Leveraging Etsy's Print-on-Demand Platform: Boosting a Mom and Pop Backcountry Ski Resort Startup Chances

Understanding the why: Questions answered

In the realm of entrepreneurial ventures, leveraging online platforms has become a game-changer for small businesses. This blog post will delve into the strategic decision of utilizing Etsy's print-on-demand (POD) platform to support the inception of a Mom and Pop backcountry ski resort. By exploring the benefits of name branding, generating interest for crowdfunding, and securing a steady income stream, we can unlock the full potential of this innovative approach. Let's dive into why selling POD products on Etsy is a winning strategy for launching and sustaining a backcountry ski resort.

  1. Name Branding: Building Recognition and Loyalty Establishing a strong brand identity is crucial for any startup, and a backcountry ski resort is no exception. By leveraging Etsy's POD platform, the resort can create a range of branded products such as apparel, accessories, and home decor. These items act as a tangible representation of the resort's unique identity, showcasing its logo, slogan, or distinctive designs. As customers purchase and wear these products, they become walking advertisements, spreading awareness and generating curiosity about the resort. This increased visibility helps to build recognition, attract visitors, and foster a sense of loyalty among customers.

  2. Igniting Interest for Crowdfunding Starting a backcountry ski resort requires substantial financial resources, and crowdfunding has emerged as a popular method for sourcing funds from the community. Selling POD products on Etsy can serve as a valuable tool for generating interest in the resort's crowdfunding campaign. By promoting the availability of exclusive, limited-edition merchandise tied to the campaign, the resort can create a sense of urgency and exclusivity. This approach not only helps to drive sales but also encourages customers to contribute to the resort's crowdfunding efforts, knowing they are supporting a business that resonates with their interests.

  3. Income Generation to Fuel the Project Launching and sustaining a backcountry ski resort involves significant upfront costs and ongoing operational expenses. Selling POD products on Etsy provides a reliable income stream that can be reinvested into the project. With minimal overhead costs and no need for large inventories, the resort can focus on creating unique designs and leveraging the expertise of independent artists. As each product is made to order, there is no need to worry about excess inventory or unsold items. This flexibility allows the resort to generate revenue consistently while scaling production based on demand.

Selling print-on-demand products on Etsy presents a valuable opportunity for our Mom and Pop backcountry ski resort to establish its brand, ignite interest for crowdfunding, and generate a sustainable income. By leveraging the global reach of Etsy's platform, the resort can tap into a vast community of outdoor enthusiasts who appreciate unique and handmade products. Through strategic marketing and collaboration with independent artists, this entrepreneurial strategy sets the stage for a successful startup journey in the backcountry ski industry. https://elev8150.etsy.com/

30” Snow Storm March/26/2023

On the morning of Sunday, March 26th, our property was hit by a massive snowstorm that swept across the region. Despite the inclement weather, snowmobilers could still be seen making their way across the frozen expanse of Showers Lake below, enjoying themselves immensely as they carved through the deep powder.

By the time the storm had passed, our snow base had increased to an impressive 181 inches, thanks to the 30 inches of snow dumped on us throughout the day. As the snow continued to fall lightly and the sun began to set, the beauty of the winter landscape was truly breathtaking. The stillness of the air and the silence of the snow created a sense of peacefulness that was almost otherworldly, reminding us that even in the midst of chaos and turmoil, there is a stillness and a beauty in the world that is worth pausing to appreciate.

A photo of our almost 7-foot-tall solar panels reveals the depth of the new snow, showcasing the impressive feat we have accomplished in braving the elements.

Intelligent Controls - is the company that setup and sold us our off-grid solar system.

I was among the earliest customers of Intelligent Controls and was thrilled to discover that they were located within "Montana miles." Our off-grid resort project, located at an altitude of 8,150 feet and positioned between two mountain peaks, can only be accessed via 4x4 vehicles for four months each year. As a result, I required a strong relationship with a Victron Energy distributor who was knowledgeable and would not abandon us on the mountain after we purchased the equipment. The Intelligent Controls team worked in-house to create a system that could meet our immediate requirements while also anticipating our future business expansion. When I expressed concerns about packing and self-installing a Victron Energy power system in our extreme location, Intelligent Controls invited me to their shop for an in-person consultation to walk me through our system, making me feel more at ease with the installation process. The personal commitment, expertise, and loyalty that Intelligent Controls demonstrated for our unique project has enabled my family to live and work remotely, as though we were connected to Montana's electric grid. As time passed, the system expanded and was fine-tuned, and Intelligent Controls was always available to answer my technical queries or discuss my system's performance through the Victron remote management portal. I highly recommend the Intelligent Controls team for their knowledgeable expertise, loyalty, and fair pricing.

