Best Gifts $100-$200: 2023 Holiday Gift Guide
Welcome to our 8th Annual Backcountry Skiing Canada Holiday Gift Guide. We're going to start things off easy with the under $50-$100 category, 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 $100-$200
This installment of the Best Gifts priced $100-$200 has lots of options to strike your fancy but if your budget is slightly smaller then check out our Best Gifts priced $50-$100. If you've got more to spend, well then hold on as the $200+ gift ideas will be announced next.
Hestra Ergo Grip Active Wool Terry Gloves
To keep your hands warm and dry while ski touring you need to have the proper gloves. This ideally means a light, breathable pair for skinning uphill, a warmer well-insulated pair for skiing down plus a pair for those extremely cold days when you need all the warmth you can get. Luckily Hestra provides the gloves for each of these situations in order to maximize your comfort and enjoyment while out experiencing winter.
Hestra Ergo Grip Active Wool Terry Gloves
The Hestra Ergo Grip Active Wool Terry Gloves are perfect for ski touring and excel at not letting your hands overheat on long skin tracks. These versatile, hardwearing gloves have a lightweight yet warm wool liner which makes them perfect for high energy activities. They provide maximum fingertip sensitivity and dexterity while keeping your hands warm but not allowing them to overheat. Their construction uses a pre-curved fit for comfort with hardwearing goatskin leather palms on the outside and a thin wool terry liner to warm and wick moisture away. The backhand of the gloves uses windproof GORE-TEX Infinium™ stretch fabric which provides exceptional breathability. These are ideal gloves for high levels of activity such as snowshoeing, Nordic skiing or backcountry skiing.
Hestra Army Leather Heli Ski Gloves
If you are searching for a glove to shred the resort or cold touring days where you need protection from snow and cold then the Hestra Army Leather Heli Ski is the glove for you. The long cuff keeps the snow out and the warmth in while the HESTRA Triton outer provides protection from the cold wind and is water-resistant and breathable. The built-in wrist strap helps reduce the chance of dropping the gloves in the snow when you take them off to adjust gear or transition and the removable liner makes them easy to dry.
Hestra Army Leather Extreme Mitt
When the mercury really drops or if you suffer from poor blood circulation and just need a super warm pair go mitts then the Hestra Army Leather Extreme Mitt is the one you should consider. These are a long, extra well-insulated mitten for really cold winter days, they are designed for skiers and adventurers who spend a long time outdoors in severe cold. They are made from hardwearing goatskin leather and polyamide fabric with a removable liner that has plenty of synthetic insulation to keep your fingers extra warm. No matter what kind of glove or mitten you are after for your ski-touring adventures Hestra has you covered.
Hestra Ergo Grip Active Wool Terry Gloves
- Elastic at wrist
- Ergo Grip construction
- Reinforcement details
- Neoprene cuff with velcro closure
Hestra Ergo Grip Active Wool Terry Gloves
- Wool terry Lining - A knitted material whose curly fibres and terry loops together can bind a large amount of air. 80% Wool, 20% Polyamide.
- Outer material - Gore-tex infinium Windstopper breeze with Neoprene and Impregnated goat leather
Price: $160CAN / $125US
Colours: Navy & Off-white, Black & Off-white, Red & Off-white, Dark Forest/Black
Sizes: 6-11
Rab Ascendor Hoody
Everyone needs a warm breathable mid-layer for when the cooler days of fall roll in and ultimately change to winter. A base layer that can go from the hiking trail to the skin track and provide good mobility and temperature regulation is key for active pursuits. Rab’s new Ascendor Hoody is just this thanks to its body-mapped design and grid fleece fabrics which provide a good amount of insulation but also the breathability you need to push your abilities. This slim-fitting fleece hoody is made with over 90% recycled fabrics so purchasing it is a little kinder on the planet.
Its mid-weight design has a grid-backed fleece in the torso, hips, shoulders, and upper arms and a lighter-weight, micro-grid-backed fleece in the centre of the hood, under and lower arms, and centre back. This body mapping allows the higher heat-generating areas of your torso to breathe and wick moisture more effectively while providing more insulation where you need it in other areas. This helps regulate your temperature so you don’t have to stop and adjust layers mid-activity as much.
