When you think outdoors, Arc’teryx has the leading foot forward in industry innovation and community driven.
With Climbing at their forefront but over the last few winters venturing into their winter catalogues and supporting snowboardings elite such as Spencer O’Brien, Robyn Van Gyn and Sean Miskiman. They have taken in their stride to provide support not only for riders but events and films that elevate snowboarding such as The Natural Selection Tour which took over Revelstoke this year with Arc’teryx athlete Spencer O’Brien taking the win for the women with her incredible run of style with her Switch back 5 up top and hitting legendary lines opened up in previous years by Hana Beaman. As well as Arc’teryx Films such as Every Island Has a Name and Welcome to The Pit from the Yukon.
Founded in 1989 in the rugged Coast Mountains of BC, Arc’teryx has built a legacy of designing high-performance outerwear that empowers mountain athletes to perform their best when it matters most. From its humble beginnings to becoming a global leader with over 160 stores and more than 2,400 wholesale partners in over 50 countries, the brand has always adhered to its core belief: “there is always a better way.” Always on a relentless pursuit of innovation to solve the challenges of the mountains, Arc’teryx remains deeply rooted in its alpine environment – where the mountains are both its inspiration and its reason for being.
Taking over a historical spot on the Banff strip, Arc’teryx has jumped into the huge Canadian shoes of the locations previous tenant, The Hudson Bay. This marks the brand’s first-ever location in the UNESCO World Heritage Site. Proudly taking over 123 Banff Ave and keeping a Canadian staple in the momentous building that housed Hudson Bay for decades has influenced not only the design of the store, but also how they want to keep and grow the legacy of their involvement with in the community of Banff and surrounding areas.
The store boasts beautiful locally sourced Pine wood signature walls, as well as a community bench in the centre of the store. Designed to create space for events, research and development for athletes and customers a like to explore the brands vision and gear to see how it can bring their full potential out when in the elements. The bench also included a raised-relief terrain model map which was developed by connecting with the local indigenous Stoney and Naked Nations to include native names and areas of significance to their heritage and cultural beliefs, such as sacred sites and zones where certain native plants grow for medicinal and ceremonial use. This involvement with the local indigenous nations and acknowledging their acknowledgement on native land is crucial for helping improve the area and the land we all passionately explore.
True to its role as a community hub, the store is proud to house a ReBIRDTM Service Centre, a one-stop-shop for product care, repair, and education. This service allows guests to not only learn how to properly care for their gear but also fix minor issues such as tears and holes. For larger repairs, they can send products out. It gives visitors the ability to put their gear to the test and keep it in play for years of future use and adventure, all while supporting Arc’teryx’s commitment to sustainability by ensuring gear is maintained, kept in circulation, and out of landfills.
Additionally, the Service Centre offers technical washing, allowing guests to bring their gear in for washing and a refresh of the DWR water-repellent finish.
The First of It’s Kind: The Gear Library
Additionally, the store boasts an expansive Gear Library, a curated collection of in-season products that visitors can trial and explore, from ski jackets and bib pants to hiking shells and insulation. This space provides the perfect opportunity for guests to demo the gear they need for their mountain pursuits, ensuring they are fully equipped for their next adventure.
