Customer Stories

Favorite Snow Peak Product:
Folding Torch

Impactful Outdoor Experience:

Recently, I’ve been spending time in the deserts of Arizona during the winter. It's a landscape that is completely different from the dense woods of the Cascade Mountains I grew up with. There is a stillness in the Sonoran Desert. It is a place that demands you contemplate the slow processes of erosion and tectonics. With only sparse vegetation, the geology defines the visual character of this place. Canyons etched slowly over millennia drop into valleys of gently rolling hills made up of stone and sand settled into place by wind and water. The way it looks is the result of forces over a period of time that is difficult to fully understand. In contrast, the sky operates as a dynamic representation of change. Sunsets dominate the sky in an ombre of light that stretches from bright yellows in the west to purples in the east. These colors will shift every 5 minutes, casting hues over the cliffs and mountains that stand like monuments in the quiet landscape. Little is moving, yet it is all changing. In this way, the desert offers a meditation on humankind’s relationship with time.

Favorite Snow Peak Product:
Takibi Tarp Hexa Set M

Impactful Outdoor Experience:
When I hiked and climbed Mt. Fuji in Japan. I got lost on the climb when darkness came, and I stumbled across monks living on the side of the mountain. It was a magical experience as they took me in and fed me some delicious soup. The monks took such great care of me! One of them led me deep into a corridor shaped cave and handed me thick blankets for my bedding. I slept so well that night. This experience was so special. As the morning came, I gave my thanks to the monks and pursued to summit Mt. Fuji in the early morning. This experience with the monks was so intense and filled with gratitude, respect and communion. I haven't experienced this much of human grace and acceptance since then. I am inspired to treat people the same way especially strangers as I was a stranger to the monks, and yet they treated me like family.

First Snow Peak Product:
Ti-Single 450 Cup

Impactful Snow Peak Experience:
As a photographer and a backpacker, ultralight camping gear is a must for me so that I can make up for the weight with my camera equipment. Years ago, the high-quality titanium mug was my first introduction to Snow Peak. The titanium single-layer mug has been my absolute favorite. I rely on its versatility during my wilderness trips throughout the Pacific Northwest. I use it to boil water, as a drinking vessel, and as a cooking pot for my favorite Sherpa dish Tsampa. It does it all while weighing nearly nothing in my pack!

Among many trips throughout PNW, one of my favorites is the Loowit Trail, which is roughly 30 miles circumnavigating Mt. St. Helens. It was mid-October, and we planned to execute it in a two-night and three-day backpacking trip. However, as the date came closer weather forecast did not look that promising. If we were going to proceed with the journey before the bad weather kicked in, we had to do it in one night instead of two. Eager to complete the trip, we decided to go for it. Due to the long distance in a shorter time, the only pot I carried was the Snow Peak titanium mug. I used it for drinking, cooking, and eating. We completed the 30-mile trek, and I have fond memories of relying on my trusty titanium mug for everything.

First Snow Peak Product:
Flexible Insulated

Impactful Snow Peak Experience:
I am a self-described reluctant camper. So having good gear and comfortable clothes is really important. I bought my first Snow Peak piece for a summer trip last year to Montana's big sky country. The lightweight (Flexible Insulated Jacket) jacket was such a warm yet awesome layering piece which worked out great for a variety of climate changes Montana can throw at you. Since then it's the one piece I take on every adventure.

First Snow Peak Product:
Takibi Fire & Grill

Impactful Snow Peak Experience:
The Snow Peak experience that stands out the most for me is a recent one in The San Juan Mountains of Colorado. Although the trip was amazing it was accompanied with 3 days of heavy rain at 10,000 feet elevation. This is where the Takibi Octa Tarp revealed its brilliance. It's one thing to be shielded from heavy rain but to be shielded from heavy rain and wind in the mountains with two takibi fires going strong under a Takibi Octa Tarp keeping 12 campers toasty and dry is an experience like none other. This moment was one of those occasions where you truly get to feel what thriving out in the wilderness looks like. Translation, the Takibi Tarp helps keep morale high.

First Snow Peak Product:
Takibi Fire & Grill

Impactful Snow Peak Experience:
After traveling and working on the road full-time in our Airstream over the past year, we camped out with a group of friends once we arrived home in Michigan. We spent most of the weekend cooking at our Campspot, circling our Takibi Fire & Grill with the Jikaro Firering. Together, we each had a hand making nachos and experimenting with different pizza combinations over the fire with the Field Oven. Then, as day turned into night, we seamlessly exchanged the Field Oven with the Floga for a night of storytelling, deep conversations, and plenty of laughter. After a year of navigating our way throughout the country during a pandemic, spending this weekend with friends around our Takibi will be one of the most meaningful highlights from our travels for years to come.