It has an under-helmet hood which fits snugly around your face and when not needed the Ascendor Hoody packs down small and takes up minimal space in your pack. Stretchy and slim-fitting, the Ascendor Hoody is comfortable under a the hip belt of a backpack or climbing harness so it’s ideally suited for winter ski touring adventures, mountaineering and alpinism.
- Body-mapped fabric positioning to better regulate body temperature, optimally positioned for use as a mid-layer
- Soft Thermic™ G fleece over front torso, hips, shoulders and upper arms
- Lightweight Thermic™ G grid fleece over centre hood, lower arms and centre back for better temperature regulation
- Under helmet hood with fully elasticated face opening
- YKK® VISLON® centre front zip with fleece lined chin guard for comfort
- One YKK® zipped mesh lined chest pocket with lightweight zip pull
- Flatlocked seams throughout for improved comfort
- Elasticated binding at the cuffs and hem for fit and comfort
- Dropped hem improves warmth on the lower back
- Primary Fabric: Thermic™ G (235gsm) Grid backer recycled polyester fleece, 96% Recycled Polyester, 4% Elastane
- Secondary Fabric: Thermic™ G (160gsm) Microgrid backer recycled polyester fleece,92% Recycled Polyester, 8% Elastane
Sizes: S, M, L, XL, XXL
Weight: 312g/11oz (Size M)
Colours: Orion Blue, Marmalade, Graphene, Beluga
Devold Kvitegga Woman Cross Neck
Ole Andreas Devold created a textile factory in 1853 and 170 years later this Norwegian company is known for their high-quality merino wool base layers such as the Kvitegga Woman Cross Neck. This woman’s baselayer is ideal for colder conditions where more insulation is needed but what makes this top truly unique is its reversibility. Thanks to its jacquard knit it can be worn with either side against your body providing two tops for the price of one and also extending your style options for longer multi-day adventures. This dual-function reversibility also means that you’ll need to take along fewer clothes—saving on overall pack weight and time spent washing them. Made with 100% merino wool, the Kvitegga Woman Cross Neck has built-in anti-microbial and thermoregulation properties and wool’s built-in air pockets provide heat storage which helps keep you warmer longer, especially for those days with lower intensity activities. This is one of Devold's warmest and thickest base layer tops which makes it ideal for women who get cold easily. The high protective neck and lower back panel add to its warmth by helping to keep the cold at bay. Style, function and comfort are combined in this reasonably priced Merino wool base layer that we are sure will quickly become one of your favourites.
- Two in one reversible garment. Two different models in one
- Flat seams for optimal comfort
- Raglan sleeves with custom made shoulders for maximum mobility
- High protective neck
- Extended back panel
- Mulesing free merino wool
- Fibre: fine 18,7 micron
- 100% wool
Sizes: XS, S, M, L, XL. XXL
Colours: Beetroot
Olukai Tuahine Sandals
Summer may be wrapping up here in Canada but it still beach season in many parts of the world, or maybe you have fall/winter escape planned somewhere warm to get in some surfing and beach time before the snow flies. This means finding a good pair of sandals that are comfortable, durable and good looking, such as the Olukai Tuahine Sandals. Tuahine translates from Hawaiian to mean “famed rain of the Mānoa Valley”—this means that the Olukai Tuahine Sandals are not only a comfortable all-day leather sandal but they use waterproof full-grain leather to make life in the water a little more fun. These quick drying flip-flop style sandals slide on easily and have built in arch support for comfort along with wet grip soles to ensure you have traction no matter what the conditions are.
If you are looking for a more casual sandal that’s even more at home in the water then the Olukai Ulele may be more your thing. Priced at $105CAN / $80US these water friendly slide on flip-flop sandals are made for the beach and wet activities. They have a quick dry design with a water resistant suede lining, wet grip soles, and like the Tuahine Sandals a super soft comfortable fit along with arch support.
Colours: Toffee, Stone, Dark Wood, Hunter/Golden Sand, Trench Blue/Dark Wood
Sizes: 7-14
Ripton Classic Jeans Indigo
Ripton was launched in 2019 as a scrappy, rebellious brand in Colorado. They set out to create a demin fabric that was both soft and stretchy and one that will hold up to some abuse on adventures as well as in every day life. Their super stretchy fabric is made up of 80% demin, 11% Nylon and 6% Polyester for durability, and 1% Elastane for stretch. This combines to ensure that these Ripton Classic Jeans hold their shape well over time as they conform to your body shape.
