Explore It Outdoors calling it quits

Readers,

When I started this blog more than two years ago I had a number of goals. One was to review gear that I would buy. As a trained journalist and avid adventurer, I wanted to test gear objectively and give you as much information on gear as possible before you spend money. Another goal was to stay involved in the outdoor industry while working for a business newspaper, so I could ultimately make outdoor writing a full-time job.

After recently accepting a position at a new online publication focused on the ski industry, I’m at a crossroads. I’ve always said that when I get such a job I’ll, at least temporarily, give up my blog, and that’s what I plan to do. The site will be live at least through June 2011, but after that is still up in the air.

Part of that decision comes because working all day at the business newspaper and then coming home and working all night takes a toll on my wife and me. Laura: Thanks for putting up with me, for not rolling your eyes too much when I geek out on gear, for constantly stopping to take pictures of me, for sitting through a hail storm because I need to see how long it takes water to boil in a new stove, for often giving reviews a second pair of eyes, and for being my biggest support. I love you.

Today I start a new chapter. I’m now working for Bonnier Corp. under the Mountain Group umbrella that, most notably, consists of Ski and Skiing magazines as well as Warren Miller Entertainment. I’m the content director for Skiing Business, a new online-only business-to-business publication aimed at, primarily, retailers and manufacturers.

So please, even as a consumer, regularly check out the new website that we hope to will have live by September Sept. 14,  sign up for our e-newsletters and don’t be shy. Send me story ideas even if they are rumors you’re hearing or trends you’re seeing, send me ideas on how to make the site better, and send me ideas on how to make Skiing Business, as a whole, better.

Thanks for reading. I appreciate your questions, feedback and support.

Now don’t be a stranger, and make sure you keep getting out to Explore It Outdoors!

Ryan Dionne