Best Gifts Over $200: 2020 Holiday Gift Guide
Welcome to our 5th Annual Backcountry Skiing Canada Holiday Gift Guide. We're going to start things off easy with the under $50 category, then build up speed to the $50-$100 range, followed by the $100-$200 gifts before we culminate with the $200+ gift ideas. No matter what price range your spending preferences land in we're sure you'll find the perfect gift for that adventurer on your holiday gift list.
Top Gifts Over $200
This is the priciest category in our Holiday Gift Guide so if you are looking for less costly gift ideas then be sure to click the links down at the bottom of this post. And, if you want more gift ideas at these other price points then be sure to check out our gifts under $50, gifts $50-$100 and gifts between $100-$200. Happy Shopping.
Garmin inReach Mini
The inReach is Gamin’s palm-sized satellite communicator that can send interactive SOS alerts from anywhere in the world as well as provide two-way messaging to anyone with a smartphone or computer. To keep your friends and family up-to-date you can also use location tracking and sharing and when out of cell range you can still get current weather updates to help ensure your safety and the success of your adventure. The 100% Global Iridium Satelite Network subscription (reasonably priced month-to-month or yearly subscription required) keeps you connected anywhere in the world so you can stay safe and in touch with those who are important to you. The internal, rechargeable lithium battery gives you up to 90 hours use at the default 10-minute tracking mode and up to 24 days in power saving mode. Keep the adventurer in your family safe with the sure to be appreciated inReach Mini.
Price: $449.99CAN / $349.99US
Dimensions: 5.17 x 9.90 x 2.61cm / 2.04 x 3.90 x 1.03”
Display: 128 x 128 pixels
Weight: 100.0g / 3.5oz
Battery: Up to 90 hours with 10-min tracking and 1 year when turned off.
Water rating: IPX7
Colours: Red, Black
Helly Hansen Odin Lifaloft Down Hybrid Jacket
Helly Hansen combined both 80g weight LIFALOFT insulation (by PrimaLoft) and Allied Down 800 Fill Power 90/10 Goose Down into their new Odin Lifaloft Down Hybrid Jacket, hence the name. The body-mapped baffle construction places synthetic insulation where you get more abrasion and moisture like on the shoulders and top of the hood with down used everywhere else. While this zonal construction helps keep you warmer (and dryer) Helly Hansen went a step further and also used a dual down baffle construction on the front and back of the jacket for additional warmth. This means there are two sets of down baffles, one on the outside of the jacket and one on this inside for double the warmth. All this super warm insulation is held together by the 70 denier Bluesign approved down-proof main fabric which means you won’t see those pesky feathers poking out anywhere. Other features include two hand pockets, one chest pocket, elastic cuffs, adjustable hem and even an included stuff sac to protect the Odin jacket when stored in your pack. Treat yourself to the gift of cozy warmth this winter with a new Helly Hansen Odin Lifaloft Down Hybrid Jacket.
Price: $600CAN / $400US
Colours: Black, Patrol Orange
Sizes: S, M, L, XL, XXL
Tecnica Forge GTX Boots
When you buy a pair of ski boots they typically come with free fitting by a trained boot tech, yet when you buy hiking boots you are told to wear them around the house for a few days then only go on easy hikes to break them. It doesn’t seem logical that hiking boots don’t get the same treatment as ski boots, so Tecnica set out to change that. With their new Forge GTX Boots, you get the same in-store attention to fitting as you would if you were to buy their Tecnica Zero G Ski boots. The Forge GTX’s footbeds, as well as the boots themselves, are heated up to 180°F which takes around 8 minutes. Once ready the footbeds are moulded to your feet with the help of a pressurized overboot. The Forge GTX Boots are then fitted warm and the ankle, heel and arch support mould to your feet as they cool so you get a custom fit unique to your specific feet. Should your feet change over time you can always re-heat mould the Forge GTX Boots and footbeds with the same process. The Forge GTX Boots come in leather and synthetic options and both have a Gore-Tex lining, Vibram Forge with Megagrip compound soles, self-locking eyelets and a wrap-around tongue for a more comfortable fit. This award-winning boot is the ultimate trekking boot that is designed to meet the demands of serious trekkers and hikers who appreciate the comfort a custom fit provides.
