For some of the youth, the snow itself was an unfamiliar challenge. Don* had never seen it before and nearly didn’t come, worried about avalanches and frostbite. He’d been struggling with severe depression, was at risk of losing his group home placement, and even leaving for the day required a level of effort that often goes unseen. But once he got there, something shifted. He took a chance sledding down a hill and was fully present in the excitement of the moment. Later he laid in the snow, eyes closed in the sun. Our team had never seen him smile before, and saw it twice that day. 

The day held something different for everyone. Some pushed through the challenge of learning to ski for the first time, discovering capabilities they hadn’t expected. Others adjusted when plans didn’t go as intended, walking uphill through the snow to sled and finding their own ways to engage—throwing snowballs, building a snowman, or simply resting in the quiet of the landscape. For Gianna*, who was navigating instability at home, recent loss, and frequent conflict at school and in her community, just arriving felt overwhelming. Anxiety followed her onto the mountain, but alongside her new therapist she stayed with it, sharing a ski lesson that was new and difficult for both of them. It became a starting point: a moment of trust, connection, and the realization that trying something hard might be worth it. Days like this offer experiences of facing fear, connecting with others, and finding, even briefly, a different way of being in the world, made possible through steady support and continued opportunity. 

*Names and identifying details changed to protect client privacy.