Happy Holidays from Lake Louise! |
My best Christmas memories involve skiing and food, so I’ve carried on the tradition with my kids. We hit the slopes or cross country ski trails over the holidays, then refuel with home cooked goodness. It should come as no surprise then, that this gift guide has outdoor gear and a Breakfast Box, plus gifts of experience.
This year’s Holiday Gift Guide has four (4) giveaways that are open until November 26 at 12 AM MST. Thank you to our sponsors for offering these awesome prizes! Fill out the Rafflecopter entry forms below for your chance to win.
Disclosures: Some of the featured products were received free to test and review. Also, a tiny portion of purchases made through affiliate links support this website at no extra cost to you. Thanks for your support!
Gifts for Her & Gifts for Him
Aventura poncho, turtleneck, quilted skirt, and leggings |
Eco-friendly women’s clothing: I’ve been a brand ambassador for Aventura Clothing for a few years now and love that their clothes are cute, comfortable, and ecofriendly. Furthermore, Aventura makes fair trade certified clothing, and donates new clothing quarterly to Uncommon Threads, an empowerment boutique for women in need. Whether it’s date night, parent-teacher interviews, or yoga class, I can always find something from Aventura that makes me look as good as I feel. This fall, I’m loving the Adira athleisure line, quilted skirts, jackets, and vests, fluffy fleece sweater jackets, and gorgeous scarves. Available from Aventura Clothing.
- Enter to win an Aventura top up to $100 (Canada and US) below.
- Save 20% off your cart with couponcode: PlayOutside20 (US residents only, one time use).
Me in Aventura, hubby in Ecōths |
Men’s clothing with a conscience: Ecōths is Aventura Clothing’s men’s line which also uses eco-friendly fabrics. My husband really likes their organic cotton shirts. Did you know that 3 meals are donated for each item purchased from Ecōths? It’s part of their Feed 3 Program. Over 400,000 meals have been donated to food banks in Canada and the US since 2014! Available online from Ecōths.
- Save 20% off your cart with couponcode: PlayOutside20 (US residents only, one time use).
KEEN Elsa premium boots – available on Amazon |
Cozy feet – “Give the gift of better winters”: KEEN is known for their sandals and hiking boots, but what many don’t know is how warm and waterproof their winter boots are. The secret to warm feet in winter is KEEN boots with 200 gram or higher KEEN Warm insulation. I’ve been wearing KEEN Riesen tall boots with 200 g insulation for 3 years and they have kept my feet warm even in -20C (& I have Raynaud’s!). Keeping feet dry also helps keep them warm. I have walked through slush countless times and never had wet feet in my waterproof KEEN Riesens, Terradoras, and Targhees. Available from KEEN, Amazon, and select outdoor retailers.
- The Riesens have been discontinued, but comparable options include the Women’s Hoodoo III Lace Up and the Elsa Premium (discontinued but still available on Amazon). 200 g insulation.
- If you’re looking for a winter hiker, try the Women’s Terradora Winter Shell boots. 200 g insulation.
- Men will like the Revel III boots; my husband bike commuted with them all last winter and had warm feet for the first time ever. 200 g insulation.
- For extreme cold, or less active winter pursuits (e.g. ice fishing), try the KEEN Durand Polar boots with 400 gram insulation; note that they run 1/2 a size small.
- Enter to win a pair of KEENs below! Your choice from the KEEN website (women’s, men’s or kids’)!
♥ my SKINS DNAmic Compression Thermals |
Compression thermals – more than good looks: I just tried the latest and greatest compression thermals from SKINS Sportswear and it’s like they read my SKINS DNAmic Compression Thermals review from earlier this year! The latest generation DNAmic top is now longer to ensure no cold air gets in. They have also made the tights higher waisted and added a low-profile drawstring. The SKINS DNAmic compression thermals are now as perfect as can be. Brushed fleece is cozy and warm against the skin, the material wicks moisture, and the compression aids circulation and recovery. They also make attractive active wear that will take you from gym to cafe in style. I’m in love with their puffer hoody and workout wear. Available for men and women at SKINS Sportswear.
