Grand Targhee has always had a special place in my heart. Since I was about 5 years old, when my parents schlepped me there during a storm chasing episode in the early 80s, Targhee has always been my personal spiritual mecca. I spend no less than 10 hours a week looking at property in Driggs and the surrounding areas debating if I should just say “fuck it”, sell everything I own here in Utah, and … um, leave Utah for pow?? Haha, who leaves Utah for pow? For Targhee, one moves out of Utah.

Here’s a little early season stoke for y’all who dream of the Tetons on a daily basis. Crack open a bottle of wine, turn on the speakers, and kick those feet back. Winter is here bitches!

https://youtu.be/_MtGPYZMMTE

For our fourth interview of the Frame of Mind Series, we spoke with Solitude Ambassador Harrison Hogan Holley. Harrison is hands-down one of the nicest guys you’ll find on the mountain and is very much responsible for helping the Spread Stoke crew fall in love with Solitude Mountain Resort. Born and raised in Park City, Utah, Harrison grew up competing in freestyle moguls on the Park City Freestyle Team. He then started competing on the Freeskiing World Tour and continues to compete on the Freeride World Tour this season. Between competitions and work, he also spends all season making us drool with his pow shots on Instagram.

Harrison Hogan Holley at Solitude, Utah | Photographer: Eric Dyer

Spread Stoke: Where is your hometown?

Harrison: Park City, Utah.

SS: Who can you usually find yourself on a chairlift with?

Harrison: My good buddy Eric Dyer aka Derr, Benny Mikes, the Spread Stoke ladies or any other members of the Solitude MYST.

SS: Conditioning off the mountain is an essential element to performance on the mountain.  Do you have any training techniques (whether physical or mental) you would like to share?

Harrison: Hate on it as much as you want, but CrossFit has gotten me in the best shape of my life. I haven’t been to any other gym other than Alpenfit in Park City so maybe other gyms fit the “bro” mold that is associated with CrossFit’s negative image, but the coaches at Alpenfit are nothing short of amazing! They focus on knowledge and progress in life outside the gym, making you a better athlete in whatever discipline you enjoy. If you want to get in shape for skiing give it a shot, I swear by it.

SS: What’s been the most challenging aspect of being an athlete?

Harrison: The mental aspect of competitions is by far the most challenging aspect. Nerves can really take over when you are competing. I always say that the worst feeling in the world is standing on top of a comp venue waiting for your start and the best feeling ever is being at the bottom after stomping a good line. Focusing on skiing and having fun in comps always seems to help me ski better.

Harrison Hogan Holley at Solitude, Utah | Photographer: Eric Dyer

SS: Besides shredding the white wintry wave, what else do you enjoy doing?

Harrison: In the summer I love to mountain bike and whitewater raft. Mountain biking helps me keep in shape and there is nothing like rafting to help escape reality.

SS: What is your life motto?

Harrison: “Send it before you send it”. The phrase was created while on tour with my good buddies Connor Pelton and Connery Lundin. It basically means don’t let the present hold you back from the future or vice versa, live life to the fullest, do it all!

SS: What fuel goes into your body before and after a day on the hill?

Harrison: Before skiing: Coffee and a smoothie. After skiing: Beer and mostly pizza.

SS: What does skiing do for your soul?

Harrison: I love getting away from crowds by exploring the mountains which is often the case while skiing (especially since there are no crowds at Solitude), but I don’t see skiing as anything ‘spiritual’ like many people talk it up to be. I think it was a quote in an old TGR or Matchstick movie that said something like “everyone talks skiing up to be this spiritual cleanse, but I look at it more of a funny concept that we hike up a mountain just to go back down and if we are lucky we will have sh!t hit us in the face the whole way down”. I guess I always try to keep things light and comical while on the hill. I’m not very mature.

Harrison Hogan Holley at Grand Targhee, Wyoming | Photographer: Jasper Gibson

SS: Solitude, it’s all in the name.  What are some of your favorite attributes of Solitude and how is it unique from other Utah resorts?

Harrison: More powder per person. There is never the powder panic you get at other resorts where people freak out, push and shove, cram like sardines into trams or track an entire mountain out in an hour. The overall atmosphere is laid back and fun, which is exactly what skiing should be. You can ski untracked snow in Honeycomb days after a storm or get into some of the steepest most challenging inbounds terrain offered anywhere in the world.  If you disagree go hike Fantasy Ridge.

SS: What goes through your mind before, during and after executing or capturing a technical line or feature?

Harrison: Before: Nerves. During: Blackout and/or concentration, I usually can’t remember. After: Stoke! Or a need for redemption. Or, where are my skis?

SS: When you’re not on the hill or working out, what can we most likely find you doing?

Harrison: I bartend at Highwest, so come stop by and grab a delicious Old Fashioned from me and I’ll tell you how much better of a skier I am than you. Just kidding. But really, the Old Fashions are delicious!

SS: Let’s talk 2017 Goals: What can we expect from you for the rest of the year?

Harrison: #1: Stay healthy. #2: Ski often. #3: Defend my title at the PCMR Chinese Downhill.

SS: As athletes, you serve as role models in the outdoor industry.  Any advice, reflections or ideas on the types of things you would like see the outdoor industry strive for?

Harrison: Being from Utah, I would love to see the state recognize the value of its open spaces. This article by Black Diamond Founder, Peter Metcalf perfectly sums up my point.

Harrison Hogan Holley at Solitude, Utah | Photographer: Eric Dyer

SS: What’s bumpin’ in your earbuds?

Harrison: I like my beats like I like my cereal, crunchy.

SS: Spread Stoke’s values are: Do what you love, leave this world a better place than you found it, and spread stoke to those around you.  How do you demonstrate these values?

Harrison: On the mountain I always strive to be the person who brings the morale of the group up. That may be pumping a buddy up on a cool line or most often cracking terrible jokes. Everyone talks about not leaving a footprint on the world insinuating a footprint is a bad thing. I think everyone should strive to leave a footprint on the Earth, but have that footprint be an improvement in whatever you enjoy.

SS: Do you have any shout-outs to sponsors?

Harrison: Sego Ski Co., Soul Poles, Solitude Mountain Resort and Spread Stoke for putting this together. Looking at the list above, I guess anyone else that has a company that starts with an “S” please contact me for sponsorship.

We hope you enjoyed our Frame of Mind interview! Be sure to say “What’s up!” to Harrison on the hill this season and give him a follow on Instagram @harhoghol (seriously though, he ALWAYS gets the shot!).

Stay tuned for our next Frame of Mind interview. If you know someone who should be featured, let us know.

For our third interview of the Frame of Mind Series, we spoke with Solitude Ambassador Tyler Peterson. Tyler’s skiing resume is pretty impressive and includes skiing for the Squaw Valley Race Team and Wasatch Freestyle Team, as well as coaching for Axis Freestyle and Wasatch Freestyle. Tyler has competed in Halfpipe and Slopestyle events all over the world with 1st place finishes in the Helly Hansen Shop Battle, King of the Wasatch, Park City Pipe Jam USSA, and USSA Divisional Champs. He’s also paced in dozens of other competitions throughout his career and continues to shoot with some of the best ski photographers in the industry.

Spread Stoke: Where is your hometown?

Tyler: Sandy, Utah.

SS: Who can you usually find yourself on a chairlift with?

Tyler: Friends, family and random people on vacation.

