There are few reasons I celebrate: girlfriend moved back from Mexico, finding a doughnut in my ropebag, Scooby Doo special on TV. However, when the guys at W.L. Gore decide to launch a new type of Gore-Tex I tend to get out the candles. Honestly I didn’t think it would ever happen. Technology in the outdoor industry has advanced exponentially in the last two decades, and I feel like I would be labelled an ungrateful twit if I asked, “Is this it?” Well apparently this is not it.

To my gigantic surprise Arc’teryx’s spring line of shells is complete with four new jackets which are made using Gore’s new membrane, Active Shell.

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Arc'tery Alpha FL: Mark tests and reviews it just for you here

Le mois d'avril est une excellente période de l'année pour dépoussiérer ses souliers de course (et peut-être même vos shorts, tout dépendant de la météo bien sûr). C'est exactement ce que nous avons fait un samedi d'avril avec nos amis chez The North Face. Tel que vous l'avez sûrement vu sur Altitude-blogue.com, The North Face nous a bien aimablement donné leur temps (merci Jennifer & Emilie) ainsi que leurs souliers de course pour que tout le monde puisse enfiler une paire et tester les atouts qu'offre la ligne de course The North Face. Vous serez surpris.

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Journée de tests de souliers de course The North Face!

April is a great time to get out the running shoes (and possibly shorts depending on the weather of course). And that is exactly what we decided to do last Saturday with our friends The North Face Canada. As you have probably seen here on Altitude-blog.com, The North Face kindly gave us their time (merci Jennifer & Emilie) and their shoes so everyone could throw on a pair and try out what The North Face running line has to offer. You will be surprised.

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The North Face Running Shoe Test Day!

There are few reasons I celebrate: girlfriend moved back from Mexico, finding a doughnut in my ropebag, Scooby Doo special on TV. However, when the guys at W.L. Gore decide to launch a new type of Gore-Tex I tend to get out the candles. Honestly I didn’t think it would ever happen. Technology in the outdoor industry has advanced exponentially in the last two decades, and I feel like I would be labelled an ungrateful twit if I asked, “Is this it?” Well apparently this is not it.

To my gigantic surprise Arc’teryx’s spring line of shells is complete with four new jackets which are made using Gore’s new membrane, Active Shell.

Leave a comment!

Arc'tery Alpha FL: Mark tests and reviews it just for you here

With winter on its last legs, Altitude-sports.com is hiring!

Are you an outdoor enthusiast? Do you have a passion for technical clothing and equipment?

Take the first step towards an exciting future.
Altitude-sports.com, a leader in outdoor apparel and equipment, is looking for talented people to work at its boutique in Tremblant. If you are dynamic, ambitious and passionate about the outdoors and want to join Altitude-sports.com's team send us your CV to tremblant@altitude-sports.com We are looking for an Assistant Manager (Full time)

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To find out more about the job

Avec l'hiver qui prend sa fin, nous recrutons présentement!

Êtes-vous une amateure de plein air? Êtes-vous passionnée par les vêtements techniques? Notre équipe n’attend que vous. Altitude-sports.com, un chef de file en vêtements et en équipements de plein air, est à la recherche de candidates talentueux afin de travailler à sa boutique à Mont-Tremblant.

Si vous êtes dynamique, ambitieuse et passionnée par le plein air et souhaitez vous joindre à l’équipe d’Altitude-sports.com ou désirez simplement en savoir plus, faites parvenir dès aujourd’hui votre curriculum vitae en boutique ou à l’adresse suivante: tremblant@altitude-sports.com. Nous cherchons une assistante gérante (à temps plein)

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Pour en savoir plus sur l'emploi

Is there really such a thing as a ‘business trip?’ Or should there be such a thing, I should say. Sure we went to Salt Lake City to see the Outdoor Retail Show, but maybe we could partake in some other activities while there as well. Hmm, what do you think? We googled ‘things to do in the Salt Lake area’ for hours, but all we could come up with was skiing at some little hill called Alta. This mountain averages about 500 inches of snow a year so, on a whim, we decided to give it a try (For fact hunters Mont-Tremblant receives 150). That’s enough snow to cover my thickly-spread sarcasm 10 times over.