- Enter to win one (1) SKINS DNAmic THERMAL Long Sleeve Neck Top With Zip (Women / Men), and one (1) pair of SKINS DNAmic THERMAL Long Tights (Women / Men) below; MSRP $307.20.
Montem Outdoor Gear Ultra Light 3K Carbon Fibre Trekking Poles Image Credit: Montem Outdoor Gear |
Ultralight trekking poles that won’t break the bank: Montem Outdoor Gear‘s Ultra Light 3K Carbon Fiber Trekking Poles have been receiving rave reviews for good reason. These poles have lightweight 100% carbon construction, comfortable shock absorbing cork handles with lightly padded wrist straps, stay-in-place flip locks (super important or the poles don’t stay extended), and durable tungsten carbide tips. All for $99.99 US/pair (sale price at time of writing)! We’ve been testing these poles for about a month and like how lightweight (7.8 oz per pole) and sturdy they are. Available at Montem Outdoor Gear.
- Get 15% off at Montem Outdoor Gear with coupon code: playoutsideguide15
The Terramar Sports Ascendor top is perfect for gaining ridges and summits! |
Cover your bases: Terramar Sports makes base layers and mid layers to match your activity level and the temperature. I wear them hiking, skiing, and even as camping PJs! The Cloud Nine tops and bottoms are soft and stretchy so you’ll never wanna take them off (wear as base layers or PJs). Last summer, I wore the thin and breathable Ascendor long sleeve top all the time for sun protection and stayed cool (very breathable). On chilly days, I layer my Thermawool (fleece-lined, no itch) top over it and stay toasty warm. Available at Terramar Sports and Amazon.
Lannie Rae Gourmet Pancake and Waffle Mix Image Credit: Lannie Rae Gourmet |
The best breakfast ever: Prepare an amazing breakfast with no fuss thanks to my friend, Alannah. With flavours like apple crisp, brandied apricot, and cranberry white chocolate, Cochrane-based Lannie Rae Gourmet promises to “make mornings a little more flavourful.” Order online from Lannie Rae Gourmet.
- Enter to win a delicious Breakie Box that includes 1 deluxe pancake mix (you choose the flavour), roast coffee, and maple syrup below! (Canada only)
The Ottolock Cinch Lock Image Credit: Otto Design Works |
Peace of mind for quick biking breaks: The Ottolock Cinch Lock is a super compact, light, and packable bike lock made of heat tempered steel and kevlar. It is “stronger than a cable lock and much lighter than a U-Lock” and available in 3 different lengths and 4 colours. The best part is that it’s so small, you can roll it up and pop it in your jersey pocket! You can also set the combination to three digits of your choosing which is nicer than having to remember a random number. While this is not the lock I would choose to lock up a super expensive bike all day, it is ideal for quick stops when your bike is close by and within sight (like when you’re at a coffee shop). Available on Amazon.
Joby GorillaPod 3K tripod |
The joy of photography: If someone you love has a mirrorless camera like the Sony a6000 (love mine!), consider getting him/her a Godox TT350 flash (note that a Godox X1S TTL transmitter and receiver will be necessary to use the flash off camera), and Joby GorillaPod 3K tripod to up his/her game. The Gorillapod arms are easy to bend around tree branches or bend to level your camera. Available on Amazon and at The Camera Store in Calgary.
Godox TT350 Flash – available on Amazon |
For the outdoorsy person who has everything, get a MEC Gift Card, Sport Chek Gift Card, or Parks Canada Discovery Pass. Save 20% on Parks Canada Family/Group passes until December 31, 2018!!
