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Few outdoor brands command the same reverence as Arc'teryx. The dead bird logo has become synonymous with uncompromising performance in the mountains––a badge of excellence recognized by everyone from backcountry pioneers to dedicated powder hunters who demand the absolute best from their gear.
The company’s deceptively simple mission statement, “There is always a better way,” underpins its origins and its current devotion to innovation and craft. Founded in 1989 by avid climber and outdoorsman Dave Lane, Arc'teryx spent its early years focused on vertical pursuits rather than downhill ones. The company established itself by revolutionizing climbing harness construction, earning them a reputation for redefining what's possible in outdoor equipment.
Nearly 35 years later, Arc'teryx stands alone as the gold standard in mountain apparel, particularly in snowsports. Their uncompromising approach to creating the absolute best products, regardless of cost or complexity, is evident in everything from their proprietary manufacturing techniques to their exhaustive testing protocols. Every seam, zipper, and material choice is scrutinized until it's perfect, then tested again.
Few brands have earned the right to claim mountain supremacy like Arc'teryx, so I ventured out to the Colorado Rockies to understand firsthand what sets Arc'teryx's ski/snowboard gear apart.
But first, some backstory…
The Ascent of Arc’teryx in Snowsports
Arc'teryx's journey from climbing specialist to snowsports icon began with a single jacket. The Alpha SV, introduced in the late 1990s, wasn't originally designed for skiing or snowboarding. Created as a severe-weather (“SV”) alpine climbing shell, it quickly caught the attention of backcountry enthusiasts who recognized its potential for mountain pursuits beyond vertical terrain. The jacket's bombproof construction and thoughtful design features made it a natural crossover piece for those seeking protection in deep powder and harsh conditions.
This organic adoption of the Alpha SV by the ski community wasn't lost on Arc'teryx. Based in the heart of British Columbia's Coast Mountains, where skiing and climbing often blur together in the same adventure, the company recognized an opportunity to create purpose-built snowsports gear that maintained their uncompromising approach to quality and innovation.
The launch of the Descent collection in 2001 marked Arc'teryx's official entry into the ski market, coinciding with their acquisition in the same year by industry leader Salomon. This collection introduced the legendary Sidewinder jacket, featuring the brand’s innovative WaterTight zipper design that allowed for higher collar placement and superior protection from whipping winds and snow––a feature that would become one of the brand’s most iconic.
The evolution continued with the rebranding of the snowsports line to "Whiteline" ahead of Fall/Winter 2011. While the name changed, the commitment to innovation remained constant. The collection maintained signature pieces like the Sidewinder while expanding to include specialized designs that have become some of the brand’s most notable sellers today, like the Rush and Sabre jackets. Whiteline distinguished itself with slightly boxier cuts optimized for riding movements and more adventurous color blocking––a departure from Arc'teryx's typically minimalist aesthetic approach.
What set Arc'teryx apart wasn't just its technical features or distinctive styling, but its systematic approach to mountain protection. Like the company's acclaimed Alpha series for alpinism, the brand’s Whiteline collection was conceived as an integrated system of layers and accessories, from hard shells to mid-layers, and even extending to avalanche safety gear like the Voltair backpack. This holistic approach to design reflected Arc'teryx's deep understanding that in the mountains, every piece of equipment must work in concert.
The Best of Arc'teryx Ski/Snowboard
While Arc'teryx has since done away with its distinct sub-brand name "Whiteline," its ski/snowboard offerings have never been more central to its identity.
For a week in December, I put their latest collection to the test in Colorado, trading my usual ragtag snowboard gear for a head-to-toe Arc'teryx setup. From stormy snow days to beautiful bluebird sessions, these pieces faced every condition the mountains could muster. Seven days of riding, hiking, and occasionally eating snow revealed why these garments command their premium prices––and why Arc'teryx remains unmatched in technical outerwear. What follows is an in-depth look at five pieces that demonstrate why Arc'teryx reigns mountain supreme.
