Anna Lengstrand

Portrait – Anna Lengstrand

Portrait – Anna Lengstrand

With roots in northern Sweden, Anna fell in love with the incredible landscape of British Columbia, Canada, more than a decade ago. She now lives an active outdoor lifestyle deep in the Canadian mountains, combining ranch life with outdoor adventures, photography as well as running her own jewelry company. We asked Anna some questions to get to know her a bit more.

Currently located?

I’ve been living in British Columbia, Canada since 2010.

Hometown?

Alunda, Sverige.

What do you do for a living?

I make jewelry full-time, but I’ve also worked as a photographer since 2008.

Main interests and hobbies? What do you do when you have some down time?

I spend most of my time outdoors; riding and training horses, skiing, hiking, backpacking, skijoring with my dogs or horses, mountain biking, gardening, taking care of our ranch etc. In the mornings I love sitting down with a cup of coffee and a book after feeding all the animals.

"All the activities that I love doing I can do here, in my own backyard."

"All the activities that I love doing I can do here, in my own backyard."

Tell us more about your background story. How did you end up where you are today?

My mum is from Gällivare, Sweden, and I’ve spent a lot of my time in that area and in Tornedalen. Both my mother and my Sámi grandfather are huge role models for me. They taught me most of the things I know and shaped me to the outdoorsy and adventurous person that I am today.

I traveled to Whistler in 2010 to ski some big Canadian mountains, and fell in love with this vast, wild mountain landscape. All the activities that I love doing I can do here, in my backyard. So I decided that I want to stay if I can make it happen. After many years of hard work, blood, sweat and some tears, I can now finally call myself a Canadian citizen!

I’ve always been inspired by the talented Duodji handcraft on my mum’s side, and the strong artistic heritage I got from my father’s Lengstrand family. So I’ve had a strong passion for art and handcraft my whole life, therefore it feels very natural to me that I now work as a full-time artisan.

Your favorite/most memorable outdoor memory?

Very tricky question! I have so so many beautiful ones! But the earliest ones are how happy I felt when I was horseback riding as a very young child, or cross country skiing with my mother. She always brought hot chocolate and dried reindeer meat for us kids. My mother and grandfather taught me how to make a fire very early on, as well as gutting the fish (mainly grayling and trout) that we caught in the river.

What’s your best outdoor hack?

Pine sap is highly flammable and perfect to use as a firestarter. It can ignite even when the branches are a little damp.

The Crafter Pro Trouser are my favorites, I wear them everyday here at the farm!

Favorite product from Garphyttan?

I must say the Crafter Pro Trouser are my favorites, I wear them everyday here at the farm! They’re incredibly practical with all the pockets, and they’re also super strong and durable! The perfect ranch and work pants. I also love the Crafter Overshirt, I wear it on top of my Specialist Fleece or Specialist Insulated Jacket! !

Why did you decide to become an ambassador of Garphyttan?

I think we are a perfect match! A clothing company that focuses everything they do around an active outdoor lifestyle in nature and mountains, as well as farm and work wear. A Swedish woman who lives deep in the Canadian mountains and spends all her days doing ranch chores and property work, and explores the outdoors daily. I need tough clothes. Functional and durable clothes. I need many pockets. This is always what I live in. And Garphyttan designs these exact pieces of garments! It’s amazing.

Anna’s favorites

W's Crafter Pro Trouser Brown

Price 1.390 kr
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W's Crafter Overshirt Green

Price 1.090 kr
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W's Specialist Insulated Jacket Anthracite

Price 990 kr Regular price 1.590 kr
Choose variants

W's Specialist Fleece Green

Price 590 kr Regular price 990 kr
Choose variants

W's Crafter Insulated Shirt Navy

Price 890 kr Regular price 990 kr
Choose variants

W's Crafter Carpenter Shirt Red

Price 790 kr
Choose variants

W's Crafter Pro Trouser Brown

Price 1.390 kr
Choose variants

W's Crafter Overshirt Green

Price 1.090 kr
Choose variants

W's Specialist Insulated Jacket Anthracite

Price 990 kr Regular price 1.590 kr
Choose variants

W's Specialist Fleece Green

Price 590 kr Regular price 990 kr
Choose variants

W's Crafter Insulated Shirt Navy

Price 890 kr Regular price 990 kr
Choose variants

W's Crafter Carpenter Shirt Red

Price 790 kr
Choose variants