Back coutry barrel

Smoked Old Fashioned kit designed for heli-skiers—elevating après-ski to an entirely new level of flavor and experience.

A person holding a glass of whiskey with ice and a lit cigar in a snowy mountain landscape. A ski helmet and skis are placed on the snow beside a mountain background.

Après-ski REINVENTED

Project Goal

Research, design, and prototype a coffee or tea set tailored to a specific, unconventional archetype and unique use case.

A black and white photo of people gathered around a fire pit outdoors in a snowy mountain setting, with some holding drinks, and a helicopter flying in the sky.

Après-ski

Après-ski is a French term meaning "after skiing." It refers to the social activities, entertainment, and relaxation that take place after a day on the slopes. This can include enjoying drinks at a ski lodge, live music, hot tubs, or casual gatherings with friends. It's a big part of ski culture, especially in resorts across Europe and North America.

A glass with a textured pattern containing a drink with ice and a lemon wedge, with smoke rising above it.

The Smoked Old Fashioned is a modern take on the classic cocktail, adding a rich, smoky depth that enhances the whiskey’s warmth and complexity. Perfect for après-ski relaxation, its blend of bitters, orange peel, and aromatic smoke creates a cozy, indulgent experience reminiscent of sitting by a fire after a day on the slopes.

Ingredients:

2 oz Bourbon or Rye Whiskey

1 Sugar cube (or 1/2 teaspoon simple syrup)

2-3 dashes Angostura bitters

Orange peel (for garnish)

Cherry (optional, for garnish)

Wood chips (such as cherry or oak wood chips for smoking)

Glass smoke dome and smoking gun (for smoking effect)

Series of steps showing how to make a cannabis-infused beverage: 1. Place a square of cannabis infusion in a glass. 2. Add hot liquid and stir to dissolve. 3. Add crushed cannabis flower. 4. Use a vaporizer to activate the cannabis and create vapor. 5. Seal the container and pour the infused liquid into a glass, finishing the process.

  1. Place a large ice cube in a rocks glass
     Start by adding a single large ice cube to your glass. This chills the drink without watering it down too quickly.

  2. Pour in 2 oz of bourbon
    Measure and pour 2 ounces of your favorite bourbon over the ice. A rich, smooth bourbon works best for a classic Old Fashioned.

  3. Prepare the wood chips
     Place a small handful of wood chips—such as cherry, oak, or hickory—on a heat-resistant surface or inside a smoker cap designed for cocktails.

  4. Ignite and infuse with smoke
    Use a torch to light the wood chips until they smolder and produce smoke. Immediately cover the glass with a cloche or the smoker cap to trap the smoke and infuse the bourbon for about 20–30 seconds.

  5. Garnish with an orange peel
     Express the oils from a fresh orange peel by gently twisting it over the glass. Rub the peel around the rim and drop it in for a citrusy finish.

Collage of images showing winter snow sports activities including skiing, snowboarding, helicopter tours, snowshoeing, and snowmobiling in a mountainous snowy landscape.

Heli-skiing

Guides review safety, avalanche gear, and the day's plan. You check your equipment.

Skis are loaded, and you board. The helicopter flies to a remote drop zone with stunning views.

You unload quickly, the heli departs, and the guide leads the first descent through fresh powder.

Between runs, the heli picks you up for more drops, maximizing untouched terrain.

After the final run, you fly back, return gear, and celebrate an epic day.

REMOTE

HIGH ALTITUDE

BACK COUNTRY

EXTREME

Mood board

Collage of winter sports and leisure activities, featuring skiing, snowboarding, helicopter on snow, a mountain landscape, a group of women enjoying drinks, and a close-up of two cocktails with cherries.
Collection of sketches and drawings of various mechanical and device components, including cans, containers, tools, and prototypes, with annotations and color tests.
Small cylindrical paper models with wire frames, arranged on a black surface.
Two small cylindrical structures made of cardboard and wire on a black surface.
Two stacks of circular cardboard pieces with scalloped edges on a dark surface.

High fidelity

The set was modeled in Fusion 360, using insights from the low-fidelity prototypes to refine the final design. Each piece was 3D printed in white PLA, giving the set a clean, minimal aesthetic that highlights form and function without distraction.

Low Fidelity

Two cylindrical structures made of cardboard and paper, resembling miniature tanks, placed on a black surface. The structures are cut and assembled with visible lines and edges.

Quick white cardboard models make it easy to experiment with sizing for each component, while adding copper allows for exploring elegant curves and more dynamic design possibilities. Modeling multiple pairs and iterations of then jigger and rocks glass

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A portable smoking kit with various components labeled, including a jigger, rocks glass, smoke top, torch, holding box, and bar spoon.
A black speaker with two large circular openings, partially obscured by a green storage box with two red zipper pulls attached to yellow loops.
A modern wireless handheld barcode scanner with black and red accents, shown against a gray background.
A green military-style portable stove with a black knob, a red switch, a small spoon, and a round wooden speaker inside a foam-lined case with yellow and red latches.
A modern black and wood portable speaker emitting smoke or steam in a minimal gray setting.
A cylindrical object with green textured surface, black ends, and yellow and red attachment points, floating against a gray background.
Exploded view of a ski boot buckle showing labeled parts: stainless steel exterior, rubber seal, brushed steel end cap, and ski boot buckle latch with a yellow and red lever mechanism.
A digitally rendered exploded view of a small mechanical or electronic component showing internal parts, including sensors or circuitry, with surrounding black circular elements.
A smoking science experiment with a beaker in front of a green box and a brown container on the table.