Gifts for Outdoor Kids
MPOWERD Luci Color Inflatable Solar Light Image Credit: MPOWERD |
Magic: It may not actually be magic, but the MPOWERD Luci Inflatable Solar Light sure seems magical to kids of all ages. When compressed, it is only an inch thick. Inflate it and leave in the sun for 7 hours to get up to 12 hours of light (6 hours on multi-colour mode). We like that it’s bright, waterproof, portable, and doesn’t need batteries. Available from All Out Kids Gear, a southern Alberta family-run store.
Zapped Outfitters high tops and slip ons. Aren’t they RAD? Image Credit: Zapped Outfitters |
How Zapped Outfitters reflective patterns work Image Credit: Zapped Outfitters |
“Play Hard ⚡️ Be Seen”: What if there were fully reflective jackets, backpacks, hats, and shoes that could help your kids be seen after dark? Zapped Outfitters to the rescue (use coupon code PLAYOUTSIDE20 to save 20%)! How does it work? The high-vis, reflective prints are made of microscopic glass beads with a silver print underneath. They act like reflectors on roadsigns when light shines on them at night, but are hardly noticeable by day. I can see this BC-based brand taking skateparks by storm with its trendy, reflective gear. My kids like the look (the founder, Scarlet Kux-Kardos, is a Canadian mom who has designed gear for Under Armour, Marmot, Outdoor Research, and Columbia Sportswear), the “secret” factor of the hidden pattern, and how cozy warm the toque and fleece lined high tops are. I’d love those shoes for myself in this weather! Available from Zapped Outfitters.
- Save 20% at Zapped Outfitters with coupon code PLAYOUTSIDE20.
- Also available at All Out Kids (central Alberta online store) and Youth Brigade Snow and Skate (Calgary).
Airhead Emoji Squad and Tie Dye Alien Foam Sleds |
Go go, speed racer! The Airhead Emoji Squad Foam Sled and Tie Dye Alien Foam Sled are pretty cool. They go super fast too! Available on Amazon.
Ambler Fox Toque Image Credit: Ambler |
What did the fox say? If you’re not a fan of the song, but still want a handmade-in-Nepal Ambler Toque, there are many other great designs to choose from: owl, shark, penguins, stripes and more. Available from All Out Kids Gear.
Owl Moon |
Wonder: Owl Moon is a beautifully illustrated story of a father and daughter who go “owling” in the night. Available on Amazon.
Gifts of Experience
Making memories at Nakiska |
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- With an RCR Card, your 1st, 4th and 7th visits are FREE at Nakiska, Fernie, Kicking Horse, or Kimberley. Only $109.95! See what we like about skiing at Nakiska here: Why You Need a Nakiska Season’s Pass or RCR Card.
Enjoy sweet views of Mount Rundle from Mount Norquay!
Image Credit: Mount Norquay - Get a Mount Norquay Big Drop Card and get 3 free ski days for the price of 1! Your 1st, 4th and 7th visits are FREE. Only $89! Youth Big Drop Cards are available for $68 for 13-17 year olds. Read about our experience at Norquay here: Fun Family Skiing at Mount Norquay.
The view from the top of the Banff Gondola - Treat someone special to a ride on the Banff Gondola, then dine at the Sky Bistro.
Canmore Cave Tours
Image Credit: Adam Walker - Journey into Rat’s Nest Cave below Grotto Mountain with Canmore Cave Tours.
Beaver Mine Lake hut, Castle Provincial Park
Image Credit: Alberta Parks
- With an RCR Card, your 1st, 4th and 7th visits are FREE at Nakiska, Fernie, Kicking Horse, or Kimberley. Only $109.95! See what we like about skiing at Nakiska here: Why You Need a Nakiska Season’s Pass or RCR Card.
- Book a cabin or hut at Alberta Parks for a winter comfort camping adventure! Read about our experience at Reesor Hut, Cypress Hills here.
Book a party bus from BleizerIDE for your next holiday gathering! - Enjoy a night out in style when you book your very own limo from BleizerIDE app (think lux version of Uber). All drivers are professional licensed operators so you can enjoy a high level of service. Choose from a variety of vehicles – stretch limo, Escalade, party bus – and Name Your Price. Save $12 per booking at BleizerIDE with coupon code PLAYNOW.
