The places...

our clothing took and takes us.

They weren’t the pants I wanted, but that day, they were the pants I bought.

I was new on the freeride ski scene and wanted to fit in. I had been living on the east coast for the previous 6 years, and in that time the trends around skiing had changed. My brothers’ hand-me-downs and my leftover high school wears visually outcasted me from the groups of skiers I wanted to be a part of.

With a few hundred dollars saved up from shifts at various restaurants and coffee shops, I entered the local ski shop to find a new pair of ski pants. I went straight to the Arcteryx and Patagonia racks. In my mind I could become part of the core by buying a core brand. But neither brand had a style that fit-fit my shape nor my budget. I walked out with a simple, affordable pair of black North Face pants. I remember thinking to myself-at least Angel Collinson and Ingrid Backstrom wore the brand.

Two years and a few thousand squats and focused chairlifts laps after that shopping experience, I would be offered a contract with The North Face. An invitation to join their global ski team. It would be TNF that would help support my competition quest. TNF that would invite me on my first expedition. TNF that would help fund my appearances in ski movies. And TNF that would introduce me to a Rolodex of friends-fellow athletes, gear designers, and company employees. North Face brought me into the core of the ski industry in ways I would have never imagined.

I’ve dropped hints here on Togs before but as of January 1st of this current year…