How Columbia Sportswear is Empowering Exploration on the Trans Canada Trail

For more than 85 years, Columbia Sportswear has helped people embrace the outdoors. From its iconic jackets to durable hiking gear, the brand has long been a go-to name for outdoor enthusiasts across the globe.  

Columbia’s commitment to the outdoors goes beyond producing gear; the company is also passionate about protecting and enhancing the outdoor spaces that people love to explore. That commitment is what has made Columbia Sportswear a natural partner for Trans Canada Trail. 

Since joining as an official partner in 2022, Columbia has supported programs and initiatives that help strengthen and sustain the world’s longest recreational trail network. Their involvement has played a key role in connecting communities, supporting volunteers, and making the Trail safer and more accessible for everyone. 

One of the most prominent aspects of this partnership is Columbia’s continued support of Trail Care, Trans Canada Trail’s flagship volunteer program. Each year, Trail Care engages thousands of volunteers in trail maintenance projects across the country — from repairing signage to improving accessibility features. These local efforts add up to a major national impact. Columbia even provides apparel for volunteer groups across the country, making sure they’re geared up for their Trail Care projects. 

In 2025 alone, Trail Care grants totaling $248,250 were awarded to community groups in all 10 provinces, as well as the Northwest Territories and Yukon. Since the program’s launch, more than $1.2 million in funding has been distributed to trail groups, with Columbia playing a key role in making that possible. 

Columbia also offers a chance for outdoor enthusiasts to support the Trail themselves. In 2024, an in-store fundraiser at Columbia’s retail locations raised more than $20,000 in donations at from customers as they were checking out.  

In addition raising funds and supporting Trans Canada Trail programs, Columbia’s team members walk the walk themselves. Every spring Columbia staff take part in a trail clean-up day on a section of the Trail. This year that resulted in 50 colleagues from Columbia removing trash from the natural environment on the Town of Aylmer Kinsman Trail in Ontario.

“Columbia’s support has been central to advancing our work in supporting and developing our nationwide trail system,” says Mathieu Roy, Chief Executive Officer of Trans Canada Trail. “Throughout our ongoing partnership, Columbia has demonstrated that they have a genuine understanding of what trails mean to communities and that they share our passion for Canada’s national Trail.” 

By investing in the Trail and in the communities that care for it, Columbia is helping to ensure that people across Canada can continue to connect with nature, with each other, and with the places they call home. And in doing so, they’re helping bring the Trans Canada Trail to life — today and for generations to come. 

Columbia’s in-store fundraiser is back! Visit a Columbia store any time between now and November to support the Trail through a donation at checkout!