Giveaways
PRIZES
- One (1) Aventura top up to $100 – Canada and US
- One (1) DNAmic THERMAL Long Sleeve Neck Top With Zip (Women / Men), and one (1) pair of DNAmic THERMAL Long Tights (Women / Men) from SKINS Sportswear – Canada and US.
- One (1) pair of KEEN footwear (Women’s/Men’s/Kids’) – Canada only
- One (1) Breakie Box from Lannie Rae Gourmet’s Breakfast Club: includes 1 package of gourmet pancake mix, 1 bottle of maple syrup, and 1 package of roast coffee – Canada only.
RAFFLECOPTER FORMS
Aventura Top Giveaway – Canada & US
SKINS Compression Thermals Giveaway (DNAmic thermal leggings and top) – Canada & US
KEEN Giveaway – Canada only
Lannie Rae Gourmet Breakie Box Giveaway – Canada only
Check out MORE Holiday Gift Guides and Giveaways!
Born to be Adventurous – Ethical Gifts for the Outdoor Family (+ Giveaway)
Brave Ski Mom – The Best Gifts for Skiers
Bring the Kids – The Gift Guide For Everyone On Your List 2018
Family Adventures in the Canadian Rockies – A Holiday Gift Guide for Active Kids (with giveaways)
Little Family Adventure – Your Guide to Cool Camping Gifts and Gadgets for Families
Mountain Mom and Tots – Gift Guide for Ski Families
Nomads with a Purpose – Gift Guide for Adventure Travelers and Outdoor Lovers
Outdoor Families Magazine – The Best Outdoor Gifts of 2018 | Editor’s Choice
Tales of a Mountain Mama – Outdoor Family Gift Guide 2018
Traveling Mel – The Best Gifts for Travelers
Wike Baby – Meaningful Gifts You Actually Want to Give Your Children
Wilder Child – 2018 Ultimate DIY, Handmade Guide for Your Wild Child!
237 comments
I really like Aventura's Hunter Vest.
I'd like to get the WOMEN'S PRESIDIO II WATERPROOF BOOT.
I would love the Women's Compression DNAmic SLEEP RECOVERY Long Tights.
The Pistachio and Fig pancake mix looks delicious!
i would like the woman's recovery long sleeve top
I would get the Shakti Tunic from Adventura.
I'd love the WOMEN'S PRESIDIO II WATERPROOF BOOT.
I love the Chelsea poncho!
I would LOVE a pair of WOMEN'S HOODOO III LACE UP from Keen. Thanks so much for the chance.
I would love the Skins Women's Long Sleeve Sleep Recovery compression top!
I would get the Mara top if I won!
If I win from Aventura, I think I'd get the Alpine Pullover. Looks super cozy.
I love the Keen Women's Waterproof Belleterre waterproof ankle boots.
I'd get the Skin's Women's Long Sleeve Sleep Recovery compression top.
I like the WOMEN'S BELLETERRE WATERPROOF QUILTED BOOTs. Thanks
I would love the Power Pullover from Adventura!
The WOMEN'S COMPRESSION
DNAMIC CORE
LONG TIGHTS in any colour would be amazing for Christmas 🙂 thanks!
I would love to get the WOMEN'S TERRADORA EVO MID from Keen. I love their footwear, our whole family has them.
I like the Orla tunic most!! So many great choices.
Everything looks good on the Lannie Rae Gourmet site! I'd love to try the Cherry Amaretto and the Apple Crisp flavours!
From Keen, I would choose the WOMEN'S BELLETERRE WATERPROOF WOOL Boots.
The Pistachio and Fig pancake mix looks so yummy!
I would love a Running Metz Run Puffer Jacket from Skinz!
From skins, I would love to try the compression socks and get a new sports bra.
I like the Lolo Tunic from Aventura.
Comments are closed.