The Ski Moms Podcast

• Keeping Vermont Wild: A Guide to Family-Friendly Outdoor Adventures in All Seasons

  In this episode of the Ski Moms Podcast, hosts Nicole and Sarah welcome Rachel Proper, founder of Keep Vermont Wild, for an in-depth conversation about making Vermont's outdoor adventures accessible to everyone, especially families with young children. Rachel shares her journey from posting personal outdoor adventures to creating a comprehensive resource that showcases Vermont's beauty while promoting responsible tourism and Leave No Trace principles.The conversation covers practical advice for visiting Vermont, including navigating the state's notorious lack of cell service, understanding mud season (Vermont's unique fifth season), and the challenges of electric vehicles in cold, hilly terrain. Rachel provides insider tips on family-friendly ski resorts, recommending Smuggler's Notch as an excellent family destination alongside larger resorts like Stowe, Sugarbush, Killington, Stratton, and Jay Peak.Rachel emphasizes that Vermont outdoor experiences don't require expensive gear investments, highlighting rental options at local ski shops, free snowshoe rentals at public libraries, and the importance of wool base layers for winter activities. She recommends toddler-friendly hikes like Mill River State Park in Jericho and discusses creative Vermont initiatives like story hikes and story skis that combine outdoor activity with children's literature. The episode also explores the delicate balance Rachel maintains as a content creator—promoting Vermont tourism while protecting fragile ecosystems and respecting local communities.Keep Vermont Wild:Instagram: @keepvermontwildTikTok: @keepvermontwildWebsite: keepvermontwild.comSeasonal guides available for purchase (downloadable PDFs and hard copies)Key QuotesOn Keep Vermont Wild's Mission: "Vermont wasn't meant to be enjoyed indoors. I really do not believe that. I truly, honestly believe it was meant to be enjoyed outside."On Accessibility: "I really just wParticipating destinations include: 🏔️ Steamboat 🏔️ Winter Park Resort 🏔️ Arapahoe Basin 🏔️ Palisades Tahoe 🏔️ Mammoth Mountain 🏔️ Big Bear Mountain Resort 🏔️ Snow Valley Mountain Resort 🏔️ Stratton Mountain Resort 🏔️ Sugarbush Resort 🏔️ Snowshoe Mountain Resort 🏔️ Crystal Mountain 🏔️ Schweitzer Mountain Resort 🏔️ Deer Valley Resort 🏔️ Solitude Mountain Resort 🏔️ Tremblant Resort 🏔️ Blue Mountain Resort Shop the 2025 Ski Moms Holiday Gift Guides here www.theskimoms.co/gift-guides Plan your winter getaway now at VisitUlsterCountyNY.com.🎄Ulster County. Holidays done right. SHOP HEREUse Code SKIMOMS for 15% off all labels. Code is not valid on sale items or stamps. Other restrictions may apply. Support the showKeep up with the Latest from the Ski Moms!Website: www.theskimoms.coSki Moms Discount Page: https://www.theskimoms.co/discountsSki Moms Ski Rental HomesJoin the 13,000+ Ski Moms Facebook GroupInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/theskimoms/ Send us an email and let us know what guests and topics you’d like to hear next! [email protected]@skimomsfun.com

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• Rhonda Swenson: Designing for the Ski & Mountain Lifestyle at Krimson Klover

  In this episode, Nicole and Sarah sit down with Rhonda Swenson, founder and creative director of Krimson Klover, a women's outdoor lifestyle brand known for its vintage-inspired illustrated base layers and bold, colorful knitwear. Rhonda shares her journey from Texas ski slopes to building a successful Boulder-based company, emphasizing her commitment to slow fashion, ethical manufacturing, and sustainable practices. With a 15-person team (plus up to eight dogs in the office!), she's built a brand that takes 18-24 months to bring products to market, working with renowned international artists and maintaining 20-year relationships with factory partners.The conversation covers Rhonda's entrepreneurial path—from flight attendant to ski industry rep to serial founder—and her philosophy on work-life balance, with no one working more than 40 hours per week. As an avid backcountry skier who calls Vail her home mountain, Rhonda embodies the outdoor lifestyle her brand represents. She shares practical advice for ski moms building their wardrobes, highlighting the bestselling Switchback jacket and the versatile Carving Skirt. For aspiring entrepreneurs, her message is clear: "Go for it. What have you got to lose?" You can find Krimson Klover at www.KrimsonKlover.com, on Instagram @krimsonklover, and in ski shops nationwide.Memorable QuotesOn entrepreneurship: "I always just say, go for it. What have you got to lose? You'll have regret if you don't go for it. I think fear drives people's hesitation to jump in and do something new."On failure: "Failure wasn't an option for me. I had to pick myself up and keep on going. I've made a lot of mistakes along the way, but you learn from them."On work-life balParticipating destinations include: 🏔️ Steamboat 🏔️ Winter Park Resort 🏔️ Arapahoe Basin 🏔️ Palisades Tahoe 🏔️ Mammoth Mountain 🏔️ Big Bear Mountain Resort 🏔️ Snow Valley Mountain Resort 🏔️ Stratton Mountain Resort 🏔️ Sugarbush Resort 🏔️ Snowshoe Mountain Resort 🏔️ Crystal Mountain 🏔️ Schweitzer Mountain Resort 🏔️ Deer Valley Resort 🏔️ Solitude Mountain Resort 🏔️ Tremblant Resort 🏔️ Blue Mountain Resort Shop the 2025 Ski Moms Holiday Gift Guides here www.theskimoms.co/gift-guides Plan your winter getaway now at VisitUlsterCountyNY.com.🎄Ulster County. Holidays done right. SHOP HEREUse Code SKIMOMS for 15% off all labels. Code is not valid on sale items or stamps. Other restrictions may apply. Support the showKeep up with the Latest from the Ski Moms!Website: www.theskimoms.coSki Moms Discount Page: https://www.theskimoms.co/discountsSki Moms Ski Rental HomesJoin the 13,000+ Ski Moms Facebook GroupInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/theskimoms/ Send us an email and let us know what guests and topics you’d like to hear next! [email protected]@skimomsfun.com

