Vanessa Strachan
Vanessa grew up in Florida, but she always knew she wanted to live in the mountains. Mountain Green, Utah, which is at the base of Snowbasin Ski Resort, ended up being exactly what she hoped for. She works in digital marketing with restaurants and hospitality brands, which lets her blend creativity, strategy, and a real love of good food.
When she’s not working, Vanessa is pretty immersed in the things that make life feel full. She hikes at Snowbasin often, travels whenever she gets the chance, and loves cooking and hosting. She’s also into gardening, working out, and creating a home that feels warm and intentional. She’s always planning something, whether it’s a trip, a dinner, or a project around the house. Her husband, Shae, and their two pups, Rufus and Zhu, are part of all of it and keep things fun.
Vanessa got into hiking when she and her husband moved to Colorado, after spending most of her life in Florida. Having real mountains right outside their door changed everything. She wanted to experience them up close—not just admire them—so she started getting out on the trails, and it quickly became part of her life.
Hiking now means clarity, space, and presence. It’s the one place where everything slows down and sharpens at the same time. The movement, the fresh air, the steady rhythm of the trail—it clears out the noise in a way nothing else does. It reminds her why she wanted to live in the mountains in the first place. There’s something grounding about earning a view and getting a new perspective simply by stepping outside and moving forward.
Joining the Women’s Wine Hiking Society has been such a natural fit. It brings together the things she enjoys most: being outside, connecting with great people, exploring Utah, and ending the day with a glass of wine and good conversation. It’s become a reset for her, a way to stay connected to herself and to the lifestyle she chose out West. She found the group in 2020 when she moved to Park City. She wanted to meet women who loved hiking, searched Facebook for a local group, and WHS came up right away. It felt like the right fit from the start.
What she likes most is how genuine the community is. The women here show up, support each other, and make every hike feel welcoming. Vanessa has made lifelong friends through the group—something she didn’t expect but appreciates more than anything. It’s a great way to explore Utah while being surrounded by people who enjoy the same pace and mindset.
Vanessa’s favorite hike: “One of my favorite hikes was summiting Quandary Peak in Breckenridge. It’s a climb that makes you earn every step, and the view from the top is the kind of moment you never forget.”
Vanessa’s favorite drink: “I love a good glass of Chianti.”
Vanessa’s favorite hiking or backpacking gear: “My snack stash. I’m convinced half the joy of hiking is eating treats you ‘earned.'”
Join our Utah Facebook group here.