My misadventures in learning how to ski as an adult have really taught me the value of being a beginner at something that terrifies you. It’s a mental state you can't really reproduce in any other conditions and it truly teaches you a lot about who you are as a person. A younger Kaelee avoided all things she was afraid of or bad at, I like to think this older wiser version of myself will continue to open them with open arms, and a guided ice climbing excursion in Montana is a perfect example of that.

When I told people I was traveling to Montana to ski, most people assumed I was planning a ski trip to Big Sky. While Big Sky is still on my list to visit, Montana has over 15 ski resorts to explore. Why would you limit yourself to just one area? Though we had a short time frame for this trip, our plan was to visit some less popular locations and I think we did a great job of that!

Learning to ski as an adult is intimidating. We are no longer blessed with rubber joints or feelings of invincibility. I personally looked down the very gentle slope of my first green run and was convinced I would immediately tear an ACL, but it’s also highly rewarding. There is nothing quite as exhilarating as being completely terrified and deciding to try despite that fear. When it goes well, those childhood feelings of invincibility momentarily return. So yes, learning to ski is intimidating, but it doesn’t have to be awful. Here is how I started my ski journey as an adult in Washington!