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Colorado Saram logo with mountain icon and yellow, red, and blue colors representing Colorado's flag, symbolizing the blend of Colorado lifestyle and international adventure travel.Colorado Saram logo with mountain icon and yellow, red, and blue colors representing Colorado's flag, symbolizing the blend of Colorado lifestyle and international adventure travel.
Colorado Saram logo with mountain icon and yellow, red, and blue colors representing Colorado's flag, symbolizing the blend of Colorado lifestyle and international adventure travel.Colorado Saram logo with mountain icon and yellow, red, and blue colors representing Colorado's flag, symbolizing the blend of Colorado lifestyle and international adventure travel.

Korean: 콜로라도 사람

English: Colorado Saram

One who Embodies the Colorado Spirit of Outdoor Adventure Travel

Korean: 콜로라도 사람

English: Colorado Saram

One who Embodies the Colorado Spirit of Outdoor Adventure Travel

Welcome to Colorado Saram, an Asia-based adventure travel blog created by John Buckley, a skier, hiker, and lifelong traveler raised in the mountains of Vail, Colorado.

After working in ski resort PR, I set off on a round-the-world trip that included a season in New Zealand and months of solo travel across the South Pacific, South America, and Southeast Asia. That journey eventually led me to South Korea, where I’ve lived since 2007 and used as a base to explore much of Asia.

Over the years, I’ve built this site to share real-world travel stories and help others plan outdoor-focused trips across the region. Whether you’re chasing powder in Japan, trekking in Vietnam, or looking for quieter ways to explore Korea, I aim to help you skip the packaged tours and experience more along the way.

Colorado-Inspired Outdoor Adventure Travel in Asia & Beyond

Couple riding a motorbike through a colorful street in Phu Quoc, Vietnam, with the woman smiling behind the driver and taking a selfie
Colorado Saram and dog (Winnie) at Conan Beach, Jeju Island - Korea.
Man and border collie dog standing in snow on a cold winter day, wearing thick jackets and pants, on a trekking trail at Daegwallyeong Han Neul Sky Ranch, South Korea.

Fresh Tracks

Trending Now: Asia Ski Trips, Treks, and Travel Guides

Start here with some of the most-read content on Colorado Saram, including trip planning tips, detailed destination guides, and firsthand reports from the slopes and trails of Asia.

These posts reflect the spirit of independent, outdoor adventure travel across the region.

❄️ Skiing in Asia

Start your trip planning with firsthand resort guides to South Korea, including detailed looks at High1, Yongpyong, and Muju Deogyusan.

I’ve focused on the slopes I know best, but new guides to Japan are coming soon, based on my 2024 to 2025 winter trip to Hokkaido, with in-depth visits to Niseko and Rusutsu.

Looking ahead, I’m planning ski travel in Central Asia, with trips to Kashmir, Kazakhstan, and Kyrgyzstan on the horizon.

Whether you’re chasing powder or scoping out new terrain, this section is your launch point for skiing in Asia. And it’s only getting deeper.

Start your trip planning with firsthand resort guides to South Korea, including detailed looks at High1, Yongpyong, and Muju Deogyusan.

I’ve focused on the slopes I know best, but new guides to Japan are coming soon, based on my 2024 to 2025 winter trip to Hokkaido, with in-depth visits to Niseko and Rusutsu.

Looking ahead, I’m planning ski travel in Central Asia, with trips to Kashmir, Kazakhstan, and Kyrgyzstan on the horizon.

Whether you're chasing powder or scoping out new terrain, this section is your launch point for skiing in Asia. And it’s only getting deeper.

🥾 Hiking & Trekking in Asia

From the rice terraces of Vietnam to the high peaks of Nepal and volcanic trails in Korea, these guides are built for travelers who prefer dirt trails to tour buses.

You’ll find self-guided adventures in Sapa, summer trekking in Gangwon Province, and a detailed write-up on hiking Hallasan, South Korea’s tallest peak. Whether you’re in it for the views, the solitude, or the challenge, this section is where the trail starts.

🏝️ Beach Travel in Asia

From volcanic coastlines on Jeju Island to turquoise waters off Phu Quoc, these guides focus on relaxed beach escapes with a dose of outdoor adventure.

Whether you’re looking for ferry tips, island itineraries, or quiet places to swim, this section brings together my favorite beach travel experiences in Korea and Vietnam. More to come as I explore new coastlines across the region.

✈️ Need Help Planning a Trip to Asia?

A trekker stands in the rain on the streets of Lao Chai Village during a trek in the rainy season from Sapa, Vietnam.

I’ve spent the last 15+ years living and traveling in Asia — planning group trips for friends, skiing in Japan and Korea, and trekking across the region.

Now I’m offering free travel planning support for independent travelers who want expert insight without the cookie-cutter itinerary.

👉 Learn more about my Asia travel planning services →

Skier taking a selfie at the base of Niseko on a heavy powder day in Hokkaido, Japan. Dressed in a white ski jacket, mirrored goggles, and a beanie with a Colorado Saram patch, they are covered in fresh snow as skiers and gondolas fade into the snowy background.

Colorado Saram Defined:

Whether you live in Colorado, have visited on vacation, or have never even heard of it, if you seek to explore the natural world, then you are a Colorado Saram.

Translation: a Colorado person

Think of it like the movie Goodfellas: You ski, you hike, and you like to travel to interesting places. You seek outdoor adventures. Maybe you even have a dog.

In the words of Henry Hill:

“Like you’d say to somebody; You’re gonna like this person. They’re all right. They’re one of us.”

They’re a Colorado Saram.

My goal is to embrace the adventurous spirit that defines us, but also to inspire exploration beyond our borders—whether you’re from Colorado or anywhere else in the world.

Whether you live in Colorado, have visited on vacation, or have never even heard of it, if you seek to explore the natural world, then you are a Colorado Saram.

Translation: a Colorado person

Think of it like the movie Goodfellas: You ski, you hike, and you like to travel to interesting places. You seek outdoor adventures. Maybe you even have a dog.

In the words of Henry Hill:

"Like you’d say to somebody; You’re gonna like this person. They’re all right. They’re one of us."

They’re a Colorado Saram.

My goal is to embrace the adventurous spirit that defines us, but also to inspire exploration beyond our borders—whether you're from Colorado or anywhere else in the world.