When Adventure Calls: SEVEN SUMMITS

Paying attention to health and nutrition go hand in glove with people who are physically active at all levels, from weekend enthusiasts to professional athletes. Parents want their kids to have healthy snacks on the go. Personal trainers make recommendations based on client goals. Adventure-seekers look for caloriedense energy sources.

Whether it’s making nutritious snack choices or packing for a mountain summit, your local answer to helping prepare for your next adventure might be in Seven Summits Snacks – no mountains required.

Founded in memory of climber, Robin Fisher’s last adventure, Seven Summits Snacks is the healthy-focused product of co-founders Kristyn and Leanna Carriere. The company name came to Kristyn in the wee hours of May 25, 2019 (around 4:00 am), approximately the same time friend Robin would have been reaching the summit of Mount Everest. This awakening thought wasn’t a completely new concept as Leanna had come up with the initial product line idea while the sisters shared a bottle of wine and rang in the new year.

The siblings blend science and sport with business and marketing savvy to create chocolate-based superfood snacks. Both are athletes – Kristyn is a former figure skater-turned-marathoner, and Leanna a former national team pole vaulter, now triathlete. Leanna wanted something she could eat on the bike during her triathlon events, and Kristyn agreed: having an alternative to carb gels would be great for her marathons. With Kristyn’s food science background and Leanna’s keen eye to the niche opportunity, Seven Summits Snacks was born.

Their initial ascent was steep, as they encountered a global pandemic not far into the start of their trail. “We turned to developing and engaging an online community of outdoor-loving active consumers”, says Kristyn. By mid-2020, there was a collective desire to get outdoors and breathe in the fresh air, and taste testers were recruited to try their superfood chocolate while cycling, hiking, and enjoying Alberta’s River Valley – then give feedback. “Let’s just say it wasn’t difficult to find 100 people who wanted to take part.”

The sisters built a strong base of followers who supported their pre-launch campaign, becoming a loyal following. Seven Summits Snacks got listings in independent running, cycling, and hiking shops in their community, and the company grew to include sales both in-store and online.

Kristyn and Leanna’s original goal of creating a nutritious and tasty carbohydrate-dense snack to help conquer long endurance days on the bike or during a marathon, was achieved in their single-serve 30 g Endurance Bars: the Denali (for peanut butter and jelly fans), Aconcagua (Peruvian dark chocolate with tart golden berries and cacao nibs), and Everest (smooth dark chocolate with Goji berries and Himalayan salt). The endurance bars have honey for additional carbs. There’s also an 80 g Superfood Bar: a classic, clean-label chocolate bar packaged in a sport-friendly format for hiking and sharing.

Each offers variations on a theme to meet different needs and tastes. The common denominator is that all are made with ethically-sourced chocolate and ingredients tied to their community – in the case of those endurance bars, it’s Alberta honey. Plus, they use local businesses to source other ingredients and in production. “We’re committed to supporting the community of food producers here in our backyard.”

Being part of the Made in Alberta program is important to Kristyn and Leanna because it demonstrates a mark of quality and locality. “Made in Alberta allows us to share with our customers that we are committed to supporting our local economy and community”, says Kristyn. “The program is wonderful, as the team supports the brands by highlighting their businesses from a consumer level to a broader business-to-business level.”

There remains a little stigma around chocolate as a good and healthy source of carbohydrates while you’re being active, and it can be something of an uphill climb as customers still approach the bars as a reward or treat. “We hear some consumers say they’re saving their endurance bar for after their run”, says Kristyn. “We’re here to spread the word that chocolate is a wonderful energy source for in-sport or during activity. Eat on the move.” It’s about combining carbohydrates and fat, providing sustained energy over time during your own expedition. “We provide actually tasty sports nutrition that’s also functional.”

For producers like Seven Summits Snacks, the retail foods space can also be challenging from a resource perspective. “Being a member of the Made in Alberta program helps find other makers and producers who may have similar challenges”, says Kristyn. “As an independent owner, having a community of like-minded producers is a wonderful business network to learn and grow within.” From something as simple as a referral to a support service or local producer, small business owners like Kristyn and Leanna are saved immeasurable (and non-revenue generating) time digging around multiple places for information. When all hands are on deck, every moment is valuable. Lessons learned at higher altitude that translate to business life.

Seven Summits Snacks are available to purchase at more than 100 retailers in Canada, and online through the company directly. Spread the sustainable snack love far and wide by asking for Seven Summits Snacks at your favourite local outdoors shop, cycle store, or other recreational outfitter to help fuel your next adventure – whether your summit is big or small.