A Former Pro Skier And His Family Of Four Embrace The New Normal In Their Airstream

During the pandemic, some folks are trading in their traditional brick-and-mortar lifestyle for a more adventurous path while they self-isolate. For the Pickett family that meant embracing a nomadic lifestyle, living aboard their vintage 1971 Airstream International travel trailer, which they purchased just before the pandemic took hold in the U.S.

Kina, a world-class downhill skier who is the founder of the content-sharing platform ZPPR, along with his wife Nellie, and two kids Ashur and Story, decided to self-isolate on the road, giving them the opportunity to see new places and experience the great outdoors during the pandemic.

Leaving behind their home back in Montana, the mobile home life has afforded the Pickett family the unique opportunity to explore the country at their own pace, while still staying connected to work, school, family, and friends.

Kina, who is no stranger to life on the road, spent 13 years traveling the world as a pro downhill skier. Also, his line of work creating a digital platform for sharing content like photos and videos has given him the opportunity to work remotely while simultaneously helping others to stay connected with friends and family during the pandemic.

To make full-time "#vanlife" a reality, the Picketts bought an Airstream rigged with five solar panels, a 10-pack of LiPo batteries and an inverter, along with a composting toilet. This set up makes it possible for them to live off-grid, so they don’t need to plug in at busy campsites. While unplugged, the Picketts have managed stayed connected to friends, family, work, and school through hotspots, satellite connectivity, and apps that help them find cell coverage. 

Their new normal means homeschooling in the great outdoors, seeing new parts of the country, and embracing the trials and tribulations of small-space living as a family of four.

Check out the full article from Dwell here.