First Snow Peak Product:
Titanium Mug

Impactful Snow Peak Experience:
Caroline: I’ll never forget going overlanding in Death Valley with the team from Snow Peak and Four Points Adventures. It was an incredible experience to wake up in the desert, unzip the door of my tent, and look out to see the mountains lit up in a rosy glow. Then, just when I thought the moment couldn’t possibly get any better, I caught a whiff of freshly brewed coffee, my cue to exit the tent and make my way towards my new friends who were huddled around the Takibi Fire and Grill and a pour over setup. That first sip was pure bliss.

Erin: What was an impactful Snow Peak experience?  Recently, my wife and I visited Mount Rainier National Park during a rainstorm. I was just about to kick back in the passenger seat of our van and eat some leftover ravioli out of my Snow Peak mug when the rain stopped, and the light started changing both quickly and favorably. So rather than stay put, I grabbed my Snow Peak mug full of food in one hand, my camera in the other hand, and set out to see what I could capture. I’m sure that if anyone saw me, I must have looked silly running around, eating and taking photos all at the same time but to me, it was the best way to spend an evening, and one I won’t soon forget. 

First Snow Peak Product:
GigaPower Stove

Impactful Snow Peak Experience:
Back in 2008, I decided to go on my first multi-day backpacking trip with friends. Our designation was the Superior Hiking Trail in northeastern Minnesota’s backcountry that follows the rocky ridges overlooking Lake Superior at times. Having absolutely no gear, my first purchase was a Snow Peak Giga Power stove. Three friends and I set out on our first day of hiking which was 10 miles. We set up camp at Egg Lake, and each of us fired up our own Snow Peak GigaPower stoves. We all didn’t want to share a stove because we all bought new ones and you want to use your new gear! That evening, I walked down to the lake, and I vividly remember a large (six to eight feet tall) boulder sticking out of the water near the shore. Later, it began to rain, and by 2AM, the floor of my tent felt like an 80’s waterbed.  

It was raining so hard and fast that the tent couldn’t drain fast enough, even after moving the tent to a new position. Thunder, lightning, and rain continued until 8 AM. That morning I went down to the lake to filter some water and noticed that the boulder was now under the water. The rest of the hike turned into a suffer-fest. Trails turned into streams, and real streams turned into raging rivers. We were soaked. Our gear was soaked. We were ringing out our socks every 2 miles. We were miserable. But at each campsite, we were comforted by the reliable hissing sound of the GigaPower Stove, the sight of its flame signifying a warm meal was on the way. 

First Snow Peak Product:
Titanium Spork

Impactful Snow Peak Experience:
“Carry as little as possible, but choose that little with care” - Earl Shaffer.

Last spring, I decided to hike up Mt. Rainier solo to catch the sunset and a cup of hot cocoa. It was my first time hiking alone and I was very nervous. The snow was still thick and trailers were not visible towards the top; however, I really wanted to enjoy a cup of hot chocolate on top of Mt. Rainier with me, myself and I.

After asking for some directions, I headed out with my Titanium Double-wall Mug, LiteMax Titanium Stove, Titanium Multi-Compact Cook Set and a packet of hot cocoa. Hiking up a mountain, in the snow, alone, while the sun is setting, requires a lot of confidence in oneself and one’s gear. By the time I reached my destination, the sky was a beautiful pink color and sunlight was leaving fast. Quickly set up my stove, dug up some snow to make hot water and waited in silence for the water to boil. Of all the pink sunsets I have experienced in life, this one felt emotional because I came for it alone.

As an outdoors lover with a congenital heart disease, I don’t adventure alone much just in case something happens. But I felt confident enough to try it because I know my gear wouldn’t fail me and my Snow Peak stove will burn in all weather conditions, So I was on top of the mountain alone with my favorite Snow Peak gear looking pretty in the snow and it was seriously hype. I drank my hot chocolate, snapped a million photos and selfies and thought, “whenever I doubt my own abilities and level of outdoors skills, I will think back to this moment.”

