Outdoor retailers, Patagonia and Black Diamond, are drawing a line in the sand against the Utah government's attempts to reverse a National Monument designation and trying to repeal the Antiquities Act.  These two leaders in the outdoor industry have gone on full assault flexing their economic powers in the face of an anti-public land government agenda. Yvon Chouinard, Patagonia's founder and author of "Let My People Surf", is a long-time…

These were the wise words of a retail guru I knew as a young lad growing up in Toronto, Canada.  Apparently these words are also echoed for real estate transactions but the premise clearly did not sink in.  Or did it? Hosting a Grand Canyon trip for my friend and long-time client, billionaire David Bonderman, he introduced me to his old Harvard Law School grads as a "Canadian with remote…

Some would argue that the Tashenshini-Alsek is North America's most spectacular river.  I never hesitate to say it's the World's most scenic river trip.  The scenery at the put-in at Kluane National Park is stunning and the views improve exponentially every day.  Literally, every day, culminating at Alsek Lake where Mt Fairweather looms and two toes of the Alsek glacier and one toe of the Grand Plateau glacier stretches down…

Nelson has been the home base for ROAM Adventures since 1995 and for a small town gets a lot of ink.  GQ, Men's Journal and OUTSIDE magazines have written about our small mountain town on countless occasions.  This month the San Francisco Chronicle has a story about the quality of powder and lack of lift lines in the Kootenays.  Locals get antsy if its more than a 2-minute wait! Nelson's…

Looking back, and moving forward. Wow, Time flies is right!  Here we are, nearing the end of 2016 and planning the incredible line up for 2017! Ashley Scanlan and Brian McCutcheon rolled “home” to Nelson this November with trucks and trailers packed to the top, a few thousand more miles on the odometer, and with more air miles than we care to remember. But what a season it was! I…

Mention Costa Rica and people think paradise. The rivers and waves are prime, the beauty is staggering and the relaxed pace seductive.  This peaceful bird and wildlife oasis allows active travellers to raft, kayak, hike, snorkel and horseback ride.  Adrenaline junkies can zip line jungle canopies, rapel waterfalls and SUP or surf the Pacific. Costa Rica can be split into 5 geographical zones of travel. We spent hours agonizing on…

It's all about perspective... We just returned from our Zambezi Explorer trip and cannot say enough great things about the country and its amazing people. The trip started off in classic ROAM style as we were treated to giraffe, elephant and lion sightings on our very first safari.  Our dip into Botswana for the day to explore Chobe National Park was extraordinary too.   The inflatable kayaking (Africans call it…

There is a very interesting article I received about "Guy Getaways" in the Wall Street Journal.  It talks about extreme adventure escapes and mentions our good friends at Nimmo Bay.  However, I think the writer missed the mark on the difference between decadent luxurious wilderness getaways and extreme adventure. Nimmo Bay is one of my favourite places on the planet but cannot seriously be considered cutting edge when the "hostesses tuck…

Elephant Camp, which is a key component of ROAM's Zambezi Explorer trip, has been ranked the 4th best luxury hotel in Africa. Making the top 25 list since its inception five years ago, this fantastic private game lodge deserves all the accolades it is getting.  Situated on a private game reserve outside of Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe, the camp features 12 deluxe safari tents and some of the region's finest…

I am not drinking it as I write (I swear) but rather musing over ROAM's evolution as an adventure company with respect to the grape.  I do not know what exactly it is about wine and wineries but ROAM has a long history of being associated with some of the world's best varietals.  Perhaps chance or simply an issue of demographics?  Or maybe wine drinkers enjoy the wilderness for similar…