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• From Ski Day Struggles to Smart Solutions: Julie Gacnik's Pure Mountain Fun Story

  In this episode, the Ski Moms are joined by Julie Gacnik, co-founder of Pure Mountain Fun and mom of four who turned her family's ski day frustrations into a thriving business. A former university administrator who learned to ski in Iowa, Julie's journey began when her 10-year-old daughter invented a 3.5-ounce ski carrier for a school project. After strangers at Beaver Creek asked where they could buy it, the family launched Pure Mountain Fun in March 2020, just one week before the ski industry shut down.Julie shares how the COVID pandemic actually helped them build their business, giving time to figure out domestic manufacturing and navigate virtual trade shows. All four children remain actively involved, from choosing product colors to inventing new items like the ski mat and ring toss made from remnant fabric. The family's commitment became clear when they turned down an offer to sell the business after the kids insisted they wanted to maintain control over their story.The episode concludes with their après ski traditions: chips and salsa, root beer for the youngest, and blowing bubbles that freeze in the mountain air while watching "Foxana" the fox visit their condo patio.Quotes:"The ski pack is a 3 1/2 ounce ski carrier designed to fit like a backpack, but also intuitive enough that a little child such as a three year old understands how to carry it.""If the kids have fun, if the memories are left on the mountain and not in the parking lot from a negative experience, they had a positive experience on the mountain."Links:Pure Mountain Fun: PureMountainFun.com Special Offer: Use code SKIMOMSFUN for 15% offParticipating destinations include: 🏔️ Steamboat 🏔️ Winter Park Resort 🏔️ Arapahoe Basin 🏔️ Palisades Tahoe 🏔️ Mammoth Mountain 🏔️ Big Bear Mountain Resort 🏔️ Snow Valley Mountain Resort 🏔️ Stratton Mountain Resort 🏔️ Sugarbush Resort 🏔️ Snowshoe Mountain Resort 🏔️ Crystal Mountain 🏔️ Schweitzer Mountain Resort 🏔️ Deer Valley Resort 🏔️ Solitude Mountain Resort 🏔️ Tremblant Resort 🏔️ Blue Mountain Resort Shop the 2025 Ski Moms Holiday Gift Guides here www.theskimoms.co/gift-guides Plan your winter getaway now at VisitUlsterCountyNY.com.🎄Ulster County. Holidays done right. SHOP HEREUse Code SKIMOMS for 15% off all labels. Code is not valid on sale items or stamps. Other restrictions may apply. Support the showKeep up with the Latest from the Ski Moms!Website: www.theskimoms.coSki Moms Discount Page: https://www.theskimoms.co/discountsSki Moms Ski Rental HomesJoin the 13,000+ Ski Moms Facebook GroupInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/theskimoms/ Send us an email and let us know what guests and topics you’d like to hear next! [email protected]@skimomsfun.com

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• Building a Snow Empire: Barbara Sanders on Magazine Publishing, Membership Clubs, and Clean Tequila

