Case Study: Patagonia
Snow Stories.
A special edition Sidetracked print magazine created with Patagonia, showcasing the best snow stories from across Europe
Snow Stories is a snow-focused print publication centred around films shown as part of a Patagonia tour, alongside long-form storytelling exploring Worn Wear, Opening Up the Outdoors, and wider narratives from Patagonia’s European community.
The Client
Patagonia is a global outdoor brand known for its commitment to environmental responsibility, product durability and using storytelling as a tool for positive change. With a long history of supporting adventure, activism and grassroots communities, Patagonia is deeply committed to protecting winters, supporting ski and snow communities, and standing alongside the people who live, work, and depend on cold climates.
This project is designed to reflect this commitment to sustainability and storytelling.
The Brief
Patagonia approached Sidetracked to create a special-edition magazine celebrating the joy of movement on snow, from playful turns and human-powered backcountry missions, and people and places that define Europe’s mountain community.
As advocates of print and the written word, Patagonia wanted a publication that could live beyond the tour itself. A tactile, collectable object that complemented the film programme while deepening the stories around Worn Wear, Opening Up the Outdoors, and Patagonia’s broader snow culture. Sidetracked designed Snow Stories as a keepsake that would keep the stories alive for a long time to come.
Our Approach
We produced a perfect-bound, 100-page B5 print magazine, written, curated and edited by the Sidetracked editorial team and friends at Patagonia.
The publication featured eight full-length feature stories, several of which were developed from original interviews conducted by Sidetracked journalists with Patagonia ambassadors, filmmakers, and members of the wider snow community. The design followed Sidetracked’s established design, with a subtle nod to Patagonia’s brand guidelines and those of its charitable partners.
The magazine was produced on premium uncoated paper, with a velvet laminate applied to the outer cover to create a soft, tactile feel suited to a winter-focused publication.
The Results
The finished publication was a beautiful 100-page B5 magazine, full of cinematic photography and evocative long-form writing. Each story was crafted to stand alone, while collectively building a portrait of contemporary snow culture across Europe.
The magazine featured visual and narrative contributions from Patagonia athletes and creatives, including Ryland Bell, Pierre Cadot, Lena Stoffel and Nicholas Wolken, alongside filmmaker Maja K Mikkelsen.
Across the issue, striking imagery was paired with crafted storytelling, resulting in a publication that felt immersive and enduring. Snow Stories has already become a collectable object in its own right.
Sidetracked delivered full print-ready files and managed the entire production process through our trusted print partners, supplying boxed, finished magazines directly to Patagonia’s warehouse for distribution across the tour and wider European activations.
“As lovers of print and the written word, we reached out to our friends at Sidetracked Magazine & Sidetracked Studios and pitched the idea of a snow-focused magazine around these films as well as more stories around Worn Wear, Opening Up The Outdoors and other tales from across Europe. We're excited with how it turned out and can't wait to share it with the community.
Big thanks to all of this crew and many more for bringing it together. As always, it takes a village!”
– Leonard Basse, Sports Communications Lead Europe at Patagonia
Print magazines are at the heart of Sidetracked. Outside of our tri-annual magazine, we take on a limited number of bespoke projects. If you would like to see your brand story in print – from single-page cards, supplements, and books to bespoke magazines involving editorial, design, and print management, please get in touch and we can make it happen.