The cool winds wisps at my face. The sun gleams down on the soft white field below, streaked with flashes of blue, orange, yellow, and red. I smile at the warmth of the sun and the chill of the mountain wind.

As I flip down my goggles and map out my route down the mountain side, I expect to see a tiny skiing village in the distance. Instead I am greeted by the puffy rolling tops of clouds.

A quick hop and I am off laughing to myself as I think, just one month ago I did not know how to pronounce the difference between "skis" and "snow."

I know I am a quick learner, but I would not have gotten there without some help from a little friend …