SS: Conditioning off the mountain is an essential element to performance on the mountain.  Do you have any training techniques (whether physical or mental) you would like to share?

Tyler: I participate in mountain biking, hiking, soccer, softball, and weight lifting.

SS: What’s been the most challenging aspect of being an athlete?

Tyler: Being in the right place at the right time.

SS: Besides shredding the white wintry wave, what else do you enjoy doing?

Tyler: Fishing, boating, and camping.

SS: What is your life motto?

Tyler: Enjoy what the outdoors gives to you.

SS: What fuel goes into your body before and after a day on the hill?

Tyler: Usually for breakfast it’s something easy like a protein shake, yogurt, bananas or other fruit. I love sushi, Mexican food or any sort of fish after the hill, plus a good brew!

SS: What does skiing do for your soul?

Tyler: Skiing for me is all about freedom.

SS: Solitude, it’s all in the name.  What are some of your favorite attributes of Solitude and how is it unique from other Utah resorts?

Tyler: I like Solitude for its lack of crowds, cool trees and fresh powder days after the storm.

SS: What goes through your mind before, during and after executing or capturing a technical line or feature?

Tyler: Hopefully nothing, I try to experience the moment as much as possible.

SS: Let’s talk 2017 Goals: What can we expect from you for the rest of the year?

Tyler: I’ll be skiing as much powder as possible, while working with the best photographers to create beautiful images.

SS: As athletes, you serve as role models in the outdoor industry.  Any advice, reflections or ideas on the types of things you would like see the outdoor industry strive for?

Tyler: Be less political and more about creating an easy way for more people to enjoy the outdoors. Listen to feedback created by customers/athletes.

SS: What’s bumpin’ in your earbuds?

Tyler: 311

SS: Spread Stoke’s values are: do what you love, leave this world a better place than you found it, and spread stoke to those around you.  How do you demonstrate these values?

Tyler: A great attitude is all that you need!

SS: Do you have any shout-outs to sponsors?

Tyler: Shout-outs go to my sponsors: Volkl/Marker/Dalbello, POC, Leki, The North Face, Alta, Snowbird, and of course Solitude and Deer Valley.

We hope you enjoyed our Frame of Mind interview with Tyler Peterson. Be sure to say “Hey!” to Tyler on the hill this season and give him a follow on Instagram @typetersonski!

Stay tuned for our next Frame of Mind interview. If you know someone who should be featured, let us know.

A few weeks ago, we launched our Frame of Mind Series where we highlight local ambassadors of different ski resorts. For our first series of interviews, we are focusing on Solitude Mountain Resort, nestled in awe-inspiring Big Cottonwood Canyon, Utah. Get inspired, learn what makes these local pros tick, and introduce yourself when you see them in the lift line. Know someone that you think should be featured? Let us know by leaving a comment below.

For our second interview of the Frame of Mind Series, we spoke with Solitude Ambassador Heather McPhie. As a former gymnast, Heather brought her aerial skills and athletic determination to the U.S. Ski Team where she crushed Freestyle Moguls. In 2012, McPhie became the first moguls skier ever to pick up a Red Bull sponsorship! Heather leveraged those new wings and proceeded to add four more World Cup podiums on her way to finishing fourth in the moguls standings, then at season’s end, took her very first U.S. National title. Not too shabby!

Spread Stoke: Where is your hometown?

Heather: I grew up in Bozeman, Montana. I moved to Park City in 2004 and have been in the area ever since. My husband and I recently purchased a home in Salt Lake City, UT.

SS: Who can you usually find yourself on a chairlift with?

Heather: Graham Watanabe, Annika and Zac Kay, Emily Cook, Rob Lauer, Tim Akers, and many more!

SS: Conditioning off the mountain is an essential element to performance on the mountain.  Do you have any training techniques (whether physical or mental) you would like to share?

Heather: Off-hill conditioning is extremely important to being able to continue to play in the mountains. When honing in on the most important aspects, I think it largely depends on your body type. I naturally build muscle pretty quickly, and get tight even quicker, so for me I think maintaining my flexibility is one of the most important things. Ideally I go to yoga 1-2 times per week. Also, as a woman, maintaining hamstring strength is really important as well for injury prevention.

SS: What’s been the most challenging aspect of being an athlete?

Heather: When I was competing on the World Cup and Olympic level, I think one of the most challenging things was living out of a suitcase for approx. 6 months/year and skiing rain or shine. I absolutely loved my sport, but when a course was bulletproof, it became a job. Now, if it’s icy, I go home!

SS: Besides shredding the white wintry wave, what else do you enjoy doing?

Heather: I love to PLAY! Some of my favorite things to do besides resort skiing are: rock climbing, mountain & road biking, yoga, skate skiing, backcountry touring, reading books, and anything with friends.

SS: What is your life motto?

Heather: Happiness is a choice. I’ll always take luck, but hard work is more consistent!

SS: What fuel goes into your body before and after a day on the hill?

Heather: Most mornings I eat organic slow-cook oats with a bit of molasses, cinnamon, chia seeds, and peanut butter. I usually put fresh berries and/or pumpkin seeds on top as well. I find that I stay full longer and have plenty of energy for whatever the day brings. I also make overnight oats quite a bit with greek yogurt and coconut milk.

SS: What does skiing do for your soul?

Heather: It might sound cheesy, but being in the mountains is the closest thing I have to a religion. The beauty of the mountains, and the play time is absolutely key to my wellbeing. I love connecting with nature and disconnecting from my phone (it dies in the cold in about 10 minutes, and I love it!). Beyond that, I’m almost always skiing with some of my favorite people.

SS: Solitude, it’s all in the name.  What are some of your favorite attributes of Solitude and how is it unique from other Utah resorts?

Heather: Solitude is unbelievable. It has great terrain for all abilities, and such a mellow vibe. I also love that some of the best terrain is a bit of an effort to get to. A 5-10 minute effort can get you to amazing runs that feel secluded and peaceful.

SS: What goes through your mind before, during and after executing or capturing a technical line or feature?

Heather: My best runs have been when nothing is going through my mind during besides pure joy and focus on exactly what my body is doing in that moment. Before I usually just take a deep breath and remind myself of one or two technical skills that help me ski my best. After, I just enjoy the adrenaline rush!

SS: When you’re not on the the hill, what can we most likely find you doing?

Heather: Working my day job in wealth management, and when I’m not doing that PLAYING outside or in the climbing gym or yoga studio. I’m such a believer in an active lifestyle and I do my best to do something active every day, even if it is just for 20 minutes.

SS: Let’s talk 2017 Goals: What can we expect from you for the rest of the year?

Heather: You can expect me to be up at Solitude any chance I get, sharing my love of the resort with others, and smiling underneath my buff with every turn I make.

SS: As athletes, you serve as role models in the outdoor industry.  Any advice, reflections or ideas on the types of things you would like see the outdoor industry strive for?

Heather: I think it might be worth considering pushing the competitive season back a bit. It seems like at the beginning of the comp and recreational ski season we are always fighting mother nature (blowing snow, doing everything possible to get open), ideally we could start once we get enough snow, and play in the mountains later into the spring when we often have plenty of snow. I realize this might not be economical though, as everyone seems to be chomping at the bit for the snow to fly in the fall, and ready to move on by April. But me…I’m always ready to ski, and if we had snow in July, I’d still be playing in it!

