A Match Made in Outdoor Heaven
Someone who has never visited Portland, Oregon, might question why a legacy Japanese company would select a small city in the Pacific Northwest for its USA headquarters. But just a small amount of time spent in Portland reveals the answer.
Perched conveniently between the mountains and the Pacific Ocean, Portland, Oregon has easy access to snow and sand. The city’s proximity to the stunning Columbia River Gorge and the high desert of central Oregon makes it a natural playground for outdoor lovers. Portlanders are adept at shifting between urban and natural settings, and the city itself is, in many ways, an overlap of the two. The busy downtown is sandwiched between the Willamette River and Forest Park, one of the largest urban forest reserves in the country. The city is dotted with tree-filled green spaces and lined with bike paths. Portland is a city full of creatives and design-minded individuals. There’s a culture of appreciation for the craftsmanship of longlasting, quality goods.
As Snow Peak was making its entrance into the United States, it seemed natural to establish a home in a place that mirrored its values. Snow Peak President and CEO Tohru Yamai said Oregon captured his imagination from the beginning.
“I first visited Oregon in 1994 and I was struck by its special beauty. My love of the state was solidified when I fished on the Deschutes River for the first time. The dry canyons contrasted sharply with the blue river, creating a dramatic landscape. Beyond the scenic offerings of the Pacific Northwest, it’s home to many successful outdoor brands and its people are enthusiastic lovers of nature. I knew it was the place for Snow Peak to have an impact.”
After making its stateside home in Portland for 20 years, Snow Peak is deepening its roots with the opening of its new US Flagship and Headquarters on the city’s popular NW 23rd Avenue.
