Meet the founder – Chris Westen

In the years after, we’ve worked on many different projects, with as my personal highlight, the development of the Jeremy Jones outerwear line. Working together with Jeremy helped me to better translate the needs of big mountain snowboarders to final garments.

His dedication to quality and sustainability gave me the first sparks of the direction and vision that we now follow at Open Wear.

I still feel that the European Alps are my home base. My personal favourite spot is Santa Caterina Valfurva, in Italy. Great easy to access backcountry zone. You have to be lucky with the snow conditions but in combination with the great Italian food: priceless.

The last couple of seasons, I’ve been focusing on split-boarding. Allowing us to access virgin powder fields is the goal, but the nice little extra work-out is also very enjoyable.

A perfect way to enjoy the mountains at a slower pace, to escape the daily chaos and to soak up the silence. Shredding down, I’m still the same young, wild animal.

I’m always longing for the winter. As a father of two, I can’t wait to pass on my snow passion to my two little ones; my extra motivation to everything I can, to keep this beautiful passion of mine alive.