Welcome to the new monthly recap post that I am excited to share with you. Alongside my Instagram content and various updates, these posts aim to offer more detailed insights and reflections into the month's events, activities, and adventures!

January started off quietly at home. The December snow had mostly melted, and a warm front moved through New Hampshire just in time for the New Year. Fortunately, a particular area I love walking in transformed beautifully, thanks to the moisture in the air. Tiny droplets clung to delicate branches, and the moss flourished after a surge of warmth and moisture. The colors of the dry grasses, leaves, and sticks were spectacular against this serene backdrop. Nature was asleep, yet still vibrant in its slumber.

First weekend of January, I finally took the AIARE 1 course offered by Core Mountain Guides in Pinkham Notch. The weather for the two-day field course was brutal, with temperatures in the single digits and winds gusting to 45-50 MPH. I had to bundle up for the adventure. However, I was grateful for the wealth of knowledge that Paul provided. While I had taken avalanche awareness courses and read some information online, there is nothing like working with an experienced professional in the field.

We learned how to properly use a beacon and conduct a search, how to dig someone out, and, most importantly, how to read the snowpack and identify stability. It was an abundance of information, and I would recommend anyone who frequently travels in the backcountry—whether by skis, snowmobile, or even on foot—to take an AIARE course.

After the warm spell in early January, winter finally made a triumphant comeback just in time for the January moon. One evening, I stepped outside to find a few inches of soft, fluffy snow that had delicately coated the evergreens in our garden. The scene was nothing short of magical. Stars twinkled brightly in the clear night sky, their brilliance competing only with the soft glow of the moon. The moonlight cast gentle rays that illuminated the snow-covered ground, creating a mesmerizing interplay of light and shadow. Each footstep crunched softly beneath me, and I felt a profound stillness in the air, as if the world was wrapped in a serene embrace.

The next morning, I ventured out for a snowy walk in one of my favorite local spots. There’s a magical little place, surrounded by tall hemlocks, that I affectionately refer to as The Grotto. It looked absolutely mesmerizing in the fresh blanket of snow, each tree glistening and the entire landscape transformed into a winter wonderland.

Considering that I haven't done much skiing yet with the middle of January approaching, I decided to book a few days in one of my favorite New Hampshire ski towns—Waterville Valley. I reserved a pet-friendly Airbnb and brought Mojave along. I wanted to spend some quality time with him before my upcoming 10-day trip to Colorado.

The week turned out to be a success. I woke up at 6 AM every morning to tour uphill at Waterville Valley. I purchased the Uphill New England pass, which grants uphill access to many ski areas across New England, and I aimed to make the most of it. After logging off from work each day, I doubled my ski days by hitting the XC ski track for a bit.

The following weekend, I decided to head up to Maine to hit the slopes at Sunday River—probably my favorite Ikon resort on the East Coast. While there was a general lack of snow in the trees, extensive snowmaking ensured that most of the terrain was open, and the views were spectacular.

To round out the month of adventure, I packed up and flew to Colorado. I caught my favorite 7 AM Delta flight to Denver, and I swear—the views are almost always incredible on this route. They're so breathtaking that I can't help but obsessively snap photos during takeoff. There’s something truly magical about seeing Boston bathed in that morning glow. Then, flying over familiar areas of Southern NH and Vermont is always a delight, allowing me to spot landmarks like Mount Monadnock and several of Vermont’s ski resorts.

This time, I didn’t work during the day and ski for just a few hours in the afternoon as I sometimes do; instead, I took the opportunity to fully enjoy the mountains. I first arrived in Summit County, a place where I've spent considerable time in recent years. Although I would be spending most of my time in Steamboat, I wanted to ski for a few days in Summit. I spent one day at Copper Mountain and another day at A-Basin. On Saturday, I chose to skin up Mayflower Gulch to avoid lift lines and crowds. The resorts didn't have a great deal of snow this time—just enough to ski, but many spots had roots, rocks, and other obstacles. However, as I toured Mayflower Gulch, I found that due to less traffic and the higher elevation, there was a significant amount of soft, deep powder to enjoy.

After leaving Summit, I drove up to Steamboat and enjoyed some fresh powder on Sunday—a welcome reprieve from the skied-out terrain. The rest of the week, however, was magically sunny. But I won’t complain. Steamboat has such a variety—it features trees, powder stashes even days after a fresh dump, groomers, stunning views, and, most importantly, a chill vibe and an amazing happy hour scene. Every day, after wrapping up my skiing, I ventured into town to sample a range of restaurants. This time's favorite was Yampa Valley Kitchen, where some of the dishes are featured here. The atmosphere was cozy and relaxing, and the food had a farm-to-table vibe with an artisan touch.

January Recap