Michael Clemente
Michael loves to ski. No, seriously, Michael loves to ski. Let’s qualify this.
Growing up on the East Coast he found NYC and DJ culture. While working for a massive tech company during the day he played and mixed electronic music at night. Somewhere amid this excess, he found skiing. It was enough to inspire a transfer to Denver. And, after driving over Loveland Pass on his way to ski at Arapahoe Basin for the first time, he realized how good his decision was. He also took up yoga.
60lbs lighter and tons of fun later he recognized how skiing had started him on a journey. He gave up the corporate job, bought a truck and a multi-resort ski pass and took off. #trucklife is like #vanlife only smaller and more frugal. A winter touring the US, Canada, and AK was inspiring. But, he wanted to be home in Colorado, so he moved to Summit County and started working in Outdoor Retail.
Did you guess you can find him skiing in the winter? Backcountry or resort its all good. In the summer he is thinking of skiing, riding a mountain bike, or hiking in the mountains.
You can find out more about his trip skiing 22 resorts or some of his other adventures at www.othersidemtn.com or Instagram @michaelclemente
Articles by Michael Clemente
Michael covers skis, goggles, ski poles, and outdoor apparel with the perspective of a skier-turned-retail-pro living in Summit County. Here are some of his articles for Engearment.
Engearment Podcast – Post OMA Summer 2024
July 28, 2024 — Michael joins Sean Sewell to recap what they saw at the Outdoor Market Alliance Media show.
Grassticks Ski Poles – Functionality, Durability and Great Looks
September 29, 2023 — Michael reviews Grassticks ski poles as early-season snow hits the Colorado high peaks, with notes on function, durability, and aesthetics.
Deckers X-Lab X-SCAPE BAJA Shoes – A Multipurpose Water Shoe
September 17, 2023 — A review of Deckers X-Lab’s multipurpose water shoe, tested across paddleboarding, river floats, and fishing over a Colorado summer.
Tincup Whiskey Mountain Mixer – A Hike With Cody Townsend and Elyse Saugstad
August 9, 2023 — Michael recaps a Tincup Whiskey brand event at Snow Mountain Ranch with pro skiers Cody Townsend and Elyse Saugstad, plus a preview of the Tincup Adventure Pack.
RepYourWater Sun Hoodie
August 1, 2023 — A review of a sun hoodie from a Colorado conservation-focused brand, with notes on Michael’s preference for voting with his wallet.
SipaBoards Drive Allrounder E-Paddle Paddleboard – First Self Inflating and Powered SUP
June 1, 2023 — Michael tests a paddleboard that both self-inflates and provides assisted paddling propulsion.
Dragon NFX2 Spyder Collab Goggles
January 10, 2023 — A review of the Dragon NFX2 Spyder collaboration goggles, focused on how they handle the mountain views Michael loves most about skiing.
Meier Skis Prospector – Hand Crafted in Denver with Sustainable Materials
August 23, 2022 — Michael reviews Meier’s Prospector, a Denver-made ski built with sustainable materials, and reflects on what matters most in skiing.
Icelantic Nomad 105 Lite Ski Review
February 3, 2020 — A review of Icelantic’s Nomad 105 Lite, aimed at skiers weighing the trade-off between lighter uphill skis and burlier charging skis.
Moment Lens Review – An Incredibly Effective iPhone Lens Adapter to Improve Pictures
November 17, 2019 — A look at Moment’s iPhone lens adapters as a practical way for adventurers to capture and share better images in the moment.