Thinking Outside the “Gift” Box: Gift Guides for the Hard To Buy For

If you’ve ever Googled the phrase, “gifts for the hard to buy for,” or spent hours swarming the Internet for ideas for a hard-to-please person, you know that finding the perfect gift for the picky is practically impossible! It should be easier these days, with so many companies with fascinating products and ideas just a click away on the Internet, yet somehow more options just means more to weed through when trying to find the perfect gift.

So, we’ve spent the last few months searching for those perfect products for different types of people—from trendy dog owners, to trail runners, to techies. We tried to think outside the “gift” box, looking not only for products, but for innovative ideas such as memberships and subscriptions too.

All the companies and products we sought out have something in common with our own company: some are local to the Pacific-Northwest region, some are made entirely in the USA, and some are an engineer’s fantasy, giving us a sneak peek at where product innovation is heading in the future. For whatever the reason, we hope you join us in supporting these interesting and innovative businesses. And, find that perfect gift along the way!

Gifts for the Trendy Dog Owner:

(pictured)

Dog Socks

Casetify Dog Breed Phone Case

 “Putting Your Pet First” Book by John Sleasman

Rad Dog Release ‘N Run Collar with Retractable Leash in Turquoise

“I’ll Run Everywhere” Personalized Photo Frame

“Will Run for Treats” Throw Pillow

Gifts for the Trail Runner:

(pictured)

Rad Dog Release ‘N Run Collar with Retractable Leash (Assorted Colors)

HYDAWAY 12oz Collapsible Water Bottle (Assorted Colors)

Runddies Athletic Underwear by Oiselle

“Make Time to Run” Running Journal

Ice Bug Shoes

Rollingfwd Vibrating Foam Roller

Sweet Spot Athletic Skirts

(not pictured)

Moon Valley Organics Muscle Rub

Strava Social Networking App for Athletes Premium Subscription

“Never Run Alone” Women’s Dog Tee

“I’ll Run Everywhere” Personalized Photo Frame

“Will Run for Treats” Throw Pillow

Rad Dog Pocket Travel Dog Bowl

CamelBak Hydration Pack

Gifts for the Avid Bike Rider

 (pictured)

Live to Ride Decorative Sign

Cycling-Themed Reusable Grocery Bag

Freehub MTB Community Magazine Subscription (available online & in paper form)

Rad Dog Release ‘N Run Collar with Retractable Leash (in Fuchsia)

Sweet Spot Athletic Skirts

HYDAWAY 21oz Collapsible Water Bottle (in Rose)

Blinged Out Dog Paw Bike Bell

(not pictured)

Strava Social Networking App for Athletes Premium Subscription

Moon Valley Organics Muscle Rub

CamelBak Palos^™ 4 LR Waist Hydration Pack

 

TurboPup Complete K9 Meal Bar

Gifts for Outdoor Techies Who Like Gadgets

(pictured)

 

Whistle GPS Pet Tracker

 

HYDAWAY 21oz Collapsible Water Bottle (Assorted Colors)

 

Rad Dog Release ‘N Run Collar with Retractable Leash (in Blue)

 

GoPro Fetch Dog Harness for Adventuring

 

RinseKit® Portable, Pressurized Outdoor Shower

 

Gifts for the Environmental Do Good-er

 (pictured)

 

Freehub MTB Community Magazine Subscription (available online & in paper form)

 

Rad Dog BioHybrid Dog Waste Bags

 

100% Natural Himalayan Dog Chews

 

HYDAWAY 12oz Collapsible Water Bottle (in Chili)

 

Moon Valley Organics Muscle Rub

 

Trendy. Athletic. Outdoorsy. Techy. Do-gooder…No matter what their gig, we’ve found a gift for them. From retractable leashes, to collapsible bottles, to social networking apps, the gift solution is there, you just needed help finding it!

Back to School? No! Back to the Backcountry (with 15% off)!

Back-to-school? No! Let's make the most of what's left of summer and head back to the back-country instead!

To celebrate the last days of summer, Rad Dog is offering 15% off your entire dog gear order at www.myraddog.com. That means 15% off all the items perfect for a fall frolic down the trail.