SS: What’s bumpin’ in your earbuds?

Heather: Absolutely nothing. I used to listen to music all the time when I was on the slopes, but I’ve come to love the peacefulness, and the feeling of life slowing down that I get on the mountain when I relax into the silence or the presence of a good friend with no distractions besides powder!

SS: Spread Stoke’s values are: do what you love, leave this world a better place than you found it, and spread stoke to those around you.  How do you demonstrate these values?

Heather: Those are some great values. I do what I love both on and off the slopes. One of my promises to myself when I retired from competitive skiing was that I would take the time to really find my next passion path. I’ve found that in the opportunity to help people with their finances and decreasing their stress around money. By doing something that I love, I’m not living for the weekend, I’m living for every day. I do my best to be a positive in the lives of others, and I spread the stoke through my contagious enthusiasm for life and the activities I choose to participate in.

SS: Do you have any shout-outs to sponsors?

Heather: Although I am no longer a sponsored athlete, I have so many sponsors and friends that helped me throughout my ten years on the U.S. Ski Team and through 2 Olympics. Red Bull: Who took a chance on me and a new sport, and supported me at an unbelievable level with life changing experiences, high performance coaches, and much more. Moment skis: Which I still play on every time I’m on the slopes, and have provided me with countless amazing turns! POC: Over ten years of sponsorship and incredible opportunities. lululemon: For keeping me comfortable, functional, warm, and stylish…still not a day goes but that I’m not wearing lulu and that includes at my job in finance! Solitude: For the opportunity for Graham and I to be ambassadors and spread our love of the mountains and particularly the resort with those around us. Oakley: My longest sponsor, anyone who isn’t seeing through Oakley lenses is at a disadvantage in my opinion. And finally, Full Tilt boots: The most comfortable alpine boot I’ve ever worn.

We hope you enjoyed our Frame of Mind interview with Heather McPhie. Be sure to say “Hey!” to Heather on the hill this season and give her a follow on Instagram @HeatherMcphie!

Stay tuned for our next Frame of Mind interview. If you know someone who should be featured, let us know.

Every ski hill has them. Local heroes. Homegrown rippers. Ski resort die-hards. You see them sprinkled in the lift lines, hooting and hollering from the trees on pow days, dropping cliffs you’ve wanted to hit all year, and layin’ out high fives all day long. These are the locals that make ski resorts special. They know the stashes, they have their own names for certain runs, and they’re the best friends to have when you’re looking to push yourself.

This month we are launching our Frame of Mind Series where we highlight local ambassadors of different ski resorts. For our first series of interviews, we are focusing on Solitude Mountain Resort, nestled in awe-inspiring Big Cottonwood Canyon, Utah. Get inspired, learn what makes these local pros tick, and introduce yourself when you see them in the lift line. Know someone that you think should be featured? Let us know by leaving a comment below.

To kick off our Frame of Mind Series, here is our interview with the über talented photographer and athlete Eric Dyer. Eric has an incredible natural ability of always catching the perfect photo. His shots consistently make you feel like you are experiencing the exact moment he’s capturing and his photos always have perfect composition. Not only is he skilled behind the camera, but put him in front of the lens, and you can see his passion for skiing really shine. Eric considers himself a skier first, then a photographer. Needless to say, he’s plenty skilled in both.

Eric Dyer in Kiroro, Japan | PC: Kade Krichko

SpreadStoke: Hey Eric, where is your hometown?

Eric Dyer: I grew up in Reading, Massachusetts, a suburb of Boston, about 15 miles north of the city. I moved to Salt Lake City in the Spring of 2013 after I graduated from Northeastern University in Boston.

SS: What is your main snow sport discipline?

Eric: Skiing! And shoveling…

SS: Who can you usually find yourself on a chairlift with?

Eric: With other members of the #SolitudeMYST, of course. Oddly enough, I find myself skiing alone a lot. I actually enjoy interacting with new people on the chair, especially those from out of town. It’s always refreshing to hear about different people’s experiences in a place that I now call home.

Eric Dyer in Kiroro, Japan | PC: Eric Sales

SS: Conditioning off the mountain is an essential element to performance on the mountain.  Do you have any training techniques (whether physical or mental) you would like to share?

Eric: These days, I bike a lot in the offseason. I got into biking at the tail end of the historically low snow year of 2014-2015. I find myself pedaling a lot through the spring, summer, and fall months. It began as a few rides here and there on a borrowed mountain bike, however, I started down the slippery slope and shortly purchased a mountain bike of my own. Since then, I’ve gotten into road and gravel cycling as well. Can’t beat just being able to ride off from my garage in Sugarhouse for 50 miles through all the canyon and mountain passes! Off the saddle, I spend some of my offseason training at AlpenFit in Park City.

SS: What’s been the most challenging aspect of being an athlete/photographer?

Eric: Being a winter sports athlete/photographer, the hardest challenge for me is to get out of a warm bed on a cold morning before the sun rises. Coffee always helps! I definitely see myself as a skier first, but I have recently began to transition to the other side of the lens. In terms of photography, the hardest challenge for me is deciding when to ski and when to stop and snap a few photos.

Harrison Hogan Holley at Solitude Mountain Resort | PC: Eric Dyer

SS: Besides shredding the white wintry wave, what else do you enjoy doing?

I love food, and I love to cook. Besides eating, I enjoy going on hikes with my girlfriend Megan and her three-legged dog, Todd (#ToddTheTripod). I also love music, specifically going to live music events where you can really see the talent of the musicians on-stage.

SS: What is your life motto?

Eric: Alex Lowe once said, “When you remove the risk, you remove the challenge. When you remove the challenge, you wither on the vine.” I stumbled upon that quote when writing a term paper on risk tolerance in college. That was before I even knew who Alex Lowe was. That quote kinda sums up how I try to live my life, to challenge or scare myself every day.

Harrison Hogan Holley at Solitude Mountain Resort | PC: Eric Dyer

SS: What fuel goes into your body before and after a day on the hill?

Eric: I try to eat healthy as best I can. I’d say my diet coincides with where I am. If I’m home in Utah, my diet is probably 75% raw & organic, 25% cooked & organic. On the road, it becomes a little tougher and I usually survive on a diet of granola, coconut, whole grain toast and almond butter. If I’m heading out for a big day, I typically make two eggs over-easy, toast, spinach, and an avocado. When I get home, I just want a pizza.

SS: What does skiing/snowboarding do for your soul?

Eric: To me, skiing is just all about finding the missing piece to a puzzle, except the puzzle has many different solutions and is ever-changing. I really like the freedom, freedom to go anywhere and leave your signature in the mountains.

Harrison Hogan Holley at Solitude Mountain Resort | PC: Eric Dyer

SS: Solitude, it’s all in the name.  What are some of your favorite attributes of Solitude and how is it unique from other Utah resorts?

Eric: bought a pass to Solitude my first winter in Utah on the recommendation from my friend Harrison (@harhoghol). He told me, “If you want to ski powder all day without having to wait in any lines, go to Solitude.” In that aspect, Solitude truly lives up to its name, and is the reason I keep coming back year after year. Aside from the solitude of skiing at Solitude, the terrain and access at the resort, in my opinion, is second to none. Nothing is obvious and you have to work for your lines, which makes the skiing that much more rewarding. I’m still stumbling upon new features and hidden zones to this day.

SS: What goes through your mind before, during and after executing or capturing a technical line or feature?

