I've known Anastasia Allison, the founder of Kula Cloth, for almost as long as I've been running Coalition. When I think about women who lead and innovate in the outdoor industry, she's at the top of the list. We've worked together on and off over the years, and when I saw she had designed a three-port gaiter to hold pigtails, I thought to myself, THIS IS THE ANSWER TO MY SCRATCHY NECK! (And yes, I did yell it inside my head.)

If you ski or snowboard and have long hair, you know how annoying it can be to have your hair wrap around your neck or to feel the frigid air on the exposed skin traditional gaiters can't cover up when you pull your hair back. 

I wanted this gaiter, and I wanted it with Coalition Snow graphics on it. So I emailed her, we went back and forth, and she said yes and made the thing. But the best part was when she wrote about it in the Kula newsletter. 

I've copied and pasted it, word for word, below, hoping that it brings a smile to your face. Reading it, and knowing that we made something really good together, was a highlight of my season and something that I'll endeavor to create again and again.

This collab was created on mutual respect, admiration, and innovation, and I'm so grateful to have been able to work with Anastasia on this project. 

➡️ Shop the gaiters here. 

"I've never shared this before (and I've never told her... but she will find out when she reads this!): I was super nervous the first time that I met Jen Gurecki, the founder of Coalition Snow. First and foremost, Jen is a complete badass—she's the ONLY woman founder of a Ski and Snowboard Company...in an industry of ski companies that are run entirely by the 'bros' of the outdoor world. Jen is slightly unhinged (in a good way)... she's not afraid to speak her mind... and she's a powerhouse of ideas, energy and passion.

Many years ago, we launched our very first collab Kula with Coalition Snow—the infamous 'Resisting Bitch Face Kula'. Jen even volunteered to teach a class for The Kula Academy, where we all (legit) practiced our Resisting Bitchfaces (note: the class was actually amazing and super empowering and meaningful!).

Here's the thing that I've learned about Jen: underneath all of her fiery resistance is the heart of a woman who cares about other humans so much that she likely feels more heartache than your average person. I have never seen anybody work so tirelessly as an advocate for women and all humans. Jen is also the founder of a small non-profit called Zawadisha, which helps to furnish women in Kenya with items like rainwater tanks, clean cookstoves, and solar lamps through a lending model rooted in local communities.

When Jen approached me about doing a Rapunzel Collab with Coalition Snow, I  freaked out with excitement (in a good way). As the inventor of the Rapunzel Gaiter, and as a human with mile-long braids, I know firsthand that it has been a life changing product for me... and it gives me so much joy to be able to share this product with such a fun community of skiers and snowboarders.

I'm so proud to be collaborating with another woman-owned brand at the start of 2025. It can be easy to sink into a feeling of hopelessness and dismay when we try to grasp some of the things that happen on our (very) confusing planet—but this is a MICRO-CHANCE to create something good. It's a micro-chance to create something beautiful and inspiring and to celebrate women and to have fun with simply being who we are— braids, or no braids. 

If you are one of the lucky ones to snag a Coalition Snow Gaiter, I hope that you know that this little piece of gear represents a lot more than just a cozy, itch-free bundle of wonderfulness. It's a representation of several years of friendship and support and a tiny symbol of two women who are trying their best in a world that sometimes feels like it's trying to push them back down.

So, from the bottom of OUR hearts, THANK YOU for supporting this project. I can't wait to see where your braids take you this year."

~ Anastasia Allison, Founder of Kula Cloth