Adventure Hound
Merging Two Passions Into One
Summer 2019
Written By: Darby Doyle | Images: Gillian Hunter
“I WAS BARTENDING AT THE CANYONS AND SKIING EVERY DAY,” SAYS SPONSORED YEAR-ROUND ATHLETE ROB ASELTINE OF A LIFESTYLE MANY PARKITES CAN RELATE TO. WHILE STEWING OVER HIS IMAGINED LIFE PATHS–A DESK JOB OR A LIFE SPENT IN THE OUTDOORS–A FRIEND ASKED, “WHY CAN’T YOU DO BOTH?”
A lightbulb moment. “I figured out where my interests in the outdoors and my expertise in marketing aligned,” says Aseltine. “I’ve stuck to that, and it’s worked.” Right around the time he decided to make the shift to full-time outdoor media branding, social media exploded, and he was able to use his passion for the outdoors and his marketing degree from Syracuse University to carve out a career for himself. He started by coordinating with an already-established network of photographers and filmmakers, working with brands that had sponsored him as an athlete. He credits Matt Sterbenz of local ski company 4FRNT for bringing him in on early projects
In 2015, Aseltine started his own media agency called Blueberry Island, a name inspired by a place near his family’s lake house in New Hampshire. He says of those formative childhood experiences exploring New England, “Bringing people together in the outdoors,” became not just an activity, but a lifelong calling. His clients include outdoor brands like Stio (the technical clothing company that graciously introduced us to Aseltine, as he’s one of their brand ambassadors), Chums, Native Eyewear, and Park City-based Pret Helmets.
From Aseltine’s perspective, there are few other places in the country where he could make his professional dream a reality. “Between the outdoor recreation brands based here, the booming economy, and consistent population growth,” he says Utah is the perfect place to make it happen.
And it’s made even better by the community of friends he’s established since moving here over a dozen years ago. “I have a lot of faith in my friendships,” Aseltine says. “The commonality of outdoor passions creates a full-hearted community through the mountains,” which he says is the basis for sincere, meaningful relationships. As for where you’ll find Aseltine next, there’s a good chance you’ll see him hiking around Summit Park with his Labradors, Gru and Lucy. And he mountain bikes Deer Valley almost every day during the summer season. “There’s nothing to hate about biking Park City,” says Aseltine of his summer plans with a big smile. “There’s a variety of gnarly stuff.”
