High-Alpine Ski Camping Put This North Face Gear to the Test

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It’s rare to test winter gear where failure actually matters. We took The North Face’s Summit Series deep into the Selkirk Mountains of British Columbia, skiing and camping at Baldface Valhalla—more than 21,000 acres of exposed backcountry terrain. From high-alpine bowls and wind-scoured ridgelines to narrow chutes and steep tree runs, this was the kind of environment Summit Series gear is built for.

This wasn’t a casual ski trip. It felt closer to an expedition. Reaching camp meant traveling more than 20 miles up old logging roads, followed by nearly two hours in a snowcat, ending far above the cloud line. We set up a true alpine basecamp, which gave us the chance to test not just Summit Series outerwear, but boots, base layers, tents, and sleep systems—everything required to live comfortably in the mountains, not just ski them.

Out of dozens of pieces we tested, the gear below stood out for one reason: it made life in a harsh alpine environment easier. Summit Series is often associated with elite athletes and extreme objectives, but its real value is broader. It’s designed for anyone who wants dependable, high-performing gear that lets them go farther, stay out longer, and worry less about the elements.

Best The North Face Gear for Ski Camping at a Glance

• Best Winter Boots:Base Camp 200
• Best Shell Jacket:Summit Series Verbier
• Best Four-Season Tent:Mountain 25
• Best Base Layers:Summit Series Pro 120
• Best Active Midlayer:Summit Series Casaval Hybrid
• Best All-Condition Mitts:Summit Series Patrol
• Best Winter Sleeping Bag:Inferno 0 Degree
• Best Gear Duffel:Base Camp 
• Best Snow Suit:Himalayan

Best The North Face Gear for Ski Camping

Best The North Face Winter Boots: Base Camp 200

Cold feet end trips early. After years of ice fishing and winter camping, most boots I’ve tried felt bulky and underwhelming. The Base Camp 200 Waterproof Boots, on the other hand, have an unconstructed build, are relatively lightweight and are much warmer than anything I’ve ever tried on ice. Most boots can feel warm initially but they often don’t stay warm and these did thanks to a balanced blend of synthetic insulation and down. The sole is almost two inches thick and is paired with a high traction Vibram outsole which makes them a reliable and capable winter boot pretty much anywhere you go. These boots also have an EVA shell and a seam-sealed waterproof construction making them quite versatile in case you get caught in slushy conditions. If these boots held up to winter camping, they are more than capable of handling everyday use. 

Best The North Face Shell Jacket: Summit Series Verbier

The Summit Series Verbier may be the best shell The North Face makes. Designed with only the most premium materials and informed by decades of research and development, this piece is what I’d describe as truly stormproof. No matter the conditions; snow, rain, sleet, hail or wind, it acts as a protective shield between you and the elements.

At its core, it's a Gore-Tex 3L waterproof shell with a few thoughtfully placed pockets for safety gear and essentials. Just enough to be functional but not so many that they compromise performance and mobility. It’s important to note that this piece does not have any insulation, so you do need to wear additional layering underneath if it’s cold. However, I would say that keeping you warm isn’t its primary objective but rather to keep you dry and comfortable, which is arguably more important in the field. 

I tested this jacket in relatively warm, high alpine ski terrain with intermittent boot packs and it did a great job of keeping me comfortable and dry with strong breathability through its effective venting system. Every seam feels ruggedly reinforced and the AquaGuard zippers slide without any snags. The hood is an ideal size and doesn’t detract from skiing especially when wearing a helmet, which to me is an important feature. 

Where this jacket really shines is in storm conditions. While we didn’t encounter severe weather on this trip I subsequently tested this piece in our recent northeastern storm and it did an excellent job of creating a barrier between me and the outside element. 

Best The North Face Four-Season Tent: Mountain 25 

As an avid camper, I already own several TNF tents, but the Mountain 25 was a real pleasure to test out because it's one of their classic high-altitude 4-season models. My thermometer read 13F when I turned in for the night, yet I still had a great night's sleep and I’ll tell you why. 

Winter camping is less about creating warmth and more about managing moisture inside your tent. This comes down to effective ventilation to reduce condensation along with strong protection from outside wind and snow.  The Mountain 25 excelled on all fronts thanks to its well positioned overhang snow flaps as well as the double sided dual-zippered venting system which integrates into its fly.