There are two mesh front pockets a clever laminate reinforced rear pocket along with a zippered side pocket to stash your phone. Their modern straight-leg silhouette is not only great for day-to-day wear but you can also wear them out on a hike, ride or climb. Comfort, durability and super stretch means that they fit like a glove and as Ripton says “Just like skiing and riding bikes, life should always be more of a dance than a race”.
- Two mesh front pockets
- Higher rise back
- Zippered stash pocket
- Durable laminated Hot Pocket on the bum
- Weight: 12.8oz
- Stretch: 32%)
- 82% Cotton, 11% Nylon, 6% Polyester, 1% Elastane
Sizes: 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 36, 38
Inseams Lengths: Size 28-30: 30”, Size 31-33: 31”, Size 34-38: 32"
Arc’teryx Rho Merino Wool Zip Neck
The Arc’teryx Rho base layers come in lightweight and heavyweight options as well as hybrid (wool and nylon blend) option and are a blend of polyester and elastane but there is also a merino wool option as well. We tested out the Rho Merino Wool Zip Neck which is a suer versatile layer for fall hiking, winter skiing and colder spring nights. The fabric blend is primarily merino wool with just 5% of elastane added for increased stretch.
There are many benefits to wool but the biggest is its ability to not smell after multiple days of wear, making the Rho Merino Wool Zip Neck ideal for extended ski tours or backpacking trips. The 150gsm weight is perfect for a base layer and the high wool content means that it will naturally regulate your thermal comfort and feel comfortable next to your skin. To increase overall durability the Merino wool fibres are wrapped around a nylon core and the addition of elastane fibres adds stretch and hold the fit over time.
The built-in 1/2 zip provides an easy way to dump excess heat and the articulated patterning gives you freedom to move for active sports and adventures. The Arc’teryx Rho line of apparel includes crew neck and zip neck long sleeve shirts, a hoodie, full bottoms, 3/4 bottoms, a balaclava, a headband, a neck gaiter, a toque and gloves.
- Lightweight
- Versatile
- Deep front zipper for easy on and off, rapid ventilation
- Wool is sourced from humanely raised, non-mulesed sheep
- Strategically placed seams increase comfort and reduce chafing
- Flatlock construction improves next-to-skin comfort
- Merrow stitch seam construction reduces seam size and irritation
- Ultra fine Merino wool is known for soft comfort, natural temperature regulation, moisture management, and odour resistance
- Merino fibres are wrapped around a nylon core for added durability
- 240gsm Mountain Merino Wool - 95% wool, 5% elastane
- Chira™ - 6.5oz (220gsm) stretch nylon interlock - 71% nylon, 29% elastane - bluesign Approved Material
Sizes: XS, S, M, L, XL, XXL
Colours: Bordeaux, Black, Yukon, Void
Weight 300g / 10.6oz
Giro Revolt Goggles
This new goggle from Giro combines a modern moto cylindrical design with their VIVID lens technology in a budget-friendly yet high performing goggle. With Optics by ZEISS the new Revolt Goggles provide clarity on both sunny and cloudy days thanks to the ability to switch out the lenses. The low light lenses are ideal for storm days but a second lense is included for sunny-all condition days. Both lenses have an anti-fog coating to help minimize fogging and maximize your vision. Their EXV+ wide-view design provides huge sight lines and also makes the Revolt goggles Over-the-glasses (OTG) compatible. Triple-layer face foam with microfleece ensures that the Revolt Goggles fit your face comfortably while they combine seamlessly with all Giro Helmets. At just $164.99CAN / $130US the new Giro Revolt Goggles provide reliable protection and premium vision for a more than affordable price.