  In this episode, the Ski Moms sit down with Barbara Sanders, the dynamic founder and publisher of The SNOW Magazine and creative force behind Snow Society and Snow Tequila. Based in Aspen, Barbara has been shaping mountain culture for decades, starting as a ski instructor and evolving into a multi-faceted entrepreneur. She shares her journey from teaching skiing at Mammoth and Aspen to launching a glossy lifestyle magazine that celebrates the glamorous side of ski culture. Barbara discusses her exclusive Snow Society membership club that offers unique ski experiences, plus luxury ski trips to destinations like Portillo and Courchevel. She tells us the story behind Snow Tequila, a clean, female-owned tequila brand she co-founded. Throughout the conversation, Barbara provides insider tips for visiting Aspen with families, discusses the importance of ski fashion, and shares her philosophy on entrepreneurship and following your passion.Keep up with the latest:The SNOW Magazine: thesnowmag.comSnow Tequila: snowtequila.comNotable Quotes:On Following Your Passion: "When you feel something in your heart that you're passionate about, you can do anything. And it is. It's a question of just doing it, believing in yourself, reaching out to people. Everyone knows somebody who knows somebody who can help and support."On Ski Fashion Philosophy: "You'll never, you almost never find me in black. I'm not going to a funeral. I'm going skiing. So I like bright colors and fun and I like to push the envelope, so it's always something different."Participating destinations include: 🏔️ Steamboat 🏔️ Winter Park Resort 🏔️ Arapahoe Basin 🏔️ Palisades Tahoe 🏔️ Mammoth Mountain 🏔️ Big Bear Mountain Resort 🏔️ Snow Valley Mountain Resort 🏔️ Stratton Mountain Resort 🏔️ Sugarbush Resort 🏔️ Snowshoe Mountain Resort 🏔️ Crystal Mountain 🏔️ Schweitzer Mountain Resort 🏔️ Deer Valley Resort 🏔️ Solitude Mountain Resort 🏔️ Tremblant Resort 🏔️ Blue Mountain Resort Shop the 2025 Ski Moms Holiday Gift Guides here www.theskimoms.co/gift-guides SHOP HEREUse Code SKIMOMS for 15% off all labels. Code is not valid on sale items or stamps. Other restrictions may apply. Support the showKeep up with the Latest from the Ski Moms!Website: www.theskimoms.coSki Moms Discount Page: https://www.theskimoms.co/discountsSki Moms Ski Rental HomesJoin the 13,000+ Ski Moms Facebook GroupInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/theskimoms/ Send us an email and let us know what guests and topics you’d like to hear next! [email protected]@skimomsfun.com

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• Powder Days and PT: How to Prevent, Treat, and Recover from Ski Injuries

  In this episode, the Ski Moms sit down with Kathleen Doehla, a physical therapist and founder of Points North Sports and Regenerative PT in Stowe, Vermont. Kathleen shares her  journey from a terrified beginner who crashed into the Spruce Peak base lodge to becoming a confident skier and respected PT specializing in orthopedic and sports medicine injuries.  With 26 years of experience, Kathleen discusses the critical importance of physical therapy homework. She breaks down common ski injuries, prevention strategies, and when to seek professional help. The conversation also covers Vermont's healthcare challenges, the evolution of physical therapy degrees, and practical tools every ski mom should have at home. Kathleen also shares her favorite Stowe recommendations, from Raja Indian food to the Cliff House at the top of the gondola, and her go-to après ski spot - the Après Cocktail Lounge for hot cocktails and chicken nachos.Resources:Website: pointsnorthphysicaltherapy.com"I would say any injury or illness or condition that is preventing you from living your fullest life" [is worth seeing a PT for]."I think it's about learning to live a full life with imperfection and don't expect to be perfect necessarily. You know, everybody's managing something.""So I would recommend to that person that they go see a PT for one session. You don't have to commit to months of it and just see what they have to say."Participating destinations include: 🏔️ Steamboat 🏔️ Winter Park Resort 🏔️ Arapahoe Basin 🏔️ Palisades Tahoe 🏔️ Mammoth Mountain 🏔️ Big Bear Mountain Resort 🏔️ Snow Valley Mountain Resort 🏔️ Stratton Mountain Resort 🏔️ Sugarbush Resort 🏔️ Snowshoe Mountain Resort 🏔️ Crystal Mountain 🏔️ Schweitzer Mountain Resort 🏔️ Deer Valley Resort 🏔️ Solitude Mountain Resort 🏔️ Tremblant Resort 🏔️ Blue Mountain Resort Shop the 2025 Ski Moms Holiday Gift Guides here www.theskimoms.co/gift-guides Plan your winter getaway now at VisitUlsterCountyNY.com.🎄Ulster County. Holidays done right. SHOP HEREUse Code SKIMOMS for 15% off all labels. Code is not valid on sale items or stamps. Other restrictions may apply. Support the showKeep up with the Latest from the Ski Moms!Website: www.theskimoms.coSki Moms Discount Page: https://www.theskimoms.co/discountsSki Moms Ski Rental HomesJoin the 13,000+ Ski Moms Facebook GroupInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/theskimoms/ Send us an email and let us know what guests and topics you’d like to hear next! [email protected]@skimomsfun.com

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