NORTH VANCOUVER, British Columbia – December 14, 2023 – Arc’teryx Equipment, the global design company specializing in technical high-performance outerwear and equipment, is announcing its three-year partnership with Natural Selection as the Official Outerwear Sponsor of the Natural Selection Tour starting in 2024. The first year of the partnership will see Arc’teryx outfit the Natural Selection crew with durable, high-performance outerwear throughout the winter as the team works in the backcountry to prepare safe, dynamic venues and produce the events.
Co-founded by professional snowboarder Travis Rice, the Natural Selection Tour is backcountry snowboarding’s biggest stage. With an innovative format designed to reveal riders’ full creative expression and deep knowledge of all-mountain conditions, the tour brings together the top riders to compete on the world’s most diverse and challenging terrain.
This partnership marks a monumental milestone for Arc’teryx as the brand commits to supporting those driving the progression of backcountry snowboarding.
“I am super excited to see Arc’teryx partner with Natural Selection for the next three years. This event is all about highlighting progression, style, and pushing the boundaries,” said Elena Hight, Natural Selection Rider and Arc’teryx Athlete. “This aligns so well with Arc’teryx brand values around product design. I believe this partnership is the ultimate opportunity to continue to elevate snowboarding.”
In addition to outfitting Arc’teryx team riders, the 2024 Natural Selection Tour will see the brand outfit Natural Selection’s behind-the-scenes crew with high-performance outerwear geared towards backcountry environments to provide optimal protection as they operate in the extreme conditions of the tour’s backcountry locations.
“The crew that produces Natural Selection Tour events are some of the burliest in snowboarding. Often located deep in the backcountry, our venues are chosen for the terrain, snow conditions and what will be best for snowboarding, never for comfort or ease of access,” said Liam Griffin, COO of the Natural Selection Tour. “With that we rely on gear that will keep the crew warm and dry for intense 12+ hour days; setting up the venue, building features and running all the production gear. Arc’teryx is built for the conditions we work (and play) in and we’re thrilled to work together in the years to come.”
The Natural Selection Tour, a manifestation of snowboarders’ wildest dreams returns in 2024 with two live head-to-head competition days and YETI Natural Selection DUELS. The Tour also ups the ante this season with two all-new Canadian venues: one, a sport-progressing, naturally enhanced venue at Revelstoke Mountain Resort and a second in glorious, natural backcountry terrain within Selkirk Tangiers Heli Skiing’s tenure; and six new, global DUELS locations.
About Arc’teryx
Arc’teryx is a Canadian company based in the Coast Mountains. Our design process is connected to the real world, focused on delivering unrivaled durability and performance in extreme conditions. Our products are distributed through more than 2,400 retail locations worldwide. We are problem solvers, always evolving and searching for a better way to deliver resolved, minimalist designs. Good design that matters makes experiences better.
About the Natural Selection Tour
The brainchild of Travis Rice, the Natural Selection Tour showcases the world’s top riders, from Olympians to big mountain film icons, all competing on the planet’s most exciting natural and naturally enhanced terrain. The 2024 Tour features three stages, as riders move through Natural Selection DUELS, the YETI Natural Selection Selkirk Tangiers and YETI Natural Selection Revelstoke events. The best all-mountain freestyle riders in the world will come together for the crowning of a men’s and women’s champion after the final day of live competition in Revelstoke. The Natural Selection Tour’s mission is to inspire people to forge a deeper relationship with Mother Nature. NaturalSelectionTour.com