Like all good journeys this one begins in recycled air and stale peanuts.

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Get some more pleasure here, eh?

Altitude-sports.com tries year after year to provide you, the customer, with high-end, well-priced clothing and equipment for the outdoors. This isn’t easily done. There are hundreds of companies, each providing sometimes thousands of products, and a million tastes. How do we whittle it down to the products you see on this website? There are a few ways we go about deciding what to sample from each company, but truly the best way is to jump in a plane and head to the Outdoor Retailer Show in Salt Lake City. It's like being a kid in a candy store.

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Check out some sneak peaks at this year's colours!

L’hiver est arrivé. Ça ne peut qu’impliquer deux choses. Vous vous cachez à l’intérieur en sirotant du chocolat chaud en maudissant Scott Gomez OU vous vous laissez séduire par les fraîches avances de l’hiver pour exploiter tout ce que la saison a à offrir. Nous vous suggérons la deuxième option. Vous pouvez le faire d’une multitude de manières (raquette, ski de fond, hockey, camping (!)), malgré que la plupart des Québécois privilégieront le ski alpin. Dévaler les pentes à un des sympathiques centres de ski du Québec est sans aucun doute une excellente manière d’agrémenter vos fins de semaine. Mais que faites-vous si ça fait plus de 15 ans que vous les dévalez ces pentes? Vous avez attaqué les pistes de presque tous les sympathiques centres que le Québec a à offrir. Comme dans un mariage qui s’épuise, vous connaissez ses courbes comme le dos de la main. Vous continuez juste parce que? Attention monsieur. Libérez-vous de ces pensées linéaires. Sortez de votre zone de confort et essayez quelque chose de neuf. Il se peut fort bien qu’il soit temps pour vous de connaître le sport dynamique du ski hors-piste, le vrai hors-piste, pas le sous-bois, le ski d’aventure.

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Ski d'aventure: En savoir plus

Winter is coming. For you. That means one of two things: you can hide inside drinking cocoa and whine about the Montreal Canadians OR give-in to Winter’s chilly embrace and partake in all its bounty. I suggest the latter. You can do this in many ways (snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, camping(!)), although most Quebecers tend to go downhill skiing. Carving up the slopes at one of the many pleasant Quebec resorts is without question a great way to spend your weekends. But what if you have been carving for the past 15 years, have skied at almost every one of those pleasant resorts in our fine Province, and know the trails like the back of your hand? Do you continue simply because? Whoa there partner, unshackle yourself from such linear thinking. It is time to get out of your comfort zone and try something new. Perhaps the dynamic sport of backcountry skiing- where adventure and skiing join forces- needs to be considered.

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Backcountry skiing: thoughs and more

The holidays have just blown by, the arteries are de-clogging, and things are starting to get settled at work. All is well, but wait. It’s February- I feel like something is on the horizon hiding, sneaking, waiting to trap me. Damn you Valentine’s Day, you won’t get me this year. I will admit I am not the most romantic guy on earth, but I do try. Women don’t like flowers and chocolates anymore, so the next best thing is most definitely outdoor gear (in my mind at least). Are you reading this a few days before D-Day? Don’t panic, just take my advice and order up these bad boys

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Mark's Valentine's Day High 5: Learn his secrets

Rebecca Black struggles to choose where to sit in a car on Friday, and honestly I feel her pain. Some decisions are never easy to make. It’s the middle of winter and you’ve been pushing back exercise since last fall because it is too cold. Survivor is about to start and you just ran out of salsa- what to do? Solution: run to town to get some more (for us in the country the local food mart is never ‘next door’). I could take my car, but between you and me both front doors no longer open and it is kind of embarrassing to be seen getting out the back in public (true story).

But here is my problem (besides the car door situation), what the heck do I wear to run in when it is -25 outside? My winter down jacket is made to keep me smoking warm at a standstill so jogging in it is out of the question. I have numerous base and mid layers but I would have to wear at least 5 layers to keep me warm enough. That would definitely irritate my delicate flower-like composure.

Royal trumpet sounds

Enter The North Face Crimptastic Jacket! A rare breed indeed.

