Month: November 2015

Black Friday…

On By Sunsets and PuffysIn Adventures, Shop, Tetons CornerLeave a comment

So I should be posting all the greatest deals out there right now on ski gear, winter gear and everything else, but I couldn’t bring myself to do it. It’s the first weekend of winter and ski season (resorts opening) and the holidays. All I could think about and want to do was play outside and enjoy spending time with my family and little lovies.

I opted to #OptOutside with REI and thought that was the greatest marketing plan I’ve seen in my life. We are over-run with consumerism, shopping and the latest and greatest. Which I’m not opposed to modern technology but sometimes, I like to leave my cell phone home, unplug and not look at my computer for a few days. I want to enjoy the simple life. That’s when I escape to my #tinycabin, build a fire to stay warm, shovel the driveway and listen to the creek outside my bedroom window. The simple things in life bring happiness. Families, friends, sunsets, snow crystals glistening in the ray of sunshine sneaking through the clouds as you’re riding the chairlift to the top of the mountain or hiking to the top to ski down, listening to the snow crunching under your feet as you set out on your winter adventure, or watching your little buddy go off the trial in the snow drift and disappear as the snow engulfs him but coming up for air as he’s loving every moment of it. That’s happiness, peace, and comfort which brings a smile to my face.

Enjoy the simple things of life. We live in a fast-track society. Slow down and enjoy the simple things. I promise it will bring a smile to your soul.

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A Day of Thanksgiving

On By Sunsets and PuffysIn SkiingLeave a comment

Last night I went for a night tour. Long day at work, too late to drive home to Idaho to be with the family. I needed an outing. As I started hiking in the dusk that would turn to dark I looked around and knew this was my happy place. It was cold, snowing and a blustery night but I couldn’t think of any other place I’d rather be. The down was fun, just the beginner run at Alta but the solitude experienced was well worth the trek.

Hiking through the blizzard I contemplated the things I was grateful for: my dad who introduced me to skiing, adventures and the outdoors. My mom, for teaching us to live life to the fullest and to laugh along the way. My siblings, for pushing me to become the person I am today. The amazing people that have come into my life and stayed and others who are gone but made an impact on my life.

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Winter… for our best buddies

On By Sunsets and PuffysIn Skiing, Tetons CornerLeave a comment

Winter is upon us and we’ve been getting out in that fun white stuff called snow. I LOVE snow and winter is my favorite season. My little buddy Teton loves it too. I found the perfect dog for me.

This weekend we went out and played in the snow and Teton had his first backcountry experience. I’m sure when we rolled up and started skinning everyone was thinking, ‘Who brought the princess dog in bright yellow boots and a plaid vest.’ That would be me. I know my little Teton and he beat me to the top of the mountain. He loved every minute of it and the skiing experience on the way down was new but fun for little Teton. He may be little but he’s tough as nails.

Teton has ‘hair’ so snowballs form on him the longer we play in the snow. So a plaid puffy vest helps keep the snow off and he’s my dog, he has to have a puffy too! I put little booties on his feet to help with the cold snow but mainly to keep his feet dry when he’s prancing on my lap as we’re driving home. Yes, I have a small or toy dog but the only time he’ll sit on my lap or take a nap in my lap is in the car. So booties it is to keep me dry, dirt free and to keep my car clean.

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All in all my little buddy

  1. loves the snow
  2. loves to hike up the mountain and always beats me to the top
  3. he is little but big in heart and loves adventures and being outdoors
  4. is the best adventure buddy ever
  5. stylish in his puffy and yellow boots

Check out Teton’s attire. It works and it’s on sale. Puffy vest, booties, water bowl and Teton’s favorite treats  !

Teton

On By Sunsets and PuffysIn Tetons CornerLeave a comment

Teton is my little buddy. He comes on all sort of adventures with me. He loves the snow as much as I do and loves being in the mountains during the summer. He’ll be showcasing his adventures and what essential items are needed for your four legged friends on any adventure

. Teton Me Targhee

Hump Day Deals

On By Sunsets and PuffysIn Shop, SkiingLeave a comment

There are lots of great deals out there for last year’s models. Same great product, just a new graphic or color change for this years models. Check out A’s top picks!

Screen Shot 2015-11-11 at 9.23.02 AM K2 Missbehaved. A great all-mountain women’s ski that will float in the powder but still hold an edge on the groomers. 102 underfoot.

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The Patagonia Nano puff vest has been my favorite find from a few years back. I now own three. On those extra chilly days I’ll wear this under my shell on top of my normal layers or when I’m in the backcountry throw it over my top layer as I’m pulling skins or skiing down. Everyone needs one of these in their layering line-up.

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We all have to haul our gear up to the mountains and it’s best to keep everything organized and in a designated ‘ski bag’. This Marmot Long Hauler Duffel Bag is a great deal and perfect size for all your goggles, ski socks, beanies, helmet, buffs, sunscreen, hand warmers and everything else. Just don’t forget to dry your gear out when you get home. Come March this bag will be really ripe if you don’t!

#MountainCrushMonday

On By Sunsets and PuffysIn Adventures, SkiingLeave a comment

Ah…my Mountain Crush is back and I couldn’t be more giddy, happy, excited and elated! Yesterday was my first day out on my skis and it was soooo good to be back. That first trek up the mountain burns, hurts, my feet are yelling at me, my calves feel like they’re going to pop and I swear I forgot how to ski over the summer but the smile on my face says it all, I’m in love and my true obsession has returned.

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It was fun to get out on the very little snowpack we have. I felt alive driving to the mountain in my ski pants, music blasting to my favorite tunes, and bopping my beanie to the beat. Yesterday was extra special because I took my little buddy Teton out for a ski for the first time. He LOVED it! I knew he would. We put his bright yellow booties on him and his plaid puffy vest and up the mountain we went. I’m sure everyone thought, “Who’s this princess with her little princess dog.” But don’t mistake my little buddy for a princess. He hiked all the way to the top by himself and loved every moment of it. He may be small but he’s big in heart just like me. We both have a love for adventure and the mountains. It was also a special day bIMG_1432ecause my nephew Dave came with me and it was his first backcountry experience. He’s a sophomore in HS and Gpa gave him a touring set up. Dave grew up in Minnesota skiing. It must run in the genes because after a few tips Dave was well on his way and looked like IMG_1427a pro. He even skied like a pro. I was one proud day for Aunt Andria.

So it begins, my love affair with snow, skiing, the mountains and of course Alta. I’m blessed to have skiing in my life. I have met amazing people through my travels skiing, riding chairlifts and meeting up randomly on top of High Boy at Alta. Winter is here and my Mountain Crush Monday begins!