This model can accommodate two people with minimal gear or a single person with a full winter load. Like many of The North Face’s higher end expedition tents, the Mountain 25 has a generously sized vestibule for gear storage but also comes with a high-density nylon footprint which is an important addition when winter camping. The set-up and breakdown is relatively quick but not quite as fast as their Assault 2 tent which uses an internal pole system that pitches much faster. The Mountain 25 tent, however, is much more burly against storms and would definitely still be my preferred choice for winter camping. The tent’s aerodynamic shape, pole geometry, inner sidewall tension and multiple guy line attachment points all reinforce its ability to withstand high winds and heavier snowfall. Price wise, this is not an inexpensive tent, but for the right person, a tent like this offers so much versatility and long-term value that it can be worth every penny. 

Best The North Face Base Layer: Summit Series Pro 120

The biggest tip I can share when it comes to skiing comfortably, spending long hours in the cold or winter camping is getting your layering system dialed in. This all starts with the foundation which is a high quality base layer and after 15 years of testing all types of these, I can tell you it’s all about moisture management and thermal regulation. 

You want something lightweight with flat-locked seams for that extra comfort along with quick-dry technology so that you don’t trap moisture, which accelerates heat loss. The Summit Series 120 Crew and Tights were my go-to on this trip. After wearing them for multiple days in a row without ever taking them off, I never felt damp or uncomfortable, which was a true test. 

These pieces feature TNF’s Dot Knit design with strategically engineered holes to facilitate moisture management, which is the priority over trying to maximize insulation. Base layers like this aren’t just for skiing, they’re equally effective anytime you’re exposed to cold weather and want an extra layer of comfort during physical activity. Another advantage of high-end base layers is that they’re often a “buy once, cry once” purchase. With proper care, they can handle years of use without losing their performance, making them a great long-term investment for any outdoor enthusiast.

Best The North Face Active Midlayer: Summit Series Casaval Hybrid

I’ll start this highlight by saying winter mid-layers don’t always need to be filled with down. The North Face’s Summit Series Casaval Hybrid Jacket is a perfect example of a low-profile mid-layer that delivers warmth without compromising mobility. Few garments offer this level of freedom of movement and if you get a chance to try one on, you’ll notice it immediately.

This piece features TNF’s Ventrix technology, engineered for temperature regulation through laser-perforated stretch insulation. It’s as functional as it gets, ideal for skiing, running, climbing, hiking as well as a standalone jacket on milder days. The Casaval might be one of the most versatile pieces in the Summit Series lineup because it’s suitable for almost any season and activity making it a great addition to anyone’s gear collection. 

Best The North Face All-Condition Mitts: Summit Series Patrol

A solid pair of gloves can last you years and years of use. I’ve owned TNF’s Montana mitts along with the SG Trigger Patrol mitts, and after trying the new Summit Series Patrol Gore-Tex Mitts, I can say they combine the best qualities of my two favorite pairs from over the years.

Often with gloves you have to choose between GORE-TEX® waterproofing or warm insulation and in this case you get both. I am a big fan of how concise they feel inside without segregating your fingers, which in my opinion defeats the purpose of a mitt. They have a lofty cuff size which helps keep snow and wind out but also fits nicely into your jacket sleeve. I appreciate the included wrist leashes, which always come in handy for popping your gloves on and off without worrying about dropping them. There’s a reason these mitts cost more than your average pair: they deliver on all important fronts, which are waterproofing, insulation and built to last. 

Best The North Face Winter Sleeping Bag: Inferno 0 Degree

The foundation of a good night’s sleep is a dependable sleeping bag. While other factors like proper layering, a quality sleeping pad and some form of head insulation all play an important role, a well-designed sleeping bag is what makes it all possible.

After a long day of skiing, I crawled into my tent feeling a little concerned about how I’d sleep and once I slid into my Inferno 0-degree sleeping bag, those worries disappeared. Filled with 800-fill ProDown and paired with a simple combination of base layers, a mid-layer and a light hat, I slept soundly through the night. I wore a single pair of Smartwool socks, and without any additional heat sources, never experienced cold feet. To me, that was the clearest indicator of effective insulation and heat retention. I also liked the bag’s shape from the vaulted footbox to the slightly wider waist, which made side-sleeping comfortable. I also liked how the hood can be cinched down to reduce drafts and heat loss. 

Pro Tip: For those who might find themselves on a ski-camping trip, put your boot liners in the bottom of your sleeping bag. It’ll make a big difference in the morning when it’s time to get moving again. 

