Best Gifts $50-$100: 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 $50-$100
This instalment of the Best Gifts priced $50-$100 has lots of options to strikes your fancy but if your budget is slightly smaller then check out our Best Gifts priced under $50 here. If you've got more to spend, well then hold on as the $100-$200 and $200+ gift ideas will be announced next.
G3 Fixie Poles
G3 has redesigned their entire pole line up for winter 2020 and now offer the VIA, FIXIE and PIVOT Pole options. The Fixie is a one-piece aluminum ski pole that is equally at home in-bounds or out and uses a sleek simple design at a very attractive price point. The ergonomic dual-density plastic grip is shaped for comfort with a Quickflick Utility Tab integrated to easily manipulate binding heel lifts or boot buckles. The All-Mountain Basket is 85 mm across and is ideally shaped for powder and hardback condition while still being stiff enough to also manipulate bindings. On the upper shaft, there is a lightweight and simple lower grip position for side-hilling and ski touring. The pole straps are ergonomically shaped and easily removed with a fast clip system so you can go light and fast if you desire. With all these features it’s easy to see why G3 makes the best poles on the market.
Price: $74CAN / $59US
Lengths: 110 / 115 / 120 / 125 / 130 / 135cm
Weight: 250g / 8.8oz
Colour: Red
Beats Flex Wireless Headphones
Beats by Dre create some of the best high-quality headphone available and now they’ve now released a new affordable option. You’ll find all the same quality, accurate bass and ultra-low distortion you’ve come to know Beats for in their new Flex Wireless Headphones. With up to 12 hours of playtime on a single charge and the Apple W1 chip4 and Class 1 Bluetooth you get an extended range and fewer dropouts. The magnetic earbuds secure the Flex headphones around your neck for when you don’t need them but want to keep them close at hand. Their dual-chamber acoustic design and proprietary layered driver are able to achieve the rich, balanced sound you come to expect from Beats and the built-in playback controls and auto-pause/play feature means you’ll have control without ever missing a beat. They are Apple and Android compatible and best of all they are priced way under a hundred dollars so you can give a pair to that special someone and still have enough coin left to also treat yourself.
Price: $69.95CAN / $49.99US
Battery Life: 12 hours, 10min charge = 1.5hours of playtime
Weight: 18.6g / 0.65oz
Colours: Black, Flame, Blue, Smoke Grey, Yuzu Yellow
GSI Pinnacle 4 Season Stove
You’d be hard-pressed to find a backcountry stove that is as small and powerful as GSI’s Pinnacle 4 Season Stove. With an output of 9820 BTU/h from a canister fuel source, the GSI Pinnacle 4 Season Stove can make fast work of any meal you need to cook or water you need to boil. At just 163 grams this stove is super light and given its diminutive 5 x 4.5 x 8cm size, the Pinnacle takes up almost no space in your backcountry pack. The clever design of the Pinnacle’s folding stove legs and pot supports reduce its overall size and allow it to pack down super small. Go light and fast with the Pinnacle 4 Season Stove this season or consider giving one to the adventurer on your gift list.
Price: $104.95CAN / $79.95US
Weight: 163g / .36lb
Dimensions: 5 x 4.5 x 8cm / 2 x 1.8 x 3.2in
Output: 9820 BTU/h
Kurgo Baxter Dog Backpack
Kurgo’s Baxter Dog Backpack lets your pet enjoy hikes and multi-day adventures while shouldering some of the load, specifically carrying their own food and supplies for the trip. Its lightweight design is durable and fully adjustable with eight different adjustment points. It has ergonomic spine support with the ideal balance for even weight distribution and comfort for your pooch from 30-85 pounds and the Big Baxter Size for dogs 50-110 pounds. Other features of note are a large handle on top for control or extraction, eight adjustment points for a near-custom fit, side saddlebags offer liberal room for adventure essentials and balancing the load, reflective trim for low light visibility, rear-mounted leash hook, ergonomic spine support contours to the dog's back for a comfortable fit, secure straps and best of all it’s machine washable.
Price: $75CAN / $57.99
Colours: Red, Black, Orange, Blue
Size: for dogs 30-85 pounds - fits 3.75L; Big Baxter Size for dogs 50-110 pounds - fits 7.5L
Warranty: Lifetime
Catalyst Impact Protection Case
One drop can spell disaster for your iPhone or Android Phone but luckily Catalyst makes a wide array of phone cases to protect your investment. One such case is the Impact Protection Case which meets the military 810G standard meaning you can drop your phone from 9.9ft/3m and it’ll survive. This lightweight 33g case is rugged yet thin and the raised bezels protect the screen from face damage while the included wrist lanyard further protects against drops. Catalyst designs their cases to complement the natural look of your phone so they have a clear back and slim design. All of Catalyst’s cases provide full access to all your phone’s ports and functions including wireless charging. Catalyst also makes a waterproof case which is waterproof to 33ft or 10 meters with an IP68 rating. To add to Catalyst’s protection consider adding a Tempered Glass Screen Protector which has a 9H hardness rating, is scratch resistant and has an oleophobic coating to repel oil.
