With multiple brands producing skiwear they claim to be incredibly functional and also totally environmentally aware, regardless of whether it’s a ski jacket costing £60 or £600, it can be hard to know what you should be investing in. We asked Staffan Thomasson, Senior Designer at Peak Performance, one of the leading, premium skiwear brands, how it all works.
ITS> Nearly all brands now claim they’re sustainable. How does Peak Performance differ there?
ST> Our approach is grounded in long-term durability and real technical progress, not marketing language. We prioritise solutions that genuinely reduce impact, such as incorporating ePE membranes, while refusing to compromise on performance. Because our athletes and mountain professionals rely on this kit, responsibility and function have to work hand in hand. It’s not about ticking boxes; it’s about building gear that lasts and can be trusted in serious conditions.
ITS> What are the top factors you have in mind when designing any piece of kit – maybe things we skiers don’t even think about when we pull it on?
ST>. For us, it always starts with the wearer. We design from the inside out, thinking about protection, movement, precision and ease-of-use in real mountain environments. Small details that skiers rarely consider are often the most crucial: how a pocket sits when you’re wearing an avalanche pack, how a zipper performs with gloves on, or how patterning affects mobility on a steep face. The goal is to create gear that feels intuitive, dependable and distraction-free, even in the most demanding conditions.
ITS> What was the original design brief or vision behind your new Vertical Pro kit in particular – what’s different or better?
ST> Vertical Pro began with a very clear mission: build shell garments that truly worked for professional freeriders, which was something that didn’t exist at the time. We started from scratch with our athletes to create pieces built for competition days, big-mountain lines, and everything in between. Over the years we’ve kept the same core DNA: pure functionality, refined detailing and zero compromise on performance. Every new version is evolution, not reinvention – improving what already works while staying true to the original intent.
ITS> Were there specific alpine disciplines or athlete personas you had in mind during development?
ST> Yes. Vertical Pro was shaped specifically around the needs of high-level freeriders and the conditions of the Freeride World Tour. But we also incorporated insights from guides and patrollers, whose priorities are different: dependability, speed of use and efficiency during long days on the mountain. Bringing those perspectives together helped us strike the balance between uncompromising protection and all-day practical usability.
ITS> What drove your choice of fabrics and technologies – especially for waterproofing, breathability, and insulation?
ST> GORE-TEX Pro has always been the backbone of Vertical Pro. It delivers the durability and weather protection freeriders rely on when conditions go from challenging to severe. The latest evolution into GORE-TEX Pro ePE reflects our commitment to reducing environmental impact without sacrificing performance. Beyond the membrane, we spend a lot of time refining the feel and weight of the kit – choosing face fabrics and construction methods that support movement and responsiveness on snow.
ITS> I guess there were sustainability considerations in material sourcing or production – what are the main things there?
ST> Absolutely. As a brand rooted in skiing, protecting alpine environments is non-negotiable. With Vertical Pro, we focus on durability first, as gear that lasts is inherently more sustainable. We’re also moving toward more circular design principles: smarter constructions, easier repairability, and materials that fit into future recycling systems. The introduction of GORE-TEX ePE is a big step in that journey.
ITS> What was the most challenging aspect of the design process?
ST> The hardest part is always achieving the balance between protection and freedom of movement. High-alpine freeriding demands both. We worked closely with athletes and material partners to fine-tune every pattern line, detail, and fabric combination so the kit feels dynamic and light, crucially without losing the durability and weather protection that define Vertical Pro.
ITS> Which athletes or mountain professionals were involved in prototyping and feedback?
ST> From the beginning we collaborated with guides and patrollers, who tested early concepts from a functional, all-day-use perspective. As the athlete team grew, including riders like Hedvig Wessel and Kristofer Turdell, they became our primary testers. Their ability to identify what works and what doesn’t, often within a single day on snow, has shaped every generation of Vertical Pro.
ITS> Can you share any specific insights or changes that came directly from field testing?
ST> One clear example is the chest pocket geometry. Athletes told us it wasn’t accessible enough with an avalanche backpack on, so we re-angled and repositioned it. Similar refinements have come from simple things like noticing how a zipper pull behaves with cold gloves or how a bib strap sits during a bootpack. These small details add up to big improvements in real-world use.
ITS> How did you ensure the kit performs in extreme alpine conditions?
ST> Everything is tested in real environments – competition days, storm cycles, big-mountain lines. Combining athlete feedback with GORE-TEX Pro technology gives us the protection baseline. From there, we refine patterning and construction until the kit moves and performs exactly as needed. Reliability in harsh conditions is non-negotiable, because if our athletes trust it with their careers, we know everyday skiers can trust it too.
ITS> What are the standout technical features that set Vertical Pro apart from other kit?
ST> Vertical Pro’s strength lies in a few core principles: fabric durability, athlete-driven patterning, and simplicity of design. It’s built for the most demanding freeride conditions, with details shaped by years of feedback. Everything on the kit has a purpose – there are no unnecessary features and no complexity for the sake of it. It’s pure, functional, high-trust equipment.
ITS> Were there any design trade-offs you had to make between weight and protection?
ST> There’s always a balance to strike. Our focus has been on making the kit feel lighter and more dynamic through smarter patterning and fabric selection, without sacrificing the ruggedness that freeriders need. Rather than removing protection, we worked on making the construction more efficient – keeping the armour, but making it feel less like armour.
ITS> How do you see the Vertical Pro collection evolving in future iterations?
ST> We’re already working on several exciting avenues for the next generation of Vertical Pro, including new functions, refined detailing and improved fabrics. We can’t share specifics yet, but the direction is clear: continual evolution, maintaining the strong Vertical Pro DNA while pushing performance, responsibility and user experience forward.