, rope-making apprentice Kaspar Tanner set out to create the best all-purpose climbing-specific ropes in the world, twining and tensioning the ropes outside his shed. From these simple beginnings Mammut was born. Over 150 years later it's easy to see