Ski Club of Great Britain // Inside Edge // SUSTAINABLE GEAR GUIDE

In association with Snow+Rock, we bring you an essential guide to the snowsports and outdoor clothing brands that are doing their bit for the planet

For us, the mountains are everything. Work, play, our DNA. In short, we’d be lost without them. That’s why we’re focused on what we can do to protect them. Granted, the average ski holiday isn’t the most sustainable of vacays, but there are things you can do to reduce your impact, and your kit is a good place to start.

It’s now easy to make sustainable choices when gearing up to hit the slopes. Think recycled fabrics, transparent supply chains, chemical-free processes and organic production. Think buying gear that lasts and is versatile enough to take you from street to piste. We’ve made that bit easy by picking out our favourite brands – those that produce sustainable, good looking gear without compromise on performance.

We also want you to think about looking after your kit to make it last longer, and recycling it to keep it out of landfill.

We can help with that too, thanks to Snow+Rock’s sustainable Repair & Care and Recycle my Gear in-store services.

Patagonia

Patagonia has been leading the way in sustainable gear since 1971. The American brand claims it’s ‘in business to save our home planet’, striving to build quality products without causing unnecessary harm. Patagonia’s love of wild and beautiful places means the company donates its time, services and 1% of its sales to grassroots environmental groups across the world. Focusing on function, repairability and durability, the company makes outdoor gear designed to last for generations, using recycled and recyclable materials.

Patagonia’s skiwear is no different. Made for those seeking practical performance and durability, the brand’s heritage look is instantly recognisable and undeniably versatile. All its gear uses some form of eco-friendly materials, including 100% traceable down, and 82% of its range is Fair Trade Certified™ sewn too. Everything about Patagonia’s gear just works, and you can expect exceptional comfort and performance from every piece. All of this from one of the most iconic outdoor brands on the planet: what more could you ask for?

FW APPAREL

Born in the mountains above Lake Annecy, FW Apparel is a spirited, international young company committed to progressive design, functional minimalism and creating a sustainable future. Not content with producing outdoor kit made from up to 100% recycled fabrics and post-consumer waste, and offering a repair programme for all its gear, FW Apparel wants to inspire a culture of ‘Future Wild’ – encouraging like-minded nature lovers to embrace and protect outdoor living. FW Apparel also donates 1% of its sales to NGOs acting against climate change as part of the 1% for the Planet initiative.

ROXY

The first exclusively female action sports brand, Roxy was born as an Australian surf brand in 1990 and launched its first snow products in the late ’90s. Known for its technical yet fashionable kit for women and girls, Roxy strives not only to keep riders warm, stylish and comfortable but also to inspire and empower women to push their limits on the snow. The latest winter range from Roxy includes eco-friendly pieces crafted from organic and recycled materials that also boast impressive insulation and waterproofing technologies. All of this is wrapped up in a fiercely feminine package, with bold, playful prints, signature faux fur hoods and flattering lines.

PICTURE

Ride, Protect and Share. These three words perfectly encapsulate Picture: a popular French snowboard, ski, surf and outdoor clothing brand that’s achieving significant change, without taking itself too seriously. As a certified B-Corp, Picture uses unconventional manufacturing materials and models, and actively promotes responsible consumption. All Picture products are eco-designed from natural, recycled or bio-sourced materials and made to last as long as possible, with a sustainable and transparent production process and supply chain. When it comes to design, expect technical kit with signature bold colours and prints, utility cuts and standout styles.

ICEBREAKER

For over 23 years, this New Zealand-based brand has been creating natural performance alternatives to synthetic-based gear to create a healthier more sustainable future for the planet. Championing natural, transparent and responsible ways to do business, sustainability is intrinsic to the values and design of the brand. The upshot for the consumer is a range of products that are created using almost 90% natural fibres and designed with a focus on simplicity, longevity and versatility. Think high-performing, durable and comfortable cold weather wardrobe staples that perform as well on the pistes as they do on winter walks.

**MEN’S 200 OASIS DELUXE LS CREW, £80 // WOMEN’S 200 OASIS LS CREW, £75**

TENTREE

Though not strictly a snowsports brand, we couldn’t talk sustainability without name-dropping tentree. The Canadian outfit is a Certified B Corps on a mission to protect the earth. Its ultimate aim is to plant 1 billion trees by 2030, in the hope of drastically reducing climate change. How? By planting 10 trees for every purchase of one of their products.

Having already planted over 55 million trees and rehabilitated natural ecosystems in eight different countries across the world, tentree is doing much more than paying lip service to sustainability. In terms of kit, tentree delivers super soft, versatile, good-looking gear that will take you from the chalet to the city, from jackets to base layers, using the most eco-friendly materials possible including hemp, recycled polyester and TENCEL™.

PLANKS

Rider-owned brand Planks was born in the French Alps and built on the basis of having as much fun as possible, both on and off the mountain, with functionality at the forefront. But looking good doesn’t trump doing good. The Planks vision is to nurture a global community and make skiing better for the planet and the people, driven by the belief that enjoyment and a sense of adventure – together with a steadfast commitment to the earth – should be evident in everything it produces.

The result: a range of seriously cool gear with equally serious sustainability credentials. With extensive use of organic and recycled materials including REPREVE® and bluesign® approved fabrics, Planks’ bibs, jackets, pants and accessories help you to look after the mountains you love, while looking after you out there too.