Skiwear was introduced to the collection by the early 1980’s and, by the end of the decade, The North Face became the only supplier in the US to offer a comprehensive collection of high-performance outerwear, skiwear, sleeping bags, packs and tents.

After moving offices to Colorado and restructuring the company in the 1990’s, The North Face was bought by Vanity Fair Corporation (VFC) in 2000. VFC is the world’s largest apparel company with annual sales exceeding 3 billion USD. Founded in 1899, Vanity Fair’s driving brands include jeanswear by Wrangler and Lee, outerwear by JanSport and Eastpak and sportswear by Nautica and Earl Jean.

The North Face brand continues to expand with new product innovations and an expanded line of clothing options.

·TNF launched infusion in Fall 2003– a construction process which reinforces the fabric of outerwear and eliminates tapes and bindings.

·In 2002, the A5 line of climbing-inspired cotton clothing was launched

·TNF signed a partnership with Marcolin USA, the premier supplier of fashion eyewear. North Face eyewear was launched in 2002 and continues to expand its offering of sport and fashion sunglasses and snow goggles.
·The North Face introduced core-venting to outerwear in 1999.
·TNF, in conjunction with W.L.Gore, created the concept and launched PacLite – the lightest weight Gore-Tex shell fabric available.

With over 35 years of designing products, The North Face continues to be one of the premier suppliers of high-performance apparel and equipment. The North Face is committed to pushing the limits of design, so that you can push your limits outdoors – NEVER STOP EXPLORING.

TNF Timeline:

1966:
2 mountaineers founded small retail store in San Francisco

1968:
TNF began designing and manufacturing its own brand of high-performance mountaineering apparel and equipment

1980:
extreme skiwear was added to the North Face collection

1996:
launch of Tekware, a collection of high-performance sportswear made from synthetic materials

1999:
TNF launches its own brand of trekking and trail running shoes

2000:
Vanity Fair Corporation buys The North Face; headquarters is moved back to the California bay area

2002:
A5 line of functional cotton clothing is launched

2002:
TNF eyewear collection of sunglasses and snow goggles is launched


TNF Facts & Figures:

·The name North Face was selected because the north face of a mountain is generally the coldest, iciest and most formidable to climb.
·Sponsored TNF athletes take place in all research & design sessions. Every product at the retail store level has been tried, tested and approved by an athlete.
·TNF uses a C130 plane to test their entire tent line. The plane’s 4 engines produce 13000 ft/lbs of torque and are capable of producing wind speeds in excess of 80 mph.
·TNF introduced the first self-heating jacket on the market. The MET 5 jacket is the first in a series of IGT (Intelligent Garment Technology) in conjunction with Polartec.
·The North Face Athlete Team is comprised of 37 athletes – climbers, skiers, snowboarders and endurance athletes – who continue to define human limits in remote regions of the world. Some notable skiers and snowboarders include:

Hilaree Nelson O'Neill
Ingrid Backstrom
Jamie Sundberg
Jeremy Nobis
John Griber
Jonny Law
Kasha Rigby
Meg Oster
Megan Pischke
Rick Armstrong
Sage Cattabriga-Alosa
Scot Schmidt
Will Burks



For more information and to view a complete product listing, athlete bios and expedition plans. please visit www.thenorthface.com All photos are copyright courtesy of The North Face.com

Check out other articles and videos related to The North Face, their Atheletes and other events and programs that they support:

1.Meg Oster - Not Selling out to Anyone, March 3, 2004
1.TGR Wins Big, Feb 19 2004
1.Final Results from Snobird, Feb 06 2004
1.Snowbird Freeski Comp - Biglines On Location, Feb 06 2004
1.Another Snowy Day in Snobird - Ingrid Backstrom interview - Biglines On Location, Feb 05 2004
1.Womens Results - Day 1 - Feb 05 2004
1.Qualifyer Info Feb 4, 2004
1.Downday in Snobird - Feb 05 2004
1.History of the North Face, January 25 2004
2.Website of the Week - Jonnylaw.com, January 22 2004
3.ReTreat yourself with Barrett Christie, Oct Nov 1 2003
4.Freshtival in Calgary, Friday Oct 3, 2003