Mom, what is a wedge again?” My 5-year-old daughter asks. OH NO … I need to set some seriously low expectations for day 1 on skis! Ski stoke is in full swing as Utah resorts are opening across the Wasatch. But with a couple of years under my belt as a “ski mom” I’ve learned the stoke…

We have loved Deuter packs for many years now, using their ACT and Lite series for backpacking, the Comfort Air kid carrier and many of their kid’s backpacks for a variety of adventure. So when I was looking for a day pack that would work for Backcountry ski touring as well as day hikes in the…

As a jack-of-all-trades family, our collection of eyewear is impressive. Between the five of us, sunglasses, goggles, running sunglasses, work glasses, etc litter our house like my son’s lego collection. But our eye wear has become increasing important to us. And although I’d long given up on glasses or goggles with interchanging lenses (it simply…

Note: Winter recreation in the back-country comes with inherent risk. Avalanche education and gear is a must. Visit the Utah Avalanche Center or your local center for more information. At the very least, watch this video and educate yourself about avalanche terrain, risks, and awareness: Know Before You Go All tours embarked on with our kids so far…

Chris came bouncing into the kitchen yesterday, like Tigger from Winnie The Pooh. He’d just spent a morning skiing thigh deep powder in the Wasatch backcountry and was busy riding a powder high… one I’ve learned that lasts much longer than a runner’s high… I was replacing our 2014 Runner’s World Calendar with a new…

Every good adventure also needs boundaries. Something my kids aren’t necessarily fans of, but are quite used to. Below are our tips for ensuring a fun and safe day on the slopes as a family: 1. Set a meeting place. Families (or any large group) should set a meeting place in a centralized location just…

A few months ago I became acquainted with Skida through the Instagram photos of many of my favorite female skiers, boarders and mountaineers. I guess you could say marketing through influential athletes works because I immediately checked Skida out. Skida Skida hats and headbands are homegrown with a passion for taking a fresh perspective on…

It is Sunday morning and despite being early March, it feels like April. Temperatures are encouraging us out the door and even though I am operating as a single parent for a few days, I am still meeting some good friends for a hike in Mill Creek Canyon. But I’ll be honest: I am tempted…

It seems fitting to write this review of the Canada Goose Moraine Shell on National Polar Bear Day. Canada Goose is largely known for their high quality down outerwear. Gear for arctic expeditions. Gear for the highly committed. Gear for the cold, from a country where cold weather is a part of their national identity….

I love spring. Probably more than any other season, there is so much you can do. From skiing to hiking and climbing, every adventurer can find some soul filling beauty. And every year, when the snow starts to melt, there are specific places that come to mind with a beckon similar to the chocolate in…

My boy is a toy kid. Some kids aren’t that into toys (my daughter) but my boy is obsessed and motivated with toys of any kind. So naturally, as an outdoor loving mom, I look for toys that motivate him to head outdoors instead of staying in. The Shredz Terrain Park toys are perfect for…

Last week we went to the Outdoor Retailer Winter Market. And while we only spent a brief afternoon at the show (other more important things to do, like skiing) we cruised the floor looking for gear that pertains to adventure parents. Below is a brief list of what to look for in the next year….

We head up to Snowbasin Resort. The sun shines (a little too hotly for January) and the car is a roar of excitement. Today a few friends are coming up to ski with us, and my son and his friend have a morning lesson with the Grizzly Cubs. They have a fantastic morning but later…

One reader from Canada asked, “How do I keep mittens on my toddler who hates them?!” She said, “I tried natural consequences the other day and it was not working on my daughter. She was happily picking up sticks and rocks at the beginning and I thought maybe it was still not cold enough for…

Probably the question we get asked the most during the winter is, “How do you actually teach your kids to ski? I mean how to you physically help them on the hill?” Today we are going to attempt to answer this question or at least share a few ideas. There are so many good ways…

One last look at a year full of a LOT of first for us as a family. First snowshoe trips. First time on cross-country skis. First half and full marathons. First triathlons. First all-family backpacking trips. Even the first time trying Kipper Snacks (basically sardines….) And a ton of beautiful moments in-between. Here is a…

If you’ve been around the blog with us, then you know we are more of a “teach our kids ourselves” sort of ski family. But this time we took a parent’s day off and entrust our ski-cuties to the Canyons Resort Ski School.  We prepped our youngest (age 3) for her day in Canyon Cubs, a…

This year, Canada Goose came out with a line of outer-wear for kids, taking all the aspects of warmth and protection for adults but miniaturizing it for the smallest of adventurers. The Bobcat Hoodie is their quilted 625-fill down jacket. It is great as a stand alone or layered under a shell for rugged exploration. Tested…

That is such a cute print! I hear this every day, every time we take out any gear we own by Ducksday. Mittens. Jackets. Rainsuits. Ollie and Stella Outfitters truly has some exceptional colors and designs. But I was excited to see how their newest addition to their kid’s line would handle the ins-and-outs of…

Canyons Resort, Utah is Vail Corporation’s newest ski area and one of the nation’s five largest ski areas with a total of nine peaks and 4,000 skiable acres. As a parent, I am often scared off by the large resort thing.  I want 1) simple, 2) straight forward, and 3) relaxed. Cause chances are my…