Price: $59.99CAN / $39.99US
Colours: Stealth Black, Flame Red, Blueridge/Sunset, Clear
Dimensions: 14.9 x 7.7 x 1.1cm / 5.9 x 3.0 x 0.4"
The Man Behind the Maps Book
The Man Behind the Maps is the ultimate coffee table book for the ski obsessed person on your holiday gift list. It’s a 292 page, hardcover book that features over 200 ski resort trail maps painted by the one and only James Niehues. If you are not familiar with his name you most likely are with his work. He’s created hundred’s of ski resort maps from all over the world in his 30-year career. James is one of the last great analogue map makers, he paints each map by hand right down to every last tree. This visually rich book offers an informative behind-the-scenes look at the process Jakes uses and the global scope of his life’s work—it brings the most storied mountains in the world to life in full-page, art-print quality illustrations. This book is guaranteed to trigger memories of past ski trips with family and friends and the joy associated with each of them. The book spans the globe including photographs, sketches and full-page paintings of iconic destinations such as Squaw Valley, Mammoth, Jackson Hole, Whistler Blackcomb, Big Sky, Vail, Aspen Highlands, Alta, Snowbird, Stowe, Stratton, Portillo and many others.
Price: $120CAN / $90US
Victorinox Swiss Army Evolution Grip 18
Victorinox Swiss Army is the icon knife brand and the perfect tool for your everyday adventures. They are renowned for their quality and craftsmanship as well as the variety of features that their multitude of knife options provide. The Evolution Grip 18 is a medium-sized pocket knife that has specially formed scales that are ergonomically designed to provide better grip and stability. This is a great utility knife for day-to-day use and backcountry adventures. It includes a key ring, toothpick, tweezers, large blade, nail file, nail cleaner, Phillips screwdriver 1/2, bottle opener, screwdriver 5 mm, wire stripper, can opener, screwdriver 3 mm, reamer, punch and sewing awl, wood saw and scissors. With its small size, good looks and functionality the Swiss Army Evolution Grip 18 is a great present at a really attractive price.
Price: $80CAN / $44.25US
Colours: Yellow/Black, Red/Back
Weight: 93g / 3.2oz
Dimensions: 8.5 x 2.3cm (L x W)
Ryders Trapper Photochromic Sunglasses
Ryder’s new Trapper Photochromic Sunglasses are designed for use on and off the trail. They are equally at home climbing the skin track, lapping the bike park or hiking trails as they are chilling at the microbrew pub. The Trappers have flexible temples, big lenses and hydrophilic parts which make them the ideal sport/casual crossover sunglasses. They also use photochromic lenses which means they get darker in full sun and lighter in shade. Millions of organic molecules react to UV light are in each lens and when exposed to sunlight they change shape, absorbing light and making the lens darker. When there is less UV light, the opposite reaction takes place and the lens tint becomes lighter. Like all of Ryders lenses, these photochromic lenses are impact-resistant and optically correct with 100% UVA, UVB, UVC protection. High-tech sunglasses never looked so good.
Price: $99.99CAN / $79.99US
Frame: Matte Black
Lens: Green
Hillsound Equipment BTR stool
Hillsound Equipment’s BTR Stool is the most compact, lightweight, sturdy stool we’ve used to date and is ideal for camping, backpacking, fishing or concerts in the park. This tripod style stool is easy to set up and packs away easily thanks to its Phantomlock auto-locking mechanism. The telescoping legs lock in place to provide a comfortable seat that won’t collapse on you and the detachable mesh seat is surprisingly comfy. With a collapsed size of just more than a Nalgene bottle and considerably less weight, the BTR stool is the ultimate in light-weight seating.
Price: $95CAN / $69US
Sizes: 35.5cm / 14”, 43cm / 17”
Capacity: 110kg / 240lbs
Weight: 399g / 14.1oz (43cm / 17”); 346g / 12.2oz (35.5cm / 14”)
Dimensions (folded): 7.6 x 7.6 x 34cm / 3 x 3 x 13.4"
Colours: Black, Alpen Glow Orange, Glacier Blue
CamelBak Multibev 22
When is a water bottle not your average water bottle? When it’s the CamelBak Multibev 22. This beverage multi-tasker is designed for the on-the-go adventure since it’s a versatile water bottle with a detachable travel cup all in one. You can easily carry 22oz of tea, coffee, beer or water in the bottle and then remove the 16oz cup from the bottom to enjoy your beverage of choice in a very civilized manner. The double-wall vacuum insulated stainless steel keeps beverages hot or cold for hours and a powder coat finish and non-slip silicone base create a highly durable exterior. The leak-proof Pak Cap stores small essentials like a tea bag or snacks and allows you to tuck the Roll and Fold Lid neatly out of sight until paired with the removable cup. The Multibev 22 is easy-to-clean, dishwasher safe design, and BPA, BPS & BPF free.