Questions/Answers:

Why start the project living in RV’s?

Why not a speedy project build with loans and or investors?


We strongly believe in the old sayings “cart before the horse” or “wag the dog” in the timing of when and how we develop and build our small mountain project.

Generally, mountain development is costly, and cost overruns are typical, inevitably leading to high failure rates. With this in mind, the family opted out of seeking financing to quickly build a backcountry resort, only to turn around and be forced to immediately find success to pay investors and start the repayment of loans. The family felt that slowly learning our mountain, our market, and our backcountry strengths would garner us more remarkable success.

The mountain gives a 6 to 7-month optimum build season but only a short four-month span during mid-summer of consistent 4x4 travel to the building site. Excavating building pads and quickly deploying RV fifth wheels was the only way to inexpensively and successfully inhabit the property soon.

Blizzard Whiteout

Local Concerns

During our research the year before actually inhabiting the property, we encountered an incredible amount of local pushback to the feasibility of living at altitude off-grid in remote Montana. Statements of "you're going to die," "good luck with starvation," you know about Montana bears," and "you will freeze to death" were common themes of most conversations when discussing our plans. Not taking these conversations lightly, the family prudently thought that lightly inhabiting the mountain with a well-planned escape was the correct approach. Over time we broke down through research each challenge individually so as not to get overwhelmed; with the idiom "less is more," light began to appear, and our dream didn't seem so unrealistic.

     After starting our third year of living at elevation, Mother Nature has taught us a lifestyle of tolerance, balance, and sometimes resignation to uncontrollable events. We didn't succeed at this project by throwing an endless amount of money into a pit, but we solved our issues with good old fortitude, creativity, and patience. Taking our time has given us a seasonal history of what the mountain has in store for us and a working education that we feel can now be explored with visiting guests. Remote off-grid living has also started allowing each family member to find their strengths.

In the case of our daughter Alayah, the mountain allowed her to work locally to learn how to become a professional chef and gave her the dream experience of being a ski instructor. In gaining that experience, Alayah's daily travels gave us a gauge of what snowmobile/4x4 journey up and down the mountain would cost, how much time it would take, and what to expect from Montana weather at elevation.

Living in this wild environment, the family knows where dangerous areas exist and how to avoid them. Knowledge of our local wildlife, habitat, and seasonal whereabouts has caused us to be able to give vital intel to outdoor enthusiasts such as hikers and mountain bikers. Incorporating Karelian Bear dogs into our living area has created a natural barrier between us and unwanted mountain lions, wolves, and bear encounters. Our kids feel safe to hike, play, and work while our Karelians are on patrol.

Elev8150' has experienced three seasons of snow conditions, even though we have a lifetime of learning ahead. The art of avalanche understanding is a process we study and learn in real time, knowing the most severe consequences of the backcountry experience.

16yr Old Girl Takes On Deadly Montana Mountain Winter

It's no joke living in bear country! My daughter, Alayah, showed incredible bravery and dedication when she spent every night on the trail until close to 1 am, seven days a week, after finishing her two jobs. She worked as a ski instructor and in a restaurant, leaving at dawn and returning to the trail late at night. This video is her dramatized interpretation of the foreboding rush she experienced, and I want the viewer to feel the same sense of danger. She had to snowmobile ten miles alone in the dark, with an elevation gain of 2,000 feet, deep in the Montana wilderness. Needless to say, she wasn't the only living thing out there.

Cinnamon Blackbear

June 26, 2022 at around 6:35am, a beautiful Cinnamon black bear was caught on an Arlo security camera strolling up the driveway of our house. It was a majestic sight, seeing the bear with its thick, shiny fur and powerful build walking confidently away from our home. It stopped for a moment, sniffed around the area, and then continued on its way. It's not every day that we get to witness such a beautiful creature up close, and we feel incredibly fortunate to have been able to capture this moment on camera.