Eric: My mind kinda goes blank, or rather clear. Nothing else in the world matters except for the challenge in front of you. Whether it’s boot packing up an icy couloir in the wee hours of the morning, or standing on top of a ridgeline with thousands of vertical feet of untouched powder in front of you, it is a very introspective and meditative state that I find myself in. When I’m skiing, that heightened state of awareness really makes me feel like I’m in touch with the world around me. Afterwards, of course, that all washes away with a huge smile, a few hoots and hollers followed by a, “let’s do THAT again!”

SS: When you’re not on the the hill, what can we most likely find you doing?

Eric: Probably in front of my computer screen, with Lightroom and Spotify open.

Eric Dyer in Rusutsu, Japan | PC: Kade Krichko

SS: 2017 Goals: What can we expect from you for the rest of the year?

Eric: This is my first year since I moved to Utah in which I don’t have big travel plans. I’ve checked Alaska, Japan, and British Columbia off of my bucket list, and would love to return to all of those beautiful places, but my focus this year is to stay local and really explore my backyard more. Outside of exploring the Wasatch and Uinta backcountry more extensively, my big goal at Solitude this year is to ski every named/numbered line on Fantasy Ridge.

SS: As athletes, you serve as role models in the outdoor industry.  Any advice, reflections or ideas on the types of things you would like see the outdoor industry strive for?

Eric: Being a winter athlete and just a normal human being, it is difficult to ignore the environmental impacts that we as humans are having on local and global climates. The earth will be here long after we’re all gone. In what shape we leave the planet is up to us. I believe that the outdoor industry, as one of the most visible industries in human interaction with the natural world, needs to be a leader in promoting sustainability and clean energy. On the sustainability side, I’d like to see more outerwear and apparel being made from recycled materials as well as companies striving to create sustainable supply chains. On the clean energy side, think about all that valuable roof space on manufacturing facilities or warehouses. Hello solar panels. The dark side of skiing is that most resorts operate their lifts using power from diesel generators or are pulling from the grid which is still largely generating its power from coal power plants. In Utah, when it isn’t snowing or about to snow, it is bright and sunny everyday. How cool would it be if each resort had a solar farm in the West Desert?

Eric Dyer in Rusutsu, Japan | PC: Kade Krichko

SS: What’s bumpin’ in your earbuds?

Eric: Even though I love music, I usually leave the earbuds at home when outdoors. I just feel like you don’t need to block out nature’s soundtrack. In my car, however, it’s a melting pot of artists and genres from around the world. One day it could be 90’s hip-hop in the morning, and new age country in the afternoon. The next day, you might hear Die Antwoord or Steely Dan.

SS: Spread Stoke’s values are: Do what you love, leave this world a better place than you found it, and spread stoke to those around you.  How do you demonstrate these values?

Eric: Every day, I take out my knife, open the jar of stoke and spread it all over my toast. Kidding aside, every day I try to limit my footprint the best I can. This could be something as simple as sharing rides up the canyon to reduce our vehicle emissions or not using plastic bags when shopping at the grocery store. I also strive to start the day with a smile on my face and keep it on throughout the day. Smiles are infectious and I think having a positive attitude has a positive effect on those around you. Be humble and support all of those that are close to you. A smile and high five to a stranger goes a long way, be it on the hill or walking down the street.

SS: Do you have any shout-outs to friends, family or sponsors?

Eric: I just want to thank my biggest supporters, my parents (Hi Mom!). They got me started on skis at a young age back on the big hills of Massachusetts, Maine, New Hampshire, and Vermont. I still remember those three to four hour car rides to go ski a single day on icy man-made snow! They didn’t second guess me when I decided that I wanted to move across the country to pursue a different way of life. I know they probably didn’t think it would morph into a full-on lifestyle back when they dropped me off at Wachusett Mountain in 1996.

We hope you enjoyed our Frame of Mind interview with Eric Dyer. Be sure to say hi to him if you see him on the hill this season and give him a follow on Instagram @EricDyer.

Stay tuned for our next Frame of Mind interview. If you know someone who should be featured, let us know.

This winter season has been GOING OFF in Utah! Salt Lake City, Park City, and the Wasatch range have been getting slammed with storm after storm after storm. We’ve been spending a TON of time up in Big Cottonwood Canyon enjoying the greatest snow on Earth. And I’m not gonna lie, it’s been a panty droppin’ good time! With nipple deep snow more days that I can count, the last 20 days have been some of the best of my life.

Casey Sowul at Solitude Mountain Resort | PC: Tori Sowul

Tori Sowul at Solitude Mountain Resort | PC: Casey Sowul

Kevin Smith at Solitude Mountain Resort | PC: Casey Sowul

Casey Sowul at Solitude Mountain Resort | PC: Kevin Smith

Kevin Smith at Solitude Mountain Resort | PC: Casey Sowul

Solitude Mountain Resort | PC: Casey Sowul

Tori Sowul at Solitude Mountain Resort | PC: Casey Sowul

Tori Sowul at Solitude Mountain Resort | PC: Casey Sowul

Steph Osborn, Tori Sowul, Casey Sowul at Solitude Mountain Resort | PC: John Alberts

Solitude Mountain Resort | PC: Kevin Smith

The last 5 years have been a waiting game full of yearning for fresh snow. We’ve been dealing with the deep pangs in our gut twitching each time we look outside and see another damn blue bird day, another high pressure ridge, wondering yet again… “WHERE THE HELL IS WINTER?!”. But that’s all in the past now. This year the vibes are high, baby, the VIBES ARE HIGH!

There are no words that accurately describe my complete love obsession with winter. I feel a slight “meh” about everything 3 seasons of the year, and then winter hits and the child in me awakens. Maybe it’s the beautiful blankets of white that hug Mother Nature’s mountainous curves. Or the blizzards that force everyone to snuggle together by the fire. The anticipation of weightless powder turns or that feeling I have after I can’t help but utter “that was the best single turn of my life!”

Whatever the reason for my wintertime stoke, I can assure you, my love of snow pales in comparison to the sheer joy that my dog has for this time of year. Gone are the days of panting in the heat, of laying on the bathroom floor trying to cool down. Of being left home alone with the cat because it’s too hot to hike. Screw that! It’s time to play, romp, prance, and roll in the beautiful fluff outside. Catch snow balls, sprint for no reason at all, jump like a dear, and when no one is looking, make some yellow snow.

If your dog is anything like mine, you share a fondness of playing outside in the cold. Winter is a great time to explore the outdoors with your dog and you can both stay active and healthy while enjoying wintertime hikes. That said, it’s important to make sure your dog stays warm, hydrated, and happy when you two are out in the snow. Many dogs LOVE and can handle cold conditions. That said, many breeds can only tolerate cold conditions for short periods of time, or not at all. Make sure your activity is suited for your dog’s breed and is age appropriate in order to have a great winter together. Need help? Learn about “How Cold is too Cold for Dogs” before venturing out this winter.

Spread Stoke Winter Hiking Dog Tips: 

1. Keep the Trails Clean. Joking about “eating yellow snow” is much more fun than stepping in poop. Plus, as a dog owner, it’s your responsibility to help keep hiking trails clean and clear for everyone to enjoy. Keeping an entire roll of earth friendly biodegradable pick-up bags with you is a MUST. These can be carried in a pocket, on a leash, or in your dogs pack for quick and easy access.