Best The North Face Gear Duffel: Base Camp 

There’s no way around it. Skiing and camping requires a fair amount of preparation and gear to stay comfortable. In my opinion, there is no better way to haul it all around than with an iconic TNF Base Camp Duffel. I’ve collected several of these over the past decade and I can confidently say that each size will always have a purpose.

I brought a size large (95 liters) on this trip and it was more than enough room to hold all my gear to keep me warm at basecamp. These duffels are made of high-density 1000D polyester, DWR waterproofing and are built to withstand whatever your journey throws at them. The D-shaped zipper makes it easy to find what you’re looking for while the internal mesh pouches and sleeves are great to keep you organized (or not). Sometimes tossing everything in and dealing with it later is just how it goes. 

You’ll find grab handles on each side, removable shoulder straps that allow it to be worn like a backpack, daisy chain attachments so you can strap other gear to it as well as four compression straps to cinch everything down. That last detail is especially clutch when using these as carry-on luggage and you need that extra inch or two to fit in the overhead bin.  

Whether you’re using one of these at basecamp, a campground or a hotel, a Basecamp duffel will always fit right in. I also like how colorful these bags can be which makes it easy to spot on airport conveyor belts or on rare occasions to visually confirm it’s being loaded on your plane from your window seat. Do yourself a favour and get yourself one of these because I promise it’ll last at least a decade and will always remind you of that one (or many) great trips you took it on. 

Best The North Face Snow Suit: Himalayan

Originally released in 1994, the Himalayan Suit remains one of the warmest solutions ever made for cold environments—and the latest version is better than ever. This by no means is a requirement for winter camping but it most certainly is a cheat code for making it easier. With minimal layering underneath this suit can effectively keep you warm in cold weather even if you’re remaining relatively stationary. 

This iconic piece was recently redesigned to be more waterproof, weather-resistant, lightweight, thermally efficient and padded out with 900 ProDown fill. Wearing this suit around camp definitely kept us warm but what surprised me most was how despite being wrapped in a proverbial sleeping bag, I still felt very agile with very little restriction in mobility. This suit also has two elastic mesh pockets at the knees, internal suspenders to maintain proper height and fit as well as chest pockets for belongings or keeping your hands warm. Although this piece of gear is likely overkill for the average person, if budget isn’t a concern and you want a fun, highly effective solution to fight cold days, the Himalayan Suit is likely the warmest option on the market. 

What Is Ski Camping?

Ski camping is exactly what it sounds like: full days of skiing paired with overnight camping in the mountains, rather than returning to a lodge or town at the end of the day. Instead of last chair and après at the base, you ski until the light fades, set up camp on the mountain, and wake up ready to do it all over again.

This style of travel is most common among backcountry and expedition skiers, who spend multiple days in remote terrain at the base of untracked—sometimes never-before-skied—mountains. The goal is simple: maximize time in the alpine by sleeping where you ski. On a clear day, that might mean skinning or boot-packing up high and carving untouched lines straight back to camp.

Ski camping demands more planning than a traditional ski trip. You’re fully exposed to the elements, carrying everything you need to stay warm, dry, fed, and rested in winter conditions. That’s why reliable gear—especially outerwear, shelter, sleep systems, and layering—matters far more than comfort features you might prioritize at a resort.

In our case, logistics were made easier thanks to The North Face. While we spent the day cat-skiing at Baldface Valhalla, our basecamp duffels were transported ahead of us. At day’s end, instead of heading downhill, we skied to camp perched on a ridgeline. Après meant watching the sun set over the Selkirks, then layering up, sharing stories, and settling into our tents high above the clouds.

Ski camping isn’t about luxury—it’s about access. When conditions line up, it delivers something rare: quiet nights in the alpine, early starts, and first tracks far from crowds.

For nearly six decades The North Face has been producing high-end gear for outdoor enthusiasts and to this day, they continue to innovate and help people like you and me enjoy the outdoors. Their Summit Series line sits at the pinnacle of this innovation and with access to some of the best athletes and resources in the world they continue to redefine how we interact with the elements. After nearly two decades of using TNF gear, it’s been rewarding to witness the evolution of the Summit Series and I’m excited to see where it goes next. 

Why You Should Trust Me

I have worked in the ski industry for over a decade and have been writing about and reviewing gear for just as long. I began skiing and camping at the age of six and haven’t looked back since. Many more of my reviews can be found in our weekly Coolest Gear of the Week column, as well as in ski publications Newschoolers and Powder.