Today we’d like to introduce you to Alisha Niswander.
Hi Alisha, so excited to have you on the platform. So, before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
I grew up on a farm in Ohio. I learned at an early age how to work hard and play hard. My parents always supported me and my siblings to follow our dreams. My dream took me West after I finished college. I have a major in Outdoor Recreation so the West seemed like an appropriate move. I landed in Park City on October 31, 2001. I planned to stay for a winter but just couldn’t find it in me to leave. I fell in the love with the mountains, snowboarding, trail running, mountain biking, you name it. The access in Park City is unbeatable so I kept extending- one more winter, one more summer, on and on.
Winter of 2003 I woke up one morning and told my roommates “I’m going to start a guided snowshoe hiking business.” They were all encouraging and onboard so that’s what I did. All of the sudden I had boxes of snowshoes at my door, liability insurance, a business license, I was ready!! The problem was I had no idea how to run a business. I made a word document explaining the snowshoe tours (remember this was a long time ago!!) and posted it around town to try to get some clients. I think I had two tours that winter. I thought to myself “it’s working!” Soon after, one of my friends who is a graphic designer and web developer said, “Ok Alisha, this has been really cute and all BUT, you need a logo, a website, a business card, a brochure…” Huh. Great idea! So that’s what we did.
From there, I slowly started to offer summer activities, grow my winter business and it just keeps on growing. I have more business than I can handle on my own which is great! I have a huge list of return customers who are constantly referring me to their friends who visit Park City. I have guides who contract with me and are equally as passionate about nature and the outdoors as I am. I have now lived in Park City for 20 years. Most of my guides have lived here as long if not longer than I have! I feel so fortunate that I can recreate with people for a job.
In the winter we mainly offer guided snowshoe tours in the Park City mountains and in the Uinta National Forest. Summers offerings hiking, mountain biking, fly fishing, and corporate team building activities. Every activity is privately guided. We work with the individual or group to determine which trail would be best to provide you a great experience. I want to set people up for success each and every time. When I’m not working, I am passionate about pushing myself to see what my physical body and my mind, are capable of.
To me, nature is a very healing place. Nature is my therapy. I am so happy to share that with people. As someone who struggles with depression, being out on the mountain is a necessary grounding for me. I always feel better once I am on the trail and start moving. Nature is a constant. It is always there. It is available to us. It will hold you up when you feel like you are crumbling. It will speak to you when you take time to quiet the chatter. It will reach out and give you a great big hug and remind you that you WILL make it.
Every day and every adventure is a gift.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not, what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
When I first started Mountain Vista Touring in 2003, I think there were two other companies doing what I was doing. Those two companies are now the largest in town. They went a different direction than my “boutique” style business model. In probably the last 8 years or so, there are so many new companies that have sprouted up. There is a lot of competition in town these days. I am so thankful that I started when I did. I have a reputation of quality and service that takes years and years to develop. People trust me and my guides which sets us apart.
The biggest challenge I face in Park City is trailhead parking. In the summer we still have a lot of options. However, with 450 miles of trails and great access, our trails can quickly become overwhelmed. Winter is extremely difficult. Parking is very limited. It seems like there are more and more ‘No Parking’ signs by trailheads and more and more cars crammed into the available spots. The guiding businesses in Park City provide a necessary service to our visitors. It doesn’t feel like we have anyone advocating for us. I am thankful I started when I did and I know a lot of the trails that are off the beaten path.
With limited parking and less access to trail in the winters (due to the ski resorts being open), we also are facing another grave issue. Climate change is real and is happening right in front of our eyes. This past summer was the hottest, driest summer that I can remember. At the beginning of the summer, our reservoirs were still only about 2/3 full. They slowly drained and drained until you had quite a long walk to get your paddleboards into the water! Snow is become less consistent which makes it difficult for snowshoeing. There are a handful of trails that hold snow but every guiding company is vying for those few parking spots each and every day. It can make the experience stressful vs. peaceful and serene like it should be.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I own and operate Mountain Vista Touring which is a boutique guiding service in Park City, UT. I started it in 2003 on a total whim. It has grown to a year-round business. In the winters we offer many different types of snowshoe tours as well as dog sledding and snowmobiling with a partner of ours. In the summers we offer different hiking options, mountain biking, historic walking tours of Main St., and all types of corporate team building events. I am able to live in Park City, do what I love, be outside moving every day, and sharing beautiful experiences with our clients. I feel extremely fortunate.
Is there any advice you’d like to share with our readers who might just be starting out?
You have to be willing to put in the hard work for quite a long time at the beginning. I used to go around to hotels and talk to all the concierge and tell them why they should choose Mountain Vista Touring. I hated that! I had to have my phone with me all the time for years and be ready to drop everything to take a person snowshoeing. What I’m getting at is that you have to make a lot of sacrifices in order to build the relationships that will help you develop your business into what you envision. Working for yourself is super hard. I am the reservation agent, the person who orders the gear, does the books, answers all the questions, designs special programs for specific needs, and the list goes on and on. However, I would not change this for the world. It is exhausting and sometimes stressful but I work for myself. At the end of the day, I can say that I built something really special. I have been told over and over by many return clients that I am the reason they come to Park City. I am super proud of myself for sticking to it, putting in the hard work, and figuring out how to live my dream.
If you are just starting out, be prepared for the hard work but do not give up. Exhaust all your resources. A lot of communities offer programs with free business advice. People will help you. You have to be willing to ask for help and realize down the line, you can be the person who is offering help to someone else.
Contact Info:
- Email: info@parkcityhiking.com
- Website: www.parkcityhiking.com
- Instagram: @mountainvistatouring
Image Credits
@_josh_houck_