2. Trail Dog First Aid. Dogs are pretty susceptible to injuries while hiking. There are plenty of things to slice a paw open on, branches to run into, or rocks/ice to slip out on. Make sure you bring a doggy specific medical kit with you on your adventure. Not all are created equal. We suggest one that has an eye wash, a pet first aid booklet to review BEFORE you go out, irrigation syringe, tape, multiple wipes (antibiotic and alcohol versions) various wound closures, and gauze are also good to check for.

3. Hydration and Snacks. Sprinting around in the snow is fun, no doubt! Winter hikes can dehydrate both of you while burning calories o’plenty. Make sure your pup has plenty of fresh drinking water and don’t forget to bring snacks/food in case you need to rest for a bite or if you have an emergency and get stuck somewhere overnight. There are a ton of great dog food pack options and water containers out there. I’ve taught mine to actually drink out of a water bottle for quick and easy access while on the go, but always bring a bowl for him/her to drink out of as well. Provide your furry one with water at least every 15-20 minutes.

4. Doggy Gear & Accessories. Depending on your dog’s breed, you may need different items to keep him/her safe and warm this winter. Things to consider: Does your dog get cold easily? Does your dog have a natural winter undercoat? Does your dog’s fur hold moisture or collect snow and ice? Does your pup need winter boots? Your dog might need an insulated jacket, snow slicker, booties, or the like to stay warm and dry out there. You might also consider buying bright colored jackets, harnesses, and leashes so it’s easy to spot your snow beast in all that white! If your dog will NOT wear boots (I feel you!) keep an eye on their paws to prevent & clean out ice & snow build up. That brings us to…

5. Pause for the Paws: When hiking with dogs in the snow, the fur between their paw pads can collect ice melt, snow, ice, dirt, salt and all sorts of other nasty winter things. They can also freeze, split, crack or get cut. Keep your eyes on them, clean them out, and don’t let your best friend eat/lick ice melt or salt off their paws when they’re out and about. Or, bribe them with bacon to keep their winter boots on (good luck with that!). If bribery doesn’t work, grab some Musher’s Secret, a dense barrier wax for all season protection.

6. Pack It In, Pack It Out! I have a working dog, so she obviously LOVES any task given to her. One of her tasks is to carry her own stuff on a hike. This allows me more room in my pack for extra water and jackets (and let’s be honest, a few beers) and Kira carries her own load. Plus, then I don’t have to put poop filled bags in MY pack. Her poop, her problem! Different dogs can handle different sized loads and packs. Make sure yours is appropriate for the difficultly of your hike and your dog. I suggest grabbing a bright colored pack with multiple compartments, light reflectors, and a front leash attachment. I also LOVE a pack that has a handle on the saddle so I can quickly grab my snow beast when needed. Also make sure that each side of the pack has equal loads of weight so it sits properly on your pup’s back.

7. Leash Up. While there are TONS of off-leash doggy trails all around the country (check the local laws before you venture out), you never know when you need to secure your buddy with a leash. Maybe you see a few wild animals roaming around, sprinting children that might get herded, or lots of traffic at your local trail head. Always keep a leash with you and ready to use.

Most of all, enjoy your time together in the snow and let the stoke fly.

The warmth of spring is slipping through the weather patterns more and more each week . The trails are starting to dry out and the beckoning call from your mountain bike starts pulling at your heart strings, urging you to lose yourself on the rolling mountain trails no longer blanketed with white sheets of snow. You heed it’s call, wiping away the light layer of dust she’s collected, exchanging it for a fresh offering of grease, lube, and TLC. You look down and next to you is your best friend: wide eyed, silly grin, and wagging tail. He knows that it’s bike season, and the stoke is high! He looks at you with those big eager eyes and you remember that there is no greater joy than sharing the trail with your favorite pooch.

We completely agree! There is no one better to share the trails with than your furry friend. With singletrack and puppies on the brain, we are super excited to introduce you to Kira, our newest Spread Stoke family member. She’s a 4 month old Border Collie/Australian Shepherd mix who makes us laugh and enjoy the outdoors on a daily basis. With the approaching bike season upon us, the anticipation of hitting the trails with our new 4 legged friend is invading our every thought. While Kira still has a lot of growing up to do before she’s ready to bike with us, she’s really enjoying watching other dogs hit the trails! To help you get stoked for mountain bike season, Kira would like to share her favorite selection of “Trail Dog” videos with you. Cheers to an epic bike season full of dirty paws and keepin’ it rubber side down.

Need some mtb accessories for your bestie? Here are Kira’s top picks for mountain accessories. 

Wolfgang Man & Beast:

Wolfgang was created to celebrate the unique relationship between a dog and his people. We offer American-made leashes and collars for your pup using only the finest American leathers and textiles, plus a distinctive collection of wallets, belts, t-shirts and hoodies for you. We build our products locally, transport them minimally, and they’ll be replaced rarely. SHOP HERE FOR WOLFGANG GEAR.

Ruffwear:

Ruffwear’s mission is to build performance dog gear to enhance and inspire exploration for outdoor adventures and their human companions. Save Up to 40% off Ruffwear outdoor dog gear! SHOP HERE.

If there is one thing that every outdoor lover needs in their quiver of gear, I would say it’s a light weight jacket to block the sun, wind, and elements from your skin when the clouds roll in, when it starts to drizzle, or when it gets downright gusty. I’ve owned and demo’d countless jackets during the last many years, everything from your standard windbreaker to typical fleece zip-ups and rain slickers. But, I can honestly say I have never owned anything as awesome as the incredibly versatile Women’s CFS Jacket by Stio. This sucker is both a hoodie and jacket, zips up high enough to block out the elements, and is one of the coolest fabrics I’ve felt. It’s also made for a women’s curves, which I have to say, is not something most jackets in this category offer. It’s incredibly flattering to wear, whether you’re layering-up or simply need to toss it on over a tank top when shit hits the fan.

Before I dive into details, let’s talk about Stio. Founded by Steve Sullivan, Stio hails from my favorite place on earth, Jackson, Wyoming. As you may or may not already know, Mr. Sullivan also founded Cloudveil, which he sold off years ago. After selling Cloudveil off to a private equity group, he wasn’t super stoked on where that brand was headed. Wanting to get back to producing high-quality durable mountain gear, he gave birth to Stio, which puts focus back on the mountain obsessed athlete and less so the general outdoor masses. With the goal of inspiring individuals with connections to the outdoors through beautiful, functional products, Stio’s vision is to create apparel that “you can live in – in both the epic and quieter moments of outdoor life”.  Clearly, they’ve hit the mark and Stio has moved to the top of the “favorite brands list” among our team.

OK, so let’s get back to the Stio CFS Jacket. When I first opened the package, I was immediately stoked on the “evening blue” color, which is more of a purple than a blue. I love purple (obviously) and was pretty pumped with the green zipper details, a nice contrast to the jacket’s neutral colored grey zippers. But, life isn’t a fashion show and I was really interested to see how this jacket would fit, what the fabric was like, and where I could get the most use out of it.