Price: $330CAN / $270US
Sizes: 6 - 13.5
Weight: 2.28lb
Colours: Coffee Green, Black/Orange, Swaltura/DP Laterite
Materials:
Upper: 1.8mm Nubuck leather with a stretch fabric base
Lining: Gore-Tex Extended Comfort Footwear
Outsole: Vibram Forge with Megagrip compound
Midsole: Adaptive system; 2 Layers of EVA combined with 1 layer of ESS
Footbed: C.A.S. Customizable - Trekking
Dragon RVX OTG Goggles
These RVX Goggles use Dragon’s secure and quick one-sided Swiftlock 2.0 lens change system so you can easily swap in any of their other 100 percent UV protective lenses. The RVX’s frameless design is not only sleek and good looking but is OTG or ‘Over The Glasses compatible’. Their helmet-compatible design utilizes Dragon’s LUMALENS technology which means the lenses are Hydrophobic (repel water), Oleophobic (repel dirt & oil), uses a Hard Coating (protects from scratches, wear & tear) and Ionized (provides rich colour and glare reduction). This colour optimized lens technology provides ultra-high definition optics across the entire spectrum of light conditions and improves visibility in all environments. An ideal gift for the skier on your list.
Price: $395CAN / $300US
Colours: Red/Rose, Violet/Purple, Midnight/Rose
Cotopaxi Fuego Hooded Down Jacket
Cotopaxi is a company that likes to do things right, in both apparel design and how they treat people and the planet. Their new Fuego Hooded Down Jacket is a versatile, water-resistant lightweight down jacket that uses responsibly sourced, water-resistant 800-fill RDS-certified down. To keep things lightweight Cotopaxi used a 20D mini-ripstop nylon lining and a 20D giant-ripstop nylon shell fabric which is treated with a DWR-finish. A built-in scuba hood with elastic binding throughout further helps seal out the cold. Other features include two external zippered hand pockets and two interior stash pockets, one of which allows the entire jacket to pack down into creating a nice compact and safe way to store the Fuego. Stay warm, look good and buy responsibly this holiday season.
Price: $330CAN / $250US
Sizes: S, M, L, XL, XXL
Colours: Black, Bronze Stripes, Avocado Stripes, Black Stripes, Cayenne Stripes, Maritime Stripes, Graphite Stripes, Dark Forest Stripes
Weight: 397g / 14oz
Giro Grid Mips
The Giro Grid is one of the lightest helmets out there with Mips integration which makes it ideal for backcountry skier and riders. Since any helmet spends most of the day strapped to your pack as you skin up, light-weight is of importance and the Giro Grid Mips delivers since it weighs only 400 grams. The Giro Grid Mips comes with Thermostat Control and Stack Ventilation to help control your temperature which is an important feature for any skier.
The Grid also features MIPS Spherical technology, which reduces rotational energy during certain impacts for an additional level of safety. On the comfort side, the Grid uses Polartec Power Grid Padding for warmth and comfort which is removable along with the ear pads. The In Form 2 Fit System is lighter and has a lower profile than the original, making it even easier to dial in a custom fit. Of course, the Grid is seamlessly compatible with all Giro Goggles and uses a Fidlock Magnetic Buckle Closure to make putting it on and off a snap,… literally. Put this on your holiday wish list if you’ve been good this year.
Pricing: $359.99CAN / $280.00US
Sizes: S, M, L
Colours: Matte Black, Matte Bright Orange, Matte Bright Red Patrol, Matte Charcoal POW, Matte Light Grey, Matte Midnight, Matte Ox Red, Matte Well Green, Metallic Coal/Tan
Kora Xenolith Sweater
The Kora Xenolith Sweater combines Hima-Layer Yardang 240 fabric which is a Merino-Yak wool blend. This fabric provides the comfort, temperature regulating and antimicrobial benefits of natural Yak and Merino wool. In addition to this, Polartec Alpha insulation is found on the back and in the sleeves and shoulders where warmth is needed most. Polartec Alpha is extremely breathable, insulates even when wet, dries quickly and packs down super small. Other useful features on the Xenolith include thumb loops, an extra-long front zip for ventilation and a zipped inside pocket for stashing keys, slip balm or a cell phone. This super warm and versatile sweater is ideal for backcountry skiing and hiking on cold winter days and is ideal for any adventurer.
