Hello hello! I got really excited the past few days dreaming up some ideas for designs for skis and snowboards. :)

Over the years, old friends in Vermont and in Zurich have been showing me their ski and snowboard designs as well as various contraptions they add during longer trips in the backcountry. As a kid at boarding school for two years, I used to carry around a small flask with brandy in it in my backpack because my mom insisted. It was a family tradition. I loved to wander. :) I guess she felt safer that I had that with me. Over the years, I have put together a good med kit or two. Lately again, I have been really interested in this too as I plan out some longer trips.

When I was 21, I learned how to snowboard from an Olympic athlete training at the ski area in southern Vermont where I was teaching skiing to elementary school kids (and the occasional adult). I didn't think much of it at the time. It was very special though - looking back on it. I pretty much fell down the mountain the first time! Ha ha. We had a lot of fun and that entire winter I spent skiing, snowboarding and living on a farm. Back then, Vermont was full of athletes training, a handful of whom went on to the Olympics. It was a serious endorphin rush to be around at times.

A completely rural life does not suit me I find, but the sun, deep white snow and the long hikes I would take (3 hours on average) roaming the woods and mountain tops while traversing a lot of terrain at least one to two times a week, was wonderful for me. Memories in your mind's eye, you know? Now I pull upon the best of all these experiences and I find it fulfilling. I am also creating and nurturing our own positive, motivating atmosphere at Elf and in my own life with my loved ones. Things are coming together. :)

Happy to now also design a few things. Feels right :)