When was the last time you were truly present? For On, achieving “flow state”—when action and awareness blur together, leaving us fully immersed in the moment—is the key to finding alignment. In search of this mindset, we chartered a helicopter to the Pemberton Icefield with the On Cloudrock 2 Waterproof boot and Cloudaway Waterproof Suma sneaker in tow. At approximately 2400 Meters of elevation, covering 300 km2 of area, the Icefields were the perfect setting to tune in.

After a 20 minute flight from Whistler, we disembarked from the helicopter to find an infinite expanse of ice at our feet and a valley of cloud inversions below. Scattered around the Icefield were multiple entrances to a complex network of ice caves lying deep beneath the glacier’s surface. Changing from season to season and year to year, the caves hide and reveal themselves, evolving organically like animal burrows in a forest. To venture inside the caves is to witness tens of thousands of years reflected around you in electric blue ice. Exploring the caves feels as foreign and otherworldly as being in space or at the bottom of the ocean—thrilling and overwhelming, yet peaceful. It makes sense that the Pemberton Icefields attract adventure seekers from around the world.

While notably more casual than a formal mountaineering boot, the Cloudrock 2 took us from the powder-topped surface of the Icefield to the rocky cave pathways with ease. Oscillating from bright snow to rugged and low-visibility landscapes, the new improved Missiongrip™ rubber compound provides superior grip, as well as improved heel stability for security on uneven terrain. With rapidly fluctuating weather patterns at elevation, the 20% recycled waterproof membrane handles inclement weather effortlessly. In concert with the Cloudrock boot, the mid-top silhouette of the Cloudaway Suma makes it the perfect everyday option for any excursion. Its sock-like construction ensures all-day comfort, while a waterproof membrane adds protection. Not designed specifically for traversing the extreme terrain of an Icefield, the Cloudaway Suma was still up to the task. The versatility of both shoes is a testament to On's commitment to innovation and functionality.

Around the world, glaciers and Icefields like Pemberton’s are changing. Human-fuelled climate change is accelerating their deterioration, making studying and caring for them all the more urgent. Spending more time outside is directly linked to increasing one's connection and love for the natural world, and movement is an important part of that. Summer or Winter, making time to get outside with the right gear is crucial. From a walk in the city to an Icefield in the sky, find your flow with On.