New Year, New Hobbies

Hello fellow adventurers! As you know I’ve relocated to the PNW and have been enjoying the endless new area to explore! With the winter season coming I knew that I wanted to find a way to play in the snow without breaking the budget while still participating in something that could turn into a new hobby! Thus, enter Nordic (aka cross country) skiing! I’ve grown up downhill skiing and had some experience ice skating so why not try a new thing that allows me to adventure all over snow covered mountains while still getting great exercise!

I signed up for a class through the Mazamas, a nonprofit in the PNW dedicated to mountain exploration in all forms, and went to a local rental shop to get my gear for the month of weekend lessons! Our class is taught by volunteer instructors and there are 6 students, including me, that make up our small group! I researched layering for aerobic winter activities and stashed lots of snacks in my pack. Packed and prepped, I headed up the mountain for our first weekend with lots of excitement and a little bit of nerves.

I wish I took more photos because we were truly in a winter wonderland. The snow was in perfect condition: fluffy, deep, and powder soft. As we learned and skied along, snow flurried from the sky dusting the tracks we left behind. The trees were enveloped in a quiet that was accented by the soft •schck• of our skis over the snow. I’m proud to say that on day one I entered a flow state a few times gliding along as I was able to fall into a rhythm and look up at the forest around us.

No matter the season there is always an adventure to be had in the mountains. This year more than most I was truly excited about the coming winter and the boundless fun to be had with the snow! I am making new friends while learning a new activity in a new year and I hope that all of you adventurers find something like this too. Be brave and be creative and nurture that excitement that comes with the changing of the seasons.