The Sabre Jacket is a purpose-built shell for those dropping into backcountry bowls or charging through boundary-line trees. At its core is the newly updated 80-denier 3L Gore-Tex ePE construction––a breakthrough fabric that delivers the bombproof weather protection you've come to expect from Arc'teryx with a reduced carbon footprint and no PFAS. The articulated patterning and thoughtfully relaxed fit give you complete freedom to tweak, grab, and move naturally, while the helmet-compatible StormHood offers uncompromised visibility when scanning your line. It’s also equipped with a powder skirt, generous pit zips, RECCO reflectors, and two internal dump pockets along with countless zippered pockets.
Trust me when I say every touch point on the jacket feels sturdy and considered––from the zipper pulls to the drawcords. Despite its premium price point, the Sabre represents the gold standard in versatile ski shells, offering the perfect balance of protection, durability, and mobility for skiers and boarders alike who refuse to let weather dictate their days on the mountain.
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Sporting bibs on the bike makes you appreciate their versatility, which is why I opt for them over traditional pants when I hit the slopes. The Sabre Bib is the perfect companion piece to the Sabre Jacket (it’s also available in a pant option), sharing the same uncompromising DNA as its upper-body counterpart to deliver that signature Arc'teryx protection. After testing both pieces as a system through a full week of boarding, I can confirm they're a match made in mountain heaven.
The Bib utilizes the same updated 80-denier 3L Gore-Tex ePE construction as the jacket, creating a unified shield to shut out sleet, snow, and wind. It offers incredible mobility while still feeling structured, with the articulated patterning around the knees and hips giving you complete freedom to carve as you please. The light flannel backer adds just enough warmth, and the generous thigh vents are a godsend when the sun decides to come out. Together with the Sabre Jacket, the two pieces form the ultimate system whether you’re simply seeking out some resort laps or venturing beyond the ropes.
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I used to wear an insulated ski shell as a combined mid and outer layer. I’ve since come to realize a hardshell outer paired with an insulated midlayer offers the most versatility to adapt to the day’s conditions. Enter the Cerium Hoody: a lightweight, insulated midlayer with an unmatched warmth-to-weight ratio.
While insulation and moisture don’t tend to go well together, Arc’teryx designed this jacket with Coreloft, the brand’s premium in-house synthetic, in moisture-prone areas like its shoulders and cuffs, while using responsibly-sourced 850-fill down everywhere else––combining down's superior warmth with enhanced weather protection. Its slim profile layers seamlessly under a shell without restricting movement, yet it's substantial enough to serve as a standalone piece during milder conditions off the slopes. Combine all this with the brand’s signature StormHood (the best hood design on the market by a mile) and you’ve got a midlayer that’s purpose-built for mountain pursuits.
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On the coldest of days, I reach for the Rho Heavyweight. It’s the warmest Arc'teryx base layer, which should tell you all you need to know, made from Polartec® Power Stretch® Pro––technical material jargon that just means it's exceptionally soft and stretchy. It has a soft brushed interior that helps trap heat, a nylon outer for outstanding freedom of movement, and a tall collar to keep your neck warm. When it gets a little too hot, the extended neck zipper lets you dump excess heat at ease (something I made ample use of after particularly long runs).
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Over the years, I’ve slowly made the transition from gloves to mittens. They provide better heat retention and allow more room to pair with a warm liner. The Fission SV Mittens are the brand’s warmest winter glove, having been put through plenty of testing in the harsh climate of British Columbia before coming to market. Structurally speaking, these things are a beast: they’re equipped with PrimaLoft® Silver and Gold Insulation to give you maximum warmth, an additional Octa® Loft breathable insulation lining next to skin to manage sweat, a GORE-TEX insert for bombproof weather protection, and a double layer of premium goat leather for abrasion resistance and enhanced durability. We’ve all had a day when cold hands keep you from enjoying your time on the mountain. The Fission SV Mittens make sure that’ll never be the case again.
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All in all, the newest Arc'teryx snow gear is an evolution of what their products have always done best. From the bombproof hardshells to the buttery base layers, each item is made for a full range of what the mountains have to offer, whether you're carving groomers, eating it in some powder, hiking in the backcountry, or keeping warm on long lift rides. For every mountain condition imaginable, Arc'teryx has meticulously considered how their gear can master it. That’s what keeps the dead bird soaring ahead of the pack.
