Mountain Story | RaveBoutIt: The Original Mountain Blog (Les Trois Vallées, 2001)
Before Blogs Were "A Thing"
Long before social media feeds and the word "influencer" existed, I spent a season in the heart of the French Alps—Les Trois Vallées. The year was 2001, and while the rest of the world was just starting to figure out the internet, I was already living my first true "MIA" (Missing In Adventure) experience.
I was based in Les Menuires, and instead of just keeping my adventures to myself, I decided to share them with the world. I launched a website called raveboutit.com. It was, for all intents and purposes, a daily blog before blogs were even a thing. Social media was merely a twinkle in Zuckerberg's eye at that time and so websites like Natives dedicated to the aspiring winter season dreamers were the home of those desperate to live the life even if they weren't there, at least not until perhaps maybe next season.
Daily Dispatches from the Vanoise Valley
Every day, I'd head out into the massive expanse of the Three Valleys, exploring the hidden couloirs of Les Menuires, the steep faces of Val Thorens, and the pristine glades of Méribel and Courchevel. And every evening, I'd return to my computer to upload my "daily dispatches"—photos, stories, and the pure, unadulterated stoke of a life lived on the edge (often the edge of being broke admittedly).
I even had a loyal fan from the Netherlands show up at my door with 17 cans of Red Bull to fuel my story.
raveboutit.com wasn't about marketing or metrics; it was about the raw passion for the mountains and the desire to document the "Best Days Ever" as they happened. It was a digital anchor for a physical life of adventure. More importantly, it was a real-time window into life in resort—not a polished marketing campaign or tour operator's snow report, but an honest account from someone living it every day.
From Digital Dispatches to Tangible Traditions
Looking back, those early days of digital storytelling were the seeds of what would eventually become Advent. The desire to capture and preserve those fleeting mountain moments hasn't changed; only the medium has evolved.
Today, instead of daily uploads to a server, I'm crafting tangible reminders of those same adventures, whether carved into wood or expressed through unique prints. Whether it's a trail sign for a run you conquered in Les Menuires, a custom "Best Days Ever" bundle for the latest season at your home resort, or an artistic interpretation of the next bucket-list destination in your sights, the spirit remains the same: celebrating the adventures that define us.
Join the MIA Community
Were you a part of those early mountain communities? Or are you just starting your own journey into the "Missing In Adventure" lifestyle? We'd love to have you as part of our community.
•Explore the "Best Days Ever" Bundle: Explore the Best Days Ever Memory Wall bundle.
•Join the MIA Community: Sign up for exclusive updates and stories
•Share Your Story: What was your first "MIA" experience? Let us know!