Meet Two Moms Making It Easier to Enjoy the Great Outdoors
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When Kathy Thomas and Sara Zilkha met, they instantly bonded over a mutual passion for surfing, skiing, and style—and over their frustration with the time and labor spent bouncing from site to site hunting down the functional yet fashionable clothing they needed to properly dress their active families (they have nine kids between the two of them!) for everything from riding waves to swooshing down slopes. Together, they started to dream of one dedicated place to buy a full range of athletic outfits that were both functional and stylish.
This is the origin story of salt+snow, an e-commerce destination that was created to make life a whole lot simpler (and way chicer) for like-minded activity lovers. It’s a one-stop-shop for the entire family for all types of sportswear from both emerging and established clothing labels. But that’s not all. The site aims to fosters a sense of community and exploration. It does this by telling inspiring stories of active individuals (like a blind ice climber), along with providing educational resources like gear guides and SPF primers. As the weather warms up and we all think about planning our own adventures, we asked these two business-minded moms to share their business brilliance and tips for getting outdoors with the entire family.
Your business was born from need and personal passion. What was the motivating spark?
Kathy: It was two things: first, the discovery of stylish yet functional outdoor lifestyle brands made by people who care about making the world a better place. We wanted to provide a marketplace that spotlights these brands and elevates the number of eyes on these special companies. Second, it was about providing a solution for the time lost scouring the web with endless tabs open on your computer because there was no one trusted resource through which you could buy all types of activewear for yourself and for your family.
Sarah: We were tired of buying clothing that was made for men and adjusting it to fit women with the “pink it and shrink it” mentality. We were also tired of activewear that looked great but could not perform when put to the test.
How important is being outdoorsy for families?
Kathy: It is at a premium, especially after having our families so cooped up during Covid. My kids’ favorite vacations haven’t been the fanciest ones but the ones where we had cool adventures together. Keeping kids happy, active, and off their screens on a vacation is so much better for everyone’s well-being. People need to reset. There is something reinvigorating and healing about getting outside and away from offices, screens, gyms—it helps you refocus and recenter. Outdoor adventure is also a great way to bond.
Sara: I live in an area with easy access to nature, and it’s something that my family doesn’t take for granted. While Covid has been a trying and scary time for all of us, the silver lining for many families was the discovery of outdoor adventures—bike rides, first-time camping trips, a long-distance group run—they are valued activities many women want to continue doing with their families through this post-lockdown period. Personally, it’s a lifeline for my family. For us, it re-centers our balance and helps us focus on the beauty of being present in an activity that doesn’t require a battery.
How does being outdoors bring you happiness?
Kathy: I need to feel the wind on my face and to see snowflakes glisten. I need to swish my hand in the ocean and feel the sand under my bare feet. I need those rare encounters in nature—coming upon an animal that doesn’t run off, noticing the way the light hits the trees—that feel like gifts and take my breath away.
I also need to challenge myself. The surfer Laird Hamilton talks about pushing yourself 4 percent out of your comfort zone. Sometimes it’s terrifying. But once you discover you can do it, you get an unmatchable sense of empowerment and of being alive.
Sara: I’m a nature lover in my heart. When I combine being outside and getting my heart rate up, be it through cycling, hiking, or paddleboarding, I get my greatest adrenaline rush. It feeds me and allows me to reset in a way that I’ve never found when I work out indoors. The therapy of nature and activity for me is the ultimate adventure.
What’s one adventure everyone should go on?
Kathy: Any adventure that involves no cell coverage or no ability to be on your phone! It can be surfing as a family, or going a camping trip, or spending a day rafting, hiking, biking or stand-up paddleboarding—just anything you can’t do with a phone in your hand. If I am being active with my family, I find we all get along better and listen to each other and laugh a whole lot (and complain a bit) together. And if I’m doing something active and outdoors alone, I’m so aware of my surroundings, I end up in such a great decompressed state.
Sara: Hiking. Setting the goal of climbing that hill, mountain, that local state park trail, and feeling the satisfaction of completing that challenge is such joy that everyone should, and can, experience. And it doesn’t have to take place in another town or country or be expensive to partake in; it’s something that you can experience locally with your friends and family or do completely on your own. Don’t forget that you always have the ability to choose your own adventure.
How has life changed for you after starting salt+snow?
Kathy: I definitely have a lot less free time! But that’s a good thing because it’s good to feel challenged and to feel like we are creating something cool. I am invigorated by our amazing team and what we have accomplished. It is surreal that it is live and that people love the site. A friend just forwarded us a text from her friend with a mention of salt+snow in her news feed. How did that happen? It just makes me smile. And it makes me want to get outside and go on more adventures!
Sara: I find myself in a big moment of gratitude. This was an idea started with a dear friend to help women live their best lives. Yes, I’m incredibly busy balancing children, husband, and salt+snow, but it’s the best busy I’ve ever experienced. I have always been a cheerleader for my friends and salt+snow allows me to celebrate and cheer on women who may not be in my circle, but who I’d definitely consider to be on my team.
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