Fit: I’m a pretty standard medium when it comes to clothing, usually wearing either a size 6-8 and I am about 5 foot 4 inches on a good day. The CFS Jacket that I tested was a medium and couldn’t have fit any better. According to the Stio site, the Women’s CFS Jacket is a “medium cut” which is roomier than their “trim cut”, but designed with feminine athletic performance and comfort in mind. The adjustable fixed hood is large and will go over a helmet with ease, and also has a custom Stio draw cord that can be used to cinch the hood down if needed. I also really love the wrist cuffs, which are snug, but not too tight. This is a great feature for climbing as the jacket stays exactly where it should while your moving around. Another thing I really love about how this jacket fits is that it has a zipper starting at the bottom of the jacket and runs up along the left side. With the zipper pulled closed, the jacket was perfectly fitted to hug my waste and allowed the jacket to move with me during my activities. This is a great feature for mountain biking, climbing, and even golfing because you don’t want to deal with material catching on things like trees or rocks, but you still like having the room when needed, such as pulling the jacket on and off, or for slipping it over a thicker layer, or even, in my case, consuming far too many post-ride nachos and beer. But I digress, let’s talk about the fabric…

Fabric: Aside from color, the soft feel of the CFS Jacket was the first thing that immediately caught my attention. It’s so soft! I really dislike when jackets are crinkly sounding and/or feeling. But, that’s far from the case with this lightweight stretch anorak. Made from extremely durable materials, Stio decided to use Sphero HO Stretch Poplin fabric when designing the CFS Jacket. Sphero HO is a plainweave poplin with a mix of polyester and high spandex, which makes this both stretchable for comfort, but maintains it’s shape and durability. What more? It dries very quickly and is even coated with a WR finish. That makes it pretty close to perfect in my book. My only desire would be for a completely waterproof CFS Jacket. That said, if it’s pouring out, you may want to grab something more waterproof, but the WR finish should do the trick in most daily outdoor situations.

 Technical Features: The Stio CFS Women’s Jacket can handle pretty much all outdoor activities and is full of awesome technical features, making it both durable and useful for autumn hiking, spring skiing, twilight golfing, and devouring misty morning singletrack. But even cooler (literally), is that it has a UPF rating of 50+ and is exceptionally breathable. That makes it perfect to wear during bluebird days when the sun is blazing. You can wear this, protect your skin, and not die from overheating. It also features an adjustable hood, draining mesh pockets, a custom Stio gripper hem (which is the best for keeping the jacket from rising up when lifting your hands!), and YKK reverse coil semi-locking zippers at the center front and hand pockets.  What more, it’s less than 10oz and squishes into most small packs (yes, stuff-ability is très important!).

If you’re looking for a perfect “must-have” piece of outer wear for your adventurous pursuits, it’s pretty hard to go wrong with the Stio CFS Women’s Jacket. It really does fit great, has a very soft-touch and pleasing to feel fabric, and much more importantly, stands up to the outdoors. With summer coming to an end, I am super stoked to have this for the approaching fall season to keep me dry and active while exploring Utah’s incredible hiking trails. As mentioned, this isn’t completely waterproof, so you may want to try something else if you’re planning to play in the rain all day. But, for the everyday outdoor adventurer, this gets the job done! Oh, did I mention they also have a men’s version? Yeah, check out the Stio Men’s CFS Jacket for the handsome devil in your life.

*Disclaimer: Stio provided the author with the CFS Jacket as a sample product (at no cost) for testing purposes. 

Buy the Stio Women’s CFS Jacket from Stio.com

SPECS

For 3 consecutive seasons, she’s been an elusive mistress who seemingly left her devotees abandoned to dwell in a land of dry and warm uncertainty. We were left wondering if she’d ever return. There were stories passed from locals to newly relocated transplants, sharing tales from when she was basking us in her glory, blanketing us in a blower heaven. There were non-believers, those that didn’t believe in the possibility of her return. The faithfully blind, almost to a fault, had nearly caved into the dark despair that the glory days were gone for good. But then it happened …

With the daunting high pressure ridge haunting Utah’s Cottonwood Canyons shunned into hiding, the magical snow machine of the Wasatch has returned and bestowed her beloved rage upon us. With a perfectly cooled 0-15 degree breath of fresh air, she blew in over 3 feet of snow last week and laughter was spread far and wide. Screams of joy were shouted from perfectly angled tree lines. Shouts of glee echoed across the ridge lines. Giggles, uncontrollable, heard from those who found themselves back in Trenchtown, USA.

She’s back, for now. Beg pardon for whatever work you might miss. Do whatever needs to be done to push aside the burn in your legs. Forgo the tempting distractions and responsibilities that will lead you astray.

Let your heart guide you into mountains and follow your soul into her lair.

Kevin Smith at Solitude Resort, Utah. Photo: Eric Dyer

Casey Sowul at Solitude. Photo: Eric Dyer

Tori Sowul at Solitude. Photo: Eric Dyer

Kevin Smith at Solitude. Photo: GoPro

]]> http://spreadstoke.com/snow/skiing-wasatch-snow-machine-utah/feed/ 0 http://spreadstoke.com/snow/international-womens-ski-day-solitude-resort/ http://spreadstoke.com/snow/international-womens-ski-day-solitude-resort/#comments Thu, 04 Dec 2014 03:54:23 +0000 http://spreadstoke.com/?p=3921 Living in a ski town is amazing for many many reasons. You get to skip school on powder days. You get to be surrounded by incredible people who are willing to live on couches, out of cars, and survive on PB & Js in order to follow storms across the country in their beat, but adored, Subarus. You ‘get’ what it is to be obsessed with the mountains and will do anything (including bail on relationships, career climbing opportunities, and steady cashflow) in order to make sure you’re able to take full advantage of every single damn winter! I know, sounds like paradise, right? There is a small dilemma that comes with most mountain towns – and dudes have known this for years! They know that it’s not easy to find a plethora of ladies around town. Generally, this has certainly been in our (I’m speakin’ for the gals here) massive favor when it comes to dating. But – there’s more to it than that. Lookin’ for fellow female comrades to shred with on a daily basis can be tough, intimidating, and sometimes, downright frustrating. I’ve spent most of my life skiing with guys – and I love every damn one of them. Then there are days that are extra special,  spent with my best girlfriends on the mountain while laughing, dancing, being silly, pushing each other harder than they boys, giving each other endless shit when we crash, talkin’ smack on the chair lifts. But, to be honest, meeting and connecting with other female riders can be tough when jobs, kids, sleeper pow days, boys and everything else in life gets in the freakin’ way. That’s why International Women’s Ski Day is super exciting! Solitude Mountain Resort is hosting a massively awesome “Women of Winter” series and they are kicking it off with International Women’s Ski Day. This is the perfect excuse to get your butt out on the slope and meet some new friends, get a little wild with fellow female athletes, and simply celebrate being a chic. Below are details on the entire W.O.W series. Spread Stoke will be up at Soli next weekend for International Women’s Ski Day. So come say hi and meet the crew. For more information on the incredible Women of Winter (W.O.W) Series that Solitude is putting on the entire season, check out their schedule of events here. ]]>

Living in a ski town is amazing for many many reasons. You get to skip school on powder days. You get to be surrounded by incredible people who are willing to live on couches, out of cars, and survive on PB & Js in order to follow storms across the country in their beat, but adored, Subarus. You ‘get’ what it is to be obsessed with the mountains and will do anything (including bail on relationships, career climbing opportunities, and steady cashflow) in order to make sure you’re able to take full advantage of every single damn winter! I know, sounds like paradise, right?