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The North Face Crimptastic: Read the rest of Mark's review

I may eat Kraft Dinner 5 nights a week, work on the outdoors more than in the outdoors, and drive a car that is older than most kids entering the workforce these days, but sometimes, just sometimes I get a break. This year I am heading to Utah for the Outdoor Retail Show in beautiful Salt Lake City. We are going to check out some serious kit, gear, stuff- whatever you want to call it, I will be playing with it at the show (Hopefully someone will have finally made a one-piece merino wool pajama suit with a button-up derriere this year!) However, whilst in Mormon-country we may decide, if the mood strikes, to ski at a little mountain called Alta. You may have heard of it mentioned alongside big names like Telluride, Jackson Hole, amongst others. I couldn't in my right mind hit these slopes without telling exactly what I will be wearing- that just wouldn't be fair to you.

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Heavenly Ski Gear for Heavenly Skiing: Read more

Much to my dismay, many readers felt my last article was about liberal drug use after work, but alas they would be wrong. I love new, cool products, and fortunately we at Altitude-sports.com get those types of products throughout the year. I feel, as a selfless gearfreak, the need to share with you my recent favorites.This month, December, that arbinger of real winter and thus snow, and thus skiing, I present to you the following delights.

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Arc'teryx, The North Face, Oakley & more: Mark's December High 5

Max Altitude thinks he can pull the limelight onto his hulking shoulders by presenting a knowledgeable, well written article about this season’s winter picks on this infamous blog. He can try, and he may succeed, but… But nothing. I liked his article. However, being the attention-getter I am, I want to steal his thunder. And steal it I will, using the only way I know how- short attentions spans. Focus now, because it will be over before you know it. These are my picks as cool new items in the 2012 fall season.

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The North Face, Arc'teryx, Burton or Mark’s High 5: See it for real

I have been trying to raise money for cancer research now for a few months. It has been a wild rollercoaster of emotion for me (and you I can only assume). Friends from across the globe have generously given their hard-earned cash to help the cancer cause and it touches me deeply. Our journey is almost coming to an end as the race approaches (September 10th to the 11th) so I wanted to take the time to thank each and every one of you before I honour my nude photo pledge.

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Click here for the salacious portrait

Initially I had proposed this idea because, it seemed to me, so outlandish that it would be ridiculed by my bosses, but subsequent a good laugh had by all, we would go on our merry way with some old and safe donation ideas. Unfortunately my gimmick did get a laugh and a subsequent vote of approval. Since then I have been secretly (doing tons of sit-ups and) hoping donations would not pass through my site, but through other more regular channels. But alas mysterious people are generously giving to the cancer cause and thus making me remove pieces of clothing for their entertainment.

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Click here for some sweet eye candy

Icebreaker has been making incredible products for years now, and fortunately for us they are expanding in to the world of cycling. If you have not already ascertained I am clearly a merino wool convert. That being said just because a cycling jersey is made out of the stuff does not mean it is worth buying. There is a right way to make cycling apparel and a wrong way. Here’s hoping Icebreaker falls into the former category. I started this review the only way I knew how- with a ride.

According to Icebreaker, “the Circuit will soon become your favorite cycle top.” Pfft, don’t tell me what I will like, sir. I am my own man. Furthermore no one could dethrone my favorite bike jersey, no one! But I guess if I don’t try anything else then I’ll never grow as an individual. And so begins our journey begins.

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Click here to read the Icebreaker Circuit Jersey review

A lot has happened since my last article about the 24h race against cancer in Mont Tremblant. Snippets of my excitement have been splashed across our facebook page (found here), but I thought I would add some meat to the bones.

Icebreaker’s generous donation of cycling jerseys for our team finally arrived and we are currently putting miles onto them. Once I have my religious inspiration I will throw a review your way of these very cool jerseys.

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Too see some flesh, click here

Last year Mont-Tremblant held the first annual 24Hour bicycle event at the local car racing circuit to raise money for sick children, and let me tell you it was a fine success. The reciprocal skiing event has been such a tremendous triumph at raising money the last decade that they finally introduced it to the summer loving folk such as myself. They won’t regret it.

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Read on about the 24h Tremblant challenge