About

콜로라도 사람 – Korean: “Colorado Person”

Welcome! I’m John, the creator of Colorado Saram, an adventure travel blog focused on Asia, with firsthand stories from the mountains, slopes, and trails of Korea, Japan, Vietnam, Nepal, and beyond.

I was born and raised in Vail, Colorado, where world-class mountains shaped my love for the outdoors from an early age. Over time, that love for skiing and hiking turned into a passion for international travel.

In 2007, that passion led me to South Korea. What started as a one-year teaching contract became a long-term move, and I’ve spent the past 17 years living here while working as a university English professor.

With four months of paid vacation each year, I’ve used Korea as a home base to explore much of Asia, including skiing in Japan, trekking in the Himalayas, and backpacking through Southeast Asia. I’ve also traveled extensively through the South Pacific, spent six months living and working in New Zealand, explored Australia from Sydney to Queensland, and trekked across South America, Europe, and beyond.

Wherever I go, I plan my travels around the outdoors. Skiing, hiking, and finding the kinds of experiences you won’t get on a group tour are at the heart of everything I do and write about.

What You’ll Find on This Site:

🏂 Skiing in Asia: Resort guides, terrain breakdowns, and travel logistics for Korea, Japan, and upcoming destinations like Gulmarg, India.

🥾 Trekking & Hiking: Firsthand routes and tips from Sapa’s rice terraces, Hallasan’s crater, and the Himalayan foothills.

🐶 Dog-Friendly Travel: Trails, road trips, and pet-friendly stays in Korea, with more destinations to come.

🎒 Gear Reviews: Tested in real conditions, written without hype or affiliate fluff.

✈️ Travel Tips: Sober-friendly, independent, and logistics-smart advice for travelers who do things differently.

Why I Started Colorado Saram

I didn’t start this blog to change the world. I started it because I had a lot of free time and needed something productive to pour my energy into.

A few years ago, I quit drinking. That left me with extra time, a clearer head, and the need for a new challenge. My university teaching job in Korea doesn’t take up much of my schedule, so I started exploring new outlets. At the time, I was actively applying for jobs with adventure travel companies (my dream career) but hit a wall. Nobody wanted to hire someone living overseas, and most companies weren’t equipped to deal with international tax and employment issues.

In one of my final interviews, someone asked if I had a travel blog. I showed them an old site I made back in the day for friends and family. I didn’t realize people actually turned travel blogs into real businesses.

That got the wheels turning. I started reading other blogs, noticed they were linking to affiliate sites, and realized there was a way to take this further. So I pivoted. I taught myself how to build a WordPress site, learned the basics of SEO and affiliate marketing, and just started writing. I had no idea where it would lead. I just knew I needed to start something that mattered to me.

Now, a few years in, I’m slowly building momentum. Traffic is growing, my skills are sharper, and I’m starting to explore what this could become. I’ve even launched a Travel Planning page and have been helping people with trip questions, mostly about skiing in Japan or backpacking through Vietnam, just to get reps in and build something real. It’s still a work in progress, but I’ve got time, and I enjoy the process.

Where this all goes, I honestly don’t know. But I’m in it for the long haul. For now, that’s enough.

Need Help Planning a Trip?

Whether you’re skiing in Japan, trekking in Vietnam, or looking for off-the-map places across Asia, I offer free one-on-one travel planning support.

I’m not selling a not a tour or package. Just offering real advice from someone who’s spent years exploring this part of the world.

If that sounds helpful, check out the Travel Planning page to get started.

Let’s Connect

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