The Mountain Studio
The Mountain Studio was founded in Zermatt and works under the line “Engineered in Switzerland”. It makes a curated collection for advanced skiing, outdoor activities and everyday mountain life, with garments that move easily from the slopes to whatever comes after. The idea behind it is “buy better, use more”: rather than replacing models every season, the brand keeps refining trusted designs in small steps, with better fabrics, sharper details and updated colours.
Membranes: ALP-3 and GORE-TEX
The Mountain Studio works with two membrane principles. ALP-3 is the brand’s own technology. It is a hydrophilic membrane with no pores: it absorbs moisture vapour and moves it through the membrane at molecular level. It comes as a 3-layer stretch construction of nylon and spandex with a PFAS-free DWR on the outside. Depending on the fabric, it is rated at 20,000 or 30,000 mm water column and 20,000 or 30,000 g/m²/24h breathability.
GORE-TEX is microporous. Billions of pores are smaller than a water drop but larger than a vapour molecule. The brand uses GORE-TEX ePE, a thin, light and durable membrane made without intentionally added PFAS, as well as GORE-TEX Pro, the most rugged version for demanding mountain use (28,000 mm water column). WINDSTOPPER by GORE-TEX LABS is fully windproof and highly breathable, but water-resistant rather than waterproof.
- 2-layer: the membrane is bonded to the outer fabric, with a separate hanging liner. It is softer and warmer, so you need fewer layers underneath. Ideal for resort and on-piste skiing.
- 3-layer: the membrane sits between a DWR-treated outer fabric and a durable backer. It offers the best water repellency, breathability and durability, but you need extra layers for warmth. Made for extreme conditions and demanding use.
Ski jackets
The jacket line covers insulated ski jackets, technical shells and down ski jackets. The All Mountain Stretch Jacket (S-1) combines 3-layer ALP-3 stretch (30,000/30,000) with PrimaLoft Gold, 60 g in the body and 40 g in the sleeves. It also has a snow skirt, a helmet-compatible hood and YKK AquaGuard zippers. For off-piste and backcountry days, the Gore-Tex Epe 3L Shell Jacket uses 3-layer GORE-TEX ePE with a flannel backer. The Alp 3 Light Shell Jacket is a light 3-layer ALP-3 shell in 4-way stretch twill for touring. The Gore-Tex 2L Ripstop Ski Down Jacket pairs 2-layer GORE-TEX ePE with 700 fill power RDS-certified down. View all The Mountain Studio ski jackets.
Ski pants
The pants follow the same logic. The 3L Carv Insulated Stretch Pant uses 3-layer ALP-3 (30,000 mm), PrimaLoft Gold and 600D Cordura scuff guards. The W. 3L Stretch Insulated Pants add YKK AquaGuard zippers to a 3-layer ALP-3 build rated at 30,000 mm / 30,000 g/m²/24h, also with 600D Cordura. For shell users, there are the Gore-Tex Epe 3L Shell Pants with a 150 denier face and 600D Cordura, and the Gore-Tex PRO 3L 150D Shell Pant in 3-layer GORE-TEX Pro. The scuff guards protect the inner leg against ski edges and crampons. View all The Mountain Studio ski pants.
Down, insulation and mid layers
All down in the collection is RDS-certified. Down gives the best warmth-to-weight ratio and packs very small, which makes it the choice for very cold days. Synthetic insulation such as PrimaLoft Gold keeps you warm when it gets wet and dries quickly, so it suits high-output skiing and touring. Examples include the Windstopper By Gore-Tex Labs Reversible Down Jacket with 750 fill power down and the packable W Ultralight Pertex Down Hood Jacket (D-9 WUL) with 700 fill power down.
For mid layers, you can choose between stretch fleece and wool. The Tech Fleece Hood and Light Tech Fleece Half Zip use stretch fleece with recycled polyester, made for active days. The W. Soft Wool Pile Jacket is warmer when it is damp and better on colder days. View The Mountain Studio mid layers.
Care
- Wash shells on a gentle programme at a low temperature (40°C) with low spin, and rinse twice.
- Use a small amount of liquid technical detergent. Never use powder, fabric softener, stain remover or bleach.
- Hang dry or tumble dry gently. Once the garment is dry, tumble it for about 20 more minutes to reactivate the DWR.
- When water stops beading, wash the garment and apply a PFAS-free spray-on DWR to the damp outer fabric. The membrane itself is not damaged by washing.
- For down, use the gentlest programme with a special down detergent. Dry slowly on low heat until completely dry, using tennis or dryer balls to break up clumps.
Frequently asked questions
Who is The Mountain Studio for?
For advanced skiers and anyone who spends a lot of time in the mountains and wants garments that work hard on the slope and still look right in town.
Are the jackets and pants waterproof?
The shells and insulated ski jackets and pants with ALP-3 or GORE-TEX are waterproof and breathable. Lightweight down jackets and fleece mid layers are not waterproof. WINDSTOPPER by GORE-TEX LABS is windproof and water-resistant.
Should I choose 2-layer or 3-layer?
Go for 2-layer if you mainly ski on piste and want comfort and warmth. Choose 3-layer for off-piste, touring and harsh weather, and layer up underneath.
What does the brand do about PFAS and down?
The Mountain Studio has phased out PFAS from its line and uses only PFAS-free water-repellent treatments. Its GORE-TEX ePE membranes are made without intentionally added PFAS, and all down is RDS-certified.
Shopping at Skistore Swing
Browse our selection of The Mountain Studio jackets, pants and mid layers to find the pieces that match the way you ski.