Emergency On The Mountain

On March 31, 2022, our family experienced a harrowing situation that we will never forget. Our 10-year-old son, Brailen, who had asthma, suddenly became very sick with severe asthmatic breathing issues that we couldn't control with an inhaler or asthmatic nebulizer machine. Monitoring Brailen's oxygen with a fingertip pulse oximeter, we couldn't get his blood oxygen saturation levels above the low 70s. We were in a remote area, and we knew that time was of the essence. We feared that bringing him down on a snowmobile or the snowcat to an ambulance could take him over the edge.

We were in a difficult and stressful situation, but we knew that we needed to act fast. We called the Granite County Sheriff for assistance, and they sent out LifeFlight. We were grateful for their prompt response, but we knew that there were still challenges ahead. After LifeFlight found us and dropped off two paramedics at Showers Lake, the pilot realized that he had too much fuel weight to take off with passengers at our high altitude.

My wife, Alisa, who was 9 months pregnant, had snowmobiled worried to the paramedics with our son. The drama of his illness and the wait for the helicopter to burn enough fuel for a landing caused her to start having labor pains. It was an incredibly stressful situation, and we were worried about both Brailen and Alisa.

But we were in good hands. The paramedics made a quick decision to take them both off the mountain for medical care. We were relieved to be on our way to help, but we were also worried about what would happen next. It was a long and stressful journey, but we were grateful for the care and attention that we received.

In the end, Brailen received the medical attention that he needed, and Alisa gave birth to a healthy baby boy. It was a challenging and unforgettable experience, but we were grateful for the help and support that we received from the Granite County Sheriff, LifeFlight, and the paramedics. We will never forget their kindness and professionalism, and we will always be grateful for the care that they provided to our family.

Having a Bear of a Morning.

Bear Posing For The Camera.

Big Black Bear Posing

One spring morning, at the end of the skiing season, we were fortunate enough to witness a rare sighting of a large black bear. Estimated to weigh between 600 and 800 pounds, the majestic creature strolled past our full-size PistenBully snowcat. It seemed to be taking a leisurely walk away from the melting snow, possibly in search of food or water. The sight was truly amazing and one that we will remember for a long time.

Hummer Crashes Into Under Snow River

On our way to take Alayah to her job at the 7 Gables Resort, we encountered a sudden change in snow pack conditions. The snow was melting from the bottom up, making it difficult to drive on the snow packed trail. Realizing it was unsafe to continue down the mountain, we had no choice but to turn around.

As we were driving back, we couldn't help but notice how the snow was getting slushier and more challenging to navigate. We were on high alert, knowing that snow conditions in the mountains can change in an instant. We decided to slow down, taking extra care with every turn and every bump.

Just when we thought we had made it out of the danger zone, we suddenly found ourselves sinking like a rock in a river hidden beneath the snow. It was a nerve-wracking experience, as we had never encountered anything like this before. We were scared and unsure of what to do.

After a few moments of panic, we managed to gather our wits and assess the situation. We realized that we needed big equipement to get unstuck from the snow. Fortunately, we were able to use our excavator to dig ourselves out of the snow river and make it back on to the trail.

The incident made us realize the importance of being prepared for unexpected snow conditions, especially when driving in the mountains during warmer weather. We learned that it's crucial to have the right tools on the mountain, and to stay informed about the melting snow conditions before embarking on a trip. We were grateful to have made it out safely, but the experience was a valuable lesson that we won't soon forget.

Spring Mission Completed

 Thanks Owen, Anna, Kate, and Hans for a great day on the mountain. Owen from the Trail Head outfitting store in Missoula put a second group of talented backcountry skiers to help educate me on the many elements of skiing terrain sounding AFB property. Everything from avalanche preparedness, backcountry ski culture, and the meaning of life was covered. Started at 5am......returned to the shop near 10pm with fat lips, bloody noses, and me loosing a tooth during a snowmobile extraction. All I got to say........”epic day”...

Family Team Building

Alisa and I took a opportunity to do some family team building. With back to back illnesses this winter and the preoccupation of keeping our shop warm the family had very little time to enjoy visiting the property. Wanting to expose the kids to the property at full snow depth we took a fun trip up with the Pistenbully Snowcat and the snowmobiles.