The 2019 Therm-a-Rest Winter Dream Team is a ragtag crew of adventurers and explorers that, in our opinion, have some pretty incredible stories, objectives and pursuits. They share our draw to the great outdoors and also share our desire for a better night under the stars. We’re excited to share their stories over the next few months and hope you enjoy the adventures we share.

Without further ado, we give you the 2019 Winter Dream Team.

Anya Miller @anya_miller

Anya Miller Therm-a-Rest winter dream team
Where is your favorite place to spend a day?
Oh gosh. The list is long — any snowy mountain in British Columbia. A golden hillside in Icicle Canyon. On some Sierra granite. Submerged in tropical water. Anywhere — in nature, trying hard at a fun sport, with one or ten good buds!

What is your favorite Therm-a-Rest product and why?
The NeoAir XLite. I like to bring a lot of treats with me wherever I go — Haribo Gold Bears, black licorice, and chocolate — so I need to shave weight when it comes to my gear!

Holly Walker @hollyskiwalker

Therm-a-Rest dream teamer
Tell us about your first trip in the great outdoors?
My parents took me on great adventures at a young age and I remember by the time I was eight we completed the West Coast Trail on Vancouver Island. My parents had me carry to own food and sleeping bag and I remember it being a hard experience with endless ladders and constant rain. It was an amazing feeling of accomplishment though once I completed the trail in 5 days and I did enjoy hiking along the beach and chasing little crabs along the way.

Who inspires you, both personally and in the outdoor culture?
Over the last 15 years, I have always looked up to strong females like Ingrid Backstrom, Giulia Monego and Janelle Smiley. Their examples have shown me that with the right training, I can accomplish great things too. Finally in 2016, I had to opportunity to work under the influence of Julia Niles, IFMGA Mountain Guide. It was such an incredible experience to learn from Julia.

M.E. Sorci & Ethan Alexander @ourtrailingthought

Our trailing thought from Therm-a-Rest Summer Dream Team
Where is your favorite place to spend a day?
My favorite place to spend a day is either at the crag, on the river, or on a trail in Tennessee. Born and raised here, I might be a little impartial to this state, but then again once you realize how much there is to do and explore, it is hard not to love it, especially if you prefer to be outdoors.- M.E.

What is your greatest triumph in the outdoors?
Hiking the Continental Divide Trail is my greatest outdoor accomplishment. Before this year I would have said completing the Pacific Crest Trail or being a part of the first thru-hike of the Cumberland Trail. Hiking the CDT with my girlfriend M.E. this past summer blows the other two away. The weather, the navigating and the distance made it one of the hardest things I have ever done.

Laura Hadar @holyfrozenwater

laura hadar
How did you find your passion?
I think snowboarding found me. I grew up skiing since age 2 and around 12 I became infatuated with snowboarding. Soon I was hooked and from an early age I knew it was what I wanted to do with my life.

Why is resting better outside important for you?
Sleep is #1. Shitty sleep in the backcountry is not fun. You gotta be well rested to go get after it.

Lizzy Van Patten @lizzyvanpatten

Lizzy Van Patten from Therm-a-Rest Summer Dream Team
Where is your favorite place to spend a day?
Favorite changes on a day to day basis, but at this moment hanging on the side of a giant rock face in Washington Pass.

What sport do you really want to learn more about and why?
I want to learn more about mountain biking because there is a lot of it near climbing areas and I want a rest day activity.

Mike Battey @shotswithmike

Mike Battery Therm-a-Rest winter dream team
How did you find your passion?
Photography is something I do to document activities, places and people while also telling a story. Suffering heavily from anxiety and depression, I know that these issues tend to go away in the backcountry. I began hiking, trail running and backpacking alone because I lived in places where I didn’t know too many people and I wanted to prove to myself that I could get off the couch and fight the voice that everyone has that says “you can’t do it”.

What is your favorite Therm-a-Rest product and why?
I swear by my Z Lite SOL. I always bring it on every trip. In the summer it’s my dog’s bed, a seat for hanging out in the backcountry, emergency pad if mine pops. In the winter it’s my protection against the frozen ground under my other pad. It’s indestructible.

Meet the rest of the Winter Dream Team members in Part 1.