Price: $335CAN / $250US
Sizes: S, M, L, XL, XXL
Colours: Epidote Green, Steatite Grey
Garmin fēnix 6 Pro Solar
Garmin’s fēnix 6 Pro Solar Watch is the brand's flagship outdoor adventure smartwatch for those that want it all. The fēnix 6 Pro is available in a 42, 47 and 51mm case size as well as standard, sapphire and solar configurations. It provides all the features of the Instinct Solar watch (multi-GNSS GPS, sports apps, smart notifications, tracback routing, ABC sensors, robust health monitoring, wrist-based heart rate monitor, a Pulse Ox2 sensor) as well as a 256x256 pixel colour display, 32GB of memory, topo and ski maps, audio storage, climbpro, acclimation widget, sleep monitoring, hydration tracking, and much more.
The fēnix 6 Pro Solar is also a backcountry skiers best friend in the backcountry, with a pre-loaded Backcountry Skiing Activity profile which can distinguish between skiing and climbing and automatically show metrics specific to either ascent or descent. With built-in colour Topo and Ski Maps you can easily navigate your adventures, view run names and difficulty ratings for 2,000 ski resorts worldwide. The Acclimation Widget shows your current elevation, acclimated elevation and correlated Pulse Ox2, heart rate and respiration rate, so you can see how you’re holding up at the current elevation.
The fēnix 6 Pro Solar also has activity tracking for hiking, trail running, biking, paddling and climbing and much more, making it the perfect gift for skiers as well as other outdoor adventure enthusiast.
Price: $1,189.99CAN / $849.99US
Colours: Slate Grey, Black, Mineral Blue, Titanium Carbon Grey, Silver, Gold, Amethyst, Rose Gold, White,
Weight: 85g / 3oz
Memory: 32GB
Battery Life: 10 hours - 80 days
Display: Colour 256x256 pixels
Mountain Hardwear Ghost Whisperer 2 Hoody
Mountain Hardwear pioneered the ultra-lightweight down hoody with their Ghost Whisperer and now they have released the Ghost Whisperer 2 Hoody which places environmental standards above those of previous versions of this jacket. The Ghost Whisperer 2 Hoody uses 800-fill RDS-certified down insulation (90% Goose Down, 10% Goose Feather) which is trackable and humanely sourced. In addition to this, the ultralight ripstop shell fabric is also 100% recycled. The jacket includes minimal features to keep weight to a minimum but it still has two zippered hand pockets, elastic hood and cuffs, drawcord hem adjustment and just like the previous version this highly packable design stuffs into its own pocket with an internal carabiner clip loop. Give an environmentally conscious gift this holiday season and make more than just the recipient happy.
Price: $425CAN / $325US
Colours: Golden Brown, Dark Storm, Black Zinc, Dark Sage, Desert Red
Sizes: S, M, L, XL, XXL
Weight: 249g / 8.8oz
Smith Guides Choice RX Glasses
Smith’s Chromapop lenses aren’t just hype, they actually make everything look more natural with greater clarity and definition. They achieve this by blocking colour wave intersections with red, green, blue light as it passes through the lens, which eliminates colour confusion allowing your brain to recognize truer colour, faster. It really works! The lenses also use an 8 base lens curvature design with anti-reflective and hydrophobic lens coatings to improve your vision and repel water.
The Smith Guides Choice Sunglasses uses a wide temple design and an aggressive wrap for impressive light protection as well as keeping snow out of your eyes. Add to this are premium Italian spring hinges, megol nose and temple pads, and a detachable sunglass leash and you have a great pair of shades. The RX version of the Guides allows you to incorporate your specific prescription directly into the lenses so you don’t have to sacrifice your vision when the sun comes out. This is especially important while driving and for high paced activities such as riding and skiing.
The Smith Guides Choice RX Glasses make an ideal gift for anyone who is active and needs corrective lenses.
