Snow Peak was founded in 1958 by accomplished mountaineer Yukio Yamai, eager to create his own line of climbing gear with the mission of bringing people closer to nature. Under the direction of his son, Toru, from 1980 to present day, Snow Peak remains based in Sanjo City, Nigata, Japan, where its 300 acre headquarters includes camp grounds free to the public. The most recent chapter in the brand’s legacy comes from Yukio’s granddaughter Lisa, who launched the fashion-focused Snow Peak Apparel in 2014.