About me:

My name is Leonardo Cassanelli. I'm a 30-year-old outdoor enthusiast from Boston, MA, who has the pleasure of calling lovely Jay Peak, Vermont, home.  Think of me as your behind-the-scenes Swiss Army knife, providing you with the proper tools to navigate the hills of Northern VT. A four-season paradise with endless activities for all to enjoy!  Equipping you with 10 years of experience working, living, and playing in these woods. Implementing insider knowledge of skiing/riding, wining, and dining and introducing you to the local players/creative minds that shape our community.  Reimagining the way you view mountain travel forever. The goal here is to show you how we locals operate and how effortlessly you can explore, experience, and enjoy the great place we love and call home. Providing you with scheduled content, personal stories, and an insider's perspective to set you out on many Northern Vermont adventures to come!

Early years:

Ever since a young age, I gravitated toward the mountains. Whether it was a weekend getaway to New Hampshire or, as my father often said, just “getting lost for the day.” Rides north were and still continue to be my escape. The fresh mountain air and positive outlook on life locals hold dear is refreshing compared to the hustle-bustle attitude back home. Once Introduced to this alternate way of life, there was no turning back.

When I traveled further north, through New Hampshire and into Vermont, I would discover where I truly belonged. While the impressive landscape of the Whites is grand, there is just something about crossing the Connecticut River and watching everything turn green. Highway signs, license plates, mile markers, and even as the old saying goes: the grass is truly greener on the other side.

Vermont, the green mountain state with its rolling hills, the mesmerizing sea of lush emerald forests, scenic byways, rustic red barns, and deep blue skies, is an actual work of art. Even wintertime offers its own identity. My favorite time of year; when the snow starts flying, ski lifts start spinning, and familiar faces resurface from their off-season adventures. The stoke is high, temps are low, and preparations for a busy winter ahead commence.

Personal Background:

With a background in kinesiology and countless years of adventure-seeking, spending many of my days’ hiking, biking, paddling, camping, and general involvement in outdoor recreation. Paired with my joy in discovering local dining spots, craft breweries, and hidden gems while meeting new like-minded people. It has been natural to share my passion for the area with those in need. Through a challenging year of rare and unfortunate events, I’ve been presented ample time and the opportunity to express my devotion to this unique yet under-represented area through sharing personal experiences and in the form of a genuine passion project via blog.

Since my first days on the mountain, I have taken great pride in sharing my love of this area. Through the exchange of local knowledge, genuine guidance, and skills learned along the way. Upon arriving in Vermont full-time circa 2013, I’ve had the pleasure of meeting, working, and adventuring alongside incredible individuals on similar paths. Some re-located here as just a pit stop on their life’s journey, while others are deeply rooted. Outdoor/ski enthusiasts turned entrepreneurs; colleagues turned lifelong friends with almost all of our stories alike. For ski/snowboard enthusiasts, exploration was driven in search of an ideal way of life. Each of us is tightly bonded by these vast green mountains, meanwhile passionately sharing the joy they bring us. Although many challenges are associated with year-round living, it propels Vermonters to prosper more creatively than ever.

What’s to come:

Throughout this journey, we will examine and analyze many of the separate paths that connect us, locals and vacationers, to this great state. Personal stories, interviews with professionals, and detailed guides freely accessible to browse through. Remaining relevant as we progress through the seasons and expand our network of resources, with our library of content naturally growing and adapting through time while constantly providing reference points and ideas to plan trips throughout the year. Ultimately, diving into uncharted areas and collaborating with other great minds in the Vermont leisure, travel, and ski industries. I hope you’ve found this piece of my background informative, and I look forward to sharing many more experiences with you as we journey along!