Price: $460CAN / $329
Colours: Matte Havana, Matte Crystal Deep Forest, Matte Deep Ink, Charcoal, Matte Black
Tentsile 3-person Trillium Hammock
The Tentsile 3-person Trillium Hammock uses a 400 denier nylon/polyester composite material with a PU coating for durability and strength. It comes with three 35mm x 6m straps and three 2.5 tone rates ratchets along with three tree protector wraps so that you can safely and easily erect the hammock using three trees. The Trillium is large and strong enough for 3 adults to sleep comfortably, or for 6 kids to play. This unique camping hammock can be set up underneath any Tentsile Tree Tent to form the foundation of a multi-storey camping stack. It can even be converted into a full tree tent by adding one of Tentsile’s Trillium Upgrade Kits. This is the ultimate backyard or basecamp hammock and one that everyone will want to try out.
Price: $399CAN / $299US
Capacity: 440kg / 880lbs
Weight: 7.5kg / 16.5lb
Dimensions: 4.1x4.1x4.1m / 13.5x13.5x13.5in
Packed size: 56x25x25cm / 22x9.8x9.8in
Colour: Green with black mesh
Flylow Lorraine Jacket
The Flylow Lorraine Jacket is one good looking women’s outer layer, it’s style is that of a mid-weight down puffy only Flylow decided to use PrimaLoft synthetic insulation since it dries quicker, is extra packable, and it stays warm when wet. The 100% nylon Intuitive ripstop face fabric resists abrasions and comes in three very styling colour options. The Lorraine Jacket incorporates 2 hand pockets, 1 inner chest pocket, a removable hood, 6-inch pit zippers to dump excess heat in a snap, Lo pro elastic cuffs, backpack friendly pockets and adjustable waist cinch. This functional insulation layer not only looks good but it’s also super warm and practical—ideal for that special woman on your holiday gift-giving list.
Price: $350CAN / $280US
Colours: Night, Plum/Shark, Beet
Sizes: XS, S, M, L, XL
This lightweight PrimaLoft insulating midlayer will save you when a cold front moves in.
Victorinox Swiss Army SwissTool Spirit XC Plus
The Giro Jackson Helmet uses a Passive Aggressive Venting system to keep you from over-heating on the up track while its ultra-lightweight construction won’t slow you down. The seamless compatibility with Giro goggles makes the Jackson an obvious choice and the Form 2 Fit system allows you to dial in your specific fit preference. Add to this MIPS technology and you’ve got a super safe helmet for resort and backcountry skiers on your gift list.
Price: $290CAN $134.99US
Colours: Black, Brown
Weight: 210.4g / 7.4oz
Dimensions: 10.7 x 1.9cm (LxW)
Black Diamond Access Down Hoody
Black Diamond’s Access Down Hoody has a range of new colours for this season and maintains its do-it-all appeal. This mid-weight down jacket is indispensable for mountain adventures, cragging sessions, lightweight ski tours and everyday outdoor comfort. Its 700-fill, RDS-certified Allied HyperDRY goose down insulation (85% Down, 15% Feather) is super warm and wrapped in a lightweight nylon ripstop shell fabric. The fit is regular so there is plenty of room for a base layer under and a shell over it. The two zippered hand pockets and a zippered chest pocket provide warmth for your hands and plenty of space for storing small items. There are elastic cuffs and an elastic hood opening to help keep the weather out and the warmth in. Great value, good looks and functional features make this an ideal jacket for him or her.
Price: $299.00CAN / $259.00US
Sizes: S, M, L, XL
Colours: Dark Crimson, Azurite, Black, Carbon/Black, Octane/Carbon
Weight: 441g / 15.5oz
Suunto 9 Baro
We awarded the Suunto 9 Baro our prestigious Gear of the Year Award and for good reason, it’s a tech-savvy GPS watch that uses a touch screen for navigation. With intelligent battery modes to save on power and GPS navigation with Fusedtrack functionality, you can head into the backcountry for days on end knowing where you are at all times. The Suunto 9 Baro has over 80 sport modes to choose from and with a built-in wrist heart rate monitor, you can easily track your performance. The ABC (Altimeter, Barometer, Compass) are of course included as are activity tracking, sleep tracking, stress and recovery and weather functions.
Read our full review of the award winning Suunto 9 Baro here, then get one for yourself or your adventure buddy.