What might you be able to do with all that rad gear for your dog? Well, there's the Rad Dog essentials, like the revolutionary Release 'N Run dog leash/collar in one; the only collar on the market with patented, retractable leash stowed right into the base of a collar. Take you dog for a hike with tons of off-leash freedom, then grab the stowed away leash when critters, other dogs, or leash laws require a little restraint.

For your fall travels, there's the handy food caddy, our Feed Bag, that holds up to six pounds of food (for dogs with big appetites), and folds down to get smaller as your food starts to deplete. It's also perfect for bringing to the dog sitter or kennel for fall adventures where there are no pups allowed.

We have all the gear to get you back to the back-country this fall. Get it at 15% off now through Labor Day using promo code "laborday16". Happy Trails (and tails!) Rad Dogs!

Six Dog-Friendly Ski Destinations for Winter-Loving Canines

Dog Friendly Nordic Trails Across America

Is there any display of joy more pure than a dog bounding through white powdery snow on a mid-winter's ski or snow shoe?

Dogs have long shown us their desire, endurance and ability to race through the snowy forests on their four legs far exceeds our own, and more mountain resorts and ski destinations are catering to this new furry customer, leading to a growing number of dog-friendly ski destinations--both downhill and cross-country.

From the far-West to the far-East, there are a variety of dog-friendly snow destinations that provide a variety of canine comforts--from dog waste stations to freshly-laundered dog beds. These are six of our favorites.

Six Dog-Friendly Ski Slopes and Mountain Destinations

Lake Tahoe, California. Dog-owning snowshoers and Nordic skiers alike will find good reason to visit Lake Tahoe. Not only does Lake Tahoe offer dog-friendly cross-country ski trails at both the Hope Valley Outdoors Cross Country Ski Center and Tahoe XC, the Northstar resort also offers dog-friendly moonlight snowshoe hikes on the mountain (dogs must remain on-leash, however...gee wouldn't it be great if there was a leash for that?).


Jackson hole, Wyoming. In Jackson Hole, at Snow King Resort, not only is there an entire dog-friendly first floor, there are miles of dog-friendly snowshoe and Nordic ski trails.

Wanoga Sno Park outside of Bend, Oregon

Bend, Oregon. Often-acclaimed for being one of the most dog-friendly destinations in the United States and once named "Dog Town USA," Bend's ski areas are no exception. Though the downhill ski resort of Mt. Bachelor is off-limits to dogs, there is a groomed snow park play area complete with toys in the West Village parking lot of Mt. Bachelor. Just a few miles from the mountain, there are dog-friendly cross country skiing and snowshoe trails at Wanoga Sno-Park, which are groomed and maintained by Bend's local dog-advacacy group, the DogPAC.

Lake Placid, New York. The Lake Placid Resort--the "jewel of Adirondack Mountains"--provides dog-friendly lodging and five miles of canine-friendly play. Close by, Fido can enjoy 2,000 miles of hiking and Nordic ski trails as part of the largest mark trail in the United States. The topper? Upon check-in at Lake Placid Resort, your canine will be greeted with laundered dog beds and bowls of fresh water.

Chittenden, Vermont. Your four-legger will not miss out on any adventuring in Chittenden, where they are welcomed in rustic cabins at the Mountain Top Inn & Resort with a dog bed, bowl, and welcome treat. For the more active canines, there are a variety of hiking and XC ski trails which allow leashed canines.

Our top pick...
Telluride, Colorado. This is an active dog-owners paradise. Not only are four-legged companions welcome in certain dog-friendly cabins year-round on the 13-minute gondola ride to and from Mountain Village (for when Fido wants to hit the slopes), but the ride is FREE for pooches and pedestrians. That's not the only dog-friendly transportation in town: Telluride's shuttle bus, The Galloping Goose, also allows leashed pups along for the ride, which is convenient when hitting up one of Telluride's many pet specialty shops.

While in the Town Park, poop-bag stations are handy and there is an area for off-leash play. For more active adventuring, dog owners can enjoy three pet-friendly trails right from the center of town.

If you are trying to find a winter vacation destinations that combines all things you love--your dog, the outdoors, snow, and skiing--any one of these dog-friendly ski destinations is sure make the list. It's beautiful, powdery, snow-bounding fun for the whole family!