Best Gifts under $50: 2019 Holiday Gift Guide
Welcome to our 4th 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 Under $50
We've done the heavy lifting for you and curated the best gifts under $50 into this one-stop-shopping list. Have a look for the ideal gift for that hard to buy for person or perhaps even yourself? Whoever the recipient is, we're sure you'll find some treasures here that won't break the bank.
We’ll be rolling the gift Guide out over the next few weeks so do stay tuned.
Backcountry Skiing Canada Guides and Maps
Why not give the gift that keeps on giving, a detailed backcountry skiing map/guide book. Any backcountry skier would be thrilled to receive a map and/or guide book to show them how to access the goods. Backcountry Skiing Canada produces three guide books and two NEW maps, there’s the newly updated West Kootenay Ski Touring Guide 2.0, the ever-popular Whistler & Area Ski Touring Guide, the Lake Louise, Sunshine, Banff & Area Ski Touring Guide and the new Kootenay Pass Backcountry Ski Touring Map and Whitewater Ski Resort Backcountry Ski Touring Map. Pick one (or more) up in our online store and while you are there check out the sixteen other books, maps and guides we have for sale.
Price: $18.95 - $19.95CAN
Athletic Greens
Staying healthy is something we all strive for but finding the time and motivation may be the tough part, the good folks at Athletic Greens aim to change that with their comprehensive nutritional support products. Athletic Greens is Gluten and dairy-free, paleo, keto and vegan-friendly, it is also manufactured in a Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) Certified and TGA-Registered facility and made 100% in New Zealand. It is essentially 75 high efficacy, bioavailable ingredients in a tasty greens powder that you mix with water or put in your smoothy and then drink. Their subscription model makes it easy to forget about it as a new supply arrives automatically every month. This is all-in-one nutritional support for a healthy gut, heart, body, and mind. A unique gift for this holiday season.
One time - $129.05CAN / $97US ($3.23/serving); Monthly Subscription - $102.44CAN / $77US ($2.57 /serving)
Ingredients: 75 proven vitamins, minerals, and whole-food sourced ingredients
G3 Rusechblock Cord
G3’s Rusechblock Cord is a lightweight cable “saw” which is specifically designed to cut an isolated block called a ‘Rutschblock’ which is a type of avalanche test performed in profile pits. G3’s sleek design cuts quickly and efficiently leaving a clean cut with less effort than a traditional knotted rope would. This design also minimizes wear on probes as you cut. Its conspicuous bright red colour reduces the risk of losing it in the snow and the two large built-in loop handles allow for easy use with gloves or mittens on. Give the gift of safety this holiday season.
Price: $36CAN / $29US
Weight: 118g / 4.1oz
Length: 5.75m / 18 ft 10 in
Materials: Coated stainless steel cable
Pelican G40 Personal Utility Go Case
The only thing that makes a storage case better is if it is waterproof and the Pelican G40 Personal Utility Go Case is that and more. It's also crushproof, dustproof, and is IP67 rated which means it’s waterproof to a depth of 1 meter for 30 minutes of protection. Add to this rubberized protective bumpers to protect your valuables against drops and abuse. It’s even designed to accommodate an iPhone Xs Max and Samsung Note 9 phones. Who wouldn't want one of these under the tree?
Price: $49.95CAN / $39.95US
Weight: 421g / .93lb
Interior Dimensions: 7" × 3.5" × 1.6"
Colours: 6 Available
Vapur Anti-Bottle
The Vapur Anti-bottle has been our go-to way to carry water on hikes and ski tours for the past six years since we first reviewed them. What’s an Anti-bottle? It is a reusable, foldable, attachable, freezable, sustainable and convenient way to carry water on the go. They are BPA free, easy to grip, streamlined and flexible so it’s easy to stash in your pack. The lightweight design lays flat when empty so it takes up less space in your pack the more you drink from it, and it has the ability to be folded up super small when empty. Clever design and reasonable price point mean this is a no-brainer for anyone who hikes, climbs and ski tours.