First Snow Peak Product:
Spork and a GigaPower Stove

Impactful Snow Peak Experience:
I began to follow Snow Peak on social media, and saw here would be a pop-up in Santa Monica! I know that I had to go, even though it was over 190 miles away! I distinctly remember walking into Mohawk West and being greeted by the shop associates, but wondering who was representing Snow Peak. Then, Michael Andersen walked up and introduced himself as the Brand Manager. This was the very first face I could pair with Snow Peak. Michael’s extensive knowledge of the scenes on display was impressive, to say the least!

Michael mentioned that there was going to be a Snow Peak Way and wanted to know if I was interested in attending. I could hardly contain my joy of the news I heard that afternoon. Within a few short months, I was on my way to the Pacific Northwest in an SUV loaded with gear and my family! The experience was surreal and unbelievable to this day. It has all been a blur of trees, sporks, tarps, and tents!

First Snow Peak Product:
Curved Titanium Flask

Impactful Snow Peak Experience:
I remember talking with Wyatt about shared interests in clothing and gear when he was working in the Portland store. Later we ran into him at the Stay Wild Expo. He remembered us from the store and gave us a titanium straw for our new daughter. It was a little thing, but really reinforced a human connection with the brand. We are looking forward to the next Snow Peak Way USA. Other than a dry run in our backyard, the first Snow Peak Way was our daughter’s first camping experience and made a really positive impression. She just asked when we get to go camping again. It was great to see so many familiar faces for the second year and it already feels like a family tradition.

First Snow Peak Product:
350ml Kanpai Bottle

Impactful Snow Peak Experience:
In 2018 I attended the first Snow Peak WayUSA event. I can confidently say I was probably the most annoying Instagram follower in the days leading to the ticket release date. I’ve been a fan of the Japanese camping scene for more than 7 years as an avid reader of GO OUT Magazine, The idea of being able to get to experience something like that right here in the US was exciting.

I didn’t know what to expect from a branded event. What I experienced over the two and a half days of Snow Peak Way was such a pleasant surprise. All the Snow Peak staff were so welcoming, laid-back, happy to help, or simply just chat. There was no pressure to try things and no sales pitches, just down-to-earth folks stoked about camping for a weekend. It really made me feel that Snow Peak was a brand with its priorities straight when it comes to customers, Since then, I’ve been more of a Snow Peak brand loyalist than about any other brand. I’m headed to Japan in January 2020 and I’m looking forward to visiting Snow Peak’s Headquarters, meeting some folks from the Japan team, and seeing how some of the core Snow Peak products are made. Not to mention, Niigata is a wildly beautiful place, and I hear it has some of the best sake.

First Snow Peak Product:
Ozen Table

Impactful Snow Peak Experience:
My favorite product is still the Double-wall Titanium Mug that I take on every camping trip. My favorite is taking it to the coast. I’m an early rise and while my wife sleeps in, I take Sawyer and my coffee to the beach for a sunrise walk. It is the perfect start to the day. As for my favorite Snow Peak moment, it had to be the first Snow Peak Way. To arrive and realize that I am not the only one, To see others that share my obsession and have such an appreciation for each and every product. You think you have everything you could possibly need and then you folks go and make something new and exciting. I can’t forget the feeling I got when I saw that first piece all those years ago!

First Snow Peak Product:
Wabuki Chopsticks

Impactful Snow Peak Experience:
The [Takibi Fire & Grill] is probably the most used Snow Peak product I have purchased. It is central to any Snow Peak scene I set up. I like that I can set it up in my backyard and use it on weekends, not just while camping. Sitting outside by the fire is a great way to chill. I also use it to make pizzas, grill dinner, and make s’mores.

First Snow Peak Product:
Mini Hozuki

Impactful Snow Peak Experience:
I have an intimate cooking experience every time I use the Iron Grill Table. There is something very satisfying about setting up a cozy tent and campsite, and with the Iron Grill Table, I really enjoy cooking outdoors. We can sit in comfortable camp chairs, prepare meals together and every tool we need is within reach: sharp knives, cutting boards, cast iron cookware, plenty of workspace and great lighting. The IGT configurations are endless and I am on a quest to discover the perfect set-up.

First Snow Peak Product:
Titanium Mug

Impactful Snow Peak Experience:
I was familiar with the brand but became a much bigger fan after attending the Snow Peak Way camping trip two summers ago. I had so much fun meeting new people, hanging out with friends, attending workshops, and learning more about the brand - all while using Snow Peak gear!