- Expansion View Technology Plus (EXV+)
- Includes two VIVID Lenses with Optics by ZEISS® - sun / all condition lens and low-light lens
- Triple-layer face foam with microfleece facing
- Anti-fog coating
- Over-the-glasses (OTG) friendly
- Seamless Compatibility with all Giro helmets
Colours: Several
FUBUKI Niseko 2.0 Boots
The Niseko 2.0 Boots will keep you warm on the coldest of days, with a temperature rating of -30°C but they are also 100% waterproof and windproof to ensure that you stay dry and warm no matter the weather. Their high cut means that they can trudge through the deepest snow and their cleated rubber sole provides the grip you need. In addition to this, they also have a cushioned midsole and shock-absorbing heel making them super comfortable. In a world where tough and weather resistant often means rigid and boring, FUBUKI offers some bright and fun colours to spice up your life. They are a perfect gift for someone who always has cold feet during the winter months and appreciates some fun.
- Cold Resistant (-30°C)
- 100% Waterproof
- 100% Windproof
- Cleated Rubber Sole
- Reinforced Ankle
- Cushioned Midsole
- Shock-Absorbing Heel
- Fun bright colours
- Outsole/Shell: 100% EVA
- Upper/Collar: 100% Polyester
- Toe Cap: 100% ABS Composite
- Lining: 100% Polyester
Sizes: EU 37-46
Colours: Orange, Black, Yellow, Pink, Light Blue, Green, Sand, White, Olive, Moss Green
YETI Camino 35 Carryall Tote Bag
The Camino Carryall is the perfect all-purpose bag for any and every day no matter where life or adventure takes you. Take it to the beach, go grocery shopping, pack it full of climbing gear for the crag or use it as a way to get your ski gear from the car to the ski lodge. This rugged tote bag is made from the same waterproof, ultra-durable, and easy-to-clean material as the YETI Panga Duffel. The Camino is brilliant at keeping wet dirty things contained like ski boots, waders, a wetsuit or rain gear. It can also keep your important things dry and protected from the elements outside.
The EVA moulded bottom and durable fabric sides ensure that sharp hooks and tools won’t penetrate and damage anything. This new version of the Camino features deployable dividers which fit all YETI Rambler and Yonder Bottle sizes. There are also two interior zippered pockets to secure your valuables and keep them out of sight. The Camino comes in 20L, 35L and 50L sizes so there’s one ideally suited to your needs. We’ve been using the Camino 35 for years now and can’t say enough good things about it, in fact, you can read our full review of it here.
- Wide mouth opening
- EVA moulded bottom
- Hitchpoint grid
- Thicksink Shell
- Easy to Haul
- Easy to Clean
- 4 Loop Hitchpoint Grid
- Perfect for picnic supplies or camping essentials
- Deployable dividers fit all Rambler® Bottle sizes, all Yonder® Bottle sizes, and Half Gallon Jug
Dimensions: 38 x 46 x 25cm / 15 x 18 x 10”
Capacity: 35 litres
Colours: Stone gray, sky blue, reef blue and everglade sand (tan)
Devold Women’s Duo Active Merino 210 Longs
Devold began as a textile factory in 1853 and was created by the company's namesake Ole Andreas Devold. Based in Norway, Devold is an expert in making wool-based apparel for taking on the cold and wet climate of that country. Their Women’s Duo Active Merino 210 Longs johns are made with an outer layer of organic wool from Argentina and a ThermoLite inner layer. The finer merino wool provides insulation even if it gets wet while the ThermoLite transports moisture away from the wearer’s skin. This Thermolite layer is made from 100% recycled material which provides an extra comfortable next-to-skin feel. The integration of flat seams means that there are no friction points while the extra wide elasticized waist and double cuffs ensure a comfortable fit and shape stability. With a fun pattern and bright colours, it is a shame to cover these base layers, luckily they can be worn around the house like a pair of comfortable yoga pants but when adventure calls layer them under your favourite waterproof/breathable pants for the ultimate protection from the elements.
- Wide and comfortable elastic band at the waist.
- Flat seams for optimal comfort.
- Double leg cuff for perfect shape retention.
- Inner lining made of 100% recycled material, very soft on the skin.
- Total Easy Care merino wool - suitable for washing machines and tumble dryers.
- Made in Europe
- Outer layer: 80% wool, 20% polyamide
- Inner layer: 100% polyester
Sizes: XS, S, M, L, XL
Colours: Flood, Port, Woods
On a budget? Then check out our Best Gifts in the $50-$100 price range. If you want to spend a little more then there is always the Best Gifts $200+ price range as well. Happy Shopping.