Ski & Snowboard

Appreciate winter in a new way—outdoor sports. At Altitude Sports, we are all-in on skiing. And we’ve got as much ski apparel and gear for you as we do advice: groomed trail skiing, backcountry powder, cross country skiing, resort skiing and snowboarding. You’ll find the best alpine brands, our reviews of helmets, goggles and accessories, tips on how to choose baselayers, and you can read all about our ski adventures here in Canada and abroad.

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6 Essentials for Après-Ski: Packing List & Outfit ideas

6 Essentials for Après-Ski: Packing List & Outfit ideas

Skiing may be the main draw, but let’s be honest—après-ski is just as fun. First coined in the Alps during the 1950s, this time-honoured tradition is French for "after...
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Testing the Sidas Volcano Heat Insole & Heat Pack Neo in the Backcountry

I grew up on the east coast of Canada where the temperature, in the winter, usually sits around -10 to -15 Celsius, and if you want to go ski with your buddies, well you got to tough out the temps. Our review of this product The pros are: Keep your feet nice and toast all day long You can use them to dry out your boot liner during the night Long 8 hour battery life. Multiple heating levels: low, mid, high. Low profile, doesn’t get in the way. The cons are: Have to make sure you recharge them every night

Once Upon a Wild, West Coast Ski Trip

It was October. That morning, when I opened my apartment door, the air crackled with cold and it smelled like winter. Fate must have also been lurking in the air. No more than a few hours later, I received a message from my long-time skiing friends, "let’s live our old teenage promise: A Ski Trip to Western Canada!" I'm a believer that you must seize the opportunities that come your way so seize we did! Within the time-span of dinner, an inter-mountain pass shopping session and a 6-hour flight later, we landed in Calgary. What a surprise we had while

Black Diamond Legend Gloves Reviewed

While planning a trip to western Canada, I was looking for a pair of durable gloves that could follow me everywhere, no matter the conditions. These are the basic reasons why I equipped myself with the Black Diamond Legend gloves and, after all, I was even better served than expected (until my boyfriend tried them on and didn't want to give them back)! Shop Black Diamond Our review of this product The pros are: Waterproof Gore-tex inserts that wick away moisture Warm yet thin Primaloft lining Unparalleled fit and dexterity Increased durability thanks to sheep leather in the palm and

Arc’teryx Men’s Stinger Bibs Reviewed

This year, I finally got my hand on the infamous Arc’teryx Stinger Bib Pant. After wearing these for over 30 days, it makes me wonder: why doesn't every single skier on the mountain wear bib pants? Whether you’re skiing inbounds, out of bounds, or simply rocking the dance floor at the après, they’re just meant to suit your mountain lifestyle, whatever it is. Shop Arc'teryx Our review of this product The pros are: Minimalist yet very functional Clever features for inbound and out of bound usage Extremely durable (the instep patches are the bomb) The cons are: The suspenders can be

Outdoor Research Heated Gloves: Daylong Heated Comfort

If you are one of the few who isn't ready to let subzero temperatures keep you from enjoying a bluebird day, a pair of heated winter gloves is surely your best winter companion. No matter how well you layer from head to toe, your fingers are vulnerable to the cold so keeping them warm and functional is often a priority. Outdoor Research recognizes the need for being able to use and feel your hands in the coldest temperatures which is why we love their collection of heated gloves. Although heated accessories inevitably come at a higher price point, if you're spending long

Kombi’s Elite & Metro Lines Rethink Winter Handwear

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

Arc’teryx Women’s Shashka Pant Reviewed

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

Rossignol: Ski Flair in bleu-blanc-rouge.

  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

Burton: Family-Run Since 1977

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

POC: The Gravity Sports Sepcialists

Founded in Sweden in 2005, POC entered the world of gravity sports at the world-renowned ISPO trade show. To this day, ISPO is the hot spot for showcasing the latest trends and technology in sportswear and sporting goods. Needless to say, POC was in the right place to launch their products. At this event, POC shared their mission to provide protection for athletes participating in gravity sports. Although they initially targeted the ski racing, POC's products catered to a range of sports including mountain biking. The brand knew that athletes riding down mountain trails at top speeds needed powerful and effective shielding.