There is a small dilemma that comes with most mountain towns – and dudes have known this for years! They know that it’s not easy to find a plethora of ladies around town. Generally, this has certainly been in our (I’m speakin’ for the gals here) massive favor when it comes to dating. But – there’s more to it than that. Lookin’ for fellow female comrades to shred with on a daily basis can be tough, intimidating, and sometimes, downright frustrating. I’ve spent most of my life skiing with guys – and I love every damn one of them. Then there are days that are extra special,  spent with my best girlfriends on the mountain while laughing, dancing, being silly, pushing each other harder than they boys, giving each other endless shit when we crash, talkin’ smack on the chair lifts. But, to be honest, meeting and connecting with other female riders can be tough when jobs, kids, sleeper pow days, boys and everything else in life gets in the freakin’ way. That’s why International Women’s Ski Day is super exciting!

Solitude Mountain Resort is hosting a massively awesome “Women of Winter” series and they are kicking it off with International Women’s Ski Day. This is the perfect excuse to get your butt out on the slope and meet some new friends, get a little wild with fellow female athletes, and simply celebrate being a chic. Below are details on the entire W.O.W series. Spread Stoke will be up at Soli next weekend for International Women’s Ski Day. So come say hi and meet the crew.

For more information on the incredible Women of Winter (W.O.W) Series that Solitude is putting on the entire season, check out their schedule of events here. 

Infinite thoughts and ravenous cravings to get lost in super fluffy overhead blower has invaded every ounce of my being and are washing over me in an uncontrollable frothy way. This was it … I’m officially ready for Winter. Holy. Shit.

Thank you Sweetgrass, for yet again, stoking my soul out!

Did Makoto’s segment push you over the edge? Yeah, me too… must … watch … again.

Sitting at the Prospector Theater in Park City at the moment, patiently awaiting for ski movie season to start. This is my favorite time of year. The stoke in the air, thick and electric, is wafting around and multiplying with each hug and fist bump made between locals who have been hibernating since the lifts stopped spinning months ago. Winter is coming, indeed.

Mountain biking, hiking, the wickedly addicting game of golf, the monthly trips to Vegas to fix my poker addiction…  all these things are space holders. Hobbies. Things I enjoy doing.

But when the temps start to dive into freezing, when frost takes over fields of fresh cut grass, and the faded Autumn leaves begin to decay, that’s when I start to feel alive again.

The tease of Winter: Images of  thick white blankets draped on Mother Nature’s bare curves take over my thoughts. Slash turns, face shots, the sound of wind whistling through chair lifts during days that scare the tourists away begin to trickle into each waking moment.

Skiing, the fabric that holds my life together. The reason I find myself worshiping the mountains we surround ourselves with. A pure passion.

And another season is upon us.

Being a snow obsessed mountain fiend of the female variety, I’ve spent the majority of the last 20 years consistently disappointed that the action sports scene is dominated by a single gender. Don’t get me wrong, most of my skiing hero’s have been men, including Shane McConkey, Seth Morrison, Doug Coombs, and others. But I’ve also been largely influenced and have proudly looked-up to Wendy Fisher, Ingrid Backstrom, and the incredible and larger than life Sarah Burke. Watching these women during my teenage years and during my early 20′s reminded me that there are chicks out there that just absolutely rip! In the photoshopped-glossy-magazine-world where we live, it’s important for girls growing up to know that they can go as big as the boys and follow their athletic passions as far as they want.   Having more female athletes on film and in the media can only help inspire and push young girls to open doors they didn’t know were possible. That’s why I’m SUPER stoked on Pretty Faces!

About the Pretty Faces film project:

“Pretty Faces is a film celebrating women who thrive in the snow. The concept for the film was originated by professional big mountain skier and SheJumps co-founder, Lynsey Dyer with the objective of giving women and girls, young and old, a source of inspiration through a unique look at what is possible when boundaries are broken, dreams captured and friendships cultivated. In Lynsey’s words “I wanted to give young girls something positive to look up to…I wanted to give them their Blizzard of Ahhs, Ski Movie or High Life, but done in a way that also shows the elegance, grace, community and style that is unique to women in the mountains.”

Young girls need more positive role models to offer then an alternative to the world of skinny jeans, reality TV and fashion magazines. We aim to provide a positive source of inspiration for young girls first and foremost. The lessons learned on the mountain parallel those learned by many women who take the path less traveled. Our documentary ski film (Pretty Faces) will showcase women walking that path to deliver the message “If she can do it, then so can I.””

I had my first paragliding experience last fall and it was hands down one of the most amazing things I’ve ever done. Ever since, I’ve been dreaming of geting back out there on a glider and I’ve been telling everyone I know to do it at least once in their lives. Hanging in the sky and floating on an air stream is simply an incredible feeling that can’t be described in words. But it’s more than just a feeling.

The paragliding world is made up of a tight-knit and supportive community passionate about creating positive change in the world. Whether that is enjoying a motor-less way to fly to educating students to follow their dreams, paragliding athletes and entrepreneurs are doing incredible things to leave this world a better place than they found it.

This morning, I was sent an incredible story about Nick Greece & the Cloudbase Foundation, both committed to supporting and giving back to the communities where they fly. Watch and share their story about using passion to make a positive impact on our world.

You can learn more about the Cloudbase Foundation and Keen’s “Follow Your Feet” campaign here.

Related Post: 

• PARAGLIDING AT POINT OF THE MOUNTAIN WITH UTAH PARAGLIDING

If you haven’t heard of Joe Pleban by now, prepare to be inspired. Not many people are like Joe: Adventurous, incredibly friendly, and open to accepting adversity and physical health issues with humor, no matter how scary. Even if that means literally having to cut off a left foot! I first heard of Joe’s story through Facebook, where his “The Last Adventures of Joe’s Left Foot” was becoming a viral hit. The page highlights a bucket list of what Joe was planning to do with his left foot prior to a scheduled amputation, which would allow Joe to continue his active lifestyle and love of sports without the incredible nagging pain from a prior injury.

As soon as I learned about Joe’s incredible outlook on life, using humor & humility to overcome an injury that would certainly be life-altering, I reached out asking if he would be willing to do an interview for Spread Stoke. Needless to say, Joe was pretty stoked on the site and was happy to share his story …

SS: When I came across your story, I was truly inspired and we would love to share it with our Spread Stoke community. First off, tell us a little about yourself? Where did you grow up and how did you fall in love with action sports?

Joe: I was born in San Francisco and lived there for a couple years before moving to Maryland.  I lived on a cul-de-sac growing up with a couple other kids.  I got my love for action sports because of the show Rocket Power.  I would watch it with other kids, then we would go on the street and try to jump off any ramps we could make/find.  I went through so many of those plastic ramps as a kid.  As I grew up, I would try any action sport that was put in front of me at least once.

SS: Can you tell us how it all started with your foot? What was it like dealing with a foot that didn’t cooperate with your life?

Joe: This whole process started when I had a bad wake boarding fall in 2008.  It was actually the day after my high school graduation! I hit a double up waaayyy too hard, and I ended up snapping my ankle!  The ankle never healed right, and they went into surgery to try to clean out scar tissue.  That is when they found the disease PVNS (pigmented villanodular synovitis), which causes benign tumors that eat away at the cartilage.  I had 3 surgeries in 3 years, along with a round of radiation treatment. This past March, we found that the tumors had returned, and that information helped me to make the decision to amputate.  Growing up with a crappy ankle was not fun.  The past 6 years were the worst.  I would watch the sports I loved being taken away one by one because of ankle pain.  However, I cannot WAIT to get back into all the sports that I love.