Price: $17.99-$19.9CAN / $9.99-$11.99US (depends on size)
Sizes: 0.7L and 1L
Good To-Go
You need to fill your adventures with great tasting, easy to make nutritious food and this is where Good To-Go comes in. Their thirteen different varieties of entrees and breakfasts provide a quick solution when your stomach starts to grumble in camp. These prepared meals use healthy ingredients you can actually recognize and pronounce, and are ready in just 20 minutes by adding 300ml of boiling water to the pouch, or 600ml for double servings. They have vegan and gluten-free options, are hand made and also save a heap of weight in your pack. Consider a healthy ready to go alternative for your next big adventure or for the hiker/skier on your gift list.
Double entree $17.25 CAN / $12.95US
Single entree $9.95 / $7.25US
Breakfast $9.50CAN / $6.50 US
Flavours: 13 in total
SealLine Blocker Zip Sack
Is it just me or does everyone in the world love organizational aids? These little easy-to-see sacks are perfectly sized for fitting the smaller things in your life—think toiletries, first aid items and or camp kitchen kit. At well under 50 bones, they will bring great (and economical pleasure) to the guy or gal on your list.
Price: $27.95 - $40.95CAN / $21.95 - $31.95US (price varies by size)
Sizes: S, M, L
Colours: Navy, Orange, Green Camo, Blue Camo
Weight: 0.02kg / 0.9oz (M)
Material: 70D polyurethane-coated nylon
Point 6 Ski Carve Light OTC
A good pair of ski sock is worth every penny after a long day in the backcountry and Point 6’s Ski Carve Light OTC are about as good as it gets. These are Point 6’s best-selling ski socks and for good reason, their 61% Wool, 5% Spandex and 34% Nylon construction means they have all the amazing properties of wool but also the durability that Nylon brings to the table with the stretch and compression that spandex has to offer. The light terry loop cushioning in the shin and under the foot provides comfort where you need it most and warmth all over. Consider these the Goldilocks socks—not too thick, not too thin, just right for the lucky person on your list.
Price: $35.00CAN / $28.00US
Fabrics: Wool 61% Spandex 5% Nylon 34%
Sizes: S, M, L
Platypus Big Zip EVO
Thirsty? Not for long! The Platypus Big Zip Evo is a sure-fire way to ensure you stay hydrated out on the trail or uptrack. This baby promises a taste-free, high flow-rate experience. It’s easy to plant in your pack and is virtually spill-proof. Heck, it even has a one-hand filling feature. Take the plunge and pick one up for a loved one or buddy this holiday
Price: $39.95 - $42.95CAN / $36.95 - $39.95US (price varies by size)
Sizes: 1.5L, 2.0L, 3.0L and a Lumbar 2.0L
Colours: Navy, Orange, Green Camo, Blue Camo
Weight: 0.18kg / 6.5oz (3L)
Material: Polyurethane, silicone
Patogonia Sapka Headband
There’re baaaaa-ack. Who doesn’t want a headband these days? The Sapka is a cozy headband to accompany you around town or on the uptrack. Thick and stylish, the 4” width keeps head and ears warm and happy. It’s a simple gift that’ll make anybody feel like a kid again. Put it under the tree or your vegetation of choice. Anyone would love to get this item around the holidays.
Price: $45CAN / $35US
Sizes: One size fits all
Colours: Black. Birch White, Dolomite Blue
Material: acrylic
GoBites Ti-Uno
Lightweight rules supreme in the backcountry and the GoBites Ti-Uno is designed to be two utensils in one, a fork and spoon—one on each end. Its titanium construction keeps it seriously light at just 25 grams but this ‘spork like’ utensil is not like those others you’ve used before. The GoBites Ti-Uno has a unique U-shaped head orientation which makes the Uno much more comfortable to hold. The spoon end is deep enough to slurp soup and has low-curvature edges to scrape container walls, while the fork has tines long enough to twirl spaghetti. Light, well designed and ideal for the camper on your list.
Price: $21CAN / $15.99US
Materials: titanium
Weight: 25g / 0.88oz
Dimensions: 16.5 x 4cm / 6.5” x 1.6”
Spoon Capacity: ~8.1ml / 1.5 teaspoons
If your budgets are a little bigger then check out the best gifts we've found in the $50-$100 price range. If you want to spend more then there is always the $100-$200 price range as well. Happy Shopping.