Born on Everest, 8848 Altitude is now scaling fashion’s highest peaks

For 8848 Altitude’s founder Magnus Berggren, skiing has always been a driving factor. “When I was in high school, I’d make ski clothes to sell, which would then fund my ski trips,” he explains. “It was always the same: sew, sell, ski.”

The birth of 8848 Altitude was a slightly more serendipitous affair. In 1990, Berggren was commissioned to design a collection for a Swedish expedition to Mount Everest. “We outfitted everyone, from the porters hauling gear to the climbers reaching the summit,” he recalls. Although the expedition’s marketing campaign never materialised, Berggren’s decision to register the name 8848 Altitude (a homage to Everest’s height) proved to be a turning point. “We launched with just three pieces: the hardshell jacket, salopettes, and the mid-layer fleece worn by the climbers,” he says. “And those sold. Surprisingly well.”

Soon, 8848 Altitude became a staple across Scandinavian ski resorts, its gear lining the shelves of popular sportswear stores. “It was a success, but with that came a loss of autonomy,” Berggren admits. Now, with a new chapter unfolding, the brand is reclaiming its independence. “We’re not abandoning what we’ve built,” Berggren clarifies. “We still design all our patterns in-house with our small team, and we’re continuing to work with the same factories and materials.” Instead, the shift is about control. “We’ve scaled back our retail presence to focus on direct-to-consumer sales. With international shipping now in place, we aim to channel around 50 per cent of sales through our website.”

Relaunching with a fresh, refined identity, 8848 Altitude is now catering to a more style-conscious skier, those who demand function and fashion in equal measure. "Skiers don’t want to compromise when it comes to their winter wardrobes," says Berggren. "Every day on the slopes is valuable, and the experience is everything. We still use the same premium materials and our signature details, like snow gaiters and heavy-duty zippers. But now, we’re pushing the boundaries of the typical black ski jacket."

The autumn/winter ‘24 collection perfectly embodies this new direction, featuring ski salopettes made with body-skimming stretch, slim-fit ski suits, and cropped waist-defining puffer jackets – all of which boast the defining design features of high-end ski gear, fleece-lined collars and soft-shell snow gaiters included. The best part? The ski jackets are real wardrobe chameleons, transitioning seamlessly from mountain to metropolis.

For Berggren, every collection is only as good as the sum of its parts. “We approach each piece as part of a cohesive whole, where jackets, trousers, mid-layers, and accessories work together to create versatile looks.” Material selection is key in this process. “Choosing the best fabrics, padding, and detailing for each garment is crucial for us. It’s how we ensure optimum performance, comfort, and the perfect aesthetic.

A testament to 8848 Altitude’s uncompromising quality can be seen on the slopes of elite alpine schools and universities worldwide, from Aspen to Hokkaido. “For years, we’ve been tasked with making their uniforms. When you’re on the slopes as much as they are, durability and quality aren’t just nice-to-haves. They’re absolutely essential,” says Berggren. “There’s no better endorsement.”