The origin story of many outdoor clothing and gear companies is somewhat…part myth. There’s an emphasis on deriving and marketing that myth, and then, sometimes, comes the well designed and well made gear. Some companies nail the myth and not the products. Les Houches and Salt Lake City based Blue Ice nails the products and happens to have a compelling backstory.
In this episode of The High Route Gear Shed Podcast, Gavin sits down with Riley Willetts, a Salt Lake-based skier who helps run Blue Ice’s North American marketing, sales, and events. As we’ll learn from Willetts, Blue Ice’s Salt Lake HQ vibe is an all-hands-on-deck scene where it’s not uncommon to wear multiple hats after a dawn run, bike, or ski. Blue Ice has evolved from a scrappy upstart to a place where designers and manufacturers craft high-end climbing and ski-specific gear. Still, there remains something core about the brand: you sense you are supporting a low-key company whose values remain very connected to moving through the mountains rather than the boardroom.
Riley Willetts of Blue Ice North America talks about the French/Salt Lake based company’s backstory and how they plan to evolve.
Sleek and traditional at once: Blue Ice French HQ in Les Houches, France. Photo: Blue Ice
Willetts sheds some light on the Blue Ice ethos and explains who is behind the brand’s design concepts and how the company plans to expand in the coming years.