Price: $65CAN / $50US
Colours: Black, White, Salmon, Green
Size: 623g / 22oz
Glade Prospect Sunglasses
Glade is a small brand based out of Breckenridge Colorado that makes quality sunglasses, goggles and Helmets at really reasonable prices. They don’t cut corners and are not part of the giant sunglass conglomerate that the majority of other brands are manufactured or owned by. Their Glade Prospect Sunglasses use polarized Zeiss CR lenses with an anti-scratch coating and provide UV400 protection with100% protection from UVA and UVB rays. The Swiss Grilamid Nylon TR90 frames are robust yet stylish and feel much more expensive than the price tag suggests. Made in Italy, the Prospect Sunglasses come with a hard case to protect them no matter what your adventure. Don’t break the bank this holiday season with this ideal gift.
Price: $99.95CAN / $74.99US
Colours: Forest, Maple, Tortoise Rose
Kurgo Cargo Cape
Kurgo makes a huge line of pet-specific products to help make your life a little simpler and your pet a little happier. One of the products that really stands out is their Cargo Cape. This is an inexpensive and innovative product that helps keep the cargo area of your vehicle clean so you can transport your dirty pet or haul trash or gardens supplies around without worry. The waterproof, stain-resistant Cargo Cape has multiple attachment points to keep it from sliding around ensuring total coverage of your cargo space. It comes with a unique fold-out flap to protect the bumper of your vehicle from dings, scrapes and damage, like that from dog claws which scratch your vehicle’s bumper as they get in and out. This waterproof rufftex bumper guard can be stored up or folded down and has reflective trim for added safety. There is a builtin centre zipper which allows you to fold down a 50/50 split seat. There is also mesh pockets for storage of items you need close at hand. The Cargo Cape will fit most vehicle's cargo areas with dimensions or 52” x 62”.
Price: $96 CAN / $74.99US
Colours: Charcoal, Hampton Sand
Fit: Most vehicles cargo areas
Dimensionss: 132 x 157cm / 52 x 62”
Smartwool Merino 150 Print Boxer Brief
Merino wool is the optimal fabric for outdoor pursuits given its breathable, soft, and lightweight feel. The next-to-skin comfort is only enhanced by how well it insulates in cold weather and cools in the heat. The natural antimicrobial features of merino wool mean you can wear the 150 Print Boxer Briefs for days without the need for daily washing which makes it ideal for multi-day adventures in the mountains. The Smartwool Merino 150 Print Boxer Briefs use a Core Spun fabric which is made up of merino fibres wrapped around a nylon core (87% Merino Wool, 13% Nylon). This provides added durability while still keeping the comfort of Merino wool next to your skin. The wide, Merino-lined elastic waistband and flatlock seam construction will make these boxers your go-to briefs for any activity.
Price: $59.99 / $48US
Sizes: S, M, XL, XXL
Colours: Military Olive Mountains For Days Print, Loden Geode Print, Neptune Blue Geode Print, Tibetan Red Mountains For Days Print, Pine Gray Balabar Print, Ocean Blue Balabar Print
Weight: 150g / 5.29oz
Petzl IKO CORE Headlamp
Petzl just released their new IKO CORE lightweight rechargeable headlamp that provides three brightness levels with a maximum output of 500 Lumen and a beam distance of 10 to 100m. The AIRFIT headband design places the ultra-thin lamp body at the front and an energy source in the rear which provided great balanced and a comfortable fit. The IKO CORE’s Hybrid Concept design uses a CORE rechargeable battery and is also compatible with three AAA batteries (not included). The AAA batteries provide 350 lumens whereas the CORE rechargeable battery can maximize output at 500 lumens. The IKO CORE Headlamp fits comfortably on your head and works seamlessly with Petzl’s new SIROCCO climbing and ski touring helmet and you can also just wear the IKO CORE around your neck as a lantern. The included storage pouch flattens the IKO CORE to reduce bulk when stored in your pack providing you with a versatile, high performance, lightweight headlamp no matter where you venture.
Price: $119.95CAN / $90US
Brightness: 500 Lumens
Weight: 79g / 2.78oz
Water resistance: IPX4
Battery life: 2.5-10 hours
On a budget? Then look to our Best Gifts Under $50 by clicking here. If you've got more to spend then check out the $100-$200 price range and over $200 price range round one and round two as well. Happy Shopping.