Price: $769CAN / $599US
Weigt: 76g / 2.68oz
Dimensions: 51.5 x 51.5 x 17mm / 2.03 x 2.03 x 0.67"
Water resistant: 100m
Display: colour 320x320 pixels
Battery: 25hours - 14 days
Colours: Black, White, Titanium
Haglofs Roc Nordic GTX Pro Jacket
The Haglofs Roc Nordic GTX Pro Jacket uses three different types of GORE-TEX Pro membranes, each with different characteristics: rugged and hard-wearing over the shoulders, stretchy on the back panels, and breathable around the body. This ski and mountaineering jacket is built to withstand whatever weather is thrown at it, wind, rain, snow—no problem. Other features include water-repellent zippers throughout, cord adjustment in the waist, articulated sleeves with velcro adjustment, 3-way adjustable climbing helmet-compatible hood with a laminated reinforced peak, reinforced shoulder, sleeve, and hip sections, stretch inserts in back for optimal mobility, RECCO reflector for searchability, two large napoleon chest pockets for easy access and one emergency chest pocket insulated with Primaloft Aerogel to keep your electronics alive. Phew! Now that’s a feature-packed jacket.
Price: $895CAN / $750US
Sizes: S, M, L, XL, XXL
Weight: 551g (size Large)
POC ORB Clarity Goggles
The ORB Clarity Goggles feature lenses developed by optical industry leader Carl Zeiss and use a dual compound frame that provides durability and flexibility. Their unique frame design features a simple and quick lens changing system, making it easier to fit the right lens for all conditions. The toric lens shape provides minimal distortion and intensifies contrast and light for enhanced vision in changing conditions. The lenses use a Spektris mirror coating developed for different weather conditions which include sunny, partly sunny and overcast, and come with an Anti-fog and Anti-scratch treatment so you can see well no matter the conditions. To further improve the ORB Clarity’s field of view they use an innovative frame construction which ensures the view is maximized in all directions. Stylish and full of technology make the ORB Clarity are an ideal present for anyone on your gift list.
Price: $300CAN / $250US
Colours: Uranium Black/Spektris Orange, Baskentane Blue/Spektris Orange, Poydenum Green/Spektris Gold, Lactose Red/Spektris Rose Gold, Lead Blue Spektris Orange, Hydrogen White/Spektris Orange
Sizes: One size fits all
La Sportiva Crizzle Jacket and Pants
La Spotiva’s latest full-featured backcountry ski and winter mountaineering jacket/pant combo is the Crizzle. Both the jacket and pants use an Idrobreath fabric which is made up of a 100% Polyester face fabric with a 100% Polyurethane membrane to provide 20K waterproof breathability. The pants are a more relaxed, freeride fit, so they pair perfectly with a bigger 4-buckle AT boot but can also synch down for use with a more low-profile mountaineering boot. The jacket is a sleek, full-featured, all-mountain, rugged yet lightweight hardshell so it packs down nice and small in your pack when you are skinning up. The pants feature invisible side zip vents which allow you to dump heat fast and their external waist adjustability and integrated belt loops ensure a snug fit. The Jacket has two hand pockets and one chest pocket for ample storage while the reinforced adjustable hood provides ideal coverage and visibility.
Price: Jacket - $259CAN / $199US; Pants - $229CAN / $179US
Colours: Jacket - Opal/Pine, Pine/Green Grass, Poppy/Pine; Pants - Opal/Aquarius, Pine/Green Grass, Poppy/Pine
Sizes: S, M, L, XL
Weight: Jacket - 420g / 14.80oz; 429g / 15.10oz
Jaybird Vista Headphones
These wireless earbud headphones are the lightest, most compact, and most advanced that Jaybird has ever made. The VISTA’s feature industry-leading battery life of 16 hours, shock, dust, water, and sweat-proof IPX7 construction with a Custom EQ app to tweak your sounds preferences. This is why they performed so well in our Best Wireless Headphones of 2019/20 Review. They also come with three Secure-Fit ear gels so you can ensure a proper fit no matter your ear shape and size. Tech is always in season so give the gift that everyone loves this holiday season.
Price: $239.99CAN / $179.99US
Charging time: 2hrs (Quick Charge 5 min = 1 hour playtime)
Response Bandwidth 20Hz - 20kHz
Driver size: 6 mm
Anon M4 Goggle Toric + Lens + MFI Face Black
The Anon M4 Goggles provide a precision goggle to helmet fit so there are no gorby gaps. Their toric lens provides a wide field of view with enhanced peripheral vision and the innovative MAGNA-TECH quick lens change technology (which uses magnets) is super easy and fast to use. The M4 Goggles include two Toric lenses featuring PERCEIVE optics for high-contrast, terrain-defining clarity and their best anti-fog treatment for clear vision through a wide range of conditions. You also get a Magnetic Face Mask which seamlessly attaches so that the goggle’s vents are not covered up which maintains airflow for fog-free clarity. You also get a microfibre goggle bag and lens compression case. High-tech goggles for the skier on your list.
