The Way (up) Forward

Producing clothing that’s designed to withstand the toughest weather conditions will inevitably involve the use of materials and processes that cause some degree of harm to the environment.

This is why we’ve chosen to refrain from using the term sustainability, and to communicate the concepts of environmental and social responsibility instead, and promote mindful consumption.

Because we believe in the concept of buying less, but better.

We’re committed to minimising our impact on the environment by carefully selecting our materials, production methods, and business practices, and by creating garments that you’ll be able to use and rely on to deliver the highest levels of performance for many years to come. This is at the heart of The Mountain Studio’s approach.

Buy better. Use longer. We design timeless, high-quality clothing made to last. We also believe in conscious consumption – encouraging fewer, more versatile purchases that can be worn and appreciated for years.

Preferred Materials. We prioritise fabrics that are sustainable, ethically sourced, and environmentally responsible. Beyond function and durability, we also weigh the environmental impact – favouring organic, recycled, and upcycled materials whenever possible.

Care and Repair. Even the best garments show wear over time. We believe they should be repaired, not thrown away. That’s why we offer care guides and accessible repair services – helping extend the life of every piece and reduce the need for replacements.

Sustainable Transports. We’re committed to reducing transport-related emissions by prioritising low-impact options like ship and rail, and continuously optimising our supply chain to minimise our carbon footprint.

Giving Back. We partner with environmental organisations and donate a share of our annual revenue to initiatives that protect the ecosystems we depend on – it’s part of our deep and ongoing commitment to responsibility.

One key point of The Mountain Studio’s pledge to sustainability and responsibility is collaborating with environmental organisations that work to protect our planet against ongoing climate change and educating people of all ages about the threat it poses. These are the two main organisations we are currently supporting and working with: 1% for the Planet and Protect Our Winters.

As a member of 1% for the Planet, The Mountain Studio donates one per cent of its annual revenue to environmental organisations and initiatives to preserve and restore our planet’s ecosystems.

1% for the Planet is a global nonprofit that connects businesses and individuals with vetted environmental organisations. Members commit to donating at least 1% of their annual revenue – not profit – to environmental causes.

The idea was born in 2002 when Patagonia founder Yvon Chouinard and Craig Mathews of Blue Ribbon Flies pledged 1% of their companies’ sales to the planet. They believed that businesses that benefit from nature’s resources have a responsibility to protect them. Rather than waiting for change, they created a framework to make it happen.

Today, the movement includes over 5,000 members across 60+ countries. Collectively, they’ve directed more than 507 million Euro to a global network of more than 6,000 nonprofit partners dedicated to causes related to the climate, land conservation, water conservation, food production, wildlife, and environmental justice.

Donations are certified annually to ensure integrity and accountability.

“We believe in the concept of buying less, but better.”

1% for the Planet makes environmental support a fundamental part of doing business, rather than an afterthought. At its core, it empowers companies to act, helps consumers seeking to support brands that give back, and secures reliable funding for critical environmental work will – year after year.

While the percentage itself is small, it’s making a world of difference.

The Mountain Studio has chosen Protect Our Winters as its beneficiary, and we are proud to be supporting their mission to fight climate change and save the winters we love and depend on.

Protect Our Winters is a non-profit organisation founded by winter sport athletes that combats climate change and raises awareness among the outdoor sports community.

The signs are clear and visible all over the mountain world: shorter seasons, thinner snowpacks, and the slow retreat of ancient glaciers. For Jeremy Jones, a professional snowboarder who spent his life chasing deep winter, these changes weren’t subtle. In 2007, he founded Protect Our Winters (POW) to rally the outdoor community in defence of the places we all hold dear.

POW has since grown into a global voice for climate action, bringing together athletes, scientists, creatives, and brands to drive policy change and public awareness. Their work combines cultural influence with strategic advocacy, aiming to funnel passion for the outdoors into something that will have a lasting impact.

One of the most obvious symbols of what’s at stake can be found high in the Swiss Alps. 1400 Glaciers, an ongoing documentary and photography project led by Jürg Kaufmann, capturing the retreat of every named glacier in Switzerland. Each image is a quiet but powerful reminder of what’s being lost.

The project doesn’t just measure ice – it measures time, memory, and identity.

POW has partnered with 1400 Glaciers to help amplify its message and ensure that knowledge of what’s happening in the Alps will spread far and wide.

These aren’t just remote landscapes undergoing silent change: they’re visual evidence of the climate crisis as it unfolds in real time.

Together, POW and 1400 Glaciers are helping to bridge the gap between science and story, between the data we have gathered and the emotions we feel.

POW’s mission is not just to inform, but also to activate. Through campaigns, content, and policy engagement, the organisation gives the outdoor community – a global tribe of skiers, snowboarders, climbers, and hikers – the tools needed to speak up and achieve change. Supporting projects like 1400 Glaciers, which make the climate crisis personal, tangible, and impossible to ignore, is one way of carrying out that mission.

After all, what’s melting in the Alps today is more than just ice. It’s a vital part of our shared story – and whether that story will end in loss or in action is still up to us.