Smartwool, Iceland, and Ski Touring

Travelling for work is always tough; said no one ever who went ski touring in Iceland to test out Smartwool's 2018 winter collection. I haven't stopped thinking about this magnificent country since returning. So please, join me on this adventure through my photo journal of the images I took while having the time of my life. To get you as enthused about Smartwool's Fall-Winter collection of merino wool baselayers, ski socks, and insulated apparel, you can have a sneak peek of the trip, the goods, and our experiences. There will be more to come this coming fall when I'll review

Anon MIG Ski Goggles Reviewed

When I picked up these Goggles, the first thing I noticed was the ZEISS Brand name on the lense, the same brand I have seen on many quality hunting optics, so naturally, I assume a quality lens on these goggles. Shop MIG Goggles Our review of this product 9 / 10 The pros are: Quality Lens Wide Range of Vision Comfortable Fit Compatible with glasses The cons are: Standard goggle design Foam appears thin in spots   The first few days I brought them out the conditions were cloudy, snowy with visibility that was mediocre at best, the vision of

Peak Performance Women’s Teton Ski Jacket

This season I got to wear the Peak Performance Flat Black Teton ski Jacket. I have to say, the most impressive feature and a statement by far for this jacket is its accurate rating of 100% waterproof and 100% Windproof. Shop Peak Performance Our review of this product 8.5 / 10 The pros are: Amazing high neck line Great X-L size on the hoodie/ such a perfect fit! 100% waterproof/ 100% windproof Lots of pockets Longer length at the back Inner thumb gaiter with adjustable velcro wrist band Powder cuff Great underarm ventilation!! The cons are: Not the warmest jacket

Best Lightweight Gloves for Spring Skiing

Who doesn't love shredding on a bluebird day with your best friends at your home mountain? Powder days are great but after a long winter, there's nothing better than a spring day on the mountain with the warm sun beaming on your face. Leave the layers at home, whip out your best Hawaiian shirt, a pair of shades and some lightweight gloves and you're ready to shred. Regular ski gloves can be a bit too warm for a spring day on the mountain but below are a few lightweight options that are sure to do the trick! Black Diamond Lightweight Softshell Gloves Whether you're lapping the mountain or

Black Diamond Mercury Mitts Reviewed

Offering incredible warmth and comfort, Black Diamond Mercury Mitts are a must-have item for any outdoor enthusiast! Full disclosure – I’m a glove person. I generally place dexterity over warmth. In fact, probably haven’t worn a pair of mitts since I was a kid. But now things have come full circle and I have two active kids of my own. We spend many hours outdoors together and there are times when even my warmest gloves hit their limit. So I was more than happy to test out a pair of Black Diamond Mercury Mitts during an “Extreme Cold” spell in

Top Arc’teryx Ski Touring Kits for Men & Women

Venturing out for a day of ski touring in the backcountry is an exciting adventure that requires not only your basic backcountry knowledge but a careful selection of clothing too. You want to ensure that the garments you choose are made from materials that are designed for aerobic activities such as fleeces and softshells and keep you feeling dry while your body temperature is regulated. Starting with the base layers and finishing with the outer shell and accessories, the proper layering system is essential for outdoor activities. Arc'teryx  is no stranger to the outdoor industry and knows all too well what

Arc’teryx Women’s Ski & Snowboard Jackets for Winter 2018

For those who long for untouched powder lines and the sound of fresh tracks crunching beneath your boots, shopping for a new ski suit at the beginning of each season is an exhilarating experience and this season's Whiteline collection from Arc'teryx is sure to please. Below are Our favourite shell and insulated ski and snowboard jackets for women. Keep an eye out for their debut on our site and snag your favourite colour so you can stand out in the snowscapes this winter. Shop Arc'teryx Women's Jackets Top Shell Ski & Snowboard Jackets Sentinel Jacket Designed for ski and snowboard

Oakley MOD3 Helmet Review

Oakley has been a mainstay in the eyewear industry for decades and while they built their success upon their eyewear, they've branched out to cover everything from soft-goods to some awesome ​hard-goods such as the Mod3 Helmet. It's not a surprise that when you sponsor top-level athletes, put on events and are one of the largest in the eyewear game, that you'd want to offer your loyal brand connoisseurs full integration. Lots of companies are doing this, offer 'helmet compatible' goggles, and ensuring that their helmet and goggle pairing are flawless. For this review, I tried the Oakley Airbrake Goggles

How to Choose the Right Pair of Ski & Snowboard Socks

Shopping for ski and snowboard socks seems easy enough but when you throw in the fact that you'll be wearing your ski or snowboard boot all day, finding the right pair becomes essential. Comfort and quality are key, so don't settle for anything less because excellent riding conditions can easily be spoiled if your feet are in agony. What kind of sock should you get? What does the weight of the sock mean? How to pick the right size sock. Different ski & Snowboard sock materials Additional ski & snowboard sock features Ski or Snowboard Socks? First thing's first, are

Q&A with Peak Performance Athlete Manager, Niklas Lundgren

We got on the phone with Niklas Lundgren, the Marketing Manager for Peak Performance, who spoke to us about working with athletes - in particular Tessa Treadway. Tell us a bit about yourself, and how you got into the business with Peak Performance. My name is Niklas and I work as the Sports Marketing Manager at Peak Performance HQ in Stockholm, Sweden. I’ve been working here for almost five years, and started my journey in a retail store in the north of Sweden. After getting offered a position at HQ, it was a no brainer for me to take it.