Price: $369.99CAN / $299.95US
Colours: 7 to chose from
Sweet Protection Clockwork Max RIG Goggles
Sweet Protection’s Clockwork Max RIG Goggles are a low-volume, snug fitting goggle with a large field of view and features their premium 2.8mm thick Toric sculpted lens. The unique proprietary RIG lens technology has been developed by Sweet Protection to provide superior contrast, minimum colour distortion and reduced eye fatigue. The double lens is equipped with a GORE Protective Vent to equalize the pressure and avoid deformation of the inner lens due to variable atmospheric pressure which provides an optimal working conditions for your eyes. The Max version of the Clockwork Goggles is 11% bigger compared to the normal Clockwork and all versions come with an oleophobic and hydrophobic coating to reduce fogging.
Price: $219.95CAN / $169.95US
Colours: Matte Black
Lenses: RIG Light Amethyst/Matte Black/Black
CamelBak Phantom LR 25 Hydration Pack
CamelBak’s snowsport specific Phantom LR 25 Hydration Pack is designed to carry all your winter gear in addition to 3L of water so you’ll always be hydrated. The CamelBak Crux lumbar reservoir is designed to keep water weight low and close to your back which means a more stable and smoother carry. The insulated drink tube won’t freeze in chilly weather and delivers 20% more water with every sip. The Phantom LR 25 provides 25L of interior space and is designed to easily carry your skis or snowboard, helmet and shovel. There is even a fleece-lined pocket to keep your goggles protected and safe from scratches). Features include a Snowshed Back Panel which repels snow, a Therminator Harness with built in insulated sleeve in the shoulder strap to prevent your water from freezing, an A-Frame & Diagonal Ski Carry, a Vertical Snowboard Carry, Ski Helmet Hooks which make it easy to carry a ski helmet on the back of the pack, Avy Gear Organization Pocket, a cargo pocket on the hip belt, and large zipper tabs which are easy to grab while wearing gloves.
Price: $210CAN / $160US
Orage Solar Down Shorts
Orage’s Solar Down Shorts come in a men’s and women’s version, the women’s is pictured below in the mesmerizing Iridescent colour. The 750 Powerfill Responsible Duck Down keeps your upper thighs and butt warm on those colder than normal ski days while built in side stretch panels provide optimal mobility and the ability to dump a little heat for when you over exert yourself. Worn over a base layer and under a your shell pants, the Solar Down Shorts are the perfect gift for those people that get cold in winter. Now they have no excuses.
Price: $200CAN / $150US
Colour: Iridescent
Sizes: XS, S, M, L, XL
Outdoor Research Carbide Bibs
Outdoor Researches latest waterproof/breathable ski touring shell pants are the new Carbide Bibs which are made with super light, yet tough 40 denier Pertex Shield 3L fabric. Generous side zips allow you to dump heat on the up track white the built-in bibs (with a built-in pocket) keep snow and cold out. There is a transceiver pocket on the thigh that has it’s own internal clip and mesh pocket within a pocket to safely stow your transceiver while keeping it conveniently at the ready. The Arcade Belt Webbing Suspender Straps with warli tribe thatched roof print keep the Carbide bibs from riding down but if you prefer using a belt then there are built-in belt loops as well. Should nature come calling then the suspenders have quick releases to drop the bibs fast and there is also a zippered fly for less urgent requirements. The new Carbide Bibs are made for skiing pow this winter but don’t forget about the colour coordinated Carbide Jacket and gloves to complete the ensemble.
Price: $379CAN / $299US
Weight: 696g / 24.6oz
Sizes: S, M, L, XL, XXL
On a budget? Then check out our “Best Gifts Under $50" or our Best Gifts in the $50-$100 price range. If you want to spend a little more then there is always the Best Gifts $100-$200 price ranges as well and the Best Gifts Over $200 Round Two. Happy Shopping.