SNOW DAYS | Clay Perry

I've been traveling for as long as I can remember. I've been snowboarding for 20 years. I've been drinking beer for a decade. I've been doing yoga for 6 months. I'll be honest, I really did not know what to expect heading into my first Surf Yoga Beer trip. So, I decided to try out SYB because I was looking for a new, fresh travel experience that involved recreation, beer, and meeting new people. Oh, and snowboarding!

What I felt within the first hour was the welcoming and energetic community that is SYB. From the get go it was smiles, laughs, and major stokeage. Shortly after meeting the crew, we jumped right into an amazing yoga practice, greeting our arrival and the 11,000 foot mountain outside our window that would be shredded in a mere 12 hrs. Minds clear, stomachs full with an amazing first dinner, and body relaxed after a few beers, we headed to bed. I knew I was in for a fun few days.

I've never seen the movie "Rocky" but I now know how Silvester Stallone got his motivation. Man, Eye of the Tiger on full blast will really get your day going. Once up, we had a beautiful meditation session surrounded by the smell of bacon, which led to yet another amazing meal. Bodies and minds energized, we tackled the mountain like school kids on a playground during recess.

Back at the commune, we unwound that afternoon with a decompression yoga sesh. We all got cleaned up and headed into the iconic ski town that is Crested Butte for a family dinner for the ages. Another night, another time to lay our heads to bed with a full soul.

Last day - sore and fulfilled from more activities, we said our final goodbyes with hugs, high-fixes, and some tears. It’s not goodbye – it’s “I’ll see you later”.

I was surprised at how the SYB experience can bring complete strangers together in such a short period of time. You quickly learn to let your guard down, to be a kid again, to get out of your comfort zone and into a place that is safe and welcoming.

SYB reaffirmed my personal feelings that food, fun and fitness really does bring people together - in an absolutely stunning location.