With the astronomical cost of lift tickets, lodging and travel costs, plus rental equipment or new gear, skiing and snowboarding are among the most expensive sports to get into.
The North Face hopes to ease that burden by allowing up-and-coming skiers and snowboarders the ability to ride gear from their favorite riders.
I was in Steamboat Springs to preview The North Face‘s fall 2023 product. Over the course of a few days, we skied the slopes, met with athletes Erik Leon and Leanne Pelosi, and got hands-on with all of the brand’s upcoming snow gear.
Of all the gear I saw, the Lift Collection impressed the most, offering a compelling product at a wallet-friendly price point.
What Is ‘Signature’?
With signature line snowboards, brands will take a snowboard that’s already been made, put a new design or graphic on it, put an athlete’s name on it, and up the price by $100, The North Face Snowboarder Erik Leon told a group of media gathered at the Steamboat Resort.
“Growing up, I wanted to ride signature boards, but I didn’t have the money. Now, being in a place to have my own signature model product, that practice just didn’t sit right with me,” Leon said.
With the Lift Collection from The North Face, Leon claimed he wanted to change how the industry typically handles signature collection products. Instead of charging an arm and a leg to ride gear from your favorite athlete, the prices found in the Lift Collection are the same as in-line gear and are affordable.
The North Face ‘Lift Collection’
The Lift Collection releases in fall 2023 and includes the men’s and women’s Build Up Pant for $140, the stylish Afterburner Jacket for $160, and the men’s and women’s Build Up Jacket for $160.
The Build Up Jacket uses waterproof, breathable, and seam-sealed DryVent two-layer fabric with a non-PFC DWR for added water repellency. The Jacket includes a powder skirt with grippy elastic to keep snow from coming inside the bottom of your jacket.
And it includes a helmet-compatible hood, zippered hand pockets, and a cinch-cord hem for the bottom of the jacket.
The Build Up Pants feature the same DryVent two-layer fabric in a relaxed fit. They also include an elastic waistband with an adjustable draw cord, zippered hand pockets, and articulated knees for added mobility on the slopes.
The items in the collection will be among the least expensive ski and snowboard products in The North Face’s line.
As for performance, I did not have a chance to test the Lift Collection yet. But I was able to get hands-on with the product and also witness Leon shred the Lift Collection at Steamboat.
The kit looked great as he carved, slashed, and floated down the mountain, moving with ease and in his element. And it was designed with prints and artwork from Dusty Nomad.
The Lift Collection will be available at The North Face in fall 2023.