SS: When you made the decision to amputate your left foot, what kind of emotions did you face?

Joe: When I made the decision to amputate, there were a bunch of emotions going on.  At first, I was a bit freaked out because of the weight and life-altering nature of the surgery.  After that, I got to the point where I was just excited for the future.  I wanted to get past the surgery so I could get back to playing sports.  I would watch videos of amputees doing all the sports I used to play, and that would make me feel awesome about what was coming.  Right before the surgery, I was very nervous.  However, I felt fine after I woke up. Since then I have been doing great emotionally.

SS: Alright, we want to hear about your bucket list and what was checked off! How long before your amputation did you take time off to go adventure? Any specific experiences you would like to share?

Joe: Ah yes, the bucket list.  Well I had a month before the surgery.  I made the decision to amputate in May, but the surgery was not until June.  So my girlfriend (Johnna Hetrick) and I made a Google doc with all the things we wanted to do before the surgery.  We went kayaking, go-karting, sky diving, a music festival, a trip to the Domincan Republic where we went scuba diving and parasailing, paintballing, shooting AK-47s… it was a very packed month!  Every weekend had an activity planned.  I only took off of work for the Dominican trip and the music festival.  The rest of the activities were on weekends.  Sky diving was the most fun by far.  It was actually a birthday git to my girlfriend.  I surprised her by saying we were going to a vineyard for wine tasting, then ended up at an airport to jump out of a plane.

SS: Can you tell us who Tony Meehan is and how has he helped you with coping?

Joe: Tony Meehan is my mentor for the amputation.  He is a below the knee amputee who had his surgery done last June.  He is young and active, and has been instrumental to showing me that everything will be better with a prosthetic. I met with him before I made the decision, and he was even there right before I went into surgery.  Tony and I have already made plans to go snowboarding together next March!

SS: Post surgery? What was it like waking up with no leg?

Joe: Waking up with no leg was not nearly as bad as I thought it would be.  I woke up, looked down, and thought “OK. I have no leg. This is OK.”

SS: What are you looking forward to in having a new prosthetic foot? Any new sports you want to give a try?

Joe: The thing I look forward to with a prosthetic? Running, running, running, running, aaannndd…. running.  I cannot wait to break out in a wide open sprint whenever I want to.  It may sound weird, but I love to sprint.  As far as new sports, I would like to get into wake surfing.  I  tried it a couple times on friend’s boats and loved it.  I am saving up for a wakesurfer now!

SS: After reading your story, I felt a strong sense of your humility. What does humility mean to you and why do you think it is so important to have in life?

Joe: The best thing I have ever heard about humility is “Humility is not about putting yourself down, it is about raising others up.”  I know that I have been strong through this entire process, but it is because I have so much support from my girlfriend, family, and friends.  It is easy to seem strong when you have so many to help lift the burden.

SS: We couldn’t agree more! Speaking of those who have helped support your mission, are there any shout outs you’d like to give? Who has helped you through this process and inspired you to keep such a positive attitude.

Joe: Shout outs: My girlfriend, Johnna Hetrick, for sticking with me through this whole process. She even slept in a weird, uncomfy recliner in my hospital room every night!  My parents, Bob and Lisa Pleban, for being so helpful and supportive.  They are the best parents. Sorry every other mom and dad, it is the truth.

So now that Joe is taking a step forward towards a pain-free future, we wish him nothing but an awesome and easy road to recovery! Sometimes, the hardest things to do often lead us towards the best and most rewarding experiences in life. Joe has shown us that closing one door only opens up better ones and that when dealing with a bad situation,  a positive outlook and lots humor goes a long way! We’re positive that Joe’s upcoming adventures will be even more amazing without the nagging pain of his left foot. A huge shout-out to Joe for taking time out of his week to speak with me and for sharing his story. Thanks Joe!  Hope to see you & your mentor Tony on the hills in Utah shredding through some pow this winter!

*All photo’s courtesy of Joe Pleban. 

Tram laps in the Summer? Dreams do come true! Snowbird Resort in Little Cottonwood Canyon dropped a stoke bomb on mountain bike fiends this week announcing the grand opening of their brand-spankin-new Big Mountain Trail. Needless to say, we’re aching to get to Snowbird ASAP to do some laps on what will certainly be a premier must-do trail when visiting the Wasatch.

According to the Ski Utah video (see below), the trail is approx. 3000 vertical feet, 7.5 miles long, and takes about 1 – 2 hours to ride depending upon rider experience. So that means it’s a <10 min. ride up the tram for a massive descent back to the tram deck. CAN.NOT.WAIT! From the video, it looks like there are lots of smooth berms to rail, a few wood features, and a mix of high alpine and aspen single track to give even the most spoiled of riders a mega-fix of downhill fun.

Here’s some beta directly from Snowbird.com about the trail:

• Hours: 11 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.
• Access: Hidden Peak (Tram MTB ticket required), Down-traffic ONLY after 11 a.m.
• *Trail Rating: Blue (intermediate)
• Distance: 7.5 miles from Hidden Peak to the Snowbird Center via Dick Bass Highway.
• Trail drops 2,900 vertical feet with an 8 percent average grade. Wide-open straightaways, tight forested turns, small earthen tabletops, wooden bridges and amazing down-canyon views. Very little pedaling required. Helmets required.

• Adult $19 Half-Day, $29 All-Day
• Child $16 Half-Day, $24 All-Day
• Snowbird season passholders (winter 2013/14 and 2014/15) $10 All-Day

For more information about Snowbird’s mountain bike trails, hours, and ticket prices, visit Snowbird.com.

Whether you’re shuttling up or making the climb, the Pinecone Ridge trail atop Park City Mountain Resort is simply a shit-eating-grin-of-good-time kind of trail. It’s fast, flowy, and smooth. Here’s a quickie edit of Kevin enjoying some of Park City’s finest single track …

I haven’t written nearly as much as I wanted to these last 6 months. Getting caught up in the everyday hustle and bustle of life, of starting up a business (this site), and of being a massive procrastinator are my excuses, albeit crappy ones at that. When I decided to take a 6 month sabbatical back in November, I was pretty lost on what I wanted to do with my future, both personally and professionally.

I can’t exactly say that I’ve found what I’m looking for during this time off, but I can say with certainty that it was the correct thing to do.  I often wonder if I have the balls, guts, and sheer determination to continue to follow my dreams and passions. But then I look back on all the amazing experiences I got to share this winter, how many incredible stories I’ve read on this site, and how many people I’ve got to meet and learn from.  And I realize that yes, my life is my own. The decisions I make and paths I follow are the ones I make, and no one else’s.  It’s mine to live with and do good with. If that good is to continue pushing others to follow their dreams and passions by inspiring them to do the things they love, then that makes it all worthwhile.

Apart of the goals I made when leaving my job were to ski as much as possible, to travel, and to open my mind.  I did in fact ski my brains out, meet amazing people along the way, and travel to the Pacific Northwest where I continued to push my boundaries on the mountain. Looking back to my travels, I’m reminded that no matter how scary something seems, or how daunting an obstacle appears, it’s rarely as scary as you make it out to be. With that said, here are some pictures from Whistler and Bachelor taken back in March.

Here’s to always moving forward, never looking back, and a summer full of single track.