If you’re searching for the perfect gift for someone who lives for the next outdoor adventure, you’re in the right place. At Ottawa Valley Air Paddle, we’ve put together our 2025 holiday gift guide with ideas that speak to paddlers, skiers, and nature-loving families alike. Each suggestion is designed to be expert-chosen, adventure-ready, and fun without being overly casual.

For Her: Comfort + Exploration

• Tentree Cozy Sweaters – made sustainably, this cozy layer is ideal for campfire evenings or chilly paddles.
  

  • My favourites include the Juniper Zip Hoodie, the Kincaid Full Snap and the Haynes Sweater. 

• O'Neill Hazel Fleece Sweater - Speaking of cozy sweaters, if the lady on your Christmas wish enjoys being wrapped up in a warm hug, this sweater is for her! It is my absolute favourite sweater for a chilly day. So comfy and warm. My daughter and I actually have matching ones :)
  

• Cotopaxi Bags – vibrant, functional and uber eco-friendly. Great for travel, day trips or everyday adventure. I use my Allpa 28L as my laptop bag and overnight bag.

  • My top picks are the Kapai Hip Pack and the Allpa Travel Pack.

• Life Jackets (Level Six/Mustang) – combine safety, fit, and freedom of movement on the water.

  • The life jackets we use are the Onyx Movevent Dynamic Lifejackets.

• For the Oru Owner – an easy upgrade with the Oru Gel Seat, Float Bags, or Oru Pack for seamless transport and comfort.

• For the Tucktec Owner – practical gifts like the Canvas Bag and Folding Anchor elevate portability and shore-side convenience.

• Perception Seatback Cooler Bag – Fits comfortably behind most kayak seats. It's the perfect companion for refreshments on long kayak tours.

• Cross Country Ski Gear – consider boots, skis or layered apparel to carry her into winter with confidence.

  • I use the Salomon Escape Outpath 64 POSI skis. As a new Nordic skier, these are great beginner skis that offer good grip and solid stability. 
    
    
    
  • I also love the lightweight yet warm SWIX Mayen Jacket and the Dæhlie Challenge Pants. 
    
    
• Helly Hansen LIFA Merino Base Layer - Cozy and warm, and ready for every cold-weather escapade.

For Him: Performance + Upgrades

• YakAttack Fishing Accessories – upgrade his kayak fishing game with gear like the BlackPak Pro, VISI Carbon Pro, Leverage Landing Net, RotoGrip Phone Holder, LockNLoad Mounting Base, Fish Finder mount, TracPak Combo Kit. The Ketch Karbonate board is another fan favourite in the fishing world.

• Cold Weather Paddling Gear – Level Six neoprene gloves, pogies, booties and wetsuits keep adventures going year-round.

• Smith Goggles – offer crisp optics for ski days and outdoor winter sessions.
  
  

  

• Gear Bags for Ski Trips – rugged, practical bags to keep skis and boots organized and protected.

• Level Six Slanted Boardshorts - I think every guy on our team here at OVAP owns a pair of these!
  
  

• Kayak Kushion by Native – a comfort upgrade for longer outings.

• Suspenz All-Terrain Cart & Kayak Cockpit Covers – hassle-free transport and protection for gear.

• Level Six Bilge Pump - Fits nicely under the bungees on kayaks.

For Kids: Inspire the Next Generation

• Helmet & Goggles Combo
  Fresh gear for safe, stylish skiing or snowboarding.
  
  • The HEAD Maja Junior Ski Helmet is a great choice as it has a built-in visor, so you don't have to worry about your littles losing their goggles.
    
    
    
  • The Retrospec Dipper Plus Goggles are also a great budget-friendly option.
    
    
  • If you want an upgraded goggle, the Smith Kids Snowday Goggles are a great choice.
    
    
• Kid's Snowboard
  
  • The HEAD Rowdy Kids JR Snowboard is our most affordable beginner board for young riders learning balance and control.
    
    
  • If your child has more experience snowboarding, check out the K2 Kandi and Vandal boards - brand new this year!
    
    
• Drifter Snowshoe Bundle
  Includes snowshoes, poles, and a carry bag, be ready for spontaneous family winter hikes!
  
  
• Kid's Skis
  

  • HEAD Joy Easy Junior Ski - A beautiful lightweight ski that gives beginners the confidence to turn, steer, and balance with less effort, allowing more mountain time and less fatigue.
    
    

    

  • HEAD Monster Easy JRS Junior Ski - Gives young skiers control, stability, and a soft flex for easy learning, with a fun monster design that’s light, energetic, and easy to handle all day.

  • Rossignol Experience Pro - With a forgiving flex and junior-specific rocker that deliver smooth control, effortless turns, and growing confidence on any terrain.

  • Rossignol Kid's All Mountain Kids - Helps young skiers learn with ease and confidence, offering a soft flex, junior-specific rocker, and all-mountain versatility for smooth turns, easy control, and endless fun on any terrain.

• Kids Base Layers, Hats, Neck Warmers and Ski Socks
  
  • Check out the Bula Base Layers that offer warm and breathable coverage for all-day outdoor fun.
    
    
    
  • Bula also makes a great line of toques and neck warmers. The Power Fleece Hood has been a very popular option for kiddos on the hill. It can go right over their helmet... plus, it looks cool! 
    
    
  • Kombi has some great waterproof kids' gloves and mitts. Perfect for in the schoolyard and on the slopes! 
    
    
  • As for socks, Kombi also has The Brave Midweight Ski Socks, which come in an assortment of fun colours and provides great warmth both on and off the hill. 
    
    
• Sunguards, Sun Hats, Wetsuits & Watershoes
  Level Six makes great sunguards and wetsuits for children. Keep them protected on cooler days during summer paddles.
  
  
  • The Level Six Juniper Kids Watershoes offer lightweight protection for rocky shorelines and slippery docks.
    
    
  • Our daughter loves the Level Six Kids Sun Hat.
    
    
• Kids Lifejackets & PFDs
  Designed for kids’ comfort and safety with a secure fit.
  
  
• The only PFD our toddler wants to wear is the Level Six Swordtail. It's made out of flexible neoprene, allowing her to move freely without restriction. She actually wants to wear it, which is more than we could ever ask for! 
  
  
  
• Kids Kayak or Inflatable Paddleboard
  
  
  • Pelican makes the kids' Solo Evo Kayak, which is lightweight, stable, and perfect for young paddlers gaining confidence. It also comes with its own paddle!
    
    
    
  • The Retrospec Youth Inflatable Paddleboard is compact, durable, and easy to carry, made for growing explorers.
    
    
• Retrospec Inflatable Snow Tube
  Simple, fun, and guaranteed to bring big smiles to snowy days.

Experience Gifts: Adventure for Everyone

• Ski Servicing - Check out our Ski Tune 6-Pack with an assortment of servicing options from sharpening to waxing so you can offer your favourite skier a full season of servicing with just 1 purchase. Available in-store only. 
  
  
  

• OVAP Boot Fitting Experience – Expert fitting for men, women and kids, helping ensure comfort and performance for the ski season.

• OVAP Gift Card – Flexible, thoughtful and applicable to any item in store, including the 2025/26 Snowshoe Tours launching this December.

• Kayak and Paddleboard Rental Pass - Buy ahead of time for next year's paddling adventures. Your choice of standup paddleboard (SUP) or kayak rental and access to our entire fleet of over 40 vessels. 
  
  

Stocking Stuffers: Small Bundles, Big Impact

• Ski Wax, Ski Socks, & Footbeds – practical add-ons every skier loves.

• Crampons & Nanospikes – perfect for icy trails and winter walks.

• Kombi & Bula Neck Warmers and Beanies – soft, cozy, and colourful.

• Auclair & Kombi Gloves – dependable warmth for any outdoor activity.

• Perception Sponge – absorbs up to 1 L of water for quick kayak cleanup.

• Level Six & Perception Tie-Down Straps – you can never have too many.

• RigStrips SnoStrip® – protects your vehicle from scratches and ice while hauling winter gear; installs in seconds and stays secure at highway speeds.
  
  

  

• Waterproof Floating Bluetooth Speaker - Keep the party going both on and off the water with our bluetooth speakers.

• Stickers & Dry Bags – fun, affordable ways to show the adventure spirit.

• Blue Coast Floating Polarized Sunglasses - These are awesome sunglasses that float in the water if you accidentally drop them in... we've made that mistake one too many times! 
  
  
• Bula Therma-Comfort Lens Goggle Cover - I just love the designs on these goggle covers. They not only keep your goggles safe from scratches, but they are also so pretty! 
  

Wrap It Up 🎁 

Obviously, we're a little biased when it comes to the products we sell in our shop, but we do make a point of wearing and using the items we sell in the store in our family and our team. These are tried and trusted products that we love and want to share with you. I hope this gift guide was able to offer some fun and interesting gift ideas for your loved ones on your list. If you have any questions at all about any of the products we carry, please feel free to send an email over to hello@ovap.ca. I (Lana) monitor that email address and am always happy to get back to chat!

Explore the full selection at ovap.ca and drop by our shop in